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Climate Change and COP26 - How can we as interior designers and consumers help when it comes to our homes? The UK has hosted global world leaders for the past two weeks in Glasgow. Many say this is a pivotal moment for the health and survival of our planet and consequently, our species. It all sounds doom and gloom, doesn't it? A positive spin on this perhaps is to acknowledge that our world leaders have come together in acknowledgment of this being a real issue, even if they don't all agree on what needs to be done and by when. I honestly believe it will be pressure from us, the conscious and caring consumers, to vote with our wallets demanding faster and better results, rejecting the products of companies that aren't "doing their bit", and supporting the right groups that lobby our government to legislate is also important. What is COP26 about? As a reminder, the world needs to keep global carbon emissions to under 1.5C. Currently, we are on track for 2.4C which has many negative ramifications on us and our planet. So far there have been serious pledges by 100 countries to reverse deforestation by 2030, to reduce the output of methane levels from their current levels by 2030. Significantly, China, Russia, and India have not joined that particular pledge. 46 countries have committed to phasing out the use of coal, unfortunately, the major polluters, Australia, China, the US, and India have not signed the pledge. The last hurdle is to reduce fossil fuel subsidies. At the11th hour, Chin and India demanded changes to the language used in phasing out of coal power in the Glasgow Climate Pact, from "phase out" to "phase down" and China was willing to ruin any pledges and positive developments made in the past 2 weeks if the language was not changed! So, they got their way. What this means for small island countries is a bigger threat of flooding and eventually the loss of their land from Climate Change. Some are saying it is a huge step in the right direction that any reference to coal was even mentioned in this Climate Pact as it has not appeared in one before. So, how does the interior design industry "do its bit" to help reduce its carbon footprint? Read on... 10 COP26 ECO TIPS FOR YOU AND YOUR HOME. If at all possible change to a heat pump to heat your home. Heat pumps can help you save over 30% on your energy bill, compared to other conventional heating systems. While the upfront cost may be more than other options, an efficient heat pump paired with proper insulation will save you money in the long run and carbon-producing resources such as gas and oil. *What is a heat pump, see below. Where possible, insulate your loft and your walls. Make sure your windows are draught-proof. Use timbers that are FSC certified meaning they come from sustainably managed forests. If using MDF then ask your builder to buy from a company called MEDITE. There are 10 different MDF types the most sustainable being Medite Clear, perfect for sensitive environments, and with no added formaldehyde. Use paints with very low VOCs, there are several manufacturers that go that step further to give end-users a healthy breathable environment with little or zero off-gases. Re-use appliances and furniture where possible, if you can't, donate them, or make sure they are being disposed of responsibly. Buy vintage or antique, you can find some fabulous pieces that will add character and personality to your home. Use LED bulbs, if you haven't changed yet, make that a priority, it's simple and cost-effective. Buy British and locally. Supporting our local designers and manufacturers helps to reduce carbon footprints by cutting down on transportation. Buy from manufacturers that are making a conscious effort to be ethical and sustainable, they should disclose this on their websites. It's okay to buy from Europe, but steer clear of products from China unless it can be proven they tick that sustainability box. Companies that are BCorp certified are guaranteed to be making a holistic effort as a business. *What is a BCorp, see below. *What is a heat pump? Heat pumps can be used for heating or cooling spaces in a building. Heat pumps take their heat energy from the ground, air, or water and consequently can cost less to run than heating systems that use electricity, gas, or oil. The heat pump upgrades heat from lower temperatures to higher temperatures. The higher temperature heat can then be used for either space heating or hot water. *What is BCorp? Certified B Corporations are a new kind of business that balances purpose and profit. They are legally required to consider the impact of their decisions on their workers, customers, suppliers, community, and the environment. This is a community of leaders, driving a global movement of people using business as a force for good. To find out more about materials and manufacturers that are doing their very best to help the planet and its people, sign up for my newsletter, below. For exquisite interior design, eco-solutions and inspiring ideas join our Green & Glam community! I look forward to catching up with you soon 🌿

Part five of our bite-sized articles on bathrooms in sustainable interior design. This week, it's energy. 40% OF UK EMISSIONS COME FROM HOUSEHOLDS. This means our stylish sustainable homes have an important part to play in meeting the 2030 emissions reductions in the carbon budget. There are some great infographics here you might be interested in. You may have heard Heat Pumps a lot recently, which are a super sustainable product, these will eventually replace traditional boilers as they are super energy efficient, but that's another conversation! Let's remind ourselves what sustainability means when applied to interior design: We are creating sustainable and luxury homes with an emphasis on the health and wellness of families, individuals, and our planet, by using design principles, products, and materials that help reduce the use of chemicals, pollution, waste, and energy consumption. ⭐️ First download this FREE GUIDE - 10 mistakes to avoid when designing your bathroom - a must-have to read along with! CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD NOW! ⭐️ So, let's take a look at what we can do to reduce that carbon footprint, save ourselves some money, and keep our homes healthy by using healthy and sustainable products in our homes. 1. UNDERFLOOR HEATING HOW WE HEAT A BATHROOM. Normally it's heated by towel rails that are either run on electricity or via the hot water system. These are alternatives that are more sustainable because they are energy-efficient. You might like to consider underfloor heating? We are currently working on a project and installing electric underfloor heating in all of the bathrooms and some of the reception rooms also. We have previously installed a whole home with a water-fed system too, with no radiators anywhere. THERE ARE TWO TYPES OF UNDERFLOOR HEATING - ELECTRIC AND WATER We would recommend an electric underfloor system for a sustainable and luxurious interior-designed bathroom renovation as the void in the sub-floor space required for it is minimal. If it's a larger bathroom then we would supplement the underfloor heating with a radiator. Your plumber can advise you on the best options. The water-fed system is normally thicker due to pipework and works using the existing heating system for the house. It's better if installed into a new build or where the heating system is being updated, where they can make provisions to accommodate the depth required to install this application at the design and planning stage. Both systems can easily heat a 12mm thick porcelain tile well, creating a warm touch to the floor which feels wonderful on bare feet and is super cosy. The alternative is a water-fed system requiring a deeper floor void for laying the pipework either in the screed or a tray system. HOW UNDERFLOOR HEATING WORKS. Even though underfloor heating will cost about 30% more to install over radiators, your longer-term energy costs over the year could be halved. This is also a more natural form of heating and requires lower flow temperatures due to its increased surface area. The air that is circulated from underfloor heating is cleaner than the air pushed around by radiators. Along with warm air, radiators push around moisture. Having moisture in the air can result in damp and mould forming, reducing the air quality of your home environment. The even distribution of heat also allows a room to heat up more quickly and stay warm. While radiators have to work hard and burn through more energy to increase the temperature in a room, the large surface area that underfloor heating covers make the task easier and quicker. Once a room is up to temperature, less energy needs to be used to maintain that temperature. Some homeowners are concerned about the systems going wrong, but, it's the same with any specialist trade; make sure the contractors you are using are qualified and you won't have any problems. TOWEL RAILS. Towels give off heat and dry your wet towels - obviously! They can be heated by electricity or a water supply. They do not provide an even distribution of heat around the room. A water-fed towel rail will most likely be plumbed to work with your heating with a thermostat attached. An electric towel rail will normally be operated by a timer outside the bathroom. One can of course use a combination of towel rail and underfloor heating switched together or operated separately. WALL INSULATION. Don't you hate it when you can hear the noise, above, below, or from above where you are in your home? It's a pet peeve of mine and there are ways to improve this. As well as helping with unwanted noise, we can improve heat conservation in our properties saving us money and helping the environment. There are a couple of ways to do this, one is by cladding the internal face of an external wall, the other is to install insulation into the cavity of a stud wall, not as efficient, but better than nothing! Ask your builder for advice, in my mind, it's worth it. 2. LIGHTING AND LIGHTING SYSTEMS. Any lights, TV's or electric towel rails, used in a bathroom must be IP rated to at least IP44 - IP65. Ideally, a waterproof fitting should meet IP65, 66 or 67 regs. IP means 'Ingress Protect' and measures the sealing level of electrical fittings against moisture and dust. BRITISH LIGHTING COMPANIES I LIKE. 