Latest news with #sustainableDesign
BBC News
12 hours ago
- Entertainment
- BBC News
'Artful sanctuary' is 2025 Scottish Home of the Year
A contemporary conversion described as "an artful sanctuary" has scooped the 2025 title of Scottish Home of the House near Pitmedden in Aberdeenshire has been revealed as the winner of the grand finale of the popular BBC Scotland house was built on the natural footprint of the surrounding farm steading and is home to Jessica Zanoni and husband Chris Labrooy, who live there with son Chase, 18, and dogs Enzo and couple said it felt fantastic to see their effort and passion recognised. Hilltop House brings together mid-century and Californian cool style that reflects their own taste and by Jessica and Chris, the home is filled with colourful statement pieces from bright yellow sofas to a pastel pink bathroom. The couple - who run their own art business - were inspired by nature and led by sustainable design principles, filling their home with items which will last for told BBC Scotland News what her first impressions were of the plot that would become their new home."I came up here first without Chris. It was just a dilapidated farm steading. But as soon as I saw it and saw the view I knew I had to get Chris up here." She said the living room was her favourite part of the house."The gable faces east and you see the sunrise very morning," she said."I also enjoy the differences between the aesthetic of the outside and the inside. I think it makes the interior even more surprising."Also, the view. It was the reason we bought the plot and we have really used it almost as a piece of art. It definitely adds to the interior and it changes every day."Chris agreed: "I feel the home's location and east-facing gable give it a special character. I love the sunrises here – so much so that I'm up before 06:00 every morning just to take them in."I work from home so I really appreciate the quality of light throughout the day. It's a very easy going home to live in." The SHOTY judges – interior designers Anna Campbell-Jones, Banjo Beale and architect Danny Campbell - chose Hilltop House from a shortlist of six finalists from across Scotland. Campbell Jones said: "This home managed to feel perfect in every way whilst still feeling like a place where real people live. I particularly loved the way their art was reflected in their choices of colour and furniture managing to create the perfect balance between playfulness and sophistication."Mull-based Beale agreed: "It's an artful sanctuary - every corner tells a story, and it's quiet and charismatic all at once."Campbell added: "This was a home that manages to be both deeply personal and architecturally ambitious. Every corner feels considered, every material honest, every space deliberate and thought through. "It felt like the building was completely in tune with the people who lived there, which is especially impressive for a conversion." The big reveal took place at Glasgow's House for an Art Lover - designed by Charles Rennie six finalists came face-to-face, meeting the judges for the first time as well as getting a chance to cast their eyes over each other's Jessica, meeting the other finalists was a highlight: "We met all of the finalists and had such a great day talking to them. "We have a WhatsApp group now that we keep in touch through. It's easy to get on with people that are like minded and have put their heart and souls into the design of their homes. "So, everything from building and designing and filming SHOTY were all shared experiences for us. It was so interesting to see all their ideas." The 2025 series of Scotland's Home of the Year visited 18 exceptional properties across other finalists were Sandstone Bungalow in Giffnock, Wee City Nook in Edinburgh, The Tree House in Broughty Ferry, An Cala Cottage in Skye and Craigmount near Danny Campbell said: "This year's line-up was outrageously good. From bold conversions to quirky self-builds, every home had its own personality and inspirational touches. "It felt like homeowners across Scotland have taken things up a level. Not just in terms of design but in how fearlessly they made their homes truly their own. It was a joy - and a nightmare - to judge."The eighth series of the property show will begin filming in locations around Scotland later this month.
