Homes Sustainable design ideas

Sustainable DIY

Charlotte Dawson of Chestnut Interiors offers advice on planet-friendly refurbishment

Our world is changing, and staggering statistics highlight the impact our lifestyles have on the planet. Consequently, the conscientious consumer can feel guilty when embarking on a renovation project, often questioning if changes are necessary or just desired.

Making eco-friendly changes in your home requires consideration about the way materials are made, where they come from and the impact their production has on the planet. Additionally, ripping out and knocking down typically leads to waste, and with landfill volume increasing, renovators and decorators are finding alternative ways of disposing of what they no longer need.

If you’re prepared to do some research, there are ways to make changes without having such a significant impact on the land, sea and air. Favour businesses that are passionate about sustainability and environmentallyfriendly home improvements – here are six for you to consider.

Bobbi Beck Redruth-based Bobbi Beck designs and prints wallpaper and murals on a madeto-order model. This enables the team to work from a smaller space, thereby reducing carbon footprint, and avoiding excess paper stock that could potentially go to waste. Paper is sourced from sustainable forests, the inks are waterbased and packaging is plastic-free. Even the print studio and office is powered on 100% renewable energy. With every sale, a tree is planted in a UK forest by climate change prevention charity Ecologi. Murals start from £29m², rolls from £66. www.bobbibeck.com

Soho Lighting Ocean Range Soho Lighting, based in Cornwall, recently launched an innovative sustainable lighting range, appropriately named The Ocean Collection. Fishy Filaments in Newlyn

Cornish Milk retrieve discarded nets from the sea; this waste material is given a new life as a carefully designed, 3D-printed pendant light supplied with an ultra-efficient LED bulb. Soho Lighting is striving to have plastic-free packaging by 2024. Ocean Collection pendants start at £440. www.soholighting.com

Cornish Milk Mineral Paint This new paint supplier shares my passion for the Cornish landscape, and is driven to retain and protect the environment too. Cornish Milk Mineral Paint is free from chemicals and uses organic earth pigments sourced within the UK. It’s suitable for interior and exterior projects, including furniture upcycling. There are 60 stockists around the UK (including 11 in Cornwall) and 25 colours to choose from, with names such as High Tide, Sea Pink and Sea Glass. I’ve spied a few favorites! Available in 250ml £13.95 or 500ml £23.95. www.cornishmilkmineralpaint.co.uk

Decorum Tiles Decorum tiles who are based a few miles from Port Isaac. Read their blog for an insight into a day in the studio: all products are hand-produced using traditional methods and lead-free paints, then fired in a kiln powered by solar energy. Each tile is painted to order, another great example of a supplier keeping waste to a minimum. The Glass House Collection, inspired by The Eden Project and Kew Gardens, showcases the talent of local artists. Hand painted tiles from £2.85. www.decorumtiles.co.uk Couch Flooring Did you know, the amount of carpet thrown away each year could cover an area the same size as Birmingham? That’s 130,000 tonnes in weight. Sadly less than 2% of carpet waste is recycled, so it’s good to find a host of Cornwall-based flooring suppliers that go the extra mile to offer sustainable, environmentally friendly choices. Couch Flooring recently opened a new studio in Bude to display a wide range of natural flooring, including sisal carpets made using the long leaves of the agave plant - nontoxic, hard wearing and biodegradable. The team can also advise you to make the right flooring choice for you and your home. Remember, before taking a carpet to the tip, consider professional cleaning and repairs, and donate it if it is in good condition: for example, to an animal rescue shelter. www.couchflooring.co.uk

Sustainable Furniture & Homeware There are many businesses striving to reduce waste and improve longevity of their products. Alice Collyer of Alice in Scandiland recognises the value in giving furniture and homeware a second (or third) lease of life. With an eye for vintage pieces, the quaint shop in Lostwithiel tastefully displays tables, chairs, lamps, vases, tea sets and more, both old and new - you’d find it hard to distinguish between the two! The craftsmanship and character of a pre-loved glazed vase offers a unique touch to your home while considering the impact shopping has on the planet. www.aliceinscandiland.com l