🇬🇧 I love these wall lights by Bert Frank, they have a high IP65 rating, so are waterproof. Designed and made in the UK by artisans, are therefore a higher price point than most. This type of light will produce a more atmospheric light source rather than a functional one. A beautiful product to include in your sustainable and luxury bathroom interior. 🇬🇧 Original BTC is a British Company that designs and manufactures in the UK and ships all over the World. Being manufactured in the UK reduces the carbon footprint of their sustainable product. Their lighting is slightly retro in style, with some deco and industrial influences. The Hatton wall light, seen below, has a shade made from bone china and is IP20 rated. Their Art Deco-inspired Pillar wall lights with an IP44 rating are stylish classics very suitable for bathroom use. Let's support British design! 🇬🇧 Another favourite I love to use is Tigermoth Lighting, they are a British company, designed and manufactured here in the UK. Elegant, stylish, and luxurious, some have an IP44 rating so can be used in bathrooms. This chandelier gives that extra 'wow' factor and looks great hanging over a bath at the correct building regulation height. (see zones, above) The price point for this company is mid to higher end. Another beautiful sustainable and luxury product. WANT TO SAVE SOME MONEY ON YOUR ELECTRIC BILL? An electronic lighting system can save you 10% on your electric bill, although the initial investment is high. It might be worth your while considering an electronic lighting system in your sustainable and luxury interior design homes, as it is efficient and allows you to control your lighting more effectively, such as a Lutron system, it's sophisticated and more expensive than most, and I would only suggest if your project is a new build or an extension where you can add the operating system as new. Another company is Crestron that provides similar functionality. Nowadays, there are more cost-effective options we can use such as Nest now part of Google Store. This can be retrofitted by using a Google Home device, Google Assistant bulbs, and corresponding hubs. LED bulbs need to be used which most of us are already using in our homes. If you haven't already, invest in changing your light fittings to take LED lamps, if compatible, you will save money over the long term in energy bills. ⭐️ Download this FREE GUIDE - 10 mistakes to avoid when designing your bathroom - a must-have to read along with! CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD NOW!⭐️ 3. DESIGN PRINCIPLES. Remember these basic principles when creating your healthy, sustainable interior. 👇 ✅ Plan ahead. Design principles that can be used relate back to the topics we have mentioned above, they are not exclusive of each other. ✅ As a designer we look at all of these elements together to maximise energy efficiency, best products to use, best use of products, materials, and space planning. The layout of the bathroom needs to work for you too and solve all of your design problems. Mood boards showing style, finishes, and products before you start are essential. ✅ Ideally, the bathroom should have a natural light source, if it doesn't the artificial light source designed needs to tick all the right boxes in terms of luxe level output, and colour of lamps/bulbs warm or white, warm bulbs replicate natural daylight. Want that mood-enhancing lighting for a relaxing bath, candlelight, soothing music, intoxicating fragrance..... ⭐️ Being able to control the light source to replicate the changes in natural light through its Circadian cycle (daylight from the morning to night) would be beneficial as it will affect moods in either a positive or even negative direction. ⭐️ Anticipate plumbing problems and don't be caught short, access to water pumps, bath, and basin taps is important allowing for access traps or points in walls for maintenance or possible troubleshooting of pipework. ⭐️ Specifying sustainable products that meet safety standards for bathrooms and are fit for use in that environment is a standard requirement all designers should understand. Above all have fun with it! 👉If you would like more tips n how to create a sustainable and luxury interior, hop over to my private Facebook group Green & Glam You can always contact me using this link if you would like more information on the products or design principles mentioned in this article. We are always looking out for companies manufacturing sustainable products to add to our preferred supplier list. If you would like to be considered, please contact me here.

We all know that water is a precious resource but as population growth continues unabated, so too does our demand for water. Couple this with climate change and our water supply is becoming more unpredictable than ever. Does this mean that those who can afford a large and luxurious home need not bother with trying to be conscious consumers and care about this issue? No, I think it makes it more important to set standards and lead the way when creating responsible and healthy interior designed interiors.. Part 4 of a series of 5 bite-sized articles on how to create a sustainable interior designed bathroom. Here at SVM Interiors, we are creating homes with an emphasis on the health and wellness of families, individuals, and our planet, by using design principles, products, and materials that help reduce the use of chemicals, pollution, waste, and energy consumption. WATER CONSUMPTION. According to the Energy Saving Trust, water used in the home now accounts for over half of all public water supply use. The average home uses 350 litres of water nearly every day and a large proportion of that is used in the bathroom. Showers, lavatories, baths and bathroom sinks consume more than two-thirds (68%) of household water. For larger fully occupied properties, this calculation will be much higher. "Unsurprisingly, a large majority of people cannot accurately gauge their own water usage. A 2016 report by Waterwise, an independent, not-for-profit UK NGO focused on reducing water consumption in the UK, states that 85% of people don’t know how much water they use per day on average. Most people estimate between 50 and 100 litres per day when in reality, the figure is closer to an average of 142 litres a day" So, what can we do to reduce the amount of precious water we use in our bathrooms? SEVEN TO-DO'S FOR REDUCING WATER USE. ✅ Install a dual flush toilet as the valve allows you to choose whether to use a full flush or a half flush, usually of 6 litres and 3 litres respectively. (Note: I read a report about valves failing and wasting more water, so it's important to buy well) ✅ The obvious way to reduce water consumption when it comes to taps is to be more aware. When you turn the taps on, don’t turn them on full blast—up to 90 percent of the water may be wasted. Get into the habit of releasing just as much as you need. Leaving a tap running while brushing your teeth or shaving wastes six litres of water a minute. A dripping tap will waste well over 5,000 litres a year. Shocking! ✅ Some people love having a bath, it's a good way to unwind and take time out for yourself. However, if you do take a bath and are looking to purchase one, be mindful of the size of the bathtub and how much water goes into it. A standard bathtub has a capacity of about 80 litres, so even if you don’t fill it up, that’s still a lot of water. If you’re replacing a bath, try to source one with a lower capacity. ✅ Purchase no-touch or sensor basin taps, you might have seen these in restaurants or other commercial buildings where they have been popular for several years. This cuts down on unnecessary water flow from taps, I think we all might be guilty of that. However, the design style is limited and would not allow for enough design flexibility for use other than simple modern or commercial interior designed environments. ✅ If not, consider a single-lever mixing tap: it will help you obtain the right water temperature more quickly. ✅ Take shorter showers. Every minute less can save as much as 23 litres of water. ✅ Fit an AAA-rated shower head. This can reduce water output by at least 9 litres a minute. Alternatively, have a plumber install a flow restrictor to reduce the amount of water your shower emits. An older shower-type showerhead can use up to 10 litres more per minute! HansGrohe is a supplier an interior designer might specify, they have a range of water-saving showers systems whereby you can choose the settings to either AirPower or Ecosmart functions. In their own words... "All-in-one shower units give you the freedom to choose different options, and they’re all easy to use even when you’re under the flowing water. Unlike other showers, our intuitive Select button allows you to conveniently click to the type of spray you want. With our AirPower and EcoSmart technologies, you can enjoy indulgent showers without worrying about the environment or your wallet, as they use water more efficiently, saving water and keeping costs down. And cleaning your shower is a breeze thanks to QuickClean allowing you to simply wipe away limescale from the silicon nozzles. Whatever type of shower you’re looking for, you can choose from our wide range of features to discover the shower system perfectly tailored to you". I cannot find any other companies that offer this type of technology for new interior bathroom fittings, they may be out there and I just don't know about them yet... Hansgrohe mixers and taps which are fitted with EcoSmart technology, require up to 60% less water than conventional interior bathroom products – without any loss of comfort. This means you can reduce your water and energy costs and conserve valuable resources. ⭐️ Download this FREE GUIDE - 10 mistakes to avoid when designing your bathroom - a must-have to read along with! CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD NOW!