Sustainability & Wellbeing | Society of British & International Interior Design https://www.sbid.org/category/sustainability/ Thu, 22 May 2025 14:36:04 +0000 en-GB hourly 1 https://www.sbid.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/cropped-SBID-Breakfast-Meeting-Logo-32x32.jpg Sustainability & Wellbeing | Society of British & International Interior Design https://www.sbid.org/category/sustainability/ 32 32 Karndean Brings Neuro Inclusive Design to Life at CDW25 https://www.sbid.org/karndean-brings-neuro-inclusive-design-to-life-at-cdw25/ Fri, 06 Jun 2025 09:30:01 +0000 https://www.sbid.org/?p=86415 The post Karndean Brings Neuro Inclusive Design to Life at CDW25 appeared first on Society of British & International Interior Design.

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At Clerkenwell Design Week 2025, Karndean unveiled a powerful installation exploring how flooring can support neurodiverse individuals. Using the principles of neuro inclusive design, the experience highlighted how the built environment can meet both hypersensitive and hyposensitive needs—through calm, stimulation, and the thoughtful transitions in between.

“Designing for neurodiversity is about more than accessibility. It’s about recognising and celebrating difference,” said Richard Allen, sales director at Karndean Designflooring. “Flooring plays a vital role in shaping how people feel, move, and focus in a space.”

Karndean

Calm and comfort for hypersensitive needs

One half of the installation was designed to soothe. With soft wood grains, low contrast matte finishes and a muted, biophilic palette, the space showed how calm environments can support those sensitive to sensory input. A cocooning arch form added a sense of safety, ideal for settings like quiet rooms or waiting areas.

Energy and engagement for hyposensitive needs

In contrast, the other half stimulated the senses with bold geometric flooring, vibrant colours, and varied textures. Designed for those who seek stimulation to stay focused, this zone echoed the energy of play areas, gyms or breakout spaces. Every detail encouraged movement, curiosity and engagement.

Karndean

Supporting transition through thoughtful design

Linking the two was a staircase that gradually blended calm and bold elements, demonstrating how transitional spaces like corridors and hallways can help people move comfortably between sensory states. Step by step, the flooring shifted in colour and texture, serving as both a practical and conceptual bridge. “Many environments are unconsciously designed around neurotypical experiences,” said Richard. “But inclusive design must consider the full sensory spectrum, and we believe flooring can be a powerful tool to do just that.”

Karndean

Turning insight into action

The installation included talking points to spark reflection and conversation. It supported Karndean’s wider mission—empowering designers with the tools and knowledge to create inclusive spaces. Their RIBA approved CPD, Designing Neuro Inclusive Environments, offers practical guidance on how to integrate neurodiversity into every stage of the design process.

With one in seven people in the UK identifying as neurodivergent, and only one in three feeling comfortable disclosing it at work, there is a clear need to design spaces that support different ways of thinking and being. Flooring, often the most visible and tactile element in a room, plays a significant role in that experience.

“By combining insight, design guidance and products that bring calm and clarity to a space, we’re proud to support the growing movement toward more inclusive, human centred environments,” added Richard.

Karndean’s installation was more than a visual showcase. It brought inclusive design principles to life and reaffirmed the brand’s role as a trusted partner for designers committed to making a real difference.

To find out more and register your interest for the Designing Neuro Inclusive Environments seminar, visit karndean.com/cpd.

About Karndean Designflooring

Karndean is a global supplier of commercial and residential luxury vinyl tile flooring. We’re an industry leader in flooring design, offering a wide range of colours, textures and finishes, helping you create unique looks that are both stylish and practical; guaranteed to last. We see flooring differently. We travel the world in our quest to bring you exceptional floors that inspire and delight. From the ancient forests of Europe, to the remote Australian outback, we seek out expressive and intriguing forms in the natural world to influence our unique floor designs. By combining original features with cutting edge design, we create beautiful floors that bring your vision to life and take our clients on an endless journey of design discovery.

If you’d like to feature your news or stories on SBID.org, get in touch to find out more. 

If you’d like to become SBID Accredited, click here for more information.

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Karndean Commercial to Champion Inclusive Design at Clerkenwell Design Week 2025 https://www.sbid.org/karndean-commercial-to-champion-inclusive-design-at-clerkenwell-design-week-2025/ Tue, 22 Apr 2025 09:30:12 +0000 https://www.sbid.org/?p=84858 The post Karndean Commercial to Champion Inclusive Design at Clerkenwell Design Week 2025 appeared first on Society of British & International Interior Design.

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Karndean Commercial, a trusted supplier of luxury vinyl flooring, is set to showcase the power of inclusive design at Clerkenwell Design Week 2025 with its immersive installation, Designing for the Senses. This thought-provoking exhibit will highlight how neurodiverse design can create environments that cater to a wide range of cognitive and sensory needs.

