interior design for different generations

sustainable style for every generation of interior design 

In the ever-evolving world of interior design, trends come and go, but authenticity, sustainability, and emotional connection are timeless. For today's designers working with multigenerational clients, from Gen Z creatives to traditional Baby Boomers, creating spaces that feel personal, intentional, and future-friendly is more important than ever. And that's exactly where the Craft Council of British Columbia (CCBC) fits in.

why interior designers are turning to craft for sustainable success 

Walk into any well-designed space today, and you'll notice a shift, not just in style, but in substance. Mass production is out, and craft is in. Today's interior designers are thinking deeper. How was this made? Who made it? What story does it tell?

For many, the best place to look for handcrafted work—thoughtfully made, sustainably sourced, and rich in meaning—would be at the CCBC.

why craft matters in interior design today

Handcrafted work is no longer a niche—it's a design necessity. In an industry increasingly focused on ethical sourcing and personalized living, artisan-made decor offers an elegant solution. Every ceramic vase, woven textile, or carved wooden accent sold through CCBC represents more than just a beautification. It represents function, sustainability, and the story of the artist. 

For designers, sourcing from CCBC isn't just a creative decision. CCBC's pieces are locally made and sustainable, avoiding transportation pollution and reducing carbon emissions. They are also high-quality, high-value, and low-waste handcrafted goods that are built to last, cutting down on landfill-bound decor and reinforcing client satisfaction. Lastly, they are market versatile with unique pieces suited to every generational taste, allowing designers to create spaces that feel both current and enduring.

craft is the new luxury

Interior designers used to source based on looks alone. But clients are more environmentally conscious now, especially in a post-pandemic world that values home as a sanctuary. They want materials that don't just look good—they feel good. They want to know that their space supports the planet, local communities, and human creativity. 

Handcrafted goods from CCBC check all those boxes. Whether it's a hand-thrown ceramic bowl or a finely woven wool wall hanging, these objects bring a fruitfulness and happiness that factory-made items and mass-produced products simply can't match, especially knowing that their choice can help save the planet for the next generation. Social impact is one of the most important factors as each generation learns more about our deteriorating Mother Earth. 

Sustainability is not just a buzzword—it's a lifestyle. Clients are willing to invest more in pieces with a purpose. According to Deloitte, over 55% of consumers are willing to pay a premium for sustainably sourced products. (Deloitte Canada, 2023)

Imagine walking into a home where the dining table was handmade from reclaimed BC wood, where the lighting fixtures were blown by a local glass artist, and where the textiles reflect embroidery and quilting traditions. It feels amazing and relaxing to know that you are supporting a larger purpose. 

These are the kinds of spaces that clients brag about. They're emotionally resonant, rooted in place, and built to last. And in a saturated design market, emotional connection is what sets you apart.

crafting for every generation 

Gen Z: Known for their bold self-expression and eclectic style, Gen Z is drawn to maximalism, dopamine decor, and unique finds. Handcrafted statement items, like brightly glazed pottery or quirky fibre art, serve as the centrepieces of their personality-driven spaces.

Think of Lichen 9, a striking fibre art piece crafted in 2009 by Canadian artist Jane Kenyon. Generously donated to the CCBC, 100% of the proceeds from its sale will support CCBC's artist programs, fuelling future creativity across the province.

Kenyon, a former medical professional turned full-time artist, has exhibited her textile work internationally. Her pieces blend fine technique with emotional depth, often exploring abstract forms and narrative textures.

Debra Sloan's work is the kind of art that catches your eye not just for how it looks, but for what it makes you feel. A self-taught ceramicist since 1973, Sloan earned her BFA from Emily Carr University and has since become an internationally exhibited artist and long-time educator at the Shadbolt Centre and at the Metchosin International Summer School of the Arts.

