Blue Patch's Positive Shopping Issue 8 2025

POSITIVE bluepatch.

Issue #8

2025/26

@blue_patch

FREE

SHOPPING

Featured member

Denby Pottery bluepatch.org

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Natural Bed Co. Yorkshire

Beuzeval Furniture London

Solid wood beds and bedside tables, handmade from sustainably sourced timber.

Beuzeval Furniture offers a bespoke commission service from design to finished product.

naturalbedcompany.co.uk

beuzevalfurniture.com

Storm Flowers Garden London Useful and beautiful garden tools and home accessories to help your garden grow. We work with craftspeople across the UK to make our products in small batches, designed to last. #WeedsFlowerToo stormflowersgarden.com @stormflowersgarden

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A WARM WELCOME

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Blue Patch is a community for sustainability-minded businesses based in the UK.

We champion conscientious creativity, great design and innovation. Blue Patch’s mission is to help the UK successfully grow into a future-facing, low-waste economy powered by clean energy.

Here are a few ways we’re helping: • Providing courses and hands-on workshops to help businesses reduce their environmental impact • Building partnerships and resource-sharing, for example some of our members use materials donated by the Royal Ballet & Opera • Contributing to the UK task force ‘Bankers For Net Zero’ to develop a new Voluntary Emissions Standard, simplifying carbon reporting for small businesses • Investing 100% of our surplus income into community energy projects such as Solar for Schools, smallscale organic farms and wildlife conservation.

Thank you for picking up our mini-magazine. Let’s create a better future.

Jane Langley, Founder

Find out more about Blue Patch membership or subscribe to stay up to date with the latest.

Photo: Bankers 4 Net Zero launch, Westminster 2025 Team Blue Patch: Margy Newens, Jane Langley and Mark Harris.

Photo credit: Juan Cerrudo

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COMMITTED TO A LOW CARBON FUTURE

Blue Patch Learning Supporting UK businesses on their carbon reduction journey.

Our CO2 Reduction course briefly unpacks the causes of climate change and explores some of the tools and methodologies, including the Greenhouse Gas Protocol, available to help prepare business owners for carbon accounting.

Here are some brilliant business who completed our CO2 Reduction course with flying colours. Reducing emissions supports the UK’s transition to a low carbon economy and can help save money too!

Kapdaa London Local authorities are under immense pressure to manage textile waste effectively, often with tight budgets, limited time, and constrained resources. Currently, 49% of used textiles— around 35 items per person each year— are discarded in household bins, adding to the waste burden.

Kapdaa works with local authorities, fashion brands, charity shops and others to give new life to textile waste. Kapdaa’s mobile AI4Fibres technology provides an innovative, AI-powered recycling service that processes discarded garments locally, reducing environmental impact, fostering community involvement and supporting the circular economy.

Find out more at kapdaa.com.

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Beuzeval Furniture London Beuzeval Furniture favours traditional craft over mass production. This beautiful furniture is handmade with meticulous care to achieve fine detail and a stunning finish.

All hardwoods are sourced from certified sustainable suppliers.

Nothing goes to waste in Mandie Beuzeval’s workshop. Sawdust and shavings are used for bedding at a local city farm, and off-cuts are reused in other projects. Mandie cycles to work every day too! beuzevalfurniture.com Photo: Alan Powdrill

Y.O.U Underwear Oxfordshire Classically stylish, made from super-soft organic cotton, Y.O.U Underwear is as good for the world as it is for your wardrobe. Fairtrade, organic and with a buy-one give-one model donating underwear to tackle period poverty. Visit their website to learn more about their materials, supply chain and social impact. youunderwear.com

‘Reflections’

By Oliver Gosling Essex 2020. Private collection. Oil on canvas. olivergosling.com Artist Oliver Gosling’s studio, ‘High House’ is run by the charity Acme Studios (acme.org.uk).

Ecotricity supplies the studios with renewable energy, and individual metering/billing enables tenants to monitor their own energy consumption.

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Edward Bulmer Natural Paint Herefordshire | London Showroom: 69 Pimlico Road, London SW1W 8NE Natural is the true eco. With over 30 years of expertise, Edward Bulmer has crafted plant-based paints that combine beautiful, historically inspired colours with modern ecological principles. Free from harmful VOCs and microplastics, these breathable, pigment-rich paints offer exceptional coverage, are easy to apply and create an unrivalled finish, for stylish and comfortable living. edwardbulmerpaint.co.uk @edwardbulmerpaint

Flooring by Nature West Yorkshire Flooring by Nature provides a handpicked collection of natural carpets and flooring solutions that don’t cost the earth. Their products balance beauty, comfort and durability, supporting designers, architects and homeowners in creating warm, stylish spaces with responsibly sourced materials. flooringbynature.co.uk

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Conscious colour without compromise.