The UK’s leading design festival, to be held in London’s famous design district on 20-22 May, CDW25 is a must attend event in the industry’s annual calendar and is set to feature the latest design developments, leading brands and emerging talent.

Renowned for its design innovation, Karndean Commercial will be demonstrating how their portfolio of products can support a more inclusive built environment. through a thought provoking installation at its Clerkenwell Green showroom. Featuring a blend of quiet relaxing neutrals and bold stimulating patterns supporting neurodivergent individuals experiencing hypersensitivity and hyposensitivity respectively, the installation demonstrates how designing for the senses can celebrate difference and improve lived experience for everyone.

Karndean Commercial

Richard Allen, commercial sales director at Karndean Commercial, said: “One in seven people in the UK identify as neurodivergent and experience the world in ways that can vary greatly from neurotypical individuals. Neurodiverse conditions include autism, dyslexia, dyscalculia, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). In addition, an increasing number of people are living with neurodegenerative conditions such as dementia and Parkinson’s disease.

“As designers of the built environment, shaping people’s day to day experiences, we have a responsibility to ensure that all users feel comfortable through the creation of inclusive environments where those who experience and process the world differently are recognised and where every individual will feel comfortable. Hypersensitive and hyposensitive design are essential considerations in creating neuro-inclusive environments that cater to individuals with different sensory processing needs, creating environments that benefit the wellbeing of everyone.”

The British Standards Institution introduced guidelines for designing inclusive environments in 2022. PAS 6463 Design for the Mind: Neurodiversity and the Built Environment Through the Different Elements of Sensory Perception presents detailed guidance on how to accommodate for neurodiverse needs through the consideration of sensory needs, from lighting and acoustics to thermal comfort and wayfinding.

Flooring is one of the largest continuous surfaces in a space so its design and material choices can play a pivotal role in creating neuro-inclusive environments. Karndean flooring is designed to authentically reproduce the natural beauty of the world’s most precious woods and stones and so is ideal for creating a biophilic look to complement either calming or stimulating interiors, but without the time consuming maintenance requirements of natural materials.

Karndean Commercial

Karndean’s RIBA approved CPD seminar, Designing Neuro-Inclusive Environments with Flooring, investigates how neurodiversity and neurodegenerative conditions can be accommodated in the built environment by catering to various sensory and neurological processing differences. The key topics covered by the seminar include the British Standards Institution guidelines PAS 6463 and its implications for architecture and interior design, how a selection of real life projects puts this theory into practice and how neuro-inclusive spaces can support the latest fire safety regulations and facilitate evacuation in an emergency situation.

Richard Allen explained: “We’ll be running a taster of our latest RIBA approved CPD seminar during this year’s CDW festival. The session is ideal for anyone looking to understand how individuals with neurodiversity conditions experience interiors and learn how to create thoughtful spaces that allow everyone to thrive.

“Having attended the seminar, designers and specifiers will be able to confidently consult with neurodiverse user groups and stakeholder communities, learn about their lived experience and so fully involve them in the design process, resulting in a superior outcome. We are already taking bookings for our neurodiversity CPD and encourage you to secure your place early, as we expect high demand following this year’s festival”

Karndean Commercial’s Clerkenwell Green showroom will be open throughout CDW25, 20-22 May. Visitors will be able to explore the flexibility of Karndean flooring and meet with dedicated commercial specification managers. Register for your pass at clerkenwelldesignweek.com

To find out more and register your interest for the Designing Neuro-Inclusive Environments seminar visit karndean.com/cpd.

About Karndean Designflooring

Karndean is a global supplier of commercial and residential luxury vinyl tile flooring. We’re an industry leader in flooring design, offering a wide range of colours, textures and finishes, helping you create unique looks that are both stylish and practical; guaranteed to last. We see flooring differently. We travel the world in our quest to bring you exceptional floors that inspire and delight. From the ancient forests of Europe, to the remote Australian outback, we seek out expressive and intriguing forms in the natural world to influence our unique floor designs. By combining original features with cutting edge design, we create beautiful floors that bring your vision to life and take our clients on an endless journey of design discovery.

If you’d like to feature your news or stories on SBID.org, get in touch to find out more. 

If you’d like to become SBID Accredited, click here for more information.

The post Karndean Commercial to Champion Inclusive Design at Clerkenwell Design Week 2025 appeared first on Society of British & International Interior Design.

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HomeSmiths Refurbish the Rustington Centre, Providing Blind Veterans UK with a Wellbeing Space https://www.sbid.org/homesmiths-refurbish-the-rustington-centre-providing-blind-veterans-with-a-wellbeing-space/ Mon, 17 Mar 2025 10:30:13 +0000 https://www.sbid.org/?p=84205 The post HomeSmiths Refurbish the Rustington Centre, Providing Blind Veterans UK with a Wellbeing Space appeared first on Society of British & International Interior Design.

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Blind Veterans UK is a military charity helping generations of vision impaired veterans overcome sight loss. Their home in Ovingdean Brighton was no longer fully meeting their needs so they purchased the former home of the RAF Benevolent Fund in Rustington with plans for refurbishment, seeing it as the perfect coastal location for their new centre for wellbeing.

