Don’t Destroy Nature for Design

Although I liked many of the designs in the Special Home Design Issue (Feb. 9), some of the designers’ choices of materials seemed to contradict their implied reverence for nature. For designer Shannon Shapiro to say that she is “not taking from the environment” by using resin and steel in place of animal horns is absolute ignorance. The manufacturing of steel certainly takes from the environment.

Furthermore, designer Lindsay Dakota should try finding beauty in sustainable materials. I would bet that the Inuit do not import rare hardwoods from developing nations to satisfy transient ideas of beautiful furniture. Until the problem of tropical deforestation is stemmed worldwide, I’ll consider the “beauty” of rare woods akin to the “beauty” of endangered animal pelts.

Kerry Gould

Pasadena