The Arts and Crafts movement: honouring tradition in modern homes

Arts and Crafts - a timeless classic   The Arts and Crafts movement, which emerged in the late 19th and early 20th Centuries, remains a timeless inspiration for home design today. Rooted in a philosophy of craftsmanship, simplicity and respect for natural materials, Arts and Crafts architecture offers a unique blend of traditional and modern elements. By incorporating elements of Arts and Crafts design into your current home or new build, and adding your own unique style, you can create a space that is both aesthetically pleasing and deeply meaningful. So, let the spirit of the Arts and Crafts movement…
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Net Zero Carbon homes are gaining in popularity

Built to last As a background to Carl Dodd's personal Scottish border NZC build (based on an adapted traditional vernacular design), we wanted to write about the concept of Net Zero Carbon homes, and explore why you could consider building one, discuss the benefits of living in such a home, and provide practical tips on making your current home more energy efficient. (c) Carl Dodd / PRL - KLB - Scottish Net Zero Carbon New Build (on-going) If Carl's build has inspired you to build your own sustainable home, or make energy-efficient upgrades to your existing home, every step toward…
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Why improving indoor air quality matters

  'All we need is the air that we breathe…' When we think about air pollution, we often picture smog-filled city streets or industrial emissions. However, the quality of the air inside our homes and buildings can also have a significant impact on our health and well-being. Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) refers to the cleanliness and purity of the air within enclosed spaces such as: homes, offices, schools and public buildings. It encompasses factors such as the presence of pollutants, levels of humidity, and ventilation rates. Poor indoor air quality can lead to a range of health issues, including respiratory…
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Affordable warmth for all: heating your home sustainably

Staying warm and comfortable in colder temperatures Ensuring that everyone has access to affordable warmth is a crucial aspect of sustainable living. Affordable warmth refers to the ability to maintain a comfortable indoor temperature without experiencing financial hardship. This Blog Post explores what affordable warmth means, why it's important, and provides practical guidance on how everyone can heat their homes sustainably. Affordable warmth is about more than just heating your home; it's about ensuring that everyone has the means to stay warm and comfortable, regardless of their income or housing situation. It's a fundamental aspect of social and environmental justice, as…
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Water neutrality: what it is and how you can achieve it

Understanding water neutrality In an era of increasing concern about water scarcity and environmental sustainability, the concept of water neutrality has gained prominence. But what exactly does it mean, and how can individuals work towards achieving it? In this Blog post, we'll delve into the concept of water neutrality, exploring its significance and providing practical guidance on reducing water consumption to minimise your water footprint. Water neutrality is a concept aimed at balancing the amount of water consumed, with the amount of water returned to the environment, through conservation and restoration efforts. Essentially, it involves striving to ensure that the…
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How we can all take steps to preserve biodiversity

What exactly is biodiversity? Biodiversity is the diversity within species, between species and of ecosystems. It is declining globally, faster than at any other time in human history. The world's 7.6 billion people represent just 0.01% of all living things by weight, but humanity has caused the loss of 83% of all wild mammals and half of all plants. Biodiversity loss and ecosystem collapse is one of the top five risks in the World Economic Forum's 2020 Global Risks Report, too. How biodiversity can help our health Higher rates of biodiversity have been linked to an increase in health. Plants are essential…
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How to make 2024 a greener year

A New Year brings a whole host of lifestyle opportunities The New Year gives us all time to reflect on our lifestyles and consider how we can make positive changes for the planet. Green New Year's resolutions not only benefit the environment, but can also lead to a healthier, more sustainable way of life. In this Blog, we'll explore a variety of creative and impactful resolutions for 2024. These are my New Year Resolutions for 2024: 1 - I would like to re-do my Carbon Footprint using the WWF Carbon Footprint Calculator (https://footprint.wwf.org.uk) - and review my Net Zero Carbon…
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How to have a ‘greener’ Christmas

Have yourself a merry green Christmas... As the festive season approaches, the joy of Christmas often comes hand-in-hand with excess and waste. However, it's entirely possible to enjoy a merry Christmas while being mindful of our impact on the planet. In this Blog, we'll explore creative and eco-friendly ways for us all to have a green and sustainable Christmas. Food preparation Mindful meal planning: Plan your Christmas meals carefully to avoid overbuying. Estimate portion sizes and create shopping lists to minimise food waste. Local and seasonal ingredients: Choose local and seasonal produce. Not only does this support local farmers, but…
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Christmas trees: real vs. fake – which is the more environmentally friendly option?

The big question... Real Christmas trees may be better for the environment, but, you may be asking, aren't artificial or fake Christmas trees a better option? No, just because they are re-used year after year, it does not mean that they are more sustainable. This is due to the typical rules of sustainability not applying when it comes to the humble Christmas tree. The Christmas tree debate on real vs. artificial (and which benefits the environment more), has been ongoing for decades. The debate is not helped by the fact that artificial Christmas trees can last many years, if they're…
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A breath of fresh air: home ventilation and sustainable living

As winter draws in… Although you may feel like closing the curtains tight and shutting all windows to keep the cold air out, this practice could be harming your home - and yourself. It's only natural as the air outside gets colder, to want to cosy-up indoors - but in doing so, we are also in danger of blocking out the fresh air that we need so much. With sustainable living, we often focus on energy-efficient appliances, renewable energy sources, and eco-friendly materials. However, one crucial aspect that is sometimes overlooked is home ventilation. The air we breathe within our…
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