⭐️ 👉If you would like more tips, hop over to my private Facebook group Green & Glam You can always contact me using this link if you would like more information on the products or principles mentioned in this article. We are always looking out for companies manufacturing sustainable products to add to our preferred supplier list. If you would like to be considered, please contact me here.

MARBLE - SHOULD WE USE IT? Here at SVM Interiors, we are creating homes with an emphasis on the health and wellness of families, individuals, and our planet, by using design principles, products, and materials that help reduce the use of chemicals, pollution, waste, and energy consumption. Part 3 of a series of 5 bite-sized articles on how to create a sustainable bathroom. This week it's marble, should we still be using and what are the alternatives? Marble is a gorgeous material, but, its use is not at all sustainable. It is not renewable as it needs to be quarried from mountains which, of course, cannot be replaced. Marble is heavy and labour intensive to extract, fabricate, and transport, it is porous and requires a lot of maintenance. As designers and conscious consumers, it is our duty to educate and encourage our clients by offering alternatives to natural stones that are creative and desirable. There are alternatives to natural marble, stone, and granite. For walls and floors, the large format tiles from Porcel-Thin are a sustainable option, beautiful and realistic looking. ⭐️ WANT TO KNOW MORE ABOUT MARBLE? Download this FREE GUIDE - 10 Alternative surfaces to marble - CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD NOW! ⭐️ SOLID MARBLE COUNTERTOPS - WHAT ARE THE OPTIONS? 👉 How do we deal with solid 20-30mm natural stone or marble countertops that basins and baths normally sit under or on top of? Quartz or engineered stone is the option many of us now use in our homes, for bathrooms and kitchens. SO WHAT IS QUARTZ? 90 percent of quartz is crushed up waste of natural stone, marble, granite or recycled industrial wastes such as ceramic, silica, glass, mirrors, etc, and maybe some actual quartz—sometimes a lot of it, depends on the supplier. These materials are bound together with polymer or cement-based binder which gives the engineered quartz top the look and feel of stone. It is a very dense, non-porous material and therefore antibacterial. Because it is the preferred 'stone' material it has risen in price and granite has reduced in price, making them about the same cost per square metre. WHO SUPPLIES IT? Here is some background about the history of quartz. Bretonstone® "In 1963, the technology of creating engineered stone was developed by the Breton company in northeast Italy, who licensed the process under the trademark Bretonstone®. Over 50 years later, Breton is still alive and kicking. The process consists of blending pulverized natural stone aggregate with a mix of polymers, removing the air, then heating and shaping the material into slabs that have the hardness and appearance of natural stone. Bretonstone technology has been licensed to more than 50 companies around the world, including such famous names as Silestone, Cambria, and Caesarstone. While these manufacturers absolutely do add their own flair and nuances to their engineered stone countertops, they are still working off of that original brevetto, or patent, from Breton. Some forms of quartz countertops now include fragments of mirrors and other glass, brass metal filings, and various mixtures of granite and marble." COSENTINO. (A deeply Green company) Is a Spanish company that manufactures Silestone, Dekton and ECO. Their Silestone range has a very high level of natural quartz in it, up to 90%. Their ECO range uses 75% of other recycled material. "The revolutionary worksurface, ECO by Cosentino is composed of 75% recycled raw materials, including salvaged mirrors, glass from windows and bottles as well as porcelain from china, tiles, and sinks. Achieved through state-of-the-art technology, the worktops are extremely durable with a high stain, scratch, and scorch resistance." "The recycled content is mixed with other materials including stone waste and is bonded together with a part eco-resin, which contains 22% corn oil. This pioneering resin is the result of a major research and development initiative, and is unmatched in the market today" Quartz can be made to look like marble. This Silestone Calacatta Gold slab is a very popular marble used in the past few years and has established a trend for it's use in both bathrooms and kitchens. You will find cheaper versions of quartz, normally shipped from China, mixed with toxic binders to hold it together. As a consumer that cares about where and how a product is produced, this is not an option to consider. QUARTZ FORMS (A Green Company) I recently came across this company and I'm very impressed with their product. So many quartz manufacturers create quartz slabs that are poor copies of marble. This company is different. Made in Germany to high environmental standards with a wide range of quartz stone for all building applications. Forest is their new range with a marble look that is difficult to tell the difference from the real thing, available in 20 and 30mm slabs. They now have a UK base with a large warehouse in Harlow, Essex. They hold many certifications, not limited to, Greenguard-gold, Kosher compatible, Breton Tech, Ohmi- ISE 5001. STONETHICA. (A deeply Green company) An Italian company is tackling the cut sections (offcuts) of marble and stone, cutting, shaping, and binding (using non-toxic resins) together into slabs creating distinctive stripes with different patterned offcuts. They are very driven by their sustainability initiatives and environmental commitments. ⭐️ WANT TO KNOW MORE ABOUT MARBLE? Download this FREE GUIDE - 10 Alternative surfaces to marble - CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD NOW! ⭐️ 🇬🇧 BRITISH SOLID SURFACE SUPPLIERS 🇬🇧 (Please note: when you see 'deeply green' this is my way of saying the company efforts are 100% committed to sustainability.) 🇬🇧 FORESSO (A deeply Green company) A British company creating unique super interesting terrazzo slabs from non-toxic coloured resins and the offcuts from London trees that have been felled for maintenance purposes. They have created a product that is highly sustainable with an excellent commitment to the life cycle, circular economy, and renewable product principles. Driven and committed to sustainability. Made in the UK. 🇬🇧 RESILICA - (A deeply Green company) A British company specialising in recycled glass worktops. Resilica has an established manufacturing and environment commitment in place. "Resilica is manufactured using up to 100% recycled waste glass, reducing landfill and destructive stone quarrying. It is produced using solvent-free resins. Once cured these resins are totally inert and contain no VOCs. Water used in the manufacturing process is recycled where possible" Resilica is manufactured entirely and exclusively in its UK factory thus minimising the carbon footprint associated with imported surfaces. 🇬🇧 ALTROCK. (A deeply Green company) A British company based in East London. Their solid surface material is sustainable and non-toxic. Much like a traditional terrazzo, this material is hardwearing, waterproof, and contemporary. Certainly for a modern bathroom design. Altrock combines recycled marble flour, recycled marble chips, and chunks of offcuts, and broken pieces of beautiful marble slabs. All of these are byproducts of local marble manufacturing, the waste materials from the production of various luxury products, and building finishes. The marble is mixed and bonded with a small amount of resin, pigmented in a huge range of custom colours, and cast by hand in slabs of all shapes and sizes. Altrock is sealed with a wax oil that dries to a beautiful matt finish. This deepens and highlights the unique veining of the natural stone chunks, and provides a durable, waterproof, and stain-resistant finish. 👉If you would like more tips, hop over to my private Facebook group Green & Glam You can always contact me using this link if you would like more information on the products or design principles mentioned in this article. We are always looking out for companies manufacturing sustainable products to add to our preferred supplier list. If you would like to be considered, please contact me here.

