For those of you who still have a few last minute gifts to buy I’ve put together a few ideas in this 2018 gift guide. Last year, following the trend for all things metallic I listed 5 Gold Things, classic items which are all still available to buy so do take a look if bling is your thing! However this year as I think back over the year one of the things I’ve been happiest about is showcasing brands, products and methods of working which champion ethical, sustainable and eco friendly products. Looking back there really is quite a list, from writing about sustainable design and the re-emergence of rattan as a sustainable furniture material to featuring Little Greene’s environmentally-friendly paints and our recent giveaway of a lovely serving tray made from reclaimed wood by Vincent Trading.
The pleasure of giving gifts is one of the nicest things about Christmas, however this little luxury needn’t cost the earth. I’ve been looking through brands that we’ve already worked with as well as searching to find some new sustainable gifts for interior design lovers.
There’s ideas in our gift guide from brands we love -
Vincent Trading: Hand crafted from reclaimed and sustainably sourced wood. Vincent Trading create beautiful furniture and homewares built to last a lifetime and beyond.
Bronte By Moon: Founded in 1837 Bronte by Moon create beautiful luxury wool accessories in one of Britains last remaining vertical wool mills. Every single process fro dyeing and blending the raw wool fibres, spinning the yarns, warping, weaving and finishing the fabrics in pure Yorkshire spring water in completed in the mill in Guiseley, Yorkshire
Luks Linen: Ethically made and hand loomed by master weavers this range of Turkish towels, scarves and blankets is endlessly versatile and lifetime lasting. Beautifully soft cottons yet strong and made to last with a 10 year guarantee.
Alongside these I’ve also discovered some new brands I’d like to share with you.
Ian Snow: A fairtrade accredited homewares brand with a passion for style and artisan products., who have been working with India for almost 40 years and now. Part of their mission is to always ensure that everyone in the process of the products life is paid fairly and benefits. Listings on the website detail the factories where the products are made and the benefits for workers
The Shop Floor Project: The Shop Floor Project is an award-winning online shop founded in 2006 by mother and daughter Denise Allan and Samantha Allan with the aim to design, develop and source collections of the highest craftsmanship from makers and traditional manufacturers, predominately based within the UK and Europe.
Lola and Mawu: A boutique of ethical home decor with beautiful authentic products which celebrate natural materials and organic shapes. Sourced all over West Africa featuring unique pieces in collaboration with artisans combining traditional techniques with modern tastes.
Lapuan Kankurit: A Finnish jacquard linen and wool weaving mill, where weaving skills, production technology and material know-how have been refined into excellence within the same family since 1917. Committed to sustainable development and the use of pure, natural materials and responsible and environmentally-friendly processes. The company knows where the raw materials come from, and all the working stages from thread to product. Products made by Lapuan Kankurit weave a tale of genuine values, sustainable consumption and respect for the environment and people.
Harris and Hall: Producing modern designs inspired by historical British textiles. Harris and Hall sells cushion covers made from luxurious silky feel recycled polyester, all thread is made from recycled bottles, any cotton is organic, mailing bags are recyclable, and they have a range of reusable products designed to divert waste from landfill or the oceans. Waste is donated to charity and non recyclables put into eco bricks and they still support local suppliers.
Bee Fayre: Creating natural candles and beauty products with 3% of profits going to bee conservation. Beefayre wellbeing products are handmade in England and use the very highest quality natural ingredients, free of any petroleum by-products.
Liga: Beautifully designed eco homewares inspired by nature. A family run business based in Cornwall where they design manufacture and finish all the products. Liga use recycled, organic and sustainable materials in recognition of a personal acceptance of responsibility for our planet.
Here's my pick of the best gifts to give this year
Clockwise from top right
Folk Doves Stainless Steel Drinking bottle £18.95 - rexlondon.com
Recycled Glass Cake Dome £69.95 nkuku.com Le Bicycle Bamboo Lunch Box £12.95 - rexlondon
Wave Cork Placemats £18 set of 4 - loveliga.co.uk
Ostrich and Elephant Bottle Stoppers made from recycled brass and cork £16 each - printerandtailor.com
Hand Carved Mango Wood Oval Platter £18 - iansnow.com
Clockwise from top right
Cloud Tassel Earrings hand made to order available from madebyastrid.etsy.com
Bright Nylon String Plant Hanger With Recycled Plastic Pot £10.99 - iansnow.com
Blue Bird of Paradise Cotton Velvet Cushion £15 - iansnow.com
Folk Art Recycled Blanket £245 - theshopfloorproject.com
Reversible African Print Tote £28 - lolaandmawu.com
Kukat Table Runner £35 - www.lapuankankurit.fi
Clockwise from top right
Mete Lounge Gown £95 - lukslinen.com Eskimo Wool Hot Water Bottle £35.50 - lapuankankurit.fi
Handmade Organic Cotton Wash Bag £22 - harrisandhall.com
Onni Bath Slippers £29 - lapuankankurit.fi
Bronte by Moon Lambswool Parquet Throw in Eucalyptus £89.95 - moons.co.uk
Bee Happy Orange and Jasmine Body Butter by Bee Fayre £17.95 - annabeljames.co.uk
Finally I'm blowing our very own trumpet here but did you know that Create Perfect also offer the lasting gift of beautiful interiors through our Gift Vouchers
Good interior design really does change lives - layout planning solves problems helping you make the most of your space and concept design brings together colours, furniture and accessories that will really bring your home to life. Whats more we love to source sustainably where ever possible. Give a loved one the special gift of living beautifully! Perfect for a Christmas, Wedding or House Warming present. Choose your value on our Gift Voucher page or contact Gina for something more bespoke.