Sloan's sculptures are anything but ordinary. Drawing on the imagery of women, babies, and animals, Sloan crafts figures that feel both familiar and strange, what she calls "proto-human." These hybrid forms blur boundaries between human and nature, past and present, emotion and instinct. Her work lives in a space outside of time, where metaphors replace realism, and the spiritual meets the surreal.

This is exactly the kind of deep, layered storytelling that Gen Z gravitates toward. In a world hungry for meaning and emotional connection, Sloan's ceramics and Kenyon's embroidery aren't just decor. They tell a story.

Millennials: This group goes for modern organic and Japandi, a Japanese style blended with Scandinavian warmth and functional aesthetics. Think of soft minimalism, natural materials, and biophilic or nature-integrated beauty. Sustainable, artisan-made items like muted ceramics and handwoven wall hangings seamlessly match their values of slow living and ethical design.

Amy Robertson's cedar-bark-wrapped decanter combines earth-toned elegance with functional form. This three-sided glass bottle is encased in intricately braided yellow cedar bark and finished with African glass beads, a subtle statement of natural texture and refined detail. Robertson began weaving in 2002 on Cortes Island, working with fallen cedar bark, before formally studying Indigenous techniques with Haida master weavers. Her woven works, ranging from baskets to bottle covers, blend sustainability, tradition, and style, making them perfect for millennials who value both heritage and handcrafted authenticity.

The multi-fired, oxidized, and glazed clay sculpture, It's Forever by Bev Ellis is inspired by trees and evokes themes of vulnerability, community, beauty, and hope. Representational in form and rich in meaning, it invites a sense of awe and connection to nature.

Ellis, a University of the Fraser Valley Fine Arts graduate, works with ceramics, mixed media, and acrylics. Her art, including a jewellery line sold across Canada, is held in both public and private collections. She is a sought-after instructor and active member of the Federation of Canadian Artists. Outside the studio, she enjoys and is inspired by outdoor activities with her family.

Gen X: Transitional interiors, blending the classic with the contemporary, appeal strongly to this generation. CCBC's collection of refined wooden furniture, artisan glass, and elegant textiles provides the subtle sophistication that Gen X craves.

A vibrant glass-blown clock by Hope Forstenzer adds a playful pop of colour to any space. Handcrafted in Vancouver, each of her clocks is one-of-a-kind, powered by batteries, and easily wall-mounted. Originally from New York, she now creates and teaches at Vancouver's Terminal City Glass Co-op. Her work, featured in galleries across Seattle and Vancouver, captures the emotional and luminous qualities of glass, blending transparency, colour, and feeling into every piece. Artists like Forstenzer create eccentric but grounded state-of-the-art pieces that fit Gen X's taste.

Boomers: Quality and tradition reign. Boomers favour heirloom-worthy pieces, rich in texture, story, and legacy. Handwoven rugs, rustic pottery, and detailed woodwork from CCBC artisans bring timeless character to their homes.

This lampstand, crafted by artisan Abe Lorenzen, is made from maple wood with stainless steel cables and an aluminum base. Finished with shellac and wax, it highlights the natural beauty of wood with a modern touch.

A retired commercial truck builder from Germany, Lorenzen repurposes wood offcuts, once considered waste, into functional art. His designs celebrate imperfections, blending craftsmanship with sustainability.

An elegant porcelain bowl with a brass handle, crafted by Vancouver-based artist Atsuko Yoshimura, is perfect for displaying flowers, fruit, or decor. Originally from Japan, Atsuko studied ceramics in both Japan and Canada, earning her BFA from Emily Carr University. After a pause to raise her children, she returned with a refined porcelain series and now manages a pottery studio at the West End Community Centre. Her work blends Japanese tradition with modern simplicity.

the future is handmade

Interior design is entering its next era, one where beauty isn't just visual, but ethical, where good taste also means good impact, and where handmade isn't just a style. It's a standard. The Craft Council of British Columba is more than just a space to shop—it's a movement. Join us, and learn about handcraft for spaces that matter to you and your clients. Help us not just to educate, but to spread the word to different generations.