At the Feel, we have been committed to designing environmentally and ethical interiors for decades and we’re pleased to report that every year the demand goes up and correspondingly, so do the number of green products (we’ll get to green-washing in a later post.. but for now suffice to say - it’s real!) but as the Frog says, it hasn’t been the easiest road to travel.
“It’s not easy being green....”
Most people have good intentions, but let’s face it, trying to create ‘the feel’ whilst being green can be difficult.
Some people’s enthusiasm wanes when they realise they may have to make sacrifices to go that way. It can really test our resolve to ‘do the right thing’.
Let's examine some reasons why;
One of the main reasons it may cost more is because to be truly sustainable we must prioritise locally made items. Domestic manufacturers struggle to compete with cheap overseas mass-produced products. One of the ‘upsides’ to the COVID pandemic is that due to logistics difficulties (yes, there is always a ‘silver lining’:)), we have seen a resurgence in people ‘going local’. a trend we hope will perpetuate because it keeps local people employed, supports the badly affected arts sector, and helps to create a circular economy.
Another reason your budget may suffer is because being green often involves using cutting-edge products which, because of their technology, aren’t widely available yet. For instance, many items made from recycled materials involve the use of specialised ‘made- for-purpose’ equipment. Therefore you will find these kinds of items are only produced in countries with large populations which can support the investment and they are priced accordingly.
Thirdly, in these days of ‘fast fashion’ people like things we’re used to everything being available instantly. Conversely, handmade and ‘small run’ items often take time because they may have to be manufactured to order. Many small production houses cannot afford to keep stock on hand,
And lastly, if you find yourself wondering if it’s all worth the effort the answer is a resounding Yes!
We can’t always be perfect but we can always try!
