Emily Horton goes on the hunt for eco-friendly interiors to boost your mood and home
The power of nature is certainly something that conservation biologist-turned-textile designer Susy Paisley knows all about. It was whilst living in the Amazon Rainforest studying the Andean spectacled bear that she was inspired to start her fabric company, Newton Paisley.
“I became besotted with the patterns and colours of the cloud forest; its exotic flora and fauna. Instead of doing the usual thing that scientists do, which is to turn all that I encountered into statistics, I started to draw what I could see.
“My clients appreciate the harmony of the designs, but also the academic feel. One said she found my designs both joyous and geeky!
Newton Paisley
“I am also passionate about the colour green: it communicates to us on the deepest of levels. Our eyes have evolved to be able to distinguish so many different shades owing to our absolute dependence on plants.
“I particularly love the work of biologist E.O. Wilson who said that we are profoundly affected by our environments, that our well-being is heightened by being in nature. It is what makes us feel safe, engaged with our surroundings. My designs fully embrace this.”
Susy’s fabrics also have the feel-good factor. For every metre of fabric purchased, 100m2 of endangered habitat is preserved through the work of the World Land Trust.
“You can sit there admiring your curtains knowing that an area of forest 100 times the size of them is preserved because of your purchase of Newton Paisley fabric!”
Newton Paisley
Liberty's Secret Garden fabric
Habitat
GREEN DREAM
We all love a bit of colour therapy but none so much as that which emanates from the natural world. We Brits have long embraced furnishings inspired by nature in an attempt to bring some of its serenity indoors. The Victorians were great believers in the properties of the colour green to soothe the mind; for them William Morris’s bottle-green horticultural interior designs were the height of fashion.
Our aesthetics may have changed somewhat since then, but nature remains one of the most popular themes in home furnishings. Why not take your inspiration from Liberty’s recent Secret Garden collection or Henry Holland’s luxurious debut designs for Habitat?
libertylondon.com
habitat.co.uk/henry
Alki
RECYCLE, RECLAIM AND REUSE
French furniture company Alki is a favourite discovery of mine at Decorex, the annual interiors exhibition held at Syon Park. Based near the Pyreenees in South West France, Alki is committed to supporting its local community and environment by creating its furniture out of sustainably managed oak alongside upholstery containing 100% natural materials.
Now, it has created the Kuskoa Bi, the first biodegradable and recyclable chair from bioplastic. Styled on the classic Eames chair, it combines traditional craftsmanship with new technology. Bioplastic has similar properties to plastic, which allows it to be easily moulded but – unlike plastic – it is made from plant-based renewable materials such as beet, corn starch and sugar cane. So when it comes to the end of its life, it is biodegradable and recyclable.
Alki.fr/en; Decorex 2017 Sept 17 – 20
Ecoya
ECO-FRIENDLY CANDLES
I’m a big fan of candles during the long, dark, winter evenings. Using eco-friendly wax is currently not so easy as the market is flooded with paraffin wax, which is associated with harmful chemicals. Beeswax candles are a favourite of mine but since the honeybee population is in decline, it seems right not to put a strain on those bees that remain. So I am currently using soy candles, made from soybeans. They produce a cleaner soot, are non-toxic and don’t require chemicals to produce a scent. My new favourite is Ecoya’s French Pear natural soy wax candle. From its base in Botany Bay, Sydney, this Australian brand crafts its candles using natural soy wax and lead-free cotton wicks. They are beautifully packaged and Ecoya’s mini Madison jar gift set of three makes a great present. Visit its website or purchase via Liberty or John Lewis and House of Fraser stores nationwide.
ecoya.com
Design powerhouse Andrew Martin International started life back in 1978 on the leafy streets of Richmond. Co-founder Martin Waller was just 22 when he started the brand with Andrew Gillespie before taking sole ownership in 1987 and moving the showroom up town to Walton Street. Admired for bringing a fresh, modern touch to an eclectic mix of influences, the Andrew Martin showroom is a treasure trove of salvaged items from Andrew's many overseas adventures.
His many inspirations are reflected in his current dining table collection which fuses reclaimed wood with cast iron and glass to striking effect. The Burley dining table (£3,095) has been hewn from reclaimed planks of Elm, while the Vernon (£3,250) features reclaimed wooden legs and clear glass top.
andrewmartin.co.uk
Andrew Martin
Emily Horton