Here at SVM Interiors, we are creating homes with an emphasis on the health and wellness of families, individuals, and our planet, by using design principles, products, and materials that help reduce the use of chemicals. Part 2 of a series of 5 bite-sized articles on how to create a sustainable bathroom. This week it's bathroom products, loo's baths, showers collectively known as sanitaryware! 🇬🇧 BRITISH BATHROOMS PRODUCTS 🇬🇧 The majority of modern sanitary ware comes from Europe, the UK is much better at manufacturing traditional bathrooms, basins, and loos with the exception of some taps and hardware. I've picked a few British and European companies, the Europeans having an evident and firm commitment to sustainability with directives in place. I've incldued UK companies here, because, well, they're British and buying products from the UK ticks one sustainability box and thats the reduction in a CO2 footprint. For exquisite interior design, eco-solutions and inspiring ideas join our Green & Glam community! 🇬🇧 KANTH (A deeply Green company) A British company with a very strong commitment to producing sustainable products sourced and produced ethically. Luxury designs of excellent quality. In their own words: "We’re committed to ensuring that the raw materials and packaging we use are recyclable. All our swarf and scrap material waste is re-used to produce fresh materials, with every element of our packaging (from the box itself through to the packing tape) all 100% recyclable. We source external components where possible from suppliers within the UK or Europe and only ever from respected suppliers whose components meet our exacting standards." 🇬🇧 SAMUEL HEATH Over 200 years of quality British design and manufacturing. Beautiful bathroom products and hardware meant to last. Definitely worth a look. 🇬🇧 THE WATER MONOPOLY A British Company with a full range of bath, shower, basins, taps and loos. Founded from a passion for restoring salvaged bathroom product, The Water Monopoly was launched in 1990. If you are looking for a classic and traditional look for your bathroom, this is the place to go. All product is manufactured here in the UK. 🇬🇧 HURLINGHAM BATH COMPANY. Inspired by 17th Century English art and architecture Hurlingham Bath Company was born creating beautifully handmade and hand-finished baths here in the UK. Specialising in period designs mixed with contemporary additions, the Hurlingham offers fabric upholstered, gilded, stenciled, and painted baths. Truly unique. 🇬🇧 MATKI. All Matki products are designed and manufactured in the UK. they are known for luxury shower screens and shower trays and have expanded their over the years to brassware. With factories in Hampshire, Cornwall and Bristol they provide excellent products and services with a large range of metal finishes and sizes. I particularly like the Classic range and this frameless screen with the option of gold or silver mesh sandwiched between the glass. 🇬🇧 KUDOS. KUDOS is a British company that design and manufacture shower enclosures, wet room systems and shower trays here in the UK, in the Lake District. Their products are modern stylish, excellent quality, and built to last. 🇪🇺EUROPEAN BATHROOM MANUFACTURERS🇪🇺 BETTE. (A deeply Green company) BETTE is a German company with a very strong sustainability focus. They have been making great baths, shower trays, and basins for 60 years. As a designer I would specify this brand if it fitted my client's requirements, the designs, quality, and sizing options are excellent. As a company Bette has chosen to focus on the use of natural materials, steel, glass, and enamel, all of their products are 100% recyclable. No chemicals or solvents are used in the manufacturing process. They have strong environmental policies that have been in place for many years. ROCA. (A deeply Green company) If you are looking for reasonably priced, well-designed, quality, modern bathroom products then ROCA a Spanish company, will tick this box for you. They have amazing environmental initiatives in place too. “Commitment with the Planet is part of our philosophy and our day-to-day activities. Under this premise, we created the “Roca Loves the Planet” concept, which comes with all the production processes at our factory, as well as the development of our products and the social activities of the company." Roca have managed, globally, to cut gas consumption by 14.9% and electricity consumption by 4.6%. This improvement means preventing the emission of 52,750 tonnes of CO2 into the atmosphere. These figures are highly significant, as gas consumption represents approximately 90% of the greenhouse gas emissions arising from production processes. They have achieved their Zero Waste Programme, whereby the industrial processes produce no material waste, by 75% their goal is 100%. This is an amazing effort on the part of this Spanish Company. CATALANO. (A deeply Green company) This Italian company has a very strong sustainability commitment. They offer a collection that is an eclectic cross-section collection of good quality well-designed products for the bathroom. Catalano relies on a team of professionals who manage environmental aspects at all production levels on a daily basis. Among many other initiatives and processes in place, guarantees product life cycles to zero waste. 👈 This is huge! “Think Green" is the motto of Catalano, who has been pursuing for years to get sustainability and respect for the environment at all stages of its production cycle. The company has implemented strategies aimed to achieve the following purposes: ✅ reduction of environmental impacts and resource consumption. ✅ reduction of energy consumption. ✅ elimination of toxic substances or pollutants released into the environment. EX.T. (A lightly green but healthy company) I am a big fan of this Italian company Ex.t They produce, fresh, sophisticated and clever bathroom furniture.💗 Ex.t have a different way of looking at interiors and bathroom design. A company designing and supplying innovative modular bathroom equipment for the modern home. Manufactured in Tuscany using artisans in locally established workshops. Using 'Livingtec' for basins, baths, and shower trays, a material that is non-toxic, antibacterial, and hypoallergenic. I particularly like the nouveau range, Art Deco influence with sinuous, abstract forms in more feminine colours, as well as greys and black. We are considering this range for a current bathroom project. Gorgeous! 👉 If you would like more green and eco-home design tips, sign up for my newsletter here. You can always contact me using this link if you would like more information on the products or design principles mentioned in this article. We are always looking out for companies manufacturing sustainable products to add to our preferred supplier list. If you would like to be considered, please contact me here.

