Autumn is fading into Winter and 2014 is beckoning – so what can we expect to see in our homes as eco-design whizzes round the sun once more? Without further ado, here are my key trends in sustainable design to watch out for in 2014. Thinking Smart- Materials and Technology The very fabric of our homes are set to get …
Eco homes need to get Smart – make your home Better with smart materials, products and technologies
As a designer I’m seeing a wide range of so called “Smart” products and materials that are enhancing our lives and our homes, coming onto the market – some are with us now and some are emerging technologies. Not simply the never ending stream of connected consumer electronics and IT items but also others such as materials and products – …
Plastic bag free day – for better, cleaner environment.
Bag Free World are the organisers of the International plastic bag free day, a global initiative that aims to eliminate or radically reduce the use of single-use plastic bags in the world. There are some truly shocking statistics – in 2011 in the UK, 254 plastic bags were given out every second whilst around the world the average plastic bag …
Eco Kitchen Interiors set to become smart intelligent spaces
With kitchens being the one space in the home that uses the most resources on a daily basis, were seeing that eco kitchens are also set to become smart kitchens – learning and adapting user behaviour – minimising resource input to maximise output -might even bring a smile to the eco side of Grodon Ramsay ! But what are the …
Ethical interiors an essential ingredient for sustainable homes- learning from fast fashion disasters
In light of the recent tragedies in Bangladesh, and even more recently in Cambodia, we cant allow the interiors industry to follow such a shameful way of operating. Knowledge, transparency and questioning is what’s needed. But just who is going to look after our homes interiors and the impact they have around the world? So we are taking a look …
Smart Floors – creating eco homes one step at a time !
The next stop in our tour of the future of smart homes is taking a look at “smart floors”. Our floors can be so much more than a surface we just step over. What are the added benefits that we see our industry bringing the future of flooring in our homes? Did you know that in a typical home, 15% …
Bathrooms of the future – saving us water and giving us so much more
Im always on the lookout for surveys and stats that tell us a little more about how we want to live, rather than the way we currently do- they can be a fascinating insight for any designer particularly those interested in the Future Home. Well this week its bathrooms. A recent survey of 1500 home owners by bathroom manufacturer Ideal …
Eco Homes – Detoxing for 2013
It’s a New year and time for a fresh start. I’m sure many of us have made resolutions to ‘detox’, but how about detoxing our homes? Or even better, Smart technology that will do it for us? Chinese based Ecovacs have created the Famibot. It’s main aim is to roam your floor and purify the air. However it can also …
Upcycled Homes – the Norwegian way
Last September I was asked by Norway’s TV 2 to take part in their prime time interiors show Tid For Hjim (Time For Home)- it’s a popular makeover show where designers are asked to refurbish the interiors of viewers homes. Nice and simple – just good design, a good build . . . no jeopardy. The show was recently aired …
Eco Homes future trends – predictions for 2013
With 2012 over and 2013 about to kick off, our thoughts here are turning to what’s going to be happening in the year ahead. So here are our Eco homes future predictions for 2013. The Green Deal – green shoots The Green Deal scheme becomes available to customers as of the 28th January 2013. But do you know what it …