Making sustainable interior design choices
Necessity, Usability, Sustainability
There has been a sizeable shift when it comes to making decisions regarding sustainable living. Since 2020 we have really had to evaluate what is important in the home, re considering items that we may have purchased in the past but no longer deem necessary.
More of us have also started to consider where or how our household items and homewares are made. A shift towards buying local as well as buying from brands with ethical manufacturing transparency has become more important than ever.
Recycled materials, animal free alternatives, locally made pieces and artisan handcrafts are the key areas driving this buying trend forward.
Sitting hand in hand with more conscious decisions in this area is also a focus on functional design and maximising space. Therefore considering that each and every piece ticks off 3 main areas: Necessity, Usability, and Sustainability.
Below are our picks of ethically made furniture and homewares made from sustainable materials that don’t compromise when it comes to quality and style.
Bombora Custom Furniture
Local Torquay business Bombora Custom Furniture use recycled timber to create timeless, quality furniture. Primarily Bombora use recycled timber from local Victorian eucalyptus species with hard wearing qualities and which have travelled low miles and are readily recycled. Australian owned, designed, and made, their portfolio consists of a wide range of product including timber vanities, buffets, dining tables, sideboards, tv units, beds, couches and outdoor furniture.
Koala
Priding itself on eliminating the choice between affordability and sustainability, Koala is striving to produce consciously designed furniture that consumers will love. Koala donate at least 1% of annual sales to environmental charities and with every sofa purchased they partner with WWF Australia to adopt turtles.
Cork has long been farmed from the bark of the cork oak tree globally and until a few years ago the industry was in decline due to fears over occurrences of ‘cork taint’ which saw a surge in the popularity of synthetic stoppers. Now the use of cork has expanded well beyond the wine industry and is on the incline. Cork oak increases its ability to absorb carbon dioxide gases during the natural regeneration process following stripping of the bark. It’s estimated that every year cork oak forests retain up to 14 million tons of carbon dioxide, helping to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. This sustainable, recyclable and biodegradable material is a smart choice as we transition to a low carbon future.
Koala have adopted this material, producing a highly sustainable sofa, pictured below, that is as green as it comes.
Bombora
Made from sustainably harvested Australian Chestnut timber and recycled Messmate, this floating hardwood vanity boasts finger pull draws and storage shelf.
Koala
Crafted from ultra sustainable, eco friendly cork, this water resistant, durable material is made without the use of any nasty chemicals.
Oh Happy Home
Fully accredited with GoodWeave International and with full transparency from the yarn making right the way through to weaving and cutting, OHH employ the finest master weavers to create their gorgeous range.
Designed in Australia by owner Amy who has a fine arts degree in textiles herself, these rugs are of the highest standard. Also, by purchasing from OHH you too are giving back, as a percentage of the cost of your rug supports GoodWeave’s social programs in India, Nepal or Afghanistan.
Klaylife
Widely know for their hand rolled clay bead chandeliers, Klaylifes beaded lighting were initially crafted in South Africa by local African women whose lives had been impacted by HIV and were in desperate need of income.
As the brand and demand for their product has grown, more and more women with differing circumstances are now employed by Klaylife who employ over 65 women, making a huge impact on their community.
Oh Happy Home
Using the highest quality wool yarn from New Zealand this braided rug is made in India in small weaving runs ensuring artisan weavers work all year around.
Klaylife
Their sash design pendant light with matte gold frame or jute rope is handmade in Africa by the Kwazulu Natal community.
Totem Road
Committed to minimising the impact that modern consumers have on the planet and boasting on-trend, timeless pieces without any hidden costs to the environment, Totem Road create sustainable pieces from responsibly sourced materials that don’t compromise on quality or craft. Their packaging is also fully recyclable and biodegradable, helping to reduce landfill.
Pottery Barn
Well know retailer Pottery barn has joined the sustainable bandwagon adding eco friendly products in their widely loved range.
Totem Road
Crafted from ethically-sourced sustainable solid oak, featuring a hand finished natural grain throughout. Select from a variety of sizes.
Pottery Barn
Gorgeous mid grey lumbar cushions made from 100% PET polyester and filled with 50% virgin and 50% recycled polyester.
Eco Filling Australia
Make an environmentally friendly choice when filling your cushions by purchasing natural and organic products. These not only help the environment but are suitable for use by allergy and asthma sufferers with no harsh chemicals used in their production. All fibres are fully biodegradable and come from sustainable practices. These eco cushion inserts are finished off with cushion outers made from GOTS certified cotton fabric.
Eco Filling
Eco Friendly cushion inserts across varying fill options of corn fibre, downs wool, eucalyptus fibre, and feather.
For more information on how you can incorporate sustainable design into your project contact us here.