HomeSmiths

In 2021, the charity approached HomeSmiths to work with them on the refurbishment. Having permanently lost the sight in her left eye in 2012, it felt like the perfect project for Creative Director, Jacqui.

HomeSmiths

The brief for the new Rustington Centre was to work with the architect to remodel the current building in a way which would provide veterans with a wellbeing space for support and rehabilitation. It would for a while offer permanent accommodation and a level of nursing care for some veterans moving from the Brighton centre, but the longer-term goal was to provide hotel style accommodation for members visiting for short stays.

HomeSmiths

The scope of the project included reception and café, lounge, dining room, activities room, sports bar/cinema, library, hair salon, therapy room, gym, quiet lounge as well as 36 bedrooms.

HomeSmiths
HomeSmiths

The design needed to be supportive of sensory and cognitive decline with a particular focus on how the built environment can support people living with sight loss. Tonal contrast was used throughout; furniture finishes against floor and wall, switches and controls, structural pillars, doors against architrave and handrails against walls. Additional touches were incorporated within the bedrooms with contrast leading edges on curtains, bed runners, contrast handles on the furniture as well as internal lighting for wardrobes.

HomeSmiths
HomeSmiths

Enabling veterans to be able to access all areas of the building was key. There are two lifts between ground and first floor. By changing the texture of the flooring from cut pile to ribbed carpet, veterans using mobility canes can detect the change of finish and know where the lift is. Further thought was given to flooring choice here where a similarly toned flooring was chosen so as not to appear as a step or hole to anybody using the space. The flooring finish in the lift is of similar tone so as not to suggest a change in level and be supportive of any visitors living with a degree of cognitive decline. Signage was clear, using large and tactile font. A back lit coffee cup sign works as a piece of art in the café as well as a wayfinding aid. An essential oil diffuser sits in the therapy suite providing a sensory cue as to which part of the building the veteran is in.

HomeSmiths

The charity hosts activities and events throughout the year so flexible communal spaces was key. The main lounge and dining area features a mixture of free-standing furniture. Additional black out window treatments were specified in the far corner windows so that the space could be used for film nights and similar. The bifold doors in the lounge adjacent activities room open to create a big space with additional seating for larger events.

HomeSmiths

The design needed to be relevant and relatable to existing blind veterans, honouring the past but also looking forward to the future. Material from the Blind Veterans UK archives was used to create art to honour the past and celebrate notable veterans. Box framed uniforms representing the three services feature in one of the bedroom wings. The contemporary metal sculpture commissioned for reception shows service men and women and a talking point as you enter the Centre. With an overarching theme of wellbeing, it was important to celebrate the achievements of veterans, past and present. Past veterans are recognised for their wellbeing achievements as well as honouring the achievement of the founder of the charity, Sir Arthur Pearson. The outstanding sporting achievements of blind veterans are featured in the Sports Bar where the canvases double up as acoustic panels as a noise mitigation measure. Appropriate for the coastal location of the centre, the café art features sailing achievements of certain veterans.

HomeSmiths

The design consultation with the veterans was very much part of the process. At the beginning of the design process, Jacqui, together with the architects and landscapers met with a group of veterans to discuss the design. Using high contrast large format plans as well as a Lego model floor plan, the design team were able to present their ideas in the most accessible way. At the detailed design stage, large format samples of fabrics and flooring were used providing the presentation with texture. Sample chairs were supplied by Shackletons for the presentation so that veterans could experience the comfort and support of the proposed seating. Each board was talked through on a 121 basis, with Jacqui guiding the hand of the veteran around the floor plan, with the samples to hand to aid orientation and provide context.

HomeSmiths

The Rustington Centre is a home for blind veterans as well as lovely environment for those who work there. The refurbishment has provided Blind Veterans UK with a new light filled centre for wellbeing which serves the needs of the charity now and into the future as they continue to help rebuild the lives of veterans after sight loss.

About HomeSmiths LTD

Jacqui Smith, Managing Director of Sussex based interior design practice HomeSmiths Ltd, is an experienced healthcare designer, specialising in dementia friendly design and how the built environment can support people living with sensory and cognitive impairments. Designing for health and well-being, physical and mental, and the role colour plays, is at the core of her work. In November 2012 Jacqui permanently lost the sight in her left eye and has since combined her profession with her personal experience of impaired vision both in her own work and in promoting best practice to others in the design community. Working with her award winning cabinet maker husband David, their portfolio includes both new build and refurbishment projects in Extra Care, sheltered housing, assisted living, dementia and nursing homes, homes for young adults with learning disabilities and hospice/end of life care. Jacqui is an accredited member of SBID and HomeSmiths’ projects have made finalist in a number of awards for Healthcare and Wellness design. Jacqui is also the Chair of Haywards Heath Dementia Friendly Community.

