The truth about sustainability

 

“So what about sustainability?” 

 

It seems to be the number one question of today’s market in our industry. And rightfully so; it is ever so clear that we must make changes across the board if we want to enjoy this beautiful planet of ours in the years to come. Small businesses like ourselves are competing against the giants like Ikea and now Zara Home, who offer homeware objects for a much lower price. And to the normal consumer, that’s nothing short of perfect! Who wouldn’t want affordable beautiful interior pieces? 

 

And it is precisely this intersection that makes our industry so fascinating and difficult at the same time. Because pricing products at a fair price will ruthlessly drive out customers with a smaller budget, and offering lower priced products will almost always mean the product was not made in an entirely sustainable way. 

 

So what is sustainability? 

 

Is it just a threshold or buzzword to slap on a product? Are products imported from other continents still sustainable? Is sustainability a privileged framework? 

 

Evidently, as our industry is shifting towards holistic sustainability, we would like to invite you, our beloved audience, to consider a broader approach toward sustainability as a concept instead of a threshold. 

 

Not sure how?

 

We'll tell you exactly how: 

 

Cycle away
Upcycling or recycling  is probably one of the most sustainable things you can do. And the best part is: you get to be creative. Use your imagination. The artist within you knows exactly how to make the best out of the space you’d like to reimagine. Those chairs you want to get rid of may be really nice with a layer of paint. Instead of throwing away your sideboard, consider gifting it to someone you know. Decluttering is so liberating, but also extremely taxing on the planet so try to avoid mindlessly chucking everything out that no longer serves a purpose in your home and make someone else happy with it.

Out with the old, in with the old
Listen, we get it: unwrapping a new interior piece is the best feeling ever. But have you ever considered vintage interior pieces? Or as the kids call it nowadays: pre-loved furniture. You can find great items on Catawiki, Vinterior and Whoppah and since designers have had such great stints in previous decades, chances are you’ll find an amazing, timeless design object for a sweet deal.

Something’s gotta give
Do your best, because that’s all you can do anyway. But take it from us: buying products that tick all the boxes of sustainability is really difficult. For some, it’s important to buy local. For others, it’s about buying certified products only. Of course, there’s ways to make the most out of situations. Why not buy locally made products when you’re on a holiday, rather than importing them from far-away countries? Whatever your strategy is, just remember that any effort is better than none.

Quality over quantity
Cluttered spaces are overrated. This is great news, because it means two things: 1) you need fewer things to decorate your home with and 2) as a result, you could invest more in specific furniture pieces.
Buying a low-budget sofa is great for your wallet, but the poor quality of the sofa also means it’ll need replacement a lot sooner than a quality-made sofa would. Would you rather buy a new sofa every one to two years, or would you rather do it right the first time round? 

 

Now you know exactly how to incorporate sustainability into your approach to homeware and interior shopping. Need advice on how to strategically plan your interior make-over? Reach us via info@stoneandpalm.com and we’ll happily assist you!