Times
3 days ago
- Business
- Times
The woman making $2,000 shaggy chandeliers
As we look up at the gigantic shaggy 'creatures' hanging above us, Angela Damman smiles. 'They are dramatic,' she admits. 'They sort of take on their own personality.' We're gazing at the latest surreal-looking chandeliers that the American textile designer is creating in the studio of her 22-acre Mexican hacienda. It's located outside a rural village 40 minutes from Merida, the capital of the Yucatan. The Yucatan peninsula is known today for its idyllic beaches and Mayan ruins. Less known is that until the early 1900s, the Yucatan supplied 90 per cent of the world's rope thanks to a native agave plant called henequen. When the Spanish arrived, they referred to the plant as 'green gold' — until the money dried up in the early 20th century with the invention of synthetic fibres. When Damman moved here with her husband and two children in 2011, the plan was to do up the splendid yet dilapidated hacienda surrounded by lush jungle. (The ruined haciendas of the Yucatan are a legacy from the henequen boom.) But one day Damman, a former environmental consultant, noticed a man wearing a sabucan, a traditional Mayan field worker's cross-body bag. She was fascinated to learn not just that this woven bag was created from the famous 'green gold' but that the plant was still growing in the grounds of her family's new hacienda. 'I've always loved natural materials and the concept of seeking new ideas within existing commodities,' says the 55-year-old, who grew up on a family farm in Minnesota. Her father started one of the first grassroots ethanol fuel plants in the US using corn that was stockpiled and rotting because of the market crisis in the 1980s. An idea was forming — but she had no clue how to work with this spiky agave. It seemed as if knowledge of handcrafting the plant had become extinct. But Damman didn't give up. 'I asked my housekeeper and she found an old lady called Doña Felipa who'd been weaving henequen fibres for nearly 80 years. Her grandmother taught her when she was 12, back in the days before anyone dreamt of petrochemical synthetic threads.' With Doña Felipa's help, Damman learnt how the plant fibres were used for craft. It's a long process that involves extracting the fibres, drying them in the sun and boiling them in a cauldron over an outdoor wood fire. Afterwards comes hand-combing and colouring with organic dyes from local trees and plants. The final fibre resembles luxuriant lengths of horsehair that are then woven into textiles using portable back-strap looms. Damman then uses this superfine textile to make handbags and home decor items. As well as weaving the fibres into textiles, she also began to experiment with using the raw fibres for conceptual pieces such as the chandeliers. When business took off and Doña Felipa couldn't keep up with the textile orders, Damman co-sponsored a weaving school called the Maya Youth Artisan Initiative, which teaches young women from local communities this ancient craft. 'At first the young women weren't convinced about learning the ancient skills,' Damman says. 'Traditionally, henequen weaving didn't make much money.' She explained that the items they'd be making would earn them more because they would be reaching a higher market. She then took them to the Mayan World Museum in Merida to inspire them. 'What began as an idea to work with local plants became my life's passion,' Damman explains. 'Our goal is to support both the land and the rural communities.' She now grows fibrous plants on five acres of her property (with friends in a nearby village growing a couple more acres for her) and works with about 30 Mexican artisans and workers. Her bags and home decor items are popular, but the shaggy-chic chandeliers are her bestsellers, and cost from $2,350. 'They really are something different. You wouldn't find them in a regular lighting catalogue.' They form super-sized statement pieces in the new Noa Santos-designed Banana Republic flagship store in New York, and diners at the Los Mochis restaurants in London can eat ceviche under stretches of Damman's reimagined Yucatan green gold. One chandelier requires about 40,000m of fibre and takes more than three months to produce. Another plant that Damman uses is Sansevieria, or mother-in-law's tongue, since its fibres are softer and finer than henequen. It also happens to be one of the highest oxygen-producing plants in the world. Alongside their extraordinary shape, Damman's sculptural 'creatures' give off a unique luminosity because each plant fibre is different from the next. At this year's Mexico City Art Week she premiered a chandelier from a new series, From the Underworld. Its atmospheric colours of orange and red glowed as if they were dipped in a gentle fire of hell. The piece's inspiration is the Ceiba tree, which in Mayan belief symbolises a sacred conduit between the underworld and the heavens. 'This one really feels alive to me,' she says, 'as though it's coming out of the ground and reaching for the skies.' The concept is linked with Damman's own spiritual journey, although she jokes that her children say it looks like something from outer space, but she's fine with that. 'I love all the interpretations,' she says. 'When you keep it simple, it seems to open up the imagination.' Damman's works are for sale in London at the Sarah Myerscough Gallery,
Times
19-05-2025
- Business
- Times
Barratt to build Passivhaus homes for the masses
Think Passivhaus is only for the rich? Fewer than 2,500 homes in Britain have met this standard, which is seen as the pinnacle of sustainable design around the world. Now Britain's biggest housebuilder is going to bring it to the mass market: Barratt plans to build all its flats in London to Passivhaus standards. The developer's new Lo-E homes will be super airtight with triple glazing. Each flat will have its own heat pump that can also cool in a heatwave. Residents will save as much as 60 per cent on their heating bills, compared with typical new-build flats with shared district heat networks, according to the developer. It will be the biggest Passivhaus rollout in Britain, with thousands of new homes certified to the
Associated Press
12-05-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
New Article Highlights Perry Lieber's Expertise in Home Renovation and Interior Design
Explores Perry Lieber's client-focused renovation strategies, showcasing sustainable design, functional