This project for Norway’s TV2 show ‘Tid for Hjem’, proposed that we redesign a family living and dining room within a countryside villa built by family members during the 1920s. The home is situated down a quiet lane with spectacular views out onto lakes, trees and mountains; a setting that was the inspiration for many of the books written by the …
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 …
Recycling your old kitchen: ingredients for better living
Designing a new kitchen is an exciting opportunity to really focus on reducing your future use of resources in one of the most energy-hungry rooms in the house. But just what do you do with your old kitchen? It’s shocking how many kitchens are replaced before the end of their useful life, and this is particularly true of high-end kitchens. …
My favourite Eco-Friendly Christmas Decorations for this Year
What’s not to love about this mid winter festival of ours, although every year I get hit with a pang of just how am I going to do all this decorating and Christmassy stuff and still make it sustainable. Creativity, inspiration and upcycling is what’s called for. When it comes to decorating my own tree I’ve opted for a simple …
Sofa, So Green
Choosing eco home furnishings can be really tricky. Particularly for items that are a little more complex in their manufacture and don’t necessarily have a daily energy use. Subsequently, the provenance of manufacture and materials, embodied energy and durability of these pieces really comes into question. Sofas are a prime example of a high-ticket, key item of furniture that …
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 …
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 …