As society is becoming ever-more aware of the importance of making environmentally friendly product choices, sustainability and good design are becoming increasingly desirable partners.
This Autumn we visited trade shows including the London Design Fair, Decorex, Focus/19 and 100% Design, and discovered the latest exciting trends in sustainable design.
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Clockwise from left: Alcadena Magenta cushion cover, Teixits Riera €30.00; Glasilium vase by Scandinavian Form, Harvey Nichols from £20.00; ASKI drum coffee table by Tapio Anttila Collection, from €149.00 (contact UK dealer [email protected]).
Design for waste reduction
Recycling, upcycling and repurposing. In these key areas of sustainable design, creatives are imaginatively working to produce functional, attractive objects for interior living. Some of our favourites include Kinkatou’s Lady Hilaire earthenware table lamp, designed, handmade and hand finished in Britain, and High Society Lighting’s suspension lamp, made from the by-products of either wine, hemp or tobacco, compression moulded and handcrafted to create a timeless reinterpretation of a design classic.
Functional art objects take on a new meaning for Martin Nielaba, born in Warsaw in 1963 and a precursor of the trend known today as upcycling. In the late 1980’s he began creating oil paintings from old or worn out utilitarian objects, using a resin lacquer coating to transform them into spectacular individual artworks that retain their original function. We love his practical art chairs.
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Clockwise from left: The Highlight Wine Suspension lighting, High Society Studio from €355.00; Functional Art Chair, Martin Nielaba €3550.00; Epilogue round tray – Lundhs Emerald, Lundhs Real Stone £135.00; Yellow Naked Raku Pot, Gaby Guzart Art from £250.00.
Design for low environmental impact
Products made from organic materials, such as wood, wool, and natural stone, have a low environmental impact. There are labels, standards, and certifications that give credible information about the materials’ origin and can help you identify eco-friendly products. For example the FSC (Forest Stewardship Council Certification) label on wood items ensures that the wood has been harvested sustainably. Enterprising artisan joinery specialists Joined & Jointed represent designer Tristan Hibbard. His unique coat stand in Walnut is sculptural, functional and beautifully crafted.
Carpets and rugs made from natural fibres such as wool, cotton or jute have a low environmental impact. Wool is an excellent natural material. It is hypoallergenic, biodegradable and recyclable, odour- and dust-mite-resistant, moisture-absorbent and anti-bacterial. Wool is also considered a fire-resistant textile. Craftsman Alan Oliver’s workshop is based in London, he creates handwoven rugs and textiles using a traditional weavers loom and hand dyeing the yarns in order to achieve the exact colours and tonal gradations he needs for each piece. His beautiful green geometric design rug uses a ‘meet and separate’ technique produced in natural undyed wool on a linen warp. Want to learn more about sustainable textiles? The SDC are hosting a free event, ‘Sustainability in Fashion and Textiles’, at the London College of Fashion on the 13th of November.
Produced in Scandinavia and created in collaboration with Norwegian design duo Vera & Kyte, Epilogue is an exclusive home accessories collection that uses surplus material from Lundhs Real Stone production facilities, breathing a new lease of life into the precious natural stone. We covet their limited-edition Epilogue Round Tray in Lundhs Emerald.
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Clockwise from left: Lady Hilaire table lamp, Kinkatou £1393.00+vat (base) & £145.00 (silk lampshade); ‘Pivot’ coat stand in walnut, Joined and Jointed £1695.00.
Design for longevity and flexibility
The aim of designing for longevity is to create a space that is adaptable and timeless and therefore supresses the urge to change the whole design every few years. One of the best ways to achieve this is to choose quality over quantity, classic over trendy and simplicity and functionality over embellishments.
British award-winning independent wallpaper, textile and surface designer Daniel Heath combines craft artistry with sustainable heritage materials. His amazing Jumbo wallpaper design is screen printed for a tactile feel and translated to an interior fabric of British-sourced cotton corduroy. Available in four colours, mustard, raspberry, cornflower and mint, it is ideal for upholstery and heavy weight curtains. The studio only works with British-made class A fire rated wallpaper which passes European and US fire regulations recommended for commercial spaces. All wallpapers use pigment binders that provide a durable finish.
Inspired by the coast of the British Isles, Camilla Thomas creates beautifully woven fabrics throws and textiles for the home. Using natural fibres such as merino lambswool to give a luxurious softness, warmth and lightness of weight, the pieces are a future investment, valuable today and a keepsake for the future.
Interior architect and designer Tapio Anttila designs home furnishings, lighting and decorative products. His designs have won numerous awards including the EcoDesign Award and the Green Good Design Award. We love the simple and high quality Aski drum coffee table.
Inspired by line and texture of her drawings, British ceramicist Gaby Guz produces unique handmade fired clay pots. Each design is individually crafted and glaze free, capturing a uniquely crafted moment in time.
Max Jacquard has established a strong reputation for innovation and a technique unique amongst UK glass artists. His style combines personal stories with diverse cultural references including archaeology, alchemy, science and craft traditions. Check out his colourful Semazen glass sculptures, light fittings and vases.
Roger Nathan was born in Auckland, New Zealand and has lived in England for more than twenty years. His hand-crafted marquetry tables illustrate his academic and mathematical background. All components of the tables, including the metal base, are handmade in his workshop in Witney, Oxfordshire.
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Clockwise from left: Semazen sculptures, Max Jacquard from £1200.00 (photo: Kristy Noble); ‘Circles’ walnut table, Roger Nathan £480.00; ‘Rockpool’ wool throw, Camilla Thomas Textiles £180.00; Green Geometric Design Rug, Alan Oliver £715.00.
If you would like to incorporate sustainable elements into the interior design of your home or you are inspired by any of the artists mentioned, we would be happy to meet with you to discuss your personal requirements. Please contact us directly at [email protected].
J&D Design specialises in the application of colour and design, and provides clients with personalised design services, including interior design, commissioning artworks, lighting schemes and garden landscaping.
In addition to their range of personalised design services, J&D Design offers a remote E-Design service and gift vouchers, with exclusive discounts for Marsh & Parsons’ clients.
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