DE S IGN CENTRE
been a focus of the textile business she launched in 1992 and which recently reached its goal of offsetting the carbon impact of all its deliveries in Europe. “We don’t just consider sustainability when sourcing new collections,” she says, “we also embrace the circular economy, with initiatives such as service that gives de Le Cuona fabrics a new life, for example curtains can be transformed into a bedspread.” Meanwhile Danish textile company Kvadrat, which
has a showroom in the Centre Dome, has set out on the path to be carbon neutral by 2040. In the meantime, it is recycling 25 tons of wool waste through its Re-wool and Sabi ranges, aiming to achieve a 50% carbon reduction by 2026. Jennifer Manners has developed a range of
award-winning /re/PURPOSE/performance rugs that combine stylish design with luxurious treasures and the attraction of being made from recycled water bottles. “For us, sustainability is, among other things, about longevity,” she says, “The rugs are beach-cleanable, commercial grade for high traffic, yet supple, soft and rendered in beautiful palettes.” One of the most significant challenges in interior
design is the problem of inbuilt obsolescence. While Britain’s great country houses are furnished with pieces that have lasted for centuries, modern shops and websites supply items that are unlikely to last more than a decade and are destined for landfill. The most sustainable furniture is not just made from
sustainably sourced materials but also designed and constructed in a way that ensures that it will last a lifetime – and possibly several lifetimes. Unlike so much furniture that is mass manufactured, they are made in a way that allows them to be repaired and restored. Resale and repurposing are an important part of this process and the success of design practices such as Retrouvius demonstrate the potential for creating exciting new designs with reclaimed materials. While regulation has a role to play, it’s not the factor that is driving this change; instead, it’s the determination of those within the industry to create businesses for which commercial success and positive change go hand in hand.
ABOVE: Jennifer Manners Design’s recent Provence collection, inspired by the rural, relaxed French region of the same name, is made from the brand’s award-winning fibre, repurposed from plastic water bottles, making them bleach-cleanable and water resistant. OPPOSITE: A scheme in Paris by the London-based design studio Retrouvius, known for its ethos of inventive reuse – with no sacrifice to luxury or style. The living room includes a 1980s chandelier, vintage stove and art by Harland Miller
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