In the first of a new series of columns, Edward Bulmer, the winner of our Responsible Design Award (sponsored by Vinterior) in 2022, lays out why we should all pay attention to responsible design and consumption, and how to become more conscious in the process

Microplastics, microbeads and nano particles are so tiny (measuring 0.006 to 1 millimetre, but they can be up to 5mm) that they are now everywhere! We are probably all inadvertently responsible for this as it is not mandatory to be told when they are used in a product and only a small number of their uses has been outlawed. Furthermore, plastics that are dumped in soils or water are being broken down to become microplastics.

Avoiding single use plastic is now accepted as common sense (though it is still not mandatory), but it is just the tip of the ‘plastic iceberg’ when it comes to our plastic addiction. So much of the plastic we buy now is unavoidable. Often this is because it makes up the packaging used to wrap and transport the goods we buy, and just as often it IS the goods we buy.

The industrial revolution, or what you might call ‘the dawn of commercial design’ relied on the use of a new energy source – fossil fuels. From coal, to coal tar, to crude oil, to natural gas, their use began to alter the dynamic and the planet increasingly had to store the resultant carbon emissions in the atmosphere rather than in its vegetation, soils and oceans.

With a multitude of sins being hidden behind that ‘eco-friendly’ label we have done our own guide to ‘eco-friendly’ paint, which will hopefully help you navigate the greenwashing and know what to look out for, how to decide if something is really as ec0-conscious as it says and unpacking some commonly used ‘eco’ credentials.

At its core the Big Tent Festival and Foundation is about making a difference by actively supporting the new conversations, approaches and leaders required to refresh our political discourse.

When Inigo suggested coming to the Herefordshire home of our founder Edward Bulmer we thought we had to come up with something unique and never seen before for them! Edward’s home has been through many transformations, nowhere is this clearer today – perhaps surprisingly – than in the current ground-floor WC.

Following on from our exciting Seedlip X EBNP collaboration we took a second to talk to its founder Ben Branson.

As you are deciding on the beautiful natural paint colours for your walls, perhaps you’d like to consider a natural alternative to bedding to complete your healthy home transformation?

Watch the full interview with Ben Branson (founder of Seedlip) and Edward Bulmer as they discuss all things nature, flavour, design and sustainability!

This summer the Garden Museum will be celebrating the doyenne of flowers, the 20th century’s most influential floral decorator, Constance Spry. Guest curated by floral designer and writer Shane Connolly, this new exhibition will explore Spry’s exceptional life, achievements and legacy, with exclusive access to her archive at the RHS Lindley Library.

When we think back to a year ago, there was a stark uncertainty of what was to come, yet across the country and globe we united. Interior Designer Francesca Rowan-Plowden spared no time in trying to help, using her creative background to set up a charity initiative in April 2020 – Design Havens for Heroes.

Unexpected time at home has created a desire in some to be a little creative, or do a bit of upcycling and give new life to existing items.

We are now readying ourselves for that ever important gift list to our friends and family – gifts to treasure or even gifts we just want to keep to ourselves…

Our decorated space at this year’s House & Garden Festival was all about collaboration.  Edward’s idea for the decorated space was to link old and new, at the physical juxtaposition between the Interiors Art & Antiques Fair and the House & Garden Festival.