Design with Impact

Episode 13: Beyond Beautiful Spaces: Why Sustainable Art Matters in Interior Design Description: Artwork is often the finishing touch that brings a space to life—but have you ever stopped to consider its environmental impact? In this episode of Design with Impact , Alex sits down with Jenny McCarty , founder of Sage Leaf Studio , to explore what makes artwork truly sustainable. With a unique backg...

Episode 12: How I Built a Sustainable Interior Design Business (Without Having It All Figured Out) Description: In this solo episode of Design with Impact , I’m sharing my personal journey into sustainable interior design—how a childhood shaped by reuse and resourcefulness, a project installation filled with waste, and a powerful documentary completely changed the way I think about design. If you’...

Episode 11: What’s Really Inside Your Sofa? The Truth About Healthy, Natural Furniture In this episode of Design with Impact , Alex sits down with Christine Sintermann , co-founder of Biosofa , to explore what’s really hiding inside the upholstered furniture we bring into our homes. After discovering the amount of plastic, petroleum-based foam, and synthetic materials used in conventional sofas, C...

Episode 10: Designing for Wellness: Building Biology Principles for Interior Designers Description: In this episode of Design with Impact , Alex sits down with Jen Nickel , founder of Invision Design Solutions , to explore the powerful intersection of interior design, building science, and human health through the lens of building biology . Jen shares her journey into wellness-driven design, what...

Episode 9: Building a Values-Driven Brand: How Interior Designers Can Lead with Purpose Description: In this episode of Design with Impact , Alex sits down with entrepreneur, speaker, and founder of Voes & Co., Desiree Dupuis, to explore the future of sustainable materials, vegan design, and values-driven business. Desiree shares her journey from corporate life to building a globally recognize...

Episode 8. How to Source Non-Toxic Rugs: What Every Interior Designer Needs to Know Description: In this episode of Design with Impact , Alex sits down with Sandy Wong , founder of Rugs by Roo and the Healthy Home Summit , to talk about one of the most overlooked pieces of a healthy home: the rug . Sandy shares how her journey as a mom led her to discover how difficult it is to find rugs that are...

Episode 7: Sustainable Design Q&A: How to Talk to Clients, Reduce Waste & Prioritize What Matters Description: In this solo Q&A episode of Design with Impact , Alex answers some of the most common questions interior designers have when they’re starting their sustainable design journey. From how to talk to clients about sustainability without sounding preachy, to how to manage the massi...

Episode 6: Non-Toxic Kitchens: Why Aluminum Cabinets Are the Future of Healthy Design Description: In this episode of Design with Impact , Alex sits down with Ona Vilarmau from IMD Cabinets , a company that designs and manufactures custom luxury kitchens and cabinetry made entirely from aluminum . They dive into why traditional cabinetry can be a hidden source of formaldehyde, VOCs, and toxic adhe...

Episode 5: The Sustainable Social Media Strategy: How Designers Can Build Community & Attract Ideal Clients Description: In this episode of Design with Impact , Alex sits down with Valentine Aouad, founder of GreenSocials, to explore how interior designers can use social media intentionally—not just to grow an audience, but to build real community and attract aligned clients. Valentine shares...

Episode 4: The Truth About Textiles: Performance Fabrics, PFAS & Healthier Choices for Interior Designers Are “performance” fabrics actually safe for our homes—or are they loaded with hidden toxic chemicals? In this episode of Design with Impact, I’m joined by Patty Grossman, co-founder of Two Sisters EcoTextiles, to break down what interior designers need to know about sustainable textiles, h...

Episode 3: Healthy Homes 101: Indoor Air Quality, Mold & Non-Toxic Interior Design Did you know the air inside your home can be 2–5 times more polluted than outdoor air ? In this episode of Design with Impact , we’re diving deep into the hidden world of building biology, indoor air quality, and non-toxic interior design . I’m joined by interior designer and building biology expert Amanda, who...

Episode 2: Rethinking Waste: The Power of Upcycled Interiors What if the most beautiful pieces in your designs didn’t come from a catalog—but from what others throw away? In this episode of Design with Impact , Alex sits down with Montreal-based designer Philippe Charlebois-Gomez , founder of Studio Botté, to explore how discarded materials can become stunning, one-of-a-kind lighting—and why upcyc...

Episode 1: What is Sustainable Interior Design (and Why it Matters More Than Ever) What is sustainable interior design—and why should every designer be paying attention? In this foundational episode of Design with Impact , Alex Shield breaks down what sustainable interior design really means beyond aesthetics. From reducing environmental impact to creating healthier spaces, this episode explores h...

Sustainable Interior Design for Healthier Spaces and Meaningful Impact Sustainable interior design isn’t a trend—it’s the future. If you’re an interior designer who wants to create beautiful, healthy spaces and build a purpose-driven, profitable business, you’re in the right place. In this teaser episode of Design with Impact , host Alex Shield shares the story behind her shift into sustainable in...