As a company, Helen Green Design is committed to improving our environmental impact. We are challenging our standard practises, exploring new materials, new methods, new technologies and constantly learning where we can make better choices.One way in which we are doing this is by working closely with our suppliers and starting a dialogue around environmental responsibility.There are many questions that we can ask our suppliers that will explore and challenge the nuances of individual design.

• Where does the material come from?
• What is it made from?
• Where is it made?
• How is it made?
• Is there an accredited ‘green’ alternative?
• How do we tweak the design to reduce energy consumption?
• Can we use toxic free finishes and adhesives?

Engaging with the supply chain, choosing natural materials that are responsibly sourced and working with makers that are environmentally and socially conscious is a great way to build momentum and continue our development.On a recent project we worked with Petrel Furniture on some exquisite hand-made daybeds and we can trace the beautiful quarter-sawn oak back to a managed forest in Kettering.

The rugs from Concept Handtufting were all made from natural fibres with cotton and natural latex backing, packaging was kept to a minimum using only cardboard and wood.

As a company, Helen Green Design believes good design is timeless. Every project should be timeless, carefully curated, unique and personable.We are also acutely aware of the lifecycle of a product, So we also ask ourselves;

• Does this item have longevity, is it fit for purpose?
• How do we package and transport this so we reduce damage but also reduce waste packaging?
• At the end of its current life cycle can this item be re-purposed?

We believe by continually asking questions, about the life cycle of the product, the quality and source of the materials and the manufacturing methods, we will start to see change and accountability at all levels of the design process.Be it, reducing packaging or finding innovative ways to re-use waste product to expanding our network and collaborating with makers on new ideas we will keep driving this change forward.It’s not always easy. On any one project, we may have hundreds of items to source and make. We also have a responsibility to the client to deliver the same elegant, beautiful, luxurious interiors synonymous with Helen Green Design and often we are working to a tight deadline. So we are learning and developing and expanding our resources with every sustainable step.Joanna Benton, Associate at HGD