As a London-based interior design firm, we are creating homes with an emphasis on the health and wellness of families, individuals, and our planet, by using design principles, products, and materials that help reduce the use of chemicals. We have recently designed 7 bathrooms for one property in a rather lovely part of London, we, of course, looked at a lot of tiling companies. Choosing a tile that is sustainable is not immediately obvious and one has to make a lot of inquiries as to whether the tile product is sustainable or not. This is true for the residential interior design sector, the commercial design sector is a bit ahead of us (residential) and has already adopted and sought out the use of sustainable design products in their interior design schemes. We like to consider ourselves sustainable luxury interior designers. ⭐️BUT FIRST! Download this FREE GUIDE - 10 mistakes to avoid when designing your bathroom - a must-have to read along with! CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD NOW! ⭐️ PRODUCTS AND MATERIALS. When it comes to purchasing materials and products for our residential interior designed properties, my first reference point is to look at 🇬🇧UK designers and manufacturers. If they are based in the UK the carbon footprint for delivering your purchases will be low due to less distance traveled with no airfreight involved, the company (should) be using local materials, as an added bonus they might have sustainability commitments in place too, which many do and are listed in this guide. It's a good thing to support local businesses. However, a tile is more than likely to be European than English if it's a sustainable 'green' interior product. LET'S LOOK AT WALL AND FLOOR TILING - ceramic and porcelain as sustainable interior products. ✅ Ceramic and porcelain tiles are some of the longest-lasting floor and wall covering products on the market today. Unlike carpet, vinyl, or laminate flooring which have to be replaced periodically, properly installed tiles will last a lifetime. This longevity reduces time, money, and resources spent on extracting raw material, manufacturing, transportation, installation, demolition, and disposal requirements. ✅ Ceramic and porcelain tiles are made from 100% natural and plentiful raw materials that are usually found in close proximity to the factories, thus reducing fuel consumption and transportation costs. ✅ Clean healthy air: Since tiles are fired in kilns to extremely high temperatures, there are no volatile organics (VOC's) in the finished product that can be released into the air we breathe. In addition, there are adhesives and grouts available that contain zero, or very low VOCs. It's good to know that most modern tile factories today are “closed loop,” reusing water and materials. They send only negligible amounts of scrap to landfills and wastewater to treatment facilities. PORCELAIN TILES. If we are using large format tiles in a sustainable interior design scheme, they are normally porcelain, which is widely used. Porcelain shows a solid colour throughout the tile, dense, extremely tough and non-porous, difficult to cut even with a diamond edge saw. *Porcelain tiles are very much considered a sustainable interior product. Below, is an example of large format tiles we used in a bathroom refurbishment, along with glass mosaics using recycled glass content, as an accent wall, from Fired Earth. 👉 It is expensive to clad walls in a marble slab, (not environmentally friendly either) previously, we have used a combination of marble slab and large porcelain format tile printed to look like marble, which keeps the supply and installation cost down. To install a marble slab the walls need special preparation which ends up making the wall build-out pretty thick (around 70mm). We have used this alternative combination for a client and it worked very well. See below. The tiles we have used are from Minoli, as well as producing a beautiful product they have environmental initiatives in place for waste reduction, recycling, and energy efficiency. Another product I am impressed with is an Italian tile manufacturing company, whose product is sold here in the UK through Porcelain-tiles.co.uk. They have amazing large format tiles on offer, book-matched as well as great colour ranges. The icing on the cake is they have incredible sustainable initiatives and commitments. This company defines sustainable luxury. Well worth a look. As well as super large, can be 2m x 3m, format porcelain base, their tiles are ultra-thin to around 5mm, but very strong, being thin allows for better manageability of the tiles otherwise they become too heavy to move. They can also be used to replicate the thickness of marble if the edges are mitred (which takes a skilled tiler!) You do need to be careful of the edges as they can become vulnerable and can chip, especially on a countertop. It is recommended to use an installation team familiar with handling and laying of this product, when done well it can look just as effective as marble or stone slab. LOOKING FOR THE WOW FACTOR? If, as a client, you are looking for the 'wow' factor of a book-matched marble slab, there are alternatives on the market to using a natural marble slab. The EKA Group has developed stunning large-format porcelain tiles, 'Privilege' range, available through West One Bathrooms, with beautiful semi-precious and marble patterns laser printed on the surface, protected with a resin that is applied by hand to maintain the perfect textured finish. We don't need to use the earth's precious natural resources of marble or stone slabs which as we know are not renewable. A creative designer, with an eye for detail and materials, along with a skilled installer, can replicate a stunning sustainable luxury interior design look. SOME TILING SUPPLIERS TO CONSIDER: ✅ Johnson Tiles - 🇬🇧A British Company. Producing tiles since 1901, all of their tiles have 20% of recycled ceramic material in them. A good range of tiles is available with a holistic approach to helping the environment from manufacturing to packaging. They definitely deserve 5 stars for effort! ✅ Porcelanosa - they have a good range of tiles and bathroom products along with a sustainability initiative across their multi-national company. ✅ One company I stumbled across recently is Parkside Architectural, and I am super-impressed with for offering sustainable interior products for use in luxury residential interior designed homes. Owned by Topps Tiles who also own Strata Tiles. Now, Topps has a bit of a stigma attached to them being high street and cheaper perhaps, but this is owned by a UK family that now has 400 stores nationwide. Their Parkside arm of the business has a section specifically dedicated to offering designers and architects, sustainable interior products with recycled content, which is really good news. You can even search by recycled content! The Criaterra range is 100% zero-waste and 90% energy-saving in its production. ✅ Ann Sacks - Crackle Collection is a partnership created between ANN SACKS and its parent company, Kohler Co. Through Kohler WasteLAB, the unfired pottery transforms the waste into a responsive tile body. The body of the tile is made from 100% recycled material. Additionally, the glaze contains between 37% and 99.7% recycled content." I include it here to show what can be achieved with the right mindset and intention. Sadly, having this product shipped from the US will negate any sustainable efforts in manufacturing the tile. ⭐️BEFORE YOU GO! Download this FREE GUIDE - 10 mistakes to avoid when designing your bathroom - a must-have to read along with! CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD NOW! ⭐️ 👉If you would like more tips, hop over to my private Facebook group Green & Glam You can always contact me using this link if you would like more information on the products or design principles mentioned in this article. We are always looking out for companies manufacturing sustainable products to add to our preferred supplier list. If you would like to be considered, please contact me here. For exquisite interior design, eco-solutions and inspiring ideas join our Green & Glam community!

