Hello everyone, I hope you are all well and had a lovely Easter. Today’s column centres on something I am quite naturally passionate about and that is of sustainable interiors. There’s a quote by William Morris that says “Have nothing in your home which you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful.” which I think speaks volumes. Interiors trends have always been there but it is how you choose to respond to them that will have the greatest impact on both your home and the environment. Here are a few of my own tips on how to take a slower, more considered and less wasteful approach to your interior design.
Take your time.
Interior trends will come and go seasonally and while it is nice to peruse them, it doesn’t mean you need to change your aesthetics to keep up with them. Your home should be an expression of you and not someone else’s taste. Who has the time or money to keep up with changing trends anyway! Build on your interior space slowly and invest in long lasting design whether that be a piece of sustainably made furniture, buying an antique piece or simply repurposing that you already have. I love antique auctions for picking up something unique and giving it a second life. See www.willowantiques.ie for regular online auctions.
Select Sustainable Materials
Whatever you are investing in, try to choose sustainable materials such as bamboo, FSC-certified timber, energy efficient lighting and eco friendly paint where possible. For textiles, aim for natural fibres such as organic cottons, wool, and seagrass which have a much lower environmental impact than synthetic ones. I love my seagrass baskets for both storage and how eco-friendly they are. Pick up a set of 3 for €124.95
Repurpose, reuse or upcycle
Before replacing tired or worn-out items, consider whether a revamp would breathe new life into them. Sometimes a new coat of paint or the reupholstering of a chair or couch is all that is needed to create a fresh new look, and it is far more satisfying than buying new. I have an ottoman that has been with me for nearly ten years and I will recover it for the third time this year which gives me such pleasure. For reupholstery or repair see www.thesofafactory.com for a wealth of stylish options.
Choose Accessories Carefully
Nowadays most homes are made up of a mix of investment pieces and high street finds. While the cheaper items are great for minor updates, be careful not to accumulate needless clutter. H&M, Zara, and IKEA have some lovely sustainable designs but before you buy, think how long you intend to keep those pieces. Could they be rotated seasonally or could you see those pieces being passed down to future generations? Rotating interior accessories throughout the year will keep things interesting while producing less waste. See www.zarahome.com for lots of sustainable options.
I hope this has given you some food for thought. My motto has always been “if you buy cheap, you buy twice” and this has never been more evident in todays fast fashion world. Good luck with creating your own sustainable designs and I will chat to you next month.
For any interior styling questions email me at hello@theirishcountryhome.com
Laura x