Getting to the root of sourcing flooring - Why wood is good

How flooring can elevate or break your well being and why you need to invest in quality healthy wood flooring and all the benefits that comes with it.

Show notes

This week I had the pleasure of talking with my great friend, Walter Lourie, Head of US Sales and Sustainability for Mafi. Mafi manufactures high-quality, sustainable natural wood floors and for interiors like ceiling and walls. Walter and I go way back about 10 years working together to educate our clients on the importance of healthy building materials and why it’s a vital element to connect with nature and feel grounded and have peace of mind in your environment. We break the barriers on how the flooring industry has missed the mark in selling toxic, cheap, plastic flooring. Floors make up a large percentage of the footprint of a building. It’s important to invest in quality materials as they affect our health by our daily interactions.

Here's some of the topics we discussed:

How did you get into the flooring industry?
Tell me about your role at Mafi and about the company. Certifications etc.
Let's talk about the benefits of real wood flooring and why it's a solid investment for health and wellness.
What's your take on luxury, not so luxury vinyl flooring and what it's doing to the flooring market, health and planet.
Let's talk about sustainability vs throwaway culture why it's important to build better with quality sourced products.
Biophic design - more on this later on future episodes...
Health benefits of wood flooring

Benefits of negative Ions and how washing your floor can produce some of the effects of a waterfall. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10175061/

The influence of wooden interior materials on indoor environment: a review https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00107-020-01532-x

Health Benefits of Wood Floors https://mafi.com/en/Knowledge/The%20Difference/Health

To get a sample or inquire about purchasing mafi floors or wall or ceiling panels, get in touch with Michelle at michelle@designwellstudios.com.

Hosts

Michelle Ifversen

Highly skilled and experienced Building Wellness Designer with 10+ years of diagnosing and designing commercial and residential projects that focus on health and well being. Proficient in building science, environmental testing and biophilic design. Specializing in indoor air and water quality, EMFs, healthy materials, furnishings and finishes. Works strategically as a project lead to ensure projects meet the standards of the project goals. I help people solve their environmental health issues and consult on healthy building materials and practices to increase their wellbeing. I infuse biophilic design elements into built environments that create a more inspiring and supportive place for people, pets and planet. I work with homeowners, builders, developers, wellness clinics, resorts, real estate agents, investors all who value the importance of wellness in built environments because they care about their occupants and see this is what people want now and in the future.

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Guests

Walter Lourie

Head of US Sales and Sustainability for Mafi. Authentically representing a natural process to improve interior environments. Product category expert, LEED AP BD+C Our team at mafi crafts a narrative of sustainability and health, extending beyond mere aesthetics to embrace the healing properties of wood. With over a decade as a Sales Ambassador and now as the National Sales Manager and Head of Sustainability, I believe we've shaped mafi into a beacon of natural living. Our mission intertwines with my role, advocating for holistic solutions in the built environment and pioneering the use of transformative materials.My tenure has been marked by building robust relationships with architects and designers, ensuring they recognize the benefits of self-healing wood floors.

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Building Wellness