Sustainable Brands and Affordable Beauty with Molly Carter
In this episode, I sit down with designer and shop owner Molly Carter, whose passion for sustainability and storytelling in design is contagious. We talk about what it means to buy with your values, how she sources everything from hundred-year-old rugs to locally made candles, and why slowing down matters when you’re building a home. Molly shares the stories behind her favorite projects, including a wine country retreat and a mid-century gem in Placerville, and reminds us that every choice—from a pillow to a piece of art—can carry history, culture, and care.
Watch this entire episode on YouTube HERE
KEY TAKEAWAYS
When I sat down with Molly Carter—LEED-certified designer, founder of Molly Erin Designs, and owner of the Northern California shop Brass and Oak—I knew our conversation would be rich with ideas about sustainability and thoughtful living. What I didn’t anticipate was just how story-driven her approach to design would be. From sourcing century-old Turkish rugs to creating a signature scent candle with a neighbor across the street, Molly is proving that every home can be filled with meaning, history, and beauty.
Why Sustainability Isn’t Just a Buzzword
I started by asking Molly about her LEED accreditation. For her, sustainability isn’t a trendy add-on—it’s been part of her career from the beginning. She explained how LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification gave her deep insight into the building process, from materials to energy standards.
But when it comes to home furnishings, the biggest hurdle she sees is mindset. Many people assume that sustainable pieces are “too expensive.” Molly gently reframes that perspective: you may pay more up front, but what you’re really buying is longevity, better quality, and a lighter footprint on the planet.
The Beauty of Vintage Textiles
If there’s one thing Molly could talk about forever, it’s textiles—especially rugs. She lights up when describing the hundred-year-old Turkish, Persian, and Moroccan rugs she personally sources for her shop.
These rugs aren’t just floor coverings—they’re works of art woven in wool, durable enough to last generations, and each one completely unique. When they’re too worn to use on the floor, she has them transformed into pillows, ottomans, and poofs so the material lives on.
Molly often begins a design project with a rug, letting its colors and textures set the tone for the room. As she told me, “most of the time, it kickstarts my inspiration.”
A Signature Candle with a Story
One of my favorite moments in our conversation was hearing about her shop’s signature candle. Molly worked with a local maker—literally across the street from her Main Street Placerville shop—to create a custom blend made only with essential oils.
It’s the only candle she carries, and it’s become a whole line: available now as a candle, essential oil, and liquid hand soap. I love how this single product represents not just sustainable living, but collaboration between two local businesses and a sensory connection to the shop itself.
Furniture That Lasts
Molly’s commitment to sustainable sourcing extends to furniture. At Brass and Oak, she carries a custom line from Rowe Fine Furniture, a U.S.-based company that prioritizes recycled materials, eco-friendly fabrics, and responsible manufacturing. She’s also a big fan of Cisco, another company known for beautifully crafted, environmentally conscious upholstery.
In Molly’s words, these companies “have a very good green story,” but beyond that, they’re building furniture people can live with and love for years.
A Wine Country Retreat with Natural Layers
One of the design projects we discussed was a basement-turned-master suite in the wine country foothills outside Placerville. The view stretched from Sacramento to Lake Tahoe, and Molly wanted the interiors to reflect the natural surroundings.
She chose a rich, dark green for the walls, layered in walnut wood furniture, seagrass window treatments, leather, and Moroccan silk pillows, and sourced art from local painter Jackie Price. Even the towels were French linen, sold through her shop.
The result? A space that feels rooted in nature yet deeply personal, every element carrying a story.
Preserving a Mid-Century Gem
Another favorite project was a true mid-century home in downtown Placerville. Instead of stripping away the character, Molly celebrated it—keeping the original ceilings, paneled walls, and walnut trim, while layering in a palette of greens, blues, and oranges.
She used color thoughtfully: a green dining room wall that flows into green tile in the kitchen, orange accents that harmonize with the home’s original wood, and vintage rugs that tie it all together. Her advice when people worry about “clashing woods”? Choose a species you love—walnut, oak, hickory—and let its natural beauty shine.
Slowing Down to Design a Home with Meaning
I wrapped up our conversation by asking Molly what she wishes people understood about creating a beautiful, meaningful home. Her answer was simple and powerful: slow down.
Don’t grab filler art from a big box store just to cover a wall. Instead, plan intentionally, take your time, and seek out pieces that carry quality, craft, and personal meaning. As she put it, “everything you layer should make what’s next to it look even better.”
Talking with Molly left me inspired to see design as an act of storytelling. Whether it’s a vintage rug with a century of history, a candle made across the street, or a hand-built walnut vanity, these choices add up to more than a decorated space—they create a home that breathes with life, culture, and care.
Until Next Time
-Zandra
Links Mentioned In Episode
Photos Provided By: Molly Carter
