Green Elements opened its doors in 2007 as the first green design showroom and one of the first organic home stores in New Jersey. Suzie Blodgett, owner, shares her vision and her goals.
As a college student, I studied interior design, focusing specifically on green design and back then, I actually found myself educating my professors on the topic. Over the last few years, I have been amazed to see how awareness of the issues involved in creating a non-toxic environmentally friendly living space has grown by leaps and bounds. A lot of this awareness has been driven by a new interest and focus by the media on all things green. Green has become mainstream and I am so happy to see more and more people searching out ways to live more sustainably and healthy lifestyles.
As an interior designer, my original goal in opening Green Elements was to offer a local storefront where people could come to see and touch the materials they had only been able to read about online. Having samples of sustainably harvested wood and bamboo flooring, recycled countertops and cabinetry hardware, and a showroom decorated with non-toxic paints and organic materials, offers a space for our customers to experience a green space and to realize how good it feels to be in one. As an environmentalist, my original passion drove me to choose products based on my concern for protecting the planet. In educating myself further, I became just as concerned about indoor air quality and helping people choose products for their homes that don t harm their health. Personal values have driven me to support both fair-trade initiatives and local artisans offering their own sustainable handicrafts. Over time, the business has grown to offer much more than design materials. As a result, we now have a retail space dedicated to those looking to create a healthy home and live a healthy lifestyle while supporting socially just causes.
One of my others goals was to become a green hub for the community. We have a sustainable community bulletin board upon which you will find business cards for likeminded organizations, green living bytes and fliers for upcoming green events. In the past, we have hosted presentations and environmental film nights to help educate others on the importance of living green. Of key importance is helping people connect with the resources that will enable them to do so.
I started this business, not for money, but because it reflects my life s passion. I love what I do and I have met so many wonderful people as a result of my work. It is an absolute joy to help others live more sustainably and to teach people about the environmental and social issues that are so important today. There is a shift happening in society, we are going back to the way things used to be. I am blessed to be able to make a living while helping people go in that direction and look forward to reaching an even greater audience.
Offering sustainable goods for your healthy lifestyle. Our environmentally friendly non-toxic design materials include FSC certified wood, bamboo, cork and linoleum flooring, recycled content countertops, tiles, sinks and cabinetry hardware, non-toxic paints and much more. Our retail space offers organic mattresses, linens, home goods, sustainable living items and fair trade gifts. We look forward to helping you green your home and your life!