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Denby Pottery Derbyshire Imperial Blue by Denby celebrates 35 Years as a contemporary classic.

Handcrafted in Derbyshire, Imperial Blue showcases the quality of great British craftsmanship with all the inherent qualities for which Denby is renowned. denbypottery.com

Ava Innes Moray, Scotland Ava Innes offers the ultimate sleep experience, with their luxurious cashmere guard duvets, Scottish wool pillows and extralarge blankets in pure cashmere and wool.

Ava Innes - British made, natural fibres, superior quality, quiet luxury. avainnes.com

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Fiona Howard Wallpapers West Sussex Fiona Howard creates the designs for her wallpapers using the traditional technique of lino printing.

Each design originates from Fiona’s hand drawn sketches which she meticulously carves into lino blocks and then prints by hand.

All wallpapers are printed in the UK on paper from responsibly managed forests. fionahoward.com

Factory Furniture Oxfordshire Contemporary furniture for the public domain, designed and manufactured in the UK using timber from FSC certified forests.

Everything is still handmade in house by our experienced team, selecting only the best materials for each product. factoryfurniture.co.uk

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SERIOUS ABOUT SUSTAINABILITY? Interior design professionals share their thoughts.

Pia Design

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INTERIOR DESIGN

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Twenty years ago the term ‘sustainability’ was used by those who shared a concern for the environment. With connotations of wholegrain rice and tie-dye, sustainability was not going to entice customers; for instance if you made bespoke furniture, the provenance of your wood, whilst important to you, was perceived by some as overtly worthy with a premium price tag.

Today sustainability is everywhere - so much so that the Green Claims Code has been introduced to protect customers from being hoodwinked!

So let’s pull back the lens and see the bigger picture. The majority of nations are aligned to the Paris Agreement and want global temperatures to be maintained at 1.5 degrees (above pre-industrial levels), establishing a stable global climate by 2050.

This visionary commitment can and must move our world toward a secure, healthy and resilient future, powered by clean energy.

We asked interior design professionals if their clients were making more sustainable choices?

When considering the impacts of materials on our health, well-being and ecosystem interior designers are already rising to the challenge.

Check-out the views of these inspiring interior design professionals - all on a journey to create fabulously positive spaces in which to live and work whilst protecting the future - for all of us.

Do check out their websites too!

Photo from a Blue Patch exhibition at John Ruskin’s House, Brantwood, Cumbria. Photo credit: Taormina Millar

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PIA DESIGN

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Following a degree in Interior Architecture, Pia Pelkonen honed her craft as both designer and project manager at leading London studios, working on a diverse range of projects before founding Pia Design.

Since then, the Buckinghamshire based studio has brought its thoughtful, nature-inspired approach to homes across the UK and beyond.

Pia Pelkonen

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“Clients are becoming more conscious of the environmental impact of their choices, many coming to us because they have a preference for using eco-friendly materials, energy-efficient designs, sustainable sourcing practices and also an inclination towards re-using what they already own before replacing.

However, there is still a wide range of attitudes - some are very committed to sustainability across their project and willing to invest in high-quality sustainable building materials and interior products, while others may prioritise style and cost over environmental concerns. For many clients, sustainability is still a secondary consideration rather than a primary driver of their design choices, particularly in today’s economic climate.

Interestingly, many clients are also interested in the long-term value of sustainability. They recognise that sustainable design can offer health benefits, such as has improved indoor air quality, energy efficiency and longevity, which can lead to cost savings over time.

There is also an increased interest in biophilic design, which focuses on connecting interior spaces to nature, whether it’s through incorporating nature motifs into design (wallpapers, fabrics and the colours of nature) or through the use of real greenery and plants.

In short, while there’s a growing interest in sustainable design, the degree to which clients prioritise it varies, and it often depends on their personal values, budget, and the perceived long-term benefits of sustainability.”

- Pia Pelkonen

While there’s a growing interest in sustainable design, the degree to which clients prioritise it varies, and it often depends on their personal values and budget.”

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Pia Design 13

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GAIL RACE INTERIOR DESIGN Gail Race is a designer known for her elegant, contemporary aesthetic and intuitive insight and knowledge of health and well-being.

“From a sustainability view point, I’d say it’s not really on most of our client’s radars or high on their priority list. I’m definitely being an ‘educator’ in many instances when discussing product choices and even strategies for what stays and what goes, say, in a large renovation project. But I think that is a huge and exciting part of our role as designers, we can have a profound impact on sustainability, from the way we guide our clients, run our projects and how we operate within our own businesses.

