I’m a regular and passionate cyclist and, like Boris Johnson, I think more of us should be getting on our bikes every day. Not just in an effort to cut down on smog and CO2 emissions (although this is obviously great news) but because bikes are incredible pieces of engineering and deserve to be properly worshipped. It turns out I’m …
Too Good For Bottles: An Eco Material That’s Finding New Ways Into The Home
Cork is one of those materials that designers love (a bit like cardboard) but others still have a bit of a hang up about. Reminiscent of chilly 1960s bathroom floors, it’s now having a renaissance in the home, with a selection of truly sustainable, beautiful and highly functional products. It’s warm-to-the-touch, has a little bounce and is really, really floaty. …
Knitted furniture for happier Eco interiors!
Amazing to think that there are around 32 million sheep in the UK – that’s half a sheep per person (perhaps a bit messy) or 2 sheep per family of 4, much neater except perhaps in the bathroom. So where I hear you ask is all that fabulous wool going, especially as wool sales have been in such decline? Well …
Eco Interiors need your old drawers
Ok so I know that this headline can be easily misinterpreted and people often raise an eyebrow or two when I tell them I am obsessed with old drawers, but just hold out and let me tell you why… Every year hundreds of thousands of tonnes of usable furniture is simply thrown into landfill sites or crushed and chipped. It’s …
Cool Homes? The Unusual World of Refrigerator Upcycling
I didn’t see this coming but it turns out white goods are the new black. What am I on about? I hear you ask. Well, weird but true, but we seem to be seeing an increasing number of projects that make the most of upcycling refrigerators in really unusual ways. I know what you’re thinking – pretty cool huh? Sorry, …
Want to create a flat pack eco interior? – Start here with cardboard…
As we near London Design Festival I’m sure we’ll be seeing a flurry of ingenious cardboard designs. Cardboard is a material that many designers love. It has a lovely warm, mottled surface, it’s easy to work, highly recyclable and has a high recycled content to it. I mean, what’s not to love? The only downside for the consumer is that …
Grow Your Own – Furniture With a Direct Link to Nature
When I married the lovely Katie, I grew a living willow structure for us to hold the ceremony. Started in the February, it was ready for the big day in September when I wove it into a mini-shelter. If you’re interested in something similar you can learn more here. I really love the idea that life and products around us …
The Great Restoration – upcycling vintage furniture
There are few things I find more satisfying than finding old, unloved furniture and giving it a new lease of life. Better still, it means I own a totally unique piece. Finding used, stylish furniture and lovingly restoring is very rewarding but it can also be hard work and to be honest be at the right place at the right …
Old furniture, new style: Oliver Heath’s tips on refinishing furniture
One of my true pleasures is finding old pieces of furniture and giving it a new lease of life; it’s the excitement of the potential, the burst of creativity and finally it’s appreciating what you’ve made – knowing that its totally unique to you. Vintage furniture will add character and identity and it can help make your home feel more …