Slow Design Services

You want to make your life, your business or organization, your community, better. You want to do this in a way that enhances well being for individuals as well as the planet.

We can help you...

• Clarify your goals and priorities. We look at the whole ball of wax and help you to identify that which is most important, meaningful, critical, and/or essential.
• Map the path forward. We look at where you are and where you want to go and help you to strategize how to get there making use of your resources and creativity.
• Discover tools that will help you develop new skills and knowledge useful for achieving your goals now and in the future. See our Tools page to learn more.
• Design systems, processes, tools, educational programs, websites, events, spaces, products, etc. as needed to help you realize your goals.

We are available for consulting, trainings, and workshops for individuals, businesses, organizations, community groups, and creative teams. Our Portfolio of past projects is below along with Testimonials.

We begin each project with a conversation to learn more about what you want and to discuss if we are good fit. Feel free to contact us by phone or e-mail to begin the conversation. If you would like to receive a notification about our public workshops, please sign up for our monthly newsletter.

You can read more about our slow design approach in the essay "Embracing Your Inner Slow Life Designer".

Fees

We work with you to establish a fee structure such that you feel you are receiving very good value and we feel fairly compensated.

Portfolio

Over the past 20 years we have had the opportunity to apply our design skills in a variety of areas. In each case we look for the best type of solution based on the issue, the available resources, and the context. In the process we have designed products, homes, websites, educational curricula and programs, sustainability-related programs, and community processes.

In addition to working with individuals on issues ranging from clutter and budgeting to divorce and new career paths, we have worked on the following projects.

Energy Performance Score (EPS) Pilot, Oregon, 2008-2009
We designed and conducted a pilot study for Energy Trust of Oregon and Earth Advantage to create a miles per gallon type metric for measuring the energy performance of new and existing homes. The project won the 2009 RESNET award for innovation. The report of our findings is at http://www.earthadvantage.com/eps.php.

Living Spaces Design, Portland, Oregon, 2003-2009
This was our green home remodeling design company that used a holistic approach including behavioral, furniture, and architectural solutions. Over the course of 5 years we worked with approximately 150 clients. http://www.livingspacesdesign.biz/

S.T.A.R. Program, Portland, Oregon, 2007
Beth designed the Sustainability Training for Accredited Real Estate Professionals as a two day experientially based educational program for marketing, selling, and communicating with the public about green homes. http://www.earthadvantage.com/realtor.php

Green Home Forum, Green Building Round Up, Shop Talk, Portland, 2003-2009
These are three on-going events we designed and participated in for the purpose of furthering knowledge about green home design for the public and green home professionals. http://www.livingspacesdesign.biz/greenhomeforum/home.html

Bridges Green Business Network, Portland, Oregon, 2005
Beth designed Bridges as a green business networking organization that combined elements from the leads networking model with green values. http://www.bridgesgreenbusiness.com/

Sustainable Sonoma County, Sonoma County, California, 1999-2004
We developed and coordinated a community-based organization for the purpose of building awareness about sustainability for the community, local businesses, and government. In the process we developed a number of sustainability programs and workshops. http://www.sustainablesonoma.org/

Petaluma Central Specific Plan, Petaluma, California, 2000-2003
We worked with the community, urban planners, and city officials to create the first form-based city code (SmartCode) in the U.S. for the downtown core expansion of the city of Petaluma. http://www.hallalminana.com/projects/central-petaluma/central-petaluma.html

Water Efficiency Plan, Petaluma, California, 2002
Beth was part of the design team to develop a comprehensive and economically advantageous conservation plan for commercial and industrial water customers in the city of Petaluma.

Petaluma Film Series, Petaluma, California, 1999
Beth developed a cooperative project between various grassroots organizations to screen films for the public and to provide an opportunity for dialog on various topics. http://www.petalumafilmseries.com/

Storm Residence, Sebastopol, California, 1997-1999
Eric designed and built his own green home that was notable for using off-the-shelf and economical strategies for achieving high resource efficiencies, comfort and beauty. His home was featured in the book Good Green Homes.

Elizabeth Meredith Designs, California, 1988-1999
Beth designed and manufactured lighting for her own studio and for Fire Farm Lighting. Her design work included custom and product design, as well as designing tradeshow booths and catalogs. Winner of Better by Design Lighting Award, 1997.

Testimonials

Here is what some people say about our work.

"Beth and Eric not only have the impressive credentials, razor sharp organizational skills, and successful design experience so essential in this type of work, they also have a few qualities that put them in another class altogether: flexible intelligence; sharp wit and a warm sense of humor; and a highly developed sophistication integrating art and beauty into functional daily life."
- Jane Hamilton - Nonprofit ED, Rebuilding Together

"What really sets Beth and Eric apart is an ability to truly hear the interests of their clients and then to translate these interests into a vision that is larger than the sum of the parts. This is their true service to their clients."
- Laura Hall - Urban Planner, Hall Alminana Inc.

"Eric and Beth really helped me crystallize how to talk about my company's offerings. They found strategies that worked for me to integrate my message in all my communications with my team and my clients. They even helped my team better understand and communicate with our clients, based on identifying their personality types and needs. All of these were invaluable tools for the further health and growth of my small company. Create the Good Life really worked for my organizaion and I'd recommend it to anyone at any stage in their business life!"
- Jonathan Cohen - Energy Engineer & Consultant, Imagine Energy

"Beth and Eric are two of the most competent and professional people I know. They have a unique combination of practical smarts, refined artistic aesthetics, and professional attention to detail. Finding someone in this field who will do what they say they will, and will do it on time, is huge! And to do it with such intelligence and beauty is a rare find indeed. I recommend them without reservation."
- Christopher Peck - Financial Planner, Holistic Solutions

"Eric and Beth's experience, depth of knowledge and holistic approach to problem solving have been extraordinary positive influences in my professional and personal life. They are skilled at knowing which tools or perspectives are the most appropriate for a given situation and then helping me understand how to most effectively apply those tools. It is rare to find coaches with their level of skill and integrity. I can't recommend them highly enough!"
- Brandon Smith - COO, Cascadia Region Green Building Council

Legal Disclaimer

The use of our workshops, publications, assessment and process tools, coaching, or consulting services is not a substitute for other appropriate professional assistance you might need, whether it be financial, legal, medical, or other. We assume sound mental health in participants who seek to improve their lives. If there is a history of mental illness in your family, or if you are uncertain about the appropriateness of emotions you are feeling or things you are hearing or seeing, please contact a qualified mental health professional. By using this site, you agree to indemnify administrators and owners for any and all responsibility regarding your well being.