Can you have a luxurious holiday without it costing the earth? It looks as if staycations are the way to go this year! However, trying to secure a reservation is easier said than done, it's really quite impossible it seems at the moment. 🤔 Hotels that are investing in sustainability are starting to see it pay off. Some are even going further to achieve B Corp Certification. (See what this means at the end of the article)👇 We have investigated and shared with you our pick of the best. For exquisite interior design, eco-solutions and inspiring ideas join our Green & Glam community! So, what is an eco-resort in the UK look like and how does it operate? Most eco-resorts make a commitment to reduce their impact on the local environment. They adopt Reduce, Reuse, Recycle energy-saving policies across all areas of their business, use materials that are sustainably and locally sourced from food to bedlinen, furniture, paints, soaps for the bathrooms, to name but a few. REDUCE. REUSE. RECYCLE. Here are our top picks. THE SCARLET. Cornwall. Opened in September 2009 and is owned by sisters, Debbie Wakefield, Emma Stratton and Rebecca Whittington. Branded a 'luxury eco-hotel just for grown-ups' boasts stunning sea views and luxurious bedrooms with private courtyard terraces. The tranquil spa, locally farm-sourced restaurant and cliff-top hot tub marry luxury and sustainability. The electricity is produced entirely from renewable sources. Solar panels heat the indoor pool. All towels and robes are organic and sustainably sourced. They even offer a discount to those guests that have traveled to the hotel, by foot, rail or bike, therefore, reducing CO2 and keeping cars off the roads. They take their commitment to delivering sustainable luxury very seriously. DAYLESFORD FARM. The Cotswolds. Created by Lady Bamford, this 2,500 acre Gloucestershire farm is known for its passion and pride in producing the best and highly sustainable organic produce. However, you can also stay at the idyllic countryside farm with gorgeous rustic interiors to match. Amongst the many amenities they offer, the standouts for us are the wellness spa, a sustainable, culinary cooking class, and a home-grown floristry class. In their own words: "By shopping and eating organically you are choosing to invest in the long-term health of the planet and the wellbeing of yourself and your family, now and for the future" THE GREENHOUSE HOTEL. Bournemouth. I love what they say about themselves. "We set out to prove that luxury and sustainability are friends, not enemies. And that you can have fun, relax in style and eat like royalty without spoiling the environment or breaking the bank." This is my philosophy with interiors design; you can achieve luxury and sustainability, you just need to be committed to finding and adopting it. The Green House Hotel is located in a leafy pocket of Bournemouths city centre, sandwiched between some of the best blue flag beaches on the Jurassic Coast and the beautiful rolling expanse of the New Forest. Recognised as one of the leading eco-hotels in the world, sustainability is at the core of this 32-room Grade II Victorian villa, and every single aspect – from the towels and toilet paper to the restaurant’s menus and general decor – has been carefully considered and made as sustainable as possible. We have had our eye on this to visit for some time now. Their impressive list of, well, sustainable everything and commitment to protecting our planet's resources is just magnificent. We certainly think so and will support The Green House accordingly. REDUCE. REUSE. RECYCLE. WHAT IS B CORP CERTIFICATION? B Corp Certification is the only certification that measures a company’s entire social and environmental performance. The B Impact Assessment evaluates how your company’s operations and business model impact your workers, community, environment, and customers. This is certainly the way to go for all businesses and I have seen more and more fashion and some interior companies taking this route and it's not easy one to take.

Can we really use the word sustainable with the word luxury in the same sentence, surely they are complete opposites to each other? Here at our London-based residential interior design practise, we believe that home owners still want luxurious interior design for their homes and always will, even if there is a move toward less expensive and opulent interior design. There is still no reason homes cannot be sustainable and luxurious. The push towards sustainable products for interior design is on it's way, slowly, but it is coming, and, is not always easy to find. This is one of the ways SVM Interiors can help. We have done the research and leg work already, we know where to find and source the right products that fits your brief but doesn't cost the earth! So, can we make better choices when we come to redesign our bathrooms that don't cost the earth? Yes, we can - we call it "Sustainable Luxury" What does sustainable mean in relation to residential interior design? Creating homes with an emphasis on the health and wellness of families, individuals, and our planet, by using design principles, products, and materials that help reduce the use of chemicals, pollution, waste, and energy consumption. What does luxury and luxurious mean? A condition of abundance or great ease and comfort, a sumptuous environment. Something adding to pleasure or comfort but not absolutely necessary and normally expensive. An indulgence in something that provides pleasure, satisfaction, or ease. As a London-based sustainable luxury interior design practise, we have a focus on "keeping it Green". The property we are working on at the moment is in Belgravia, a rather lovely part of London. Part of our project brief is the redesign of 7 bathrooms. The client is also keen to use sustainable products where possible. And, as we know, every little helps toward keeping ourselves and our planet healthy. In this project, one of the bathrooms is large and more luxurious than the others; the other bathrooms are smaller and the brief is different (I'll cover these in a different article). 🌿 Still, just because the client expects a luxurious final look and feel does not mean we have to compromise by using products that are not manufactured with respect for the environment. For exquisite interior design, eco-solutions and inspiring ideas join our Green & Glam community! WHAT TYPE OF PRODUCTS ARE OUT THERE? 🌿 There are companies in the marketplace that have adopted manufacturing processes and use materials that are helping to minimize damaging environmental impacts on our wonderful planet. Unfortunately, it's sometimes difficult to find them. On the interior redesign of these bathrooms, we are fortunate enough to have already researched this and have a database of suppliers and manufacturers that tick these boxes for our clients. Below is a samples board for the main bathroom. * All of our newly interior designed bathrooms have heated floors, this is fairly standard nowadays, the upfront cost is more but there are long-term savings. If you have a tiled floor it's a must-have in the UK climate! Below are 3D renders we provided to the client to give them a feel for the space. The marble is not marble, it's large-format porcelain tile which is very popular at the moment, doesn't cost the earth, and is kinder to the environment. Even if your space is small, the large tile can make it look bigger, with fewer grout lines. (P.S. we changed the mosaics and quartz to more sustianable options, not shown on the spamples board) These tiles are from a company called Porcelain Tiles UK. They specialize in luxury sustainable tiles. The book match tiles on the rear wall are huge at 1.5m wide x 3m in length, you do need a skilled installer, someone who is used to handling them, surprisingly the tiles being thin at 6-9mm, is extremely strong. Why use real marble? The quartz material on the vanity unit and forming the WC housing is from Quartforms a German company that have invested and committed to sustainable procedures and practises. 🌿 Of course, the best selling point is the tiles are EU Ecolabel and LEED-certified. The tiles are made in Italy where I have also found bathroom sanitaryware manufacturers such as Catalano, see my article. 👇 🌿⭐️ 5 STEPS FOR CREATING A SUSTAINABLE BATHROOM - STEP 2 SANITARYWARE ⭐️🌿 The EU Ecolabel helps you identify products and services that have a reduced environmental impact throughout their life cycle, from the extraction of raw material through to production, use, and disposal. Recognized throughout Europe, EU Ecolabel is a voluntary label promoting environmental excellence which can be trusted. The EU Ecolabel is awarded according to ecological criteria agreed on by experts, industry, consumer organizations, and environmental NGOs and verified by independent third parties. LEED® certification provides independent, third-party verification that a building project meets the highest green building and performance measure. All certified projects receive a LEED® plaque, which is a nationally recognized symbol demonstrating that a building is environmentally responsible, profitable, and a healthy place to live and work. The LEED® program encourages the adoption of sustainable green building and development practices and promotes a whole-building approach to sustainability by recognizing performance in five key areas of human and environmental health: sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials selection, and indoor environmental quality. 🌿 There really is no excuse not to use materials that have been created responsibly and ethically. We will see more and more of these products enter the market as it's what homeowners want: To create homes that don't cost the earth. If you would like more information on designing and creating your dream bathroom, contact me here it will be my pleasure to help you. ✨ The Five Benefits of Hiring An Interior Designer ✨ Download Here

