Responsibility Knocks: A column for House & Garden 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
What are microplastics and how can we reduce them in mainstream paints? 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.
The ubiquity of plastic in our houses and why we need to cut down 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.
Why the design world needs to cut its carbon footprint 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.
Colour is King: Edward Bulmer’s first interior design book In his very first book published by Rizzoli, The Colourful past: Edward Bulmer and the English Country House, Edward takes readers through the keyhole into his most memorable work in some of Britain’s finest buildings, including: Althorp, Princess Diana’s childhood home, the Prime Minister’s official country residence, Chequers, Goodwood and Pitshill House, as well as his own Queen Anne House in Herefordshire.
5 Ideas for Colourful Children’s Rooms If you are redesigning your child’s room and need some inspiration on what colour to go for, look no further. We have put together some of our favourite colourful schemes for Children’s Room’s from soft blues to vibrant yellows.
Ben Branson: Pioneer of Great Taste Following on from our exciting Seedlip X EBNP collaboration we took a second to talk to its founder Ben Branson.
Sustainable Design Innovators: Naturalmat 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?
Constance Spry and The Fashion for Flowers 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.
Design Havens for Heroes: a living room transformation in Welmish Blew Discover how Edward Bulmer Natural Paint joined Design Havens for Heroes to transform NHS midwife Vanessa’s living room with Welmish Blew.
