I thought long and hard about what to call this journal post. It was going to be about how we can try and be more sustainable when designing and furnishing our homes but the more I looked into it the more I realised that the sustainable route is ‘to do nothing.’ In other words, to be happy with the space we live in – don’t yearn for something bigger and better. Be happy with the sofa you bought five years ago but now don’t love (because it’s uncomfortable), be content with the living room you painted’ Hague Blue’ because it was the trendy colour at the time, and you thought you would like it but now realise you would prefer a lighter more neutral colour.

But let’s be realistic most people want their homes to look lovely – it’s important to them – a sanctuary where we escape from the stresses of the day, to relax and unwind, a place to entertain and be with friends and is it that unreasonable to want to improve it, change the look now and again?

A significant portion of what we throw away is due to factors like boredom or dislike, wanting the next best thing, rather than actual wear and tear, contributing to a culture of consumerism and waste. This could be applied to the clothes we wear, the food we buy and throw away and the gadgets that we are always upgrading, to the items we furnish our homes with.

As an interior designer it is the latter I am most interested in, and it does prick my conscience that I may be contributing to this throw away culture and so I am mindful of this when I am helping my clients.

In an ideal world if we are choosing to update/renovate our homes, from building work through to re-furnishing the space, we would use the most sustainable method/materials/items available, but it is not as simple as that. Budget plays a big part and whilst we would all like to have that beautiful table that is made from sustainable material and hand crafted to the highest quality just down the road, sometimes the ££££ price tag doesn’t make this possible.

So when I approach a project my philosophy is:

• Can we optimise the current space rather than go bigger
• Can we repair/re-purpose/re-imagine what is already there
• Help clients towards thoughtful purchases avoiding waste and regret
• Choose durable materials that don’t need constant replacing
• Explore antique/vintage/pre-loved in the first instance
• Aim to use materials and buy from companies with sustainable credentials

I do not consider myself an expert on sustainability, but I make an effort to learn more about companies that are working towards making a positive impact and therefore help my clients make thoughtful more informed decisions.

When it comes to your home – how important is sustainability to you? – I would love to know.