Likewise with health and wellness, which is integral to our design focus. Conversations with our clients about VOCs, lighting and circadian rhythms, neuroaesthetics, integrating spaces to exercise or meditate, are often met with positive curiosity and genuine interest, but not something that they had considered as part of their project brief.

For me, conscious, mindful interior design requires a holistic approach. Sustainability alone is no longer enough, we must look to restore, regenerate and to create environments that bring humans and the planet back into balance.”

- Gale Race

It’s not really on most of our client’s radars...I’m definitely being an ‘educator’ in many instances...But I think that is a huge and exciting part of Gail Race our role as designers.”

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Gail Race Interior Design 15

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DODDS AND SHUTE

A design-led procurement company, DODDS AND SHUTE is dedicated to sourcing the most sustainable furniture and lighting.

“We have seen an increase in interest from our clients on sustainability in the last few years.

Currently, the majority of our clients and projects have sustainability targets or criteria to which they require us to specify furniture. This includes aspects such as specific low VOC requirements for building certifications such as WELL and BREEAM, but also internal metrics like reuse or sourcing locally.

A proud B Corp, Dodds & Shute is well known for our supply chain management work, specifically a manufacturer audit through which we have collected data on over 225 furniture suppliers. As a result, we have a wealth of data to report to our clients, and a large database of sustainable product to offer.

The picture showcases a recent project where sustainability was really important to our clients, and we were delighted to work with them to achieve their visions.

Virgin Head Office, key outcomes include 32% of products were reuse, 76% of products contain recycled content, 84% of products designed for disassembly / have a repair programme and 16.5 tonnes of carbon saved by reuse.”

- Dodds And Shute

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Dodds and shute Photo credit: Amy Heycock 17

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TITMAS INTERIORS Titmas is a nature-inspired interior design studio creating homes that nurture well-being, reflect individuality, and foster a true sense of belonging. Guided by biophilic design principles, we use natural textures, light, and flow to shape spaces that feel calm, balanced, and deeply personal.

Jennifer Titmas

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“I’ve definitely seen more clients showing interest in sustainability, though it does vary. Some come to me already excited about using sustainable materials, while others need a little nudge to see how it can work beautifully within their home. Since my focus is on biophilic design, I naturally try to incorporate more sustainable choices wherever possible.

One project that really stands out is what I call the “Japanese House.”

It was centred around natural materials, the play of light, and creating a calm flow between spaces. For the kitchen and all the carpentry, I worked with a company that specialises in locally sourced timber – everything was made from elm sourced within the M25. We also used clay plaster from Cornwall, which I love because it actually breathes and helps keep the indoor air cleaner. That’s so important, especially as we often forget there are more toxins in our indoor environments than outdoors (unless you’re living right on a busy road).

We paired that with paint which has no VOCs and even absorbs VOCs from the room while it’s curing. It’s a perfect example of how sustainability can go beyond furniture choices and into the very fabric of the building.

Another project was inspired by a client who had been reading about fungi and their role in the ecosystem. That led me to source a beautiful pendant light made from mycelium. It’s sculptural, sustainable, and has become such a great talking point in their home.

For me, these kinds of details are what make design both meaningful and future-conscious. It’s not just about the aesthetic, but also how the materials we choose can support well-being while respecting the environment.”

- Jennifer Titmas

Some clients come to me already excited about using sustainable materials, while others need a little nudge to see how it can work beautifully within their home” 19

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YELLOW INTERIORS

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Founded in 2012, Yellow Interiors is a practice focused on commercial refurbishments.

“As commercial designers we need to look at the project impact as a whole. When we first visit a site we ask what can stay and what can be transformed.

There is always the temptation for designers to start from scratch but we take on the creative challenge of using as many of the existing elements as possible. There is sometimes resistance from clients who expect to be paying for ‘new’ but when we explain how we can transform the space and save them money, attitudes change. On a recent office project we didn’t have the luxury of existing furniture but managed to swap out over 70% of the specified furniture for pre-owned, saving the client around £25,000.

Some clients are more resistant to second hand or paying the supposed premium for sustainable products.

As manufacturers bring out more planet-friendly product ranges prices seem to be levelling out, making ethical choices economical. Occasionally, we realise the client is going to resist any attempts to ‘green’ the scheme, but we specify more sustainable products regardless, which goes unnoticed.”

Left: Jo Bowler Right: Alison John

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Yellow Interiors Cont’d “When we work in more regulated environments, e.g. cruise ships and healthcare, sustainable choices need to be balanced with stringent fire and hygiene regulation.