If you’d like to feature your news or stories on SBID.org, get in touch to find out more. 

If you’d like to become SBID Accredited, click here for more information.

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Karndean Designflooring Takes Next Steps Toward a Low Carbon Business https://www.sbid.org/karndean-designflooring-takes-next-steps-toward-a-low-carbon-business/ Fri, 22 Nov 2024 10:30:22 +0000 https://www.sbid.org/?p=82048 The post Karndean Designflooring Takes Next Steps Toward a Low Carbon Business appeared first on Society of British & International Interior Design.

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Karndean Designflooring, the UK’s leading supplier of luxury vinyl flooring, is forging ahead with its Karndean Evolve® sustainability strategy after receiving approval of its near-term targets from the Science Based Targets initiative.

The Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), a corporate climate action organisation that is developing standards, tools and guidance to help businesses set appropriate targets, has announced that it has independently assessed and approved Karndean’s near-term science-based emissions reduction targets.

Fleur Carson, managing director at Karndean Designflooring, said: “Karndean was founded on innovation, bold action and a pioneering spirit and we are still guided by these ideals today because the future demands change. Tackling key environmental challenges and protecting the natural world have become major considerations for the construction industry so we are proud to be taking a leading role in the building of a greener future.

“Our Karndean Evolve® strategy explains how we will reduce our environmental impact through continual improvement and outlines how we are integrating the principles of sustainability across our global operations. We have taken a science-based approach to setting ambitious yet achievable targets to reduce our carbon emissions and it is highly gratifying to receive validation of our approach from the SBTi.”

Karndean Designflooring

Having set out its 2022 baseline for greenhouse emissions from all sources in its Karndean Evolve® Sustainability Report 2023, including those controlled directly, indirectly and via third parties, Karndean Designflooring has committed to reduce absolute greenhouse emissions controlled directly and indirectly by 42% by 2030 and from end of life treatment of its sold products by 51.6% by 2030. In addition, it will aim for 62% of its suppliers to commit to science-based targets by 2028.

Jamie Shaw, global head of sustainability at Karndean Designflooring, said: “Joining the SBTi is a key step toward the success of our Karndean Evolve® strategy as it ensures that our planned climate action is in line with the latest science. With this knowledge we can be confident that our goals are in line with the 1.5C trajectory confirmed necessary by the 2015 Paris Agreement. Achieving this third party endorsement demonstrates our commitment not only to taking bold action but also to being open and transparent as we make progress.”

The ® strategy outlines how the business is reducing its environmental impact and sets out its future plans in six key focus areas: confronting climate change, individual health and wellbeing, sustainable resource use, inclusion and diversity, supply chain transparency and education.

To confront climate change through increased energy efficiency and renewable energy, Karndean has developed a plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from sources it controls directly, indirectly, and through third parties (known as scopes 1, 2, and 3, respectively). This plan includes further investment in solar power across its property portfolio, constructing new buildings to achieve BREEAM Excellent accreditation, transitioning to lower-emission fleet vehicles, and increasing recycling opportunities to support a circular economy.

For further information on the Karndean Evolve® Strategy and Sustainability Report 2023 or to book a free Specifying Sustainability CPD, visit www.karndean.com/karndeanevolve.

About Karndean Designflooring

Karndean is a global supplier of commercial and residential luxury vinyl tile flooring. We’re an industry leader in flooring design, offering a wide range of colours, textures and finishes, helping you create unique looks that are both stylish and practical; guaranteed to last. We see flooring differently. We travel the world in our quest to bring you exceptional floors that inspire and delight. From the ancient forests of Europe, to the remote Australian outback, we seek out expressive and intriguing forms in the natural world to influence our unique floor designs. By combining original features with cutting edge design, we create beautiful floors that bring your vision to life and take our clients on an endless journey of design discovery.

If you’d like to feature your news or stories on SBID.org, get in touch to find out more. 

If you’d like to become SBID Accredited, click here for more information.

The post Karndean Designflooring Takes Next Steps Toward a Low Carbon Business appeared first on Society of British & International Interior Design.

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Tarkett’s Sustainable Flooring Solutions Used in GAIL’s Bakery Headquarters https://www.sbid.org/tarketts-sustainable-flooring-solutions-used-in-gails-bakery-headquarters/ Tue, 29 Oct 2024 10:30:57 +0000 https://www.sbid.org/?p=81706 The post Tarkett’s Sustainable Flooring Solutions Used in GAIL’s Bakery Headquarters appeared first on Society of British & International Interior Design.

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The GAIL’s Bakery Headquarters project blends sustainability with functional design, using Tarkett’s eco-friendly flooring like carbon-negative linoleum and recyclable carpet tiles. The project delivered durability, ease of maintenance, and a welcoming aesthetic that aligns with GAIL’s brand. The adhesive-free installation further supports environmental goals, showcasing how thoughtful material selection can deliver both style and sustainability.

