The maestro of HGTV’s hit design series “reDesign,” Kenneth Brown is an intuitive and innovative designer. His success is fueled by a combination of passion, hard work and ongoing education. For Brown, optimized design is a function of comfort. That means using materials that look good, work well and minimize their environmental impact.

Recently named one of the top 100 designers in America by House Beautiful and Western Interiors, Brown is inspired by nature. “What the natural world has to offer in terms of texture, color and pattern of design is remarkable,” says Brown. “Nature did it first; we are just taking what we see, putting it in our heads, and reinterpreting it in everything we do.”

This deeply rooted respect for nature is Brown’s impetus for learning about the life cycles of the products he specifies for his projects. “I use a wide range of composite materials like particleboard, MDF and laminates, particularly for kitchen and bath renovations,” says Brown. “I love using reclaimed and mixed-use materials that give life to something that was once considered waste.”

But Brown takes his responsibility as a designer one step further. “My biggest job as a designer is to educate my clients,” says Brown, “because my responsibility is not just to create a functional and beautiful space, but to provide them with the latest products that improve their quality of life.” In order to stay on top of evolving building technology, Brown relies on industry publications such as Second Wave and Surface & Panel.

Though relatively young, Brown has an impressive portfolio and enjoys wide recognition, including being designated the resident design expert for MSN.com. The cornerstone of Brown’s design process is building relationships with his clients. He listens to their expectations and guides their choices. In a sense, Brown functions as a bridge between the consumer and the building materials industry. He interprets the changing technology and debunks common myths.

“I think I am fortunate in that most of my clients are very aware and are pretty understanding of how their choices affect the bigger community, so it doesn’t take a whole lot from me to sell them on products made out of reclaimed wood or paper because they are usually interested in hearing about them.”

However, Brown offers a word of caution when it comes to presenting design options to clients. “I think we have to be careful using the word ‘trend’ when we talk about green products like composites. Being green is not a trend, it is a lifestyle choice that individuals make to live healthier, not just for themselves, but for the world as a whole.”

He finds that some clients are resistant to building materials that are promoted as “green” because they are hesitant to make design choices that may soon fall out of fashion. Brown overcomes that resistance through education. “Too often, people don’t understand the bigger implications of buying products that aren’t environmentally conscious; they think all they’re doing is using up resources when in reality they are choosing materials that can be toxic in production, application and disposal.”

Brown observes that materials often define culture. When Kenneth Brown Designs opened in 1995, the defining characteristic of the culture was excess – nearly the polar opposite of environmentally friendly. People were concerned with where their materials came from, but not because they wanted something that was local. It was a time when shipping 40 tons of limestone from Italy at outrageous cost was not just acceptable, but desirable, because clients wanted to portray ostentatious wealth.

But the ethos of Brown’s clientele has evolved. “I find that people are now feeling ashamed about their waste and the amount that they consume, and are pulling back on the reins. Pride of expenditure is no longer a design objective,” says Brown.

He also notes an increase in the overall demand for domestic and locally produced materials. While the technical information about the damage caused by carbon emissions is becoming common knowledge, Brown points out how confusing it can be to navigate the world of green building materials if you do not have a broad understanding of the life cycle of a product.

“I see so many beautiful bamboo floors that people think are so great for the environment, but when you dig a little deeper and see they were shipped halfway across the world it negates any green aspect of that product.”

Shipping materials across the globe is becoming cost prohibitive to savvy clients, and not just in terms of the monetary expense. “People are starting to see that they need to be more conscious of the whole life cycle of materials. We have to take responsibility for our choices even if it means we need to pay a little more to support quality domestic materials,” says Brown.

Experience has proven that people are open-minded to the use of composites, especially when they understand the value of the product. Brown teaches that a little more up front cost when choosing domestically produced composite materials will save money long term in durability and environmental impact.

“In the long run, we’ll be richer people, culturally and as a whole. What people need to understand is that using cheap imports may be a financial benefit in the short run, but eventually you are going to pay for careless choices and you will be less rich in other ways.”

Another common misconception that Brown encounters when specifying composite materials is the belief that beauty must be compromised for integrity. Brown’s designs are known for using a wide range of materials that add texture and depth to the overall impact of a project. This philosophy of eclectic specification has endeared clients to Brown.

“Composites are not only wonderful to work with, but are actually extremely good-looking,” says Brown. “People assume a green or reclaimed product is going to look a certain way, that it is going to feel a little vanilla or bland. But the beautiful thing about the composite materials and surfaces that I work with is that they are stunning. Not only are they versatile and easy to work with, but they finish beautifully.”

The flexibility of composites and decorative surfaces, combined with their cost-effectiveness, expands the possibilities of design and stretches project budgets.

Brown notes that people are making more practical choices about how they use space. He is currently creating a lot of activity rooms for children that double as homework rooms. Composite wood products are favorite choices for those projects because of how easy they are to work with and for their durability, always a priority when children are the focus of the design.

“I really like the bigger pieces in particleboard, and MDF is so versatile. We also use a lot of laminates. We use everything. In fact, I am working on a project now that uses a composite counter top made out of multi-colored glass.” With the limitless availability of surface options and the workability of composites, it is possible to realize nearly any design objective in a way that is environmentally responsible.

Brown’s popularity is partly due to his expansive vision, but it is the integrity of his designs that has made him a star. “Doing the TV show was definitely a turning point,” says Brown. “It was major exposure.” However, exposure means nothing if it is not backed up with the ability to do the job well. The recent rise in the popularity of design shows has meant that actors are often hired to play designers, and design takes a back seat to emotional displays. This lack of television credibility is a concern to Brown. His show is dedicated to true design, and he uses the show to illuminate the process for the viewer.

The harmony in Brown’s designs comes from a well-tended understanding of materials and their origins. By choosing materials that are both aesthetically and environmentally pleasing, Brown pays homage to the wonder of nature. He encourages people to follow their passion and be confident in everything that they do. And though he credits his own success to good fortune, hard work and love of design, what his clients and fans appreciate is his panache for combining great ideas with great materials for exceptional results.