Trisha Guido is the founder of Relish Design, a company that creates and educates about sustainable design that contributes directly to our everyday lives. Her showroom provides sustainable products and services for architects, interior designers, and real estate developers while supporting local artists and designers at the same time. Trisha is a powerhouse of knowledge and ideas while also extremely humble, inviting and mindful of the community and the environment. She started her business eight years ago, which has developed into a resource leader in the design industry!

Relish Design is approaching its 8th year anniversary! Congratulations! How was Relish Design developed?
I began this business eight years ago in a small location in the Pearl. I recently moved over to my current location and renovated the entire space. We’re having an 8th Year Anniversary party on May 21st, and you all are welcome to come!

That’s great! I’d love to come celebrate! You have such a great store with so many products that I’m CRAVING right now! I’m in love with the natural handmade felt rugs, lamps and placemats by Aurelie Tu. What is your process in selecting sustainable products for Relish Design?
I first consider if the product is local. It is important for people to purchase locally because it supports our community and helps our neighbors develop their business and brand. Plus, the methods of buying locally are much more sustainable than importing a product from elsewhere. With this process, I educate people about how things are made. At my previous location, we had a workspace where people can come watch a table being made and allow them to interact and learn about the product. It makes the experience much more meaningful for them while also educating them about sustainable living and design.

I can tell you’re very passionate about your work. What are some of the most rewarding aspects of your job?
The most rewarding aspect for me is seeing the finished product. It’s so rewarding to help a client create a unique, customized local product that may either be the same price or even less expensive than if we purchased it elsewhere. The experience is much more meaningful when people are involved with the design process, where they get to select something that is truly unique to them. It’s really not about money, it’s about the old design concept of “less is more.” I try to educate people to buy beautiful, meaningful, sustainable products that are functional and long lasting rather than something that they won’t use and are using just as a placeholder. I love helping people at any stage of their design process, whether it’s finding a new rug or wanting to renovate an entire room. Sharing my knowledge and my insight is my gift that keeps on growing, and that is what keeps me passionate about my job.

What are some of the challenges that you face owning your business?
The biggest challenge for me is that I tend to take on too much at one time. I love what I do, and I love helping and educating people as much as I can about sustainable design. I share a lot of my time and ideas, and managing multiple projects can be hectic at times.

As a busy entrepreness, how do you manage multiple projects at one time?
At the beginning of every day, I make a list of the top three things that I need to get done that day. From my personal experience, I realized that creating a list of 20 things to do that day is setting yourself up to failure, because achieving 20 things to do in one day may be unrealistic. Then the issue grows larger as you delay your time. Setting a time limit on your 3 to-dos are helpful as well. It’s about taking baby steps.

Speaking of creating a top three list, what are three things that have helped make your business successful?
First thing that has made my business successful is the people. My loyal customers, the local artists that I work with, and everyone else in between has made this business what it is today. Second, the local presence of designers have inspired my customers and I to create beautiful, healthy environments to live in. There are so many talented artists here that I refer to all of the time. I’m working on bringing that local presence into the mass market so that everyone can create a healthy, sustainable living space of their own. Third, I’m very passionate about my job, and I believe in what I do. My heart is invested in my mission and vision of Relish Design, and I think sincerity and authenticity makes all the difference.

What do you say to consumers to help them better understand the issue of sustainability?
I try not to preach to people about sustainability. I break it down to the theory of the “Triple Bottom Line.” The triple bottom line promotes that healthy living doesn’t have to cost a lot of money, how important our living environment is to the well-being of our lifestyle, as well as putting people and the environment in consideration. I provide people with great sources for sustainable design in order to find the best solution for them. It’s rewarding to educate my customers about reusing the sources that they already have. For example, breathing life into an old piece of furniture or adding and reusing an art piece to liven up a dull space. This process also allows me to consider many different types of local businesses as resources where I’m able to introduce them to one of my clients. Every business plays its part in the community.

Once people begin the process of making their home more sustainable, what are some of the first steps they should take?
There are many things people should be mindful of when creating a healthier living space. First step is to remove materials that emit gas or harmful chemicals. This dramatically improves indoor air quality and your well-being in general. Next step is to add plants. Plants are affordable and are very beneficial in creating a healthy living space. It’s also great to consider editing things out that aren’t meaningful to you. Lighting is also important that can completely change the mood of your environment. Get rid of clutter that you’re not using, or recycle items if you can. The last step is to then consider sustainable design.

What are some things people tend to overlook when considering sustainable interior design?
They underestimate the healing power of having plants. Plants are beautiful, inexpensive, and they create an emotive response when people are around them. You could simply have flowers around your home, or a box of plants in your window. Terrarium plants make gorgeous centerpieces, and are very low maintenance as well.

Do you have any last thoughts to leave our readers with?
Our mission is to create access, awareness and excitement about good design that is made with integrity and contributes directly to our everyday lives. I strongly believe in my mission statement, as well as the concept of creating a sustainable home one room at a time. Creating a healthy living space isn’t about spending a lot of money, it’s about being thoughtful of what you consume, how you use it, and how it will benefit you and the environment. We all are not perfect, but beautiful things are not created overnight. I would like people to consider taking the time and thinking about what they consume, why they do it, and get out of the “I have to buy it NOW” mindset. Life is an organic process that takes time to achieve the best result possible.

Relish Design
1715 NW Lovejoy St
Portland, OR 97209
(503) 227-3779
shoprelish.com
twitter.com/relishdesign