Tarkett

Background

GAIL’s, a popular bakery chain with over 140 locations across London and the surrounding areas, is known for its commitment to using natural ingredients and sustainable products in its baked goods. So, when GAIL’s required a new office for its headquarters that could also function as a bakery, academy, and development space, it was crucial to create a multi-functional space that reflected the brand’s culture and energy.

Tarkett

The Vision

The goal for GAIL’s HQ, located at Hawley Wharf in Camden, was to create a new space that was inviting, without feeling too corporate and would be environmentally sustainable in every possible way. This would be achieved with Object Space Place by adopting a brand-led utilitarian design that consisted of exposed concrete columns and ceilings, along with warm-crafted elements, and sourcing only natural and sustainable materials.

Tarkett

Why Tarkett?

GAIL’s has been using Tarkett safety floors for a while now and has installed them in around 20 locations. However, one of the main challenges of this project was to create an environmentally friendly, multi-purpose headquarters using natural materials and sustainable products. To address this challenge, Tarkett was chosen to provide the flooring for the project. As a leader in sustainable flooring solutions, Tarkett focuses on producing products that have a minimal environmental impact and can be recycled at the end of their life. Additionally, many of these products are made from natural materials and are Cradle to Cradle Certified®.

Tarkett

Products Used

Tarkett provided a mix of flooring solutions for this project, including carpet tiles, linoleum, and vinyl safety floors. DESSO Retrace 100% recyclable carpet tiles, which have an impressively low Circular Carbon Footprint of 1.27 kg CO2/m2 and EcoBase backing, were installed throughout the first-floor office space. Safetred Serenity vinyl safety floors were installed on the first floor and the ground floor, where safety was of utmost importance. This multifunctional and circular product helped to reduce the environmental impact of the space by requiring adhesive-free installation and being fully recyclable at our in-house recycling facility in Kent. The project also incorporated recyclable post-use Etrusco Linoleum and Style Emme Linoleum, which are made with up to 97% natural raw materials and are carbon-negative from cradle-to-gate. These two products were chosen for select spaces on the first floor and the ground floor, where extreme durability, easy cleaning, and cost-effective maintenance were the main concerns.

Tarkett
Tarkett

Results

The use of Tarkett’s sustainable flooring solutions helped to create an environmentally friendly space that embodies the culture and energy of the GAIL’s brand. The flooring solutions are durable and low maintenance, which is important for a high-traffic office space. The mix of materials used in the design has helped to create a unique and eclectic look that is both functional and aesthetically pleasing. Tarkett’s commitment to sustainability and circular economy has helped create an environmentally responsible and socially conscious workspace that reflects GAIL’s commitment to high-quality products, traditional methods, and sustainable practices.

Tarkett

The People Behind the Project

“We have used natural materials wherever possible, like cork on the walls and linoleum on the floor. All the flooring has come from Tarkett, who are pioneers when it comes to sustainability and circular economy. These materials all have a very low environmental impact and Tarkett can recycle them at their end of life too.” ― David Chenery, Director at Object Space Place

“It was a pleasure working with the entire team to outfit GAIL’s Bakery’s new sustainable headquarters. We collaborated closely with the GAIL’s and OSP to select a beautiful flooring solution that aligned with their commitment to eco-friendly design. The final result is a warm, inviting space that showcases their brand while prioritising environmental responsibility.” ― Ben Campbell, Senior Workplace & Hospitality Consultant at Tarkett

About Tarkett UK & Ireland

A world leader in flooring and sports surfaces.

If you’d like to feature your news or stories on SBID.org, get in touch to find out more. 

If you’d like to become SBID Accredited, click here for more information.

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Forbes & Lomax: The Painted Range https://www.sbid.org/forbes-lomax-the-painted-range/ Mon, 14 Oct 2024 09:30:24 +0000 https://www.sbid.org/?p=81514 The post Forbes & Lomax: The Painted Range appeared first on Society of British & International Interior Design.

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This autumn, Forbes & Lomax is promoting its Painted range of switches and sockets. Designed to complement the famous Invisible Lightswitch®, its primed ready to paint plates are flush to the wall and can be painted in the same colour as a room and therefore, be disguised on a wall or skirting board, making them as unobtrusive as possible.

Forbes & Lomax

For the Painted switch, there is a choice of dolly (toggle) or rocker switches and dimmers, which are available with either conventional knobs or buttons. These are supplied in Brass, Brushed Brass, Nickel Silver, Stainless Steel and Antique Bronze.

Forbes & Lomax

Painted sockets are available with black or white inserts and come with radius or square edge corners.

Painted switches start from £45.80 + VAT
Painted sockets start from £31.80 + VAT

Forbes & Lomax

All plates are handcrafted in the UK and assembled at the Forbes & Lomax workshop in South West London.

