Eco design and conscientiousness is key for our existence. Sarah Fortescue Design Studio is wondering how we can all play our vital role in this and share our findings within the design community.
Our design studio is working hard to expand our network within the community so that we can design consciously and conscientiously for the environment. In a world of such throw away and production, we need to strive to work hard for our clients in order to source beautiful pieces from what is already in existence. Please have a read and get in touch to share any feedback, thoughts or collaborations we could share with you.
Where it all began…
My design career has spanned chapters in Cape Town, Hong Kong and London. I have worked on projects in America and Europe. (You can view my portfolio here). The world of design is a truly glorious one. The diversity of culture brought into the mix over the evolution of time extraordinary. The spectrum and diversity of individual perceptions of styles, transformed into another one and with the unfolding of time, design styles develop and transform, even transcending into different dimensions of creativity. For what the eye appreciates, is the beauty and harmony of form, colour and proportion – I feel that it is one of life’s greatest treats.
Be supported by an expert
There is comfort and luxury in having your home designed for you by an interior designer, of appreciating an individual’s design aesthetic and wishing that style upon your own property. The planning, the budgeting and expenditure of any renovation needs to be a well considered one. In my view it can bear you well for a decade or two if the finish and quality are high, practical, therefore lasting and you are not set on following trends that quite often loop around again some years later. Originality, individuality and leading the way far outweighs, following a herd, of which there are many to choose.
It is time for change, for consciousness in this industry and we are wishing to be a part of that.
We live in a world of consumerism, materialism and waste. I do not mean to sound depressing and heavy on this beautiful day as you read this, but the proof is in front of us. I just wonder where the tipping point is and what can we all do about it?
It struck me a few years ago how opulent the design world is, the production of furniture pieces, lighting and fabrics, and production at such scale. That those following trends will strip the house down every few years, throw it on a skip and do it all over again. Throwing out exquisitely made pieces of furniture and beautifully made fabrics that much talent and craftsmanship has gone into. Not only is this a waste factor but it seems that there is little consideration for the true nature of how things are designed and made, once they are seemingly out of fashion. It makes me wince sometimes; for the pure reason I look out into the ancient woodland surrounding my home, the verdant greens of the trees, listening to bird song, thinking, what are we putting back? Could we not put everything back into circulation, rather than throw it away, when it still has a use. How did we get this far?
Buying antiques is such a treat. A 100 year old table will be around for another 100 years. There is huge value to preciousness and sentiment.
When I walk into a room designed by Robert Kime for example, the beauty of it is that each piece of furniture in the room and often the fabrics too, are antique or vintage. There is such depth, history and a story to understand; a feeling and sense of existence with this aesthetic. It does not always cost a lot, it’s just a matter of time, to look around you, explore places from reclamation yards, bric and brac to auctions and antique hoards. That is where I come in for my clients, to be that person with the time dedicated to them for sourcing beautiful items, with a history.
Eco design and conscientiousness is key for our existence. Sarah Fortescue Design Studio is wondering how we can all play our vital role in this and share our findings within the design community.
Discovering charities and businesses who are moving with the circular economy
I was introduced to Furnishing Futures, a charity that has recently launched a campaign to create safe homes for women and children fleeing domestic abuse. The charity strives to support women and children fleeing domestic abuse, creating comfortable homes for them from items otherwise going to waste. This is crucial on 2 levels; one to be supporting those in dire needs, and helping to use the resources already in production. As a third; the beauty and consciousness to think of others. There is a great demand for items that are going to the tip, and I hope I can influence my clients and that the design industry cotton on to this to influence theirs.
As a designer I would like to, therefore, maintain a level of consciousness with my work and use items that are in circulation as much as possible. But I have a quandary, perhaps you, the reader could help me with. My adoration for fabric and pattern design is high. The beauty and exquisiteness of fabrics and how they can be used throughout an interior aesthetic is something I would find extremely hard to let go of.
The magic of fabrics that are lifers
I work often with the French fabric house Le Maison Pierre Frey for the dynamism of their designs; from the classical to the contemporary, with all the neutrals and textures in between, C & C Milano, for the same reason – you could do an entire house, chateaux and palazzo in their fabric collection resulting in a truly beautiful aesthetic. This is my quandary, my passion and love for fabrics; that I am not sure I can let go of. Wonderful quality fabrics and wallpapers will last decades, and stand the test of time, as long as you know what you are looking for. I am drawn to things I love rather than what is in fashion in one moment. For I find fashions move as fast as technology and I can not always keep up. I will always be influenced by fashions, as I am constantly surrounded by fashions but I choose my own route for my interior design work. How do I find my peace as I want to do the best I can but I believe in the wonder of pattern design, the culture that can resonate from it and the comfort it gives to a nurturing and beautiful home.
I do hear myself saying to my clients that doing up a home is a lifer, and for me what you surround yourself with is so important. Your home is your heart, your sanctuary, the beauty of what is you, your family and your lifestyle. Therefore I would invite my clients to consider an interior, to understand what it means to use fabrics, but quality fabrics that can last decades. Wall coverings require less management than painted walls, and furniture pieces that can be passed onto future generations, or added back into the circular economy.
A world with a circular economy
Imagine a world with a circular economy. A model of resource production and consumption in any economy that involves sharing, leasing, reusing, repairing, refurbishing, and recycling existing materials and products for as long as possible. Where we put back in, and enjoy what we find. For one it removes that angst of any lead times!
As long as we are all doing our best, that is the leaf I will pluck from the tree, and continue on as consciously as I can, from this, within my design world.
We can source consciously minded furniture pieces for your home, offering hourly consultation. Alternatively get in touch with Sarah if you would like her to carry out the interior design of a project you have in mind. A perfect starting point is Sarah’s 30 minute consultations that are free of charge.
