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37 of the best new sustainable designs
Our edit of stylish, innovative and eco-friendly designs, from ethically-made furniture to recycled fabrics
The pandemic has been a wake-up call in more ways than one, and many of us are scrutinising how we consume and the effect of our buying decisions on the planet more than ever before.
The positive news is, design industry insiders believe this mindset will continue way beyond Covid times. ‘Not just because of the uncertainty that the virus has brought, but also because of the political climate, I think there’ll be a return to authenticity, honesty and things you can trust. We’ll see this via a rise in crafts and locally made, traceable design, but also spreading to the idea of data privacy – especially in the realm of the smart home,' says Benjamin Hubert of design studio LAYER.
Sean Sutcliffe, co-founder of Benchmark agrees that sustainability, provenance and materials will rise to become the primary considerations for our purchases: 'Post-pandemic, I expect we’ll see more emphasis on comfort, design, and health – from thinking about the ergonomics of our furniture and the toxicity of what goes into the objects in our homes, to seeking refuge in nature. Either through a reevaluation of gardens or by surrounding ourselves with house plants and natural materials.'
There’s never been a better time to think sustainably, whether you are looking for a guide to eco-friendly fabrics or information on the benefits of green paint. Here, we've selected the best new sustainable designs and brands that are making it easier than ever to make considered buying choices. From diverting waste to landfill, to utilising traditional crafts and creating positive social impact, these makers and innovators are helping to define what it means to be sustainable today.
Isokon Plus
British brand Isokon Plus was a pioneer of plywood when it was founded in 1931. Now, alongside its famous ply designs – such as the iconic 'Isokon Penguin Donkey' – you'll find contemporary furniture and home accessories crafted from carefully sourced solid timbers and veneers. All its designs are made in small batches from its Walthamstow workshop and are designed and built to last. ‘Backless Portsmouth Bench’, £1,046; ‘Loop Shelf 980’, £357.60 each, all by Barber & Osgerby for Isokon Plus isokonplus.com
‘Modern Farmhouse Occasional Chair’ by Fred Rigby for Another Country
Made in Portugal and the UK, Another Country's 'Modern Farmhouse Occasional Chair' is crafted from solid oak from sustainable sources and upholstered in 100% natural materials. As the name suggests, the collection reimagines farmhouse furniture for contemporary living and puts a refined spin on classic rustic pieces. £1,321 anothercountry.com
‘Block + Stitch’ Cushion by Stitch by Stitch
Stitch by Stitch creates handmade textiles in small batches, working with artisan weavers, embroiderers and quilt makers in India, Nepal and England. Made using only natural materials such as organic, rain-fed kala cotton, wool and natural dyes, products use a combination of traditional techniques, including block printing and embroidery. £80, stitchbystitch.uk
‘Loer’ pendant by Tom Raffield
Taking its name from the Cornish word for ‘moon’, Tom Raffield’s new ‘Loer’ pendant's graceful mouth-blown glass orb appears to float in its sleek halo of steam-bent ash. Steam-bending is an energy efficient process that relies only on heat and water and produces very little wastage; the brand even reuses any excess water that has condensed in the steamer the next time wood is heated. £345 tomraffield.com
‘Morphs’ by Studio Lindey Cafsia + Studio Carbon
‘Morphs’ is a family of five cubical objects made from a bio-based composite derived from cow dung. A collaboration between Netherlands-based Studio Lindey Cafsia + Studio Carbon, the series harnesses the potential of a cheap, plentiful raw material. No glaze is added, so the (odour-free) material can be reused. From £64 adorno.design
‘Prism’ collection by Angus Ross
Launched at 2020’s Design Nation exhibition as part of Decorex, the ‘Prism’ collection by Scottish designer-maker Angus Ross scooped the award for Best Sustainable Product. Crafted in Ross’s Perthshire workshop from local ash and oak, it takes its name from the sliced and steam-bent triangular arches that sweep around the frame of each piece, adding strength to the structure as well as creating a refined silhouette. The range includes a chair, shelving unit, side table anda stool with a hand-twisted English rush seat. From £900 for a table angusross.co.uk
‘Food boards’ by Hyrst
Based in Suffolk, non-profit brand Hyrst uses locally sourced elm and sycamore for its striking food boards, which are made in the workshops at HMP Warren Hill as part of a programme to rehabilitate individuals for reintegration into everyday life. Income paid by Hyrst to Warren Hill is used to fund further training that will reskill residents in preparation for their release. From £32 hyrst.co.uk
Wax Atelier
Not all candles are created equal. Beeswax is thought to be the most superior wax for candles as it has a higher melting point, so it burns slower with less mess,as well as emitting the brightest, most warm-toned flame. London-based Wax Atelier makes hand-dipped, naturally dyed candles using traditional techniques, but there’s another reason its products are worthy of the choicest tables. From its headquarters in Dagenham, the brand is working with non-profit Every One Every Day to train up local residents and create a unique, living wage-paying makers collective to sustain employment in the area. From £13.50 waxatelier.com
‘Rely’ chair by Hee Welling for &Tradition