About Forbes & Lomax

Forbes & Lomax has been producing elegant, innovative light switches and sockets for over thirty-five years. Renowned for launching The Invisible Lightswitch®, it has always approached lighting control from an aesthetic point of view. The Forbes & Lomax collection comprises nine carefully chosen finishes, which are suitable for traditional and contemporary interiors, making it the brand of choice for many top interior designers, architects and decorators. The range includes push buttons and dolly switches for integrating with intelligent lighting control and home automation systems. It also offers a bespoke engraving service. Visit the showroom at Design Centre, Chelsea Harbour.

If you’d like to feature your news or stories on SBID.org, get in touch to find out more. 

If you’d like to become SBID Accredited, click here for more information.

The post Forbes & Lomax: The Painted Range appeared first on Society of British & International Interior Design.

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The Story Behind Rehome: A Sustainable Solution for Quality Pre-Loved Interiors https://www.sbid.org/the-story-behind-rehome-a-sustainable-solution-for-quality-pre-loved-interiors/ Mon, 07 Oct 2024 09:30:57 +0000 https://www.sbid.org/?p=81401 The post The Story Behind Rehome: A Sustainable Solution for Quality Pre-Loved Interiors appeared first on Society of British & International Interior Design.

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Helen Lord, Co-Founder at Rehome has given her insights into the industry. Offering a unique and much-needed solution for pre-owned interiors, we are delighted to introduce you to Rehome. Rehome.co.uk is the UK’s No. 1 interiors marketplace for business professionals and homeowners. Our business-to-business ecosystem has evolved to meet many of the unsolved commercial and sustainability needs of professionals, manufacturers, and retailers. It encompasses but is not limited to, the sale of customer pre-owned interiors, ex-display, reconditioned, end-of-line, and cancelled order stock. With sustainability at the forefront of everything we do, we provide the necessary support to help professionals and manufacturers succeed sustainably.

Rehome

How do your services enhance interior design projects?

The role of an interior professional is so much more than enhancing the aesthetic appeal of a client’s space. Material considerations, innovative solutions and waste reduction are an added complexity, with budget adherence and sustainability all now part of a client’s expectation.

Rehome supports interior designers by giving them a bolt on sustainable solution for quality pre-loved interiors, seeing waste as an asset to be re-sold and providing an outsourced dismantle and removal solution rather than skipping.

Further benefits include the opportunity to buy luxury kitchens, bedrooms, bathrooms and appliances at a fraction of their original retail price. All helping to support the circular economy and reducing carbon footprint and renovation cost.

Rehome

How do you work with interior designers to enhance their projects?

Through our affiliate referral gateway, Rehome Plus, designers can refer a customer and benefit from our fully managed, pre-owned interior solution, all whilst enhancing their own sustainability commitment.

Most projects require a waste management solution, and this comes at a cost. By re-selling pre-loved interiors through Rehome, dismantling and removal is covered, reducing the need for multiple skips and the project management of this essential but often inconsequential part of the project.

Rehome project manages the whole sale process: Assess, inspect, measure, photograph, sell, dismantle and deliver, reporting verified carbon and tree-saving stats to all parties.

Rehome

What has been your most significant company highlight or success from the past year?

Over the past 10 years, Rehome has brought circular economy thinking into focus within the luxury interiors sector, understanding that for this to be possible, a fully managed solution is required with verifiable sustainability results. Over the past couple of years, we have been nationally recognised for our contribution to this future thinking and are the proud recipients of the Queen’s Award for Sustainability as well as renewing our BCorp-certified status this year with an even higher impact score.

Formerly Used Kitchen Exchange, we rebranded in 2023 to Rehome. Our new brand better reflects our service expansion to cover all rooms in the home and gives a sustainable, premium feel that sits well with partnering luxury brands. With our ethos of ‘live in possible’, we are changing the way people renovate.

Rehome

Is there anything new you are excited to be working on?

Partnerships with sustainability focussed brands and professionals is something we continually look to develop. Our biggest initiative in 2024 has been the introduction of our affiliate gateway, Rehome Plus.

Rehome Plus enables design professionals to sign-up for their own private label referral gateway. The gateway provides a fast track, personalised service, and the assets to build customer-facing sustainability into their working methods or even their website to encourage everyone to do better.

It is a pleasure working with our newest partners such as Tom Howley Kitchens, Clive Christian, Humphrey Munson, Quooker, Miele, Thomas Crapper, The London Rug Company, and The John Lewis Partnership, and we hope to build many more in the years ahead.

Rehome

How does your partnership with SBID assist its members in business?

We are delighted to partner with SBID and applaud the focus given to helping its members accelerate sustainability. When meeting with the SBID team, there was a genuine buzz about our collaboration and its saliency. It’s exciting to know that together we can all work towards enhancing consumer awareness and help to shift behaviour towards more sustainable thinking. Our partnership with SBID will help to drive a cultural change that will future-proof the industry.

Rehome
Helen Lord, Co-Founder at Rehome

How do you see the interior design industry evolving in the year ahead?

