It’s my company's birthday, Materialise Interiors is 17!   I'm hugely grafeful to have been in business for so long and to all who have supported my business.  THANK YOU!

I review my company giving each year on my company birthday and at the financial year end (Earth Day 22nd April). 

This post is a form of public reporing of progress on the handprint of the company.

GIVING BACK  

Last financial year decided to increase donations by switching from donating 5% of profit a year, instead to 5% of gross sales (turnover) a year.    You can read more about who I support on my Ethics Statement. 

MICRO-FINANCE LENDING   

For many years I’ve enjoyed helping micro-finance loans to small businesses in developing countries via Lend With Care and am now up to 45 loans (total was 37 loan this time last year).

CARBON OFFSETTING 

• COOKSTOVES  Offsetting carbon emissions is important, but addressing reduction of them is vital. I love planting trees but have learnt there’s other excellent ways to offset carbon - including providing cookstoves to developing countries.  Cookstoves are more efficient and safer to use than burning wood.  They decrease the use of wood by around 70%.  This reduces carbon emissions by around 2 tonnes per family per year and also leads to reduced smoke & an improved living environment.  In this way, forest areas are protected and women spend less time & energy collecting wood. 

I'm glad to report so far this financial tear my donations this year so far have offset 10 tonnes of Co2. (total was 7 tonnes of Co2 this time last year).

• TREES    I've loved supporting Jane Goodall's project with OneTree Planted. But as we don't have time for trees to grow to absorb CO2, I've shifted to planting much faster growing mangroves  which are planted to protect coastlines and riverbanks, restore biodiversity in ecosystems - and store 5 to 10 times more carbon than land ecosystems. 

This year my total is 3,002  (total was 1,992 trees this time last year).  NB. These are still counted as part ot the MILLION TREE PLEDGE.  This pledge is proof that micro companies like mine can make a difference.  The small action of joining together has a significant group impact.  I’m in great company - here’s the other Pledgers in the group.  Let me know if you want to join up too!

My ongoing tree donation commitment… 

-  At least 25 trees are planted for each new full project - and 25 more upon completion 

-  25 trees are planted for every successful client referral 

-   10 trees are planted each consultation.

VOLUNTEERING  

I donate time to pro bono work for charities, volunteering, charity and fundraising projects, running of Interior Design Declares and mentoring two designers.  To date 467 hours.

As well as actively being part of INTERIOR DESIGN DECLARES steering group and BUSINESS DECLARES, I have just signed up to the Design Council's DESIGN DECLARES as well.  I believe collaboration and sharing knowledge is vital to improving the impact businesses have on people, planet and animals.

Read the Declaration and Action Plan  here.  

Next reporting will be Earth Day 2023, 22nd April 

Five takeaways from The Interior Design Business podcast

 'Sustainability: Your Questions Answered' 

It was great to be invited on to The Interior Design Business podcast again. A little different to last time which was mid Lockdown and via Zoom.... this was a live recording complete with an audience at the Chelsea showroom of sofa.com.

Past BIID president Susie Rumbold moderated the discussion with fellow designers Alexandra Jurkiewicz, Creative Lead at Helen Green Design and David Chenery, founder and director of Object Space Place. Here’s the recording. 

1. 'Sustainability' has so many interpretations and approaches - the three of us demonstrate that. It may feel daunting to step into - find what works for you and don't waiting until you can do it perfectly.  Designers and suppliers - please sign the Interior Design Declares pledge and learn with us.
2. The best interior is one that exists - so be creative and reuse and show off your creativity.  There's lots of great storytelling as a result.
3. Susie's had bad experience with recycled PET rugs - but don't let that put you off.  Retrieved sea plastic including PET and 'ghost' fishing nets are a great source of yarn used for carpets and fabrics. I'm very happy to use recycled problem-solving plastics while they are here - but obviously reduction of the source is what's desperately needed.
4. Resale values and ability to repair are really important factors when making decisions.  Buy better. Buy preloved.
5. We need to break the resource using traditional ways of doing things  - there are multiple approaches.  I'm adding David's book recommendation to my book queue... Rory Sutherland's Alchemy: The Surprising Power of Ideas That Don't Make Sense 

DESIGN FOR DIVERSITY

What Design For Diversity?

It is an initiative and community devised by interior designer Rukmini Patel and journalist Kate Watson-Smyth.  Listen to Kate’s podcast with Sophie Robinson for shocking and saddening insights into racism in the interior design industry - including one from my friend Jecks Stone, founder of Persona Abode. 

Kate says: “We do not claim it as a solution. But we offer it as the start of a conversation.  A sign that the door is open…… It’s our sincere hope that the presence of this sticker on a design website or social channel will give those who see it the confidence to take a step forward, while offering reassurance that their interest will be received with positivity and fairness.”

What is the Pledge?

It is a three-point Pledge covering  Visibility,  Opportunity and Accessibility to help the design industry to become diverse. It is a first step to working towards a diverse design industry and giving brands, businesses and bloggers a guideline on areas they can work on to encourage.

To pledge support designers and suppliers should post the badge so all can see it and make a relevant pledge. 

I have signed up to the Design for Diversity pledge.  

You don’t have to be an employer to be involved.  

Things even a micro-business like mine can do….

• I’m always seeking out products to use (especially sustainable!) and I would especially like to support BAME businesses who produce them.  

• I would be really happy to mentor a student or designer from a BAME background too.  If you are interested in what I do and think mentoring from me would help you, please contact me by the end of November if you are interested. 

Many designers and suppliers are now part of this initiative.  View here.

Designers and suppliers can sign up here.

Please help to support and encourage this important initiative to encourage a diverse design industry.