Many of the products, particularly fabrics, that we generally consider ‘better’ for the environment won’t have the certification required. We therefore need to assess the relative impact of products that are compliant. For example, when only synthetic fibres are suitable, we specify 100% recycled polyester. From a design perspective this can be limiting but it is the right thing to do.

When working on BREEAM or LEED projects, we know that the client is already committed to delivering a sustainable scheme. Most clients don’t have a deep understanding of the impact of each decision we make, so it is our job to influence, in a subtle way, their selection.

We default to the lowest impact option available when developing a scheme, and a little gentle persuasion usually ensures that at least part of the scheme is contributing to a more sustainable end product. This will continue to be the approach until legislation forces these decisions.”

- Yellow Interiors

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ABSOLUTE PROJECT MANAGEMENT AND BIID

Liz Bell is the President of the British Institute of Interior Design and director of Absolute Project Management a small team of skilled and passionate Interior Designers working in Central and North London, Brighton and Hove.

“There is an upward trend of clients being keener to consider sustainability and, where possible, implement sustainable technologies, finishes and fittings within their projects.

Designers too are increasingly inclined to source and suggest more sustainable options, both because it’s the right thing to do, and clients like it. Options have become more mainstream and competitively priced.

Many suppliers are adapting their processes and offerings to improve on sustainability which again makes it easier to make the right choices- although it is important that suppliers avoid greenwashing and are clear how their products and processes are better but may still have detrimental impacts which are either unavoidable or are on course to be changed.”

- Liz Bell

There is an upward trend of clients being keener to consider sustainability and, where possible, implement sustainable technologies, finishes and fittings.”

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Liz Bell

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Absolute Project Management 25

COMMUNITY

Anthony Murphy, Prime Advocates

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As this is Blue Patch’s first expanded edition of Positive Shopping we decided to celebrate some of the people and organisations that have gifted expertise and patronage.

Here are a few examples of just how transformative help can be to a non-profit. in 2024 Blue Patch founder Jane Langley was fortunate to be supported through Anthony Murphy’s social enterprise Prime Advocates, firstly by the Social Finance Hot Desk and, subsequently, gaining a Women of Impact award, a 12-month training, mentorship and business accelerator programme which pairs social enterprises with professional service firms that serve as mentors and provide pro bono legal support. The programmes were started to ‘remove barriers to investment and business support that female “social/environmental” entrepreneurs encounter when trying to scale their enterprises.’

Decorex is delighted to support Blue Patch’s mission to foster sustainable development in the UK’s creative business sector” Sam Fisher, Event Director

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Community Cont’d.

Over 18 months the amazing legal minds at A&O Shearman and Baker McKenzie guided Blue Patch on a pro bono basis with kindness, perceptiveness and patience. Drafting our new constitution was, as one of the legal teams suggested, ‘like extracting the DNA of Blue Patch and replacing it with a brand new one’!

Prime Advocates stepped in at a vital moment and, as a result, Blue Patch is legally robust and ready to move the dial on connecting the low-carbon, low-waste economy.

Another example is the support that came through Reach Volunteering, enabling us to build our talented Advisory Council and Voluntary Board. Reach is one of the best ways to gain support for social enterprises and charities.

Blue Patch’s Patrons are providing vital funds for our sustainability-focused courses and workshops for small businesses. Patrons are individuals and larger companies that place the environment at the heart of their values by helping all sizes of businesses from sole traders to heritage workshops to work towards a better future!

Sign up to our newsletter for inspiring stories and beautiful things.

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Photo from Blue Patch exhibition at Dulwich Picture Gallery. Photo credit: In The Right Light Photography

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Edward Bulmer Photo credit: Anna Bachelor 29

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The Nettle Dress was exhibited in ‘Pull My Thread - textiles for a cool planet’ a Blue Patch exhibition at the home of John Ruskin, Brantwood, Cumbria in 2024.

Hedgerow Couture. Allan Brown

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ABOUT BLUE PATCH

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Blue Patch is a community for sustainability-minded businesses that support the UK’s successful transition to clean energy and meeting net zero by 2050.

Our business members may already be working on their environmental and social responsibility, or need help to get started, so we provide courses and workshops funded by our Patrons.

We also have our own Positive Shopping mini-magazine - you are reading it, and a location-based member directory.

We love putting on exhibitions and participating in events too!

As a social enterprise, every penny Blue Patch generates, including 100% of our surplus revenue, is invested into sustainability-focused education, community-energy, organic farming and restoring natural habitats.

Our mission is to help power a resilient, pollution-free future - join us and let’s breathe fresh life into Britain.

Interested in becoming a Member or a Patron? Please contact Margy or Jane.

Photo from Blue Patch workshops. Photo credit: In The Right Light Photography

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Alternative Flooring