Beautiful, Peaceful, Sustainable Bedrooms
(Page 2 of 4)
November/December 2006
By Becky Mollenkamp
Serene in Seattle
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After climbing the corporate ladder in the mergers-and-acquisitions field for a decade, Ann and David Knight reached a tipping point in 1994. Despite wildly successful careers, the couple felt something was missing. "We took the summer off and thought about what is really important to us," Ann says. "The environmental movement was just gathering steam, and we wanted to help promote that."
That year, the couple founded Teragren, which manufactures flooring, panels and veneer made of bamboo, a rapidly renewable resource. The Knights also began making changes in their personal lives by recycling and buying earth-friendly products.
When the Knights decided to redecorate their small bedroom a few years ago-after living for 14 years in their 1970s home on Bainbridge Island, Washington-they made environmental friendliness a priority. They replaced the room's wall-to-wall carpet with Teragren vertical-grain bamboo flooring, and nontoxic Devine Color paints wash the room in a light mustard color called, naturally, bamboo. When it came time to furnish the space, Ann relied heavily on heirlooms and antiques rather than purchasing new items. She finished the space with a combination of hand-me-down and new artwork.
Ann describes her personal style as eclectic and minimalist. That translated into a peaceful bedroom where she and David love to relax. "I think a bedroom should be warm and inviting and express your personal style," she says. "This room is a quiet retreat. It's a great place to relax, read a book or just sleep."