Do you know when to apply? As we work in London on luxury residential interior designed homes, some of our projects fall into the listed building category, which means there is a need to apply for building consent, even if the work is internal. You definitely need to apply for building consent if you are considering works and buying or living in one of the following properties. A Grade I listed building - buildings of exceptional interest. A Grade II *listed building - particularly important buildings of more than special interest. A Grade II listed building - buildings that are of special interest, warranting every effort to preserve them. For exquisite interior design, eco-solutions and inspiring ideas join our Green & Glam community! What is listed building consent? "Grade II listed buildings are subject to regulations which protect their historical and architectural significance. These buildings are of special interest, meaning alterations and building work can't be carried out without written consent from the relevant authorities." If you want to move walls, change a bathroom or kitchen, replace floors and even change a paint colour, you should always apply for consent from the local authority. We always make the application on behalf of our clients as the process can be time-consuming and fiddly. The application is not expensive normally around £200 plus or minus depending on what you're applying for. We submit scaled location drawings, any images and information for consideration as part of the interior design scheme we are proposing. Building Control is separate and may be called upon to check the building and progress of work once permission has been granted. Some builders would prefer to skip the consent process as it can lead to a very long-drawn-out process. However, it can also cause more problems by not obtaining consent resulting in work being stopped and fines being issued! What they do not want you to do is remove an existing original part of the structure which is of integral architectural significance. As an example, it would be okay to lay a new floor over the existing original floor, but not to remove the original floor. Lathe and plaster walls should remain intact. Any cornice and plasterwork to remain, they will tell you if it's original or not. If the original sash windows are not fit for purpose, they must be replaced with the same type, in timber, not UPVC, and have the same amount of glazing bars. Generally, secondary glazing is also not allowed or glass with a film on it. They will stick to the rules and not bend them! An application can take 8-10 weeks for consent, depending on the local authority. I have always found it helpful to speak to the department in charge if you're not 100% sure your application will be accepted. This will save you time. As an example, we worked on two properties in the same road, one was a full renovation, the other was the replacement of sash windows to the front and a change of balcony railings to the rear, both were on the very top floor of the 5 storey buildings - and no lifts! The property with the railing was the most difficult to obtain consent. Our client was surrounded by balconies where the balustrades had been made from seamless glass, modern and look great, however, when we applied for the same type we were refused! "How can that be," I said. However, it was discovered the neighbouring homeowners had not applied for consent and were in fact contravening regs. Needless to say, we ended up with a simple black industrial style railings which were original in style and in keeping with the building. And, they look fine. See below. Currently, we are working on a stunning home built in the late Regency period of 1834. Planning permission was granted, surprisingly, to remove some of the ornate interior architectural elements that were not original to the building but added probably 75 -100 years later. This application had to be made simultaneously; once through the council and secondly to the Grosvenor Estate. We will remove these Corinthian capital columns here. This centre section is very pretty, but not original to the date of building. We have received permission to remove it and the pilasters to the side. We will update you on our progress! The original dumb waiter will also be removed to make way for refrigerators. If you have any questions for me or my team, you can contact me here. I'd love to hear from you with any questions you might have.

When I was a child, I used to spend Saturday afternoons with my grandparents watching old Hollywood movies from the '30s and '40s. I was mesmerized by the fashion and glamorous interiors. This definitely planted the seed for my love of Art Deco and glamour. ​ I come from a hardworking family and one that loved their food and dining out. So eating at lovely restaurants was part of growing up in restaurants with nice interiors, well, nice for the '60 and '70s! All of these experiences build and form you as an adult - some good and some not-so-good! I was super close to my grandmother; we would sit and paint together and visit antique shops; she spoilt me terribly, but also influenced me by nurturing my creative side. She suggested I paint pottery on porcelain as a career when I grew up - bless her. ​ So I end up at art college, where I was juggling a part-time modeling career and studying for my design degree (God, I disliked modeling all that prodding and preening) My move toward interiors was a natural progression after I landed my first job at Liberty of London, in the Modern Furniture and Interiors department. It is a beautiful historic building, but also a leader in modern design classics. I was inspired by the creativeness, glamour, and gorgeousness of it all! I guess I was starstruck because of the old movies, the fashion, the interiors, the elegance of it all. Being surrounded by beautiful things was very much part of what I create. ​ At the total opposite end of the spectrum, as well as creating beautiful interiors, I enjoy working on building sites, getting stuck into the detail, and problem-solving that comes with putting an interior together. I always tell people that are interested in a career in interior design to work on a building site first that way you'll get to understand the basic terms and have some sort of construction knowledge. (* I secretly enjoy tool shops too, maybe it's the order and repetitiveness of seeing the tools lined up - love it!) ​ I also like to organize, create and deliver. I like to solve problems, and I like to help people. Deep down, helping people is what it's all about for me. I'm pretty sure this is because my family was in a service industry themselves; you observe and pick up certain characteristics when you are a child. Did you know, humans spend as much as 90% of their day in a man-made built environment, around 50% in our homes. Therefore an interior designer's job is super important. Designing a space that is safe, healthy, and meets all of our needs is crucial to our wellbeing - it's not just about filling it with stuff that looks nice. I am proud to help others by creating beautifully healthy homes for both residential and commercial property owners. I have been very lucky and privileged to work on some exciting interiors around the world, that includes the Ambassadorial residence in Rome, hotels in Japan, spas, corporate offices, golf clubhouses, and even designed a Theme Park! I am truly grateful for those opportunities. See the image of a Private Health Club in Kensington I interior designed and managed many years ago - I loved this project. 💚 My advice to an aspiring interior designer is the following: ✴︎ Get an education within interior design of some kind, although there are many interior designers that have none and have learned through mistakes and experience. ✴︎ Do an apprenticeship on a building site for a short while. ✴︎ Surround yourself with good tradespeople, you can't be an expert about everything. ✴︎ Don't be afraid to ask if you don't know. ✴︎ Work towards a niche within interior design where you will be viewed as The specialist in that particular field. ✴︎ Understand the basics of running a business especially if you plan to run your own company. ✴︎ Take your job seriously, it shouldn't be a hobby, become a member of an accredited organization, such as SBID or BIID. ✴︎ Keep your eyes and ears open and learn, learn, learn. ​ The qualities one needs to have to be a good designer is in another article I have written which you can read here. 👉If you would like more tips, hop over to my private Facebook group Green & Glam You can always contact me using this link if you would like more information on the products or principles mentioned in this article. We are always looking out for companies manufacturing sustainable products to add to our preferred supplier list. If you would like to be considered, please contact me here.

