Interior Design

from Brik Property Magazine - Q3 2021

Buyer's Guide

INTERIOR & DESIGN

Sustainable Design

WORDS TRACEY ANDREWS Tracey Andrews Interiors

It's late in the summer, and clearly, we have missed the boat for some wellearned sunshine - the good ole English summers rarely show up these days. For me, it's too late in the year to share some summer interior inspiration and too early to prepare for some Autumn cosiness, so I'm back here to discuss important issues about sustainability within interior design and how we can practise this.

WHAT IS SUSTAINABLE INTERIOR DESIGN? We all understand that sustainability is a state within the environment we need to maintain, allowing us to live how we are accustomed to now and for the future. Sustainability in our interiors involves us as consumers and homeowners making better choices in materials and products. WHAT CAN WE DO? Keep informed, insist on natural and recyclable materials. Be mindful of the process and journey of products, how they are packaged and transported, buy green, buy local, and buy British where possible to help that carbon boot print!

A FEW QUICK FACTS Climate change, global warming and sustainability are vast and intertwined subjects. We don't have to look too far into our news feeds

to understand what is happening around the world - the challenges that we face. Already, we have witnessed flooding in central Europe, Nigeria and Uganda, and fires in Turkey, Greece and even Scotland. They are all causing devastation, starvation, apocalyptic scenes, the worst seen on record. These displays of severe weather patterns are warnings from mother nature to put our 'global house' in order.

HOW DO WE APPROACH SUSTAINABLE INTERIOR DESIGN? With property owners across the UK spending £39 billion on home improvements in the last 12 months, there stands a window of opportunity for interior designers and discerning homeowners to adapt.

Making conscious decisions to help our environment isn't easy. We usually turn our attention to the outside of our properties; adding solar panels, reducing or recycling water, saving electricity, reclaimed materials and so forth. These are all positive actions, but we need to be thinking inside of our homes too.

ECO BY DESIGN. ECO BY NATURE There is a whole army of innovational companies striking out to be more sustainable not only in their supply but the journey of the product and how its packaged. Let's take a look.

FABRIC Kirby By Design has launched their 'Sustainable Collection', an exciting collection of fabrics made out of waste plastic bottles, recycled wool, acrylic and Tencel lyocell. Each fabric, 'circular' in nature, meaning its recyclable, bio-based and biodegradable. The collections 'Wave' and 'Flo' are all made from plastic bottles and have partnered with www.mcsuk.org and Fleck Eco and Life 11 collections with www. tressforkife.org.uk These are great charitable organisations that are worth checking out. For luxury and beautiful one-off sustainable fabricated cushions choose Therese Tshiama of London for that individualistic style.

PAINT & WALLPAPER I have to praise Farrow & Ball for their forever green policies since the company began in 1946. Their wallpapers are handcrafted and sourced from sustainable forests, making them 100% recyclable. Their paints are water-based and mixed with natural pigment, in turn, produce lower odours and VOC's. Farrow & Ball products are eco-friendly from start to finish and always have been.

CARPETS When choosing sustainable floor coverings, two of my favourite companies are Sandringham Carpets Ltd and Jacaranda. 'Maribella' and 'Oceania' from Sandringham, a premium range cleverly constructed from old fishing

nets, mill scraps and of pieces carpet, all destined for landfill sites. Products have a velvety texture, and 'Oceania', the same excellent qualities but softer underfoot. They have partnered with a charity - Healthy Seas, and a percentage is donated back into all their efforts. Jacaranda's Handwoven 'Shine' with its touches of silk and 'Flat Weaves', made from New Zealand wool carrying a Prodis rating - a European test that sets strict maximum levels for VOC emissions and chemicals.

FURNITURE One of the best ways to be sustainable is to buy reused furniture. These could be preloved, antiques or items that need revamping. If you are local to the area, then visit The Old Cinema in Chiswick High Road for that lovely one-off piece, either antique or preloved or Quirky Dovetail in Balham for some recycled and revamped individualistic pieces. For mainstream furniture, visit places like West Elm, in Tottenham court road and Barker & Stonehouse, Battersea for companies who adhere to using FSC certified and recycled materials.

ACCESSORIES Nikuku, located in Devon is another supporter hailing to the protection of our environment. They work with natural and recycled materials with a focus on sustainable methods of production, and you see it throughout their collections. Beautiful materials from golden hemp and jute to sustainable mango wood, making use of the waste leftover from other industries, including cotton from discarded t-shirts, recycled glass, metals, and textiles.

CAN WE DO IT? It's not so much of can we, but must, I would say that it shouldn't be too hard for all of us, after the difficulties, we have experienced over the past 18 months, so come on let's be a little more conscious with our purchases, and in doing so tipping the balance in the right direction to combat global warming. Happy summer!

‘Oceania’ by Sandringham Carpets, London West Elm, 209 Tottenham Court Road