Green technology is key to good interior design

(Editor’s note:  As we approach Labor Day, Monday, Sept. 2, we at Westfair thought it was a good time to reintroduce you to some of our columnists, who also labor as small business owners. Here meet Cami Weinstein of Cami Weinstein Designs LLC)

As our increasingly warm weather and torrential storms demonstrate, we have definitely been feeling the effects of climate change. But we can take steps in our homes to help mitigate those effects.

When designing homes, we don’t only consider aesthetics but the different ways design can make homes safer and more energy-efficient. In renovating or building your home, consider such energy-saving features as solar panels, a tankless water heater, heated bathroom floors,and LED lighting.

Replacing old windows with new, tightly sealed ones prevents drafts, keeping the cold out in the winter and the heat out in the summer. Light filtering curtains and screen shades come in many beautiful textures and patterns and are your first defense against the rays and heat of the sun. They and can also keep you warmer in winter. You can add more decorative elements over them, but many of the patterns can serve as stand-alone window treatments.

Take the time to go through everything you want to add to your renovation and decorating, It may add some extra hours to your schedule, but it will be worth it.

Once you work through the upgrades your home may seriously need, you can move on to furnishing your home.  Trending today are many wonderful performance fabrics and indoor- outdoor rugs that are absolutely gorgeous. You would never know that they are a workhorse in terms of your design.  Although somewhat more expensive than other choices, they can wear better and longer, making them worth the extra dollars.  We often use them for homes with children and pets, both of which can create wear and tear on your home furnishings.  Above all we believe in comfortable homes – homes that you love nesting in and give you a sense of wellness and happiness. Given all of the innovations available, your home can be beautiful, comfortable and sensitive to the environment.

With more than 30 years of experience, Cami Weinstein Designs LLC offers custom-curated interior design services.  We listen to what your design needs are, create interiors that are personal to you and your lifestyle and execute those designs with a team of vetted professionals.

Our design style varies from classic traditional to modern and often mix antiques and modern pieces, creating a more transitional blend. We love texture and color, creating rooms that you never want to leave. We love artwork and incorporate art into many of our projects. Most of all, we love creating spaces that can stand the test of time and that are not overly trendy but rather remain always interesting.  When designing, we consider the style of the home or apartment you have as part of the design equation so that the design flows seamlessly.

With offices in Manhattan and East Hampton, we work primarily in the metro area, having started out in Chappaqua in 1993 before moving to Greenwich in 2015. But we also go farther afield and have worked in Arizona and California. Our current projects include properties in New York City, East Hampton and Quogue on Long Island and Los Angeles. We welcome the opportunity to meet with you to discuss your design needs and how to create interiors that are personally yours.

Westfair interior design columnist Cami Weinstein earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in fine art, painting and printmaking and worked as creative director for Royal Copenhagen before going out on her own in 1993. For an appointment, call 914-447-6904 or email Cami@camidesigns.com.