The focus on sustainability and the value of reuse is growing in momentum and we are very focused on future proofing our partners from looming waste legislation. Whilst this legislation won’t land this year, its coming, so why wait? Let’s champion the circular economy and support our customers with a pocket and planet agenda for pre-loved interiors being replaced.

About Rehome

Rehome provides designers with an opportunity to offer clients an ethical solution for replacing their pre-loved interiors. Whether one item, or a whole home, Rehome project manage the surveying, photography, sale and dismantle, removing the need for the skip, and instead providing additional funds towards their renovation/ interior update. Quality fitted and unfitted furniture (kitchens, bedrooms, bathrooms etc.) can be evaluated. If something is end-of-life, they will offer an ethical removal/recycling service. An uncomplicated nationwide service that is win, win for your client and the environment. Rehome are BCorp Certified and sustainability is fully verified using a carbon and tree saving inventory, allowing designers to showcase an impressive commitment to sustainability.

If you’d like to feature your news or stories on SBID.org, get in touch to find out more. 

If you’d like to become SBID Accredited, click here for more information.

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Kenoteq Bring New Aesthetics and Circular Economy Language to Interiors https://www.sbid.org/kenoteq-bring-new-aesthetics-and-circular-economy-language-to-interiors/ Mon, 26 Aug 2024 09:30:58 +0000 https://www.sbid.org/?p=80383 The post Kenoteq Bring New Aesthetics and Circular Economy Language to Interiors appeared first on Society of British & International Interior Design.

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A striking retail or hospitality counter is central to an outlet’s design and success – and should always tell a good story. Even better when the story is an ethical and sustainable one, that focuses on recycling waste materials and reducing the carbon footprint of the outlet.

Focused primarily on brands who put sustainability high on their agendas, Edinburgh-based Kenoteq are bringing new aesthetics and a strong circular economy language and style to interiors. The K-BRIQ and the slimmer K-SLIP tile product, are breathing new life into construction and demolition waste, one of the world’s most prolific waste streams – and, most importantly, they are helping to divert them from landfill and convert them into decorative surfaces through a low energy and carbon production process. The cladding products are made from near 100% waste materials, a mix of recycled aggregates (old bricks, old stone and old mortars to headline the main ingredients), with a good dose of recycled plasterboard and recycled pigments to give the colour variety.

Not only is the counter a key point of sale, it needs to attract and hold attention as well as be robust, durable and extol and support the brand or outlet’s style and values.

Kat Antos-Lewis Photography

Kenoteq’s striking bricks and tiles are available in a myriad of both traditional and bold colours which not only look stunning but critically are unfired and so have a tiny carbon footprint compared to traditional bricks and ceramics. But with a comparative durability and strength.

Gail’s Bakery is one of the first nationwide brands to showcase this product to support their ethical ‘neighbourhood bakery’ brand.

Holland Harvey began working with bakery Gail’s nearly 10 years ago, refurbishing the original Hampstead bakery in 2013. They have now delivered over 60 new bakeries in neighbourhoods across the UK and recently used the Gullane Cyan Light K-SLIP to show-off the bakery’s counter items in the Weybridge outlet in Surrey. Bold and fresh, the geometric counter and seating designs in this teal blue are inspired by the historical charm of nearby Brooklands Airfield and the geometric architecture of the existing building.

Photography: Linnemann Design
Kat Antos-Lewis Photography

Gail’s Bakery’s Kings Street, Manchester outlet designed by sustainable hospitality specialists, Object Space Place, showcases the magenta K-BRIQ in a striking checkerboard “hit and miss” design – Kenoteq calculated the carbon savings of using the K-BRIQ in this design over a traditional brick to be the equivalent of boiling the water for 100,000 cups of coffee!

“The world needs to move rapidly towards a more sustainable future and the hospitality sector can take a leading role in this,” says Rizvi Khaleque, CEO of Indian Streetfood Chain, Tuk Tuk in Edinburgh, whose latest vibrant interior design by leading Edinburgh-based interior design firm, S+ Co, puts the Gillespie Magenta and Heriot Mustard frogged K-BRIQs into a statement bar design with a jewel-like quality that is a focal point for diners. It also encases half a tonne of recycled construction and demolition waste. And saves over 130 kg CO2e compared to being built in traditional brick – a keen saving for a still relatively modest counter.

“The interiors for this second Tuk Tuk outlet took inspiration from the vibrant architecture and food found across India,” explains Claire Jones, Senior Interior Designer at S+Co. “S+Co looked to create a space that was welcoming and fun, a playful reflection of Tuk Tuk’s Indian street good culture and the diverse neighbourhood of their new location.”

Photography: Linnemann Design

The K-BRIQ and K-SLIP are fully circular products from the built environment for the built environment. Not only is careful consideration for the environment the story of the materials themselves, the production process uses minimal energy with no firing in the equation to significantly reduce the reliance on fossil fuels in production. Instead Kenoteq’s factory relies on renewable energy sources, biomass and wind power. Finally, the closed loop circular nature of the final product, means that K-BRIQs and K-SLIPs can be safely recycled themselves into recycled aggregate at their end of life – which means of course they can be remade into further K-BRIQ or K-SLIP products.

