Wave magazine

Eco-interiors expert Sarah Whittaker indulges her love of wallpaper without compromising her eco credentials

It’s about this time of year when I start thinking about a bit of a radical change on the home front.Keeps boredom and the itch to move house at bay. I’m still loving the trend for wild and wonderful wallpaper, but can I satisfy this self-indulgent whim and still keep a ‘green house’?

Despite my initial hunch that the wallpaper trend would be fleeting, bold wallcoverings are still going strong and look set to stay (somewhat like the skinny jean). There’s a wealth of stylish designs available but do any of the really nice ones come with an eco conscience? Given that recycled paper is normally thin and rippy, could recycled wallpaper ever work?

Much to my surprise, the answer is yes. Graham & Brown, one of the bigger names in interiors, who do some truly gorgeous papers, has made a serious commitment to sustainability. Amazingly, Graham & Brown’s claim that all of its papers are either recycled or sourced from managed forests is true and about 50% of an average roll of G & B wallpaper is made from renewable resources. The company also uses non-acidic inks and coatings which are more friendly to the environment. (more…)

Eco-interiors expert Sarah Whittaker takes a look at the wonders of recycled glass

The other week Monty Don said, “I think it should be the law that we all have to make something beautiful from our recycling.” Now imagine that. Maybe a little too much to ask from most of us mere mortals? But, looking at it another way, if we’re all doing our bit for the environment,separating our glass and plastics, instead of having it all shipped abroad for recycling, why can’t we bring some of it back into our homes as something beautiful?

(more…)

Eco-interiors expert Sarah Whittaker gives some ideas on how to compile an ethical wedding gift list

So. You’re getting married and, like it or not, friends and family want to buy you a gift. But can you have an ethical wedding that reflects your feelings about consumption and waste and still have a wedding list? Yes, it seems you can have your eco wedding cake, and eat it.

Nowadays there’s a wealth of resources available that allow you to not only plan your wedding ethically but to create a wedding list that is ethical and affordable, and is comprised of things that you actually want. If you’re really determined you can opt for a wedding list of chickens and camels that will go to communities in need (and may make you feel better about the louche manner with which you create your big day). On the other hand you might like to take the more traditional route and ask for some nice things for your home.

(more…)

Eco-interiors expert Sarah Whittaker gives us some tips on celebrating Christmas with a green conscious

Maybe it’s my age speaking here, but it seems to me that despite our growing eco awareness, Christmas is still defined by an orgy of spending/eating/drinking and generally consuming far too much.

In the UK we buy more than six million trees, send one billion cards and use 80km2 of wrapping paper every year. And by the end of it all, we have generated three million tons of waste. I loveChristmas, and yet… there’s always the guilt. But don’t despair, make this the year where you put an eco awareness firmly to the fore. In doing so, you’ll be embracing the festive fun at the same time as cutting out some of the guilt.

“Make Christmas less ‘disposable’ by choosing baubles and tree decorations that you really love, so you can build up a much-cherished collection”

In the home, Christmas gives you a real opportunity to create a whole new look and feel without actually picking up a paintbrush. Keep it green and opt for energy-saving fairy lights, decorate your house with greenery and berries from the garden and steer clear of the high street plastics. Make Christmas less ‘disposable’ by choosing baubles and tree decorations that you really love, so you can build up a much-cherished collection as the years pass by. I like the ones made from recycled circuit boards at Nigel’s Eco Store – you could style your whole home on the green and gold colour theme in these, using natural plant foliage and a bit of gold sparkle added here and there.

You can also buy solar-powered fairy lights from Nigel’s Eco Store, designed specifically to work with the British climate, and which can be put up anywhere outside. When fully charged, they will twinkle for up to three days without the need for more sunlight.

The Natural Collection does some lovely recycled wrapping paper and tags, but if possible it’s best to use paper that you already have. You can find some great tips on creative wrapping solutions at www.boakart.com. Recycled brown paper looks particularly stylish if you adorn it with springs of greenery and brown string. Very Terence Conran! A friend of mine hangs a group of large decorative baubles from the ceiling; they looked so great he left them up all year! I decided that the large silver stars I got last year should also stay in place – it’s lovely to spread a little Christmas cheer throughout the year.

Finally, make sure to recycle your Christmas tree. Contact your council for details of their locations for Christmas tree recycling pens and if you can’t get to any of these, a Brighton-based company called Magpie will recycle your trees for you.

Links

www.nigelsecostore.com
www.naturalcollection.com
www.boakart.com
www.brighton-hove.gov.uk
www.magpie.coop

Sarah Whittaker is available for interiors projects.
Contact Sarah on sarah@bluelamb.co.uk

Eco-interiors expert Sarah Whittaker explores the new products at the capital’s 100% Design exhibition

Having visited this year’s 100% Design exhibition at Earls’ Court, it was encouraging to see a marked increase in the prevalence of ecoproducts and environmentally aware stand holders. There was even a section dedicated to 100% sustainable design.

100% Design is one of the leading trade shows for showcasing new interior ideas and products, and runs each year. The show itself is quite overwhelming in its sheer size, and as a visitor it struck me that the volume of products available to individuals is so vast, it can be extremely difficult to know where to start if you’re looking for something new.

But hang on, if we are talking about environmental issues here, isn’t sustainability about consuming less? Whilst that is indeed the case, I think it is important to be realistic and to realise that individuals will always want and need new products. We should try our best to be eco-aware and buy less, but to be sure that when we really do want to update our interiors, we try and opt for something with longevity and sustainable roots.

“It was encouraging to see a marked increase in the prevalence of eco-products and environmentally aware stand holders”

Where then to source products that give us just that? Personally my top tip is to buy old and therefore ‘recycled’ furniture with lots of character and history, but if you’re looking for something modern, try and opt for recycled materials or wooden furniture made from sustainable forests.

A good starting point is www.treehugger.com. The site features links to a myriad of different sustainable supplies. For kitchen surfaces and façades, The Greenhouse Effect does stylish recycled glass and stoneware. The Ecosmart Fire caught my eye as a possible alternative to the evil that is the outdoor patio heater and, for something really different, check out Rawstudio’s gorgeous coffee table, topped with a resin surface made from recycled coffee grounds. The show also featured some up-andcoming Brighton names, including Nick Gant and Jonathan Chapman, who run the University of Brighton’s IF Laboratory – ‘IF’ standing for Inheritable Futures, and seems set to be a springboard for individuals and companies that want to start designing and developing sustainably. It was exciting to see something so important headed up by a Brighton contingent.

When it comes to choosing sustainability for interior design, it now seems you really can let your imagination run wild, whatever your tastes.

Links:
www.treehugger.com
www.ecosmartfire.com
www.rawstudio.co.uk