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INTERIORS Yes green is in, and we mean that in
FOLLOW YOUR ECOCONSCIENCE Cardiff’s experts share eco-friendly interior tips and trends
By Sarah Moolla
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24 I CARDIFF LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk Natuzzi’s latest collection Ergo has brought together many aspects of the company’s commitment to sustainability
We’re all looking for ways to become more environmentally friendly, including our own homes. We know the mantra of upcycling, recycling, mending, and making-do but what about when we really do need to buy new or start over? Fortunately, we live in enlightened times and much of the design industry is leading the way with sustainable and planetfriendly products and innovations for the home.
As Esther Milardi, design director at Di Oro Interiors, says, “The concerns that challenge the world of interior design is how aesthetics can best be informed by environmental considerations. The good news is that the range of stylish and low-impact products is greater than ever from companies like Pentatonic, who work with design companies to create beautiful products from trash.” Here, Esther, along with other interior experts, shares ways our homes can be both sustainable and stylish.
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BOTANY BAY We should all know by now that plants are kind to the environment, and aesthetically enhance a space, but indoor greenery will also enhance our lives, as Justine Bullock co-creator at The Tap End explains, “Plants improve the quality of air and they absorb excess moisture in the room to assist in reducing humidity. We often design little niches, shelves, and surfaces into our bathroom designs, to create the perfect spots to add some greenery.”
MOVE INTO THE LIGHT Justine also advocates maximising all the natural light in your home. “It is crucial for lifting the mood – the more you can get into your home, the better.” It’s also free and saves on lightbulbs so, if possible, arrange rooms so they face the sunnier south. Also consider double glazing and new window frames if needed so the insulation is effective, no heat escapes, and no unwanted cold enters.
ABOVE: Innovative design company Pentatonic use trash to create their products; BELOW: A Chalkhouse handmade kitchen will always outlast the cheap, mass produced ones
MATERIAL MATTERS Plastic is definitely not fantastic. To make your home’s interior ecofriendly, you need furniture made from natural sustainable wood and other organic or sustainable materials. Cheap furniture is often made from compressed shaving and sawdust that is bonded together with synthetic glues and resins that often contain formaldehyde, which is a potential allergen to humans and carcinogenic to animals.
As Ceri Hill, design director of Chalkhouse, says, ¹A handmade kitchen will always outlast the cheap, mass produced ones with their limited lifespan and whilst having bespoke furniture may cost more initially, the inherent beauty and increased durability of a handmade kitchen will pay dividends both financially and ecologically in the long term.º
This ethos has always been very much part of the brand of Italian designers Natuzzi, as Angela Coles, store manager of Natuzzi Italia Cardiff Bay, points out, ¹We only use wood from renewable forests, our foams and fillings are totally free of the ozone depleting gas freon and other harmful agents, and our leather selection and tanning is all carried out in our own tannery where we follow strict environmental regulations. It is important to our customers that they are choosing furniture that has been designed and produced with respect for the environment.º
Natuzzi’s latest collection Ergo has brought together many aspects of the company’s commitment to sustainability. ¹The furniture boasts FSC-certified wood from sustainably managed forests adhering to strict environmental, social and economic standards,º says Angela. ¹Its components interlock seamlessly, so that each piece can be put together with no need for metal parts or screws. The water-based adhesives used are formaldehyde-free. All finishes are made with natural wax. The only metal used is the aluminium, an endlessly recyclable material. The textile fibres used for the upholstery are organic · linen, wool and cotton. The mattress is in per cent natural latex and the light bulbs used are low energy consumption 4EDs.º
THE LITTLE THINGS Even on a smaller scale, covering a chair or creating a cushion, going green is an easy option these days with endless choices. As an example, Rachel Morgan of Lyn Morgan Furnishings, cites a new fabric called Lisbon, “Designers Guild have created Lisbon recycled yarn, an innovative recycled fabric range which is woven using yarns recycled from the fashion industry.º Cardiff-designer 4isa Ridge->alentine also echoes just how much things have moved on, “There are more and more products you can use in your home to avoid plastic, which also look great. It’s never been easier to buy less, but buy better and buy beautiful, while also being kind to the planet.”
When working with her clients, Esther reveals she always steers them towards ecologically-sound items such as ¹shower tiles and shower trays created from per cent recycled glass, and soft-pile rugs made with recycled plastic bottles like those by Jennifer Manners Design.”