It's a good question that I'm not sure many people know how to answer. There's is a big difference between Interior Designers and Interior Decorators. They are not one and the same. In the past 30 odd years, decorating our homes became increasingly popular with TV shows such as Changing Rooms which featured decorators (not interior designers) such as Linda Barker and Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen who quickly gained celebrity status. More recently, Interior Design Masters tells you tune in to find out who will become the next "professional" interior designer - a bit of a smack in the face for the interiors designers that have spent years toiling over their craft and are in fact professional and qualified! You might have noticed I'm a little passionate about this! The public's perception of interior design has been skewed over the years because of this 'instant decorating' trend and the wrong use of the word 'design'. Qualified interior designers sometimes become a little frustrated, shall we say, at being tarred with the same brush (forgive the pun) as decorators. If you don't mind, I'd like to help you understand what the difference is between interior designer and interior decorator 👇 Please read on... ✴︎ Interior Decoration is "The furnishing or adorning of a space with fashionable or beautiful things." ✴︎ Interior Design Requires the skills of spatial awareness along with the understanding of people’s behavior to create a living environment that works in all the functional aspects required including layouts and all details within that space". ⭐️ In short, interior designers may decorate, but decorators do not design ⭐️ Interior designers apply creative and technical solutions within a structure that are functional, attractive, and beneficial to the occupants’ quality of life and culture. 👉 In America, the Interior Design profession is very highly regulated in most of the 50 states. They do not allow you to draw up your own working drawings and sign them off, you would need the stamp of an architect to approve it. In some States, if you call yourself an Interior Designer but do not have the NCIDQ credentials, you can be fined around $5,000.00. I personally believe in regulating the practice of Interior Design; I have seen and heard of disasters happening to people and their homes by not using qualified or professional people. 👉 "It can be a highly complex profession, and "Unlike 'architect', 'interior designer' is not a protected term in the UK and therefore anyone is able to set up a practice and call themselves an interior designer regardless of qualifications or experience." BIID. There are two recognized associations that designers can become a member of BIID and SBID, of which I am a member, proof of education and experience is required for membership. Here's my list of the qualities I believe a person requires to be a good Interior Designer. Have bucket loads of integrity. Be an outstanding problem solver. Have excellent communication and organizational skills. A good head for money and budgets. Be honest and transparent at all times. Able to translate a client's verbal brief into a cohesive and intelligent design scheme. Instruct and manage builders and craftsmen. Have a knowledge of basic building terms. Add value by delivering the project on time, saving the client time and money. Provide outstanding customer service. Provide clients with the knowledge for eco-friendly and sustainable interior alternatives if this is something they are interested in. I also believe in the regulation of the building profession. Sadly, there are many more bad builders than there are good. I would always look for builders with good recommendations, looking for membership to a registered trade association such as The Federation of Master Builders would also be a smart idea. ⭐️ If you have questions about any of the information mentioned, please call or email me here I'd love to hear from you ⭐️ #interiordesign #whatisaninteriordesigner #character #integrity #commitment #customerservice #organisation #blackheathinteriordesigner #greenwichinteriordesigner #londoninteriordesigner #londonrefurbushment #designinghomes

Interior Design - Did you know the UK has the largest design sector in Europe? It is now more important than ever to support British industry, what with Brexit and climate change these are both very timely reminders for us as conscious consumers to support our local communities and country. And, we have very good reasons to. 🌿The design economy was worth 73% of the financial services and insurance industry - This is huge! 🌿"The new figures value the UK creative industries as a whole at £76.9 billion a year – contributing an incredible £8.8 million to the UK economy every hour, and it is important that this continues to be recognized". (Design Council report.) 🌿The interior decoration and interior design refurbishment market is worth around £14 billion with interior design contributing around £6 billion. (it's very difficult to find up to date data so bear with me) For exquisite interior design, eco-solutions and inspiring ideas join our Green & Glam community! These are the five very important reasons to support UK design and manufacturing.👇 🌿 Bolsters our local economy -  by supporting our local businesses and craftspeople 🌿 Decreases our carbon footprint - by cutting international shipping out of the equation 🌿 Exceptional Quality - expert craftsmanship translates into goods that last with less ending up in landfills polluting the environment. 🌿 Unique brands and products -  curated products, individual to Britain, with a special story add meaning to our homes & spaces 🌿 Peace of mind - knowing ethical manufacturing practices are implemented & mandated under UK law (this is not the case for all companies) We have some amazing creatives in the country from all over the world, creatives that have made the UK their home. We have an excellent reputation for producing cutting-edge designs as well as being innovative world leaders across many design sectors. We also have a history of manufacturing quality products that are meant to last a lifetime. Many of these manufacturers have thriving businesses today and I feel have been somewhat overlooked and we need to shout about them! See my list of some of the interior design industry sectors that do very well in the UK today...without costing the earth. ✴︎ Flooring - carpets ✴︎ Brassware - handles and ironmongery in general ✴︎ Fine furniture ✴︎ Kitchens ✴︎ Eco-friendly kitchen and bathroom worktops ✴︎ Modern furniture (such as Tom Faulkner and Tom Raffield) ✴︎ Beds ✴︎ Paints - low VOC water-based ✴︎ Lighting ✴︎ Radiators ✴︎ Sockets and switches ✴︎ Shower screens ✴︎ Roll-top baths ✴︎ Bathrooms sinks (more traditional) It's worth knowing that even if you're buying British having the Made In Britain 'stamp' guarantees that is it actually all made in the UK. Some companies may send some of their components to China for manufacturing and ship them back creating a huge Co2 footprint. So it's worth doing some research first. Having done a lot of research on this myself, I have come across some UK manufacturers making substantial efforts to manufacture in the UK and adopt cradle to cradle policies. One such company is Kanth who manufactures beautiful brassware for the bathroom going as far as taking back old product and recycling it. You can read more here. 🌿 57% of UK residents have said they wanted to be more eco-friendly in 2021 – whether that’s recycling more, eating less meat, or making home improvements to make our homes more eco-friendly or more energy-efficient. I expect this trend toward buying British to increase in popularity and has in fact been talked about a great deal on the property grapevine as the way forward! 🌍 Let's not let making our homes beautiful cost us the earth 🌍 🌿Keep a lookout for my UK manufacturers and sustainable directory - it's coming soon! If you need any further information on this topic, feel free to contact me here, I'm always happy to discuss a topic I'm passionate about! Alternatively reach out to me via one of my many social media platforms or by email: susan@svminteriors.co.uk. I look forward to connecting with you. 💚 For exquisite interior design, eco-solutions and inspiring ideas join our Green & Glam community!