Good design decisions really don’t need to cost the earth!

About Kenoteq Ltd.

Design without compromise! Kenoteq is a pioneering UK company at the forefront of sustainable materials made from recycled waste. The newly launched first products are the revolutionary low carbon K-BRIQ® and K-SLIP™ currently the world’s most sustainable bricks and brickslips, unfired, made from 95% recycled construction and demolition materials together with recycled pigments, and are 100% recyclable. They are suitable for interior or exterior use and offer a wide colour palette. With a technical specification akin to traditional bricks and brickslips, the products benefit from a carbon footprint 95% less than their traditional equivalents.

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Bolon: 75 Years of Sustainable Innovation https://www.sbid.org/bolon-75-years-of-sustainable-innovation/ Mon, 10 Jun 2024 09:30:29 +0000 https://www.sbid.org/?p=79305 The post Bolon: 75 Years of Sustainable Innovation appeared first on Society of British & International Interior Design.

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Bolon, the Swedish family-owned design company, celebrates 75 years of pioneering sustainable practices in the design industry. Since its inception in 1949, Bolon has been at the forefront of transforming waste into premium woven flooring and rugs, revolutionising the way we perceive sustainable design.

From the outset, Bolon embarked on a mission to repurpose textile waste into stylish rag rugs, setting the stage for decades of sustainable innovation. Today, Bolon proudly announces a ground-breaking achievement – all products now contain an impressive 68% waste material, with zero climate impact per square metre.

Operating from its climate-neutral factory in Ulricehamn, Sweden, Bolon has made a bold decision to integrate sustainability into every aspect of its operations, abstaining from the concept of a separate green collection. Instead, sustainability is ingrained in every product, reflecting the company’s unwavering commitment to environmental stewardship.

Bolon is one of the only climate-neutral commercial flooring brands where all collections are climate neutral without the need to offset carbon. Production is in its climate-neutral factory in Ulricehamn, Sweden.

In 2020, Bolon set an ambitious goal to halve its climate impact and ensure that all products contain at least 50% recycled material by 2028. Through strategic investments in talent and technology, Bolon is proud to announce that it has surpassed this goal, offering 68% recycled material across its entire product range.

“Sustainability has always been embedded in the DNA of the brand. With the implementation of BIO-sourced PVC, recycled PVC, and recycled chalk from marble slab production, we have not only exceeded our goals but also achieved zero climate impact. This is a testament to our unwavering commitment to sustainable innovation.” – Marie Eklund, CEO and owner of Bolon.

As innovators in the design industry, Bolon remains steadfast in its mission to thrill the world with brave innovation for a sustainable design experience. With 75 years of pushing recycling boundaries, Bolon continues to inspire change and set new standards for sustainable design practices.

About Bolon UK

Bolon specialise in the creation of high-performance design floorings. They believe in design for the long run. Where durability and aesthetics are equally important. Where effortless cleanability and maintenance comes naturally, and honest sustainability stands above it all.

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Forbes & Lomax Uses a New Recycled Perspex for the Invisible Lightswitch https://www.sbid.org/forbes-lomax-uses-a-new-recycled-perspex-for-the-invisible-lightswitch/ Thu, 06 Jun 2024 09:30:43 +0000 https://www.sbid.org/?p=79074 The post Forbes & Lomax Uses a New Recycled Perspex for the Invisible Lightswitch appeared first on Society of British & International Interior Design.

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Forbes & Lomax is excited to announce its range of Invisible Lightswitch® and dimmer plates are now made from 100% recycled Perspex.

The Greencast® sheets of Perspex are created from the waste and scrap material of manufacturers and fabricators, which would ordinarily end up in landfill.

4 Gang Rotary Dimmer in Invisible with Brushed Brass Dimmer Knobs

By sourcing this sustainable material, Forbes & Lomax is helping ensure it is doing its part to reduce its impact on the environment.

With offices in London, New York and LA, Forbes & Lomax switches, dimmers and sockets are sold worldwide.

1 Gang Dolly Switch in Invisible with Brass Toggle

All plates are handcrafted and assembled at the Forbes & Lomax workshop in Battersea.

Find out more about sustainability at Forbes & Lomax here.

About Forbes & Lomax

Forbes & Lomax has been producing elegant, innovative light switches and sockets for over thirty-five years. Renowned for launching The Invisible Lightswitch®, it has always approached lighting control from an aesthetic point of view. The Forbes & Lomax collection comprises nine carefully chosen finishes, which are suitable for traditional and contemporary interiors, making it the brand of choice for many top interior designers, architects and decorators. The range includes push buttons and dolly switches for integrating with intelligent lighting control and home automation systems. It also offers a bespoke engraving service. Visit the showroom at Design Centre, Chelsea Harbour.

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