Sustainability in interior decoration. Is it even possible?
How would you describe your attitude to living spaces?
I prefer to think of myself as a minimalist, but anybody who knows me will know that this is practically impossible. I simply love collecting and showing off beautiful things and fantastic objects. Living spaces should be practical, but also inviting and comfortable at the same time. Home is where I can really relax, where my family is. For me, a living space is therefore something very private and beautiful.
Are sustainability and interior design mutually compatible?
Of course sustainability and interior design are mutually compatible. It’s certainly also a question of defining how far you want to and are able to expand the term sustainability. In itself, the fact that I still have a few items of furniture from the 60s that I inherited from my grandparents shows that sustainability does exist in the context of interior design. To be honest, up to now I have not given much thought to the issue of sustainability - i.e. where and how the furniture is produced and where the wood comes from etc. - when buying new furnishings. As time has gone by, however, I have increasingly opted for high-quality items of furniture. It’s true that these are more expensive to buy, but the quality speaks for itself.
"Of course sustainability and interior design are mutually compatible. It’s certainly also a question of defining how far you want to and are able to expand the term sustainability.”
How do you approach the need to renew your interior designs time and again?
If I’m honest, I don’t really see the need. Interior design is not comparable with the fast-moving trends of the fashion industry, and in any case there are obvious changes underway in this sector too. There are of course always trends that I observe, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that everything always has to be refreshed. As I said, I’m increasingly choosing to buy high-quality furniture. I’d have to win the lottery to renew everything all the time. But small accents such as changing decorative elements like photographs, pictures or even a wall colour can make a big difference.
What do you put particular emphasis on when arranging a space?
For me it is important to create a space that is inviting to live in and to spend time in, and where you can discover new aspects again and again. In my view, a living space should not be a museum or an empty waiting room. It’s the mishmash of little collectibles, coffee-table books and plants that I think are important in arranging a living space. Another key piece like a special chair or an unusual lamp is also a must-have.
And what role does sustainability play in that for you personally?
The days of endless consumption in cheap chains are long since over for me, and the same applies in the field of interior design. I think it’s great that it’s now so easy to offer furniture that you no longer want for sale online. Being able to hand furniture over to organisations that pass it on to other people is fantastic too. As far as sustainable timber construction, the use of materials such as leather and where which upholstery fabrics are produced is concerned, I believe there is pent-up demand in the flow of information on both sides.
Are there materials that you fundamentally prefer or even avoid?
I essentially find all materials exciting for starters. The subject of vegan interiors popped up at imm cologne, which, as justifiable as it may be, does not really move me as much as it might do others, since I’m not a vegan. I particularly like natural materials such as linen, ceramic and real wood.
What importance do sustainability seals have for you when buying furniture?
I think it’s great that we have this kind of seal. But I also have to admit that I’m not really up to speed in this area, which in my view clearly shows that we have to shine more light on this issue - perhaps we could help with that on Herz&Blut.
In the introduction of his well-known interior design book “The Kinfolk Home”, Nathan Williams says that a home is not just a material construction, but also a construct formed from our convictions. Would you second this claim with regard to sustainable living?
In the past, it was always a case of show me your wardrobe and I’ll tell you who you are. Today it is all too easy to copy this saying on Instagram. Williams’ statement strikes me as almost a little bit presumptuous: everybody should live according to their own style, and I wouldn’t want to - and won’t here - condemn anybody for doing that. Sustainable living often comes about of its own accord - as soon as your path takes you to the next second-hand furniture shop, for example. It is of course also a question of budget as to whether somebody can rely on renewable energy and green electricity and can afford to buy exclusively furniture bearing a sustainability seal. Everything has to start somewhere. If we can all manage to contribute to living with more awareness, we will be doing well.