It took a year for Copenhagen-based Hee Welling to find the right material for &Tradition’s new ‘Rely’ chair. Wanting to put sustainability at the forefront of his design, Welling eventually decided on recycled plastic from inner car components to make the chair’s ergonomic shell. Available in six colours and fabrics, its clean-lined, versatile design makes it ideal for multiple functions. From £195 andtradition.com
‘Plint’ coffee table by Cecile Manz for Takt
The new ‘Plint’ coffee table by Cecilie Manz for Takt is a flat-pack piece that requires no bolts, glue or screws for assembly – a design feature that means it can be easily repaired or recycled at the end of its life. Its two components are held together with sustainably sourced leather loops and wooden pegs, and while it can be put together in minutes, it’s engineered to last. From £599 taktcph.com
Memòri Studio
New initiative Memòri Studio is dedicated to the revival of fast-disappearing craft traditions from around the world. Part homeware store, part manifesto, each edition focuses on one particular territory, starting with Morocco. Pick up pieces such as hand-built pots decorated with natural pigments, or sign up for one of its six-day ‘immersions’ to learn from the artisans themselves in the Atlas or Rif regions of Morocco. From approx £68 for a plate memori.studio
‘Iklwa’ chair by Mac Collins for Benchmark
The Nottingham-based designer has collaborated with Benchmark on his first consumer collection. Adapted from his ‘Iklwa’ chair, which won the 2018 Cræftiga Award at The London Design Fair, the range of the same name comprises two lounge chairs and a side table. The chairs’ Afrofuturistic shapes are intended to empower the sitter and unite Collins’ African-Caribbean roots with British craft. As with all Benchmark's pieces, sustainability is embedded throughout, from the British-sourced timber and UK manufacture to non-toxic oils and finishes. Large chair, from £2,275; side table, from £835 benchmarkfurniture.com
‘George’ coffee table by Marco Campardo for Alpi
Seeking to find a role for the waste material in contemporary furniture production, designer Marco Campardo worked with wood veneer manufacturer Alpi to create ‘George’, a collection constructed from factory offcuts. Discarded scraps of veneer are glued together to form thicker blocks of material, which are then used to construct a series of stools and tables. From £2,820 seedslondon.com
1616/Arita Japan
Named after the year and location in which the art of pottery was first introduced to Japan by the Koreans, 1616/Arita Japan makes contemporary ceramics with the same traditional materials and techniques used in the region for centuries. Its distinctive clay, made with crushed stone, results in pieces that are strong and heat-resistant yet beautifully thin and light. Designed by creative director Teruhiro Yanagihara, the signature ‘TY Standard’ collection (pictured) allows for different combinations and functions. From approx £14.55 for an espresso cup, 1616arita.jp
Stool by Dirk Vander Kooij
Amsterdam-based designer Dirk Vander Kooij makes furniture from melting down waste plastic in the form of discarded CDs, garden furniture and agricultural tubing. A relentless prototyper, the designer uses an array of processes to transform the material into new and unique forms, including 3D printing and extrusion. From £400, selfridges.com
‘Reprise’ chair by Norm Architects x Ercol
For its centenary year, British design brand Ercol is launching new pieces that celebrate its long legacy of craftsmanship while looking forward to a new era. Our highlight is the ‘Reprise’ chair, a collaboration with Copenhagen studio Norm Architects, which reimagines the brand’s hallmark spindles in a minimalist lounge chair. And, as with all Ercol pieces, it’s made with care using sustainable practices and materials, ensuring it can be loved for years to come. Available this autumn, pre-order now, ercol.com
‘Note’ stools by Edward Collinson
London-based designer Edward Collinson’s handcrafted pieces have been on our wishlist for a while, and his sculptural ‘Note’ stools have just hit the top spot. Made using traditional carpentry techniques, they come in an ebonised oak, walnut or natural oak finish. Gently curved undersides add to their tactile appeal, while flat tops meanthey can double up as side tables. edwardcollinson.co.uk
Skinflint Lighting
As a purveyor of reclaimed lighting, the circular economy is embedded within Skinflint’s ethos. Now the brand is going one step further with a new buy-back scheme that allows customers to sell their lights back to Skinflint for up to 50 per cent of the original value. The lights will be fully restored, tested and certified ready for reuse and resale. skinflintdesign.com
Organoids
Reminiscent of bloom-imprinted pages from childhood flower presses, Organoids’ wallcoverings and laminate flooring literally bring the outside in, with surfaces of compressed wild florals, Alpine hay, leaves and wheat. Laid by hand onto natural flax in a CO2-neutral process in Tyrol, Austria, all the materials are sourced as locally as possible, including lavender stalks and coffee grounds from nearby cafés. No artificial colours or fragrances are added. organoids.com/en
Kana x La Soufflerie glassware by Kana London
London ceramicist Kana has teamed up with non-profit glassblowing cooperative La Soufflerie to translate her signature pieces into delicate recycled glass. Due to the nature of the the traditional blowing processes used by the Paris studio, the clay moulds can only be used up to 20 times, rendering each of the limited edition glasses and carafes unique. kanalondon.com
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