Lisa Harland

House and Homes ideas, Dec 2007

Interior Design Today, Nov/Dec 2007

It was a nice surprise to be included in the feature about the Eco Design Fair unfortunately there was an error in our information. We DO NOT use any chemical flame retardants in our products.

First, Oct 2007

The wallpaper in the main picture is Mod Green Pod's Butterfly Jubilee, Licorice/Earl Grey and the blind is Mod Green Pod's Ticking Stripe, Licorice/Earl Grey. Unfortunately there is an error and the Wee Jubilee fabric swatch is attributed to Rugmark.

8 Oct 2007

Property advice: The room planner

Paula Robinson offers space-saving solutions, architectural advice and style tips. This week: Going green is worth the effort· The Earth channel

I am embarrassed to think how many times I've bought something based on looks and price alone, without pausing to think where, how and from what it was made. By contrast, my new regime of "shopping green" is hard work, especially when it comes to furniture. It isn't fast, easy or cheap, and I have had to re-think my approach to shopping entirely. I took my cue from the way the French shop for food: for quality, not convenience, carefully picking each establishment for its best produce rather than opting for a one-stop shop. Applying this principle to "green shopping" instantly turned it into an enjoyable quest rather than drudgery.

New life: The drum of an old washing machine can be transformed into a spectacular coffee table

Buying locally-made furniture is a major objective: it's better for the environment than anything shipped from halfway around the world. I'm a huge advocate of buying the work of British craftsmen. They offer quality and value for money and are well worth seeking out. Find them by word of mouth, online, or at fairs such as the Eco Design Fair (ecodesignfair.co.uk/, November 23-24).

"Green shopping" also makes it important to know what a product is made of, and how it is made. Materials need to be from a sustainable source, reclaimed or recycled. Equally, the process of transforming them from raw material to finished product must involve only natural products (no toxic glues, solvents or finishes), and have minimal impact in terms of energy consumption. I ask lots of questions of the supplier. Wood should always be from sustainable sources and have a certification stamp: FSC is the most common, but also look out for CSA, PEFC SFI and MTCC.

With fabrics, carpets and rugs, stick to the "buy local" creed. Britain is famous for wool, linen, hemp and other natural materials. Avoid man-made fibres, and insist on chemical-free products - for your own health as well as that of the environment. Check out the Crafts Council's list of textile producers (craftscouncil.org.uk/wellfashioned/).

Also, look for recycled fabrics, and get creative with what you already have at home: remake old cotton shirts into eye-catching laundry bags; use bright tea towels to upholster dining chair seats or to make cushion covers; or turn a sheer cotton skirt into a window voile.

Ultimately, the best eco-furnishings are pieces already in existence, transformed into something new and exciting with minimal fuss. Repaint old furniture using natural paint, lime, quark, or stain it with old recipes such as tea and vinegar, and plant colour. For inspiring, simple eco-finishes, I love Lynn Edwards & Julia Lawless's The Natural Paint Decorator (Kyle Cathie, £16.99).

Natural paint is kind to the planet

Look around your home, second hand and charity shops, and architectural salvage yards to see what can be transformed from one use to quite another. Some of my favourites include turning a paned window frame into a mirror; discarded trellis into a kitchen wall rack; a stair spindle into a tall candlestick; and an old shutter into a CD rack. Moira and Nicholas Hankinson's Recycle! (Kyle Cathie, £16.99) is packed with DIY projects to get you started. If you don't have the time or inclination, there are plenty of companies carrying out unique transformations, including turning washing machine drums into coffee tables and old cast iron baths into sofas!

If you must discard furniture, don't go to the tip.Contact organisations that re-distribute unwanted furniture to underprivileged families. And, before buying anything new, pause: don't let looks and price alone dictate your choice. Ask where it comes from, what it's made of, and how it's made, and avoid anything with excessive packaging. There's something satisfying about making a difference, one step - and one person - at a time.

Eco tips

1 Before buying anything from a major company, check their environmental and social record. The Ethical Consumer Research Association (ethicalconsumer.org/) has an eye-opening online shopping guide and magazine.

2 Remember that the market is consumer driven. The more people ask questions, shun mass-produced products in favour of local, environmentally friendly goods, the more readily available the latter will become.

3 Get hold of Nicky Scott's Reduce, Reuse, Recycle! (Green Books Guides, £4.95).

4 Avoid plastic unless it is recycled. For an extensive list of materials made from recycled products, check out kingston.ac.uk/rematerialise/.

Useful contacts

Organisations:

Forest Stewardship Council fsc-uk.org/ 01686 413916

Green England green-england.co.uk/ 01636 678540

Crafts Council craftscouncil.org.uk/ 020 7278 7700
The Guild of Master Craftsmen guildmc.com/ 01273 478449

Sustainable furniture from ash thinnings:

Roy Tam Design eco-furniture.co.uk/ 0780 853 5863

Furniture from reclaimed timber:

Carbon carbonframing.com/ 01424 814687

Not A Wooden Spoon notawoodenspoon.com/