FLOOR SHOW A lot of cheap flooring is populated with synthetic materials and vinyl, which is made out of toxic plastics. A great alternative to vinyl is wood, and surprisingly, cork. There’s also Tirex carpet, which is made from recycled tyres, and is extremely hard-wearing. A great forever choice could be tiles, like those available from Mandarin Stone. Made from natural materials, they don’t require the destruction of other natural resources like wood or plant material. Just ensure you’re not cleaning them with toxic cleaners, which is not good for the tiles, for the planet, or for you.
The Tap End’s Justine says, “We have tiles that are made from recycled materials and range from floor and wall tiles, and decorative recycled glass mosaics. We think there is something quite lovely about a product that has had a former life in some shape or form. We also do natural mother of pearl tiles that are a by-product of the food industry so these are ethically sourced as well as being absolutely stunning.”
THIS PAGE, CLOCKWISE FROM ABOVE: Lisbon is an innovative recycled fabric woven using yarns recycled from the fashion industry; The Tap End builds in spaces for greenery in its bath designs; Jennifer Manners soft-pile rugs are made with recycled plastic bottles;
HIGH GLOSS Patrick O’Donnell, the international brand ambassador Farrow & Ball which is available from Leekes, says, “Ecofriendly products are becoming more of a conscious choice when it comes to decorating the home, and higher on the agenda when it comes to choosing paint for your walls. Look for paints like ours that have water-based formulations, meaning that they are much kinder to the environment and safe to use in all rooms of the home. The low or minimal VOC content means that they are low odour and emit no nasty fumes to breathe in.”
Another much-loved paint choice for upcycling existing furniture is Annie Sloan’s Chalk Paint, which is available from the homeware and vintage furniture store, Beti Biggs. It is a non-toxic and virtually odour-free paint that has minimal volatile organic compounds, and has been specifically created for furniture. It can be applied to most surfaces, and very rarely requires any priming or sanding before painting, meaning a saving of time and materials.
FAST FORWARD There are other factors, other than our sense of civic duty, driving the green issues as Esther explains, “The Welsh government has a plan to ensure that all new homes from 2025 will be heated and powered only from clean energy sources. To design for waste reduction and for energy eٻciency, there are many practices that I seek to implement in my projects. Whether I am working on new builds or older houses, there are many basic steps to take, like convincing clients to invest in lighting control systems that reduce electricity usage by 40 per cent.”
Marc Hailes, managing director of MWH Heating and Plumbing, has also absorbed many green practises into his business as a matter of course. He says, “We at MWH have been taking a proactive stance for several years now, in order to lower emissions, reduce our and our customers carbon footprints.
“For example, solar thermal is a well proven technology delivering energy and carbon savings. The system works by harnessingis the sun’s energy and converting it into heat which is then transferred into your home or businesses heating system as hot water or space heating. We also specialise in ground source heat pumps, air source heat pump, biomass heating, and greywater harvesting. These are all ways to ensure our homes help work towards a better future for our planet.”
Sustainability is made easy by upcycling existing furniture using a paint with minimal volatile organic compounds, such as Annie Sloan’s Chalk Paint
THE INSIDERS’ DIRECTORY
Beti Biggs (stockists of Annie Sloan paint) 1 Romilly Crescent, Pontcanna; www.betibiggs.com
Chalkhouse Kitchens, 3 Bessemer Close, Cardiff Tel: 029 2023 3308 www.chalkhouseinteriors.co.uk
Di Oro Interiors Tel: 07979 824 433 www diorointeriors.co.uk Leekes (Farrow & Ball stockists) Cowbridge Road, Talbot Green, Pontyclun; www.leekes.co.uk
Lyn Morgan Furnishings Llanover, Abergavenny; tel: 01873 855230; www.lynmorganfurnishings.co.uk
Lisa Valentine Home www.lisavalentinehome.co.uk
MWH Heating and Plumbing, tel: 029 2221 7197; www.mwhplumbing.co.uk
Natuzzi Italia Cardiff Bay, Havannah Street; tel: 02920 488 698; www.natuzzi.co.uk
The Tap End, 57 Llantrisant Rd, Pontyclun; tel: 01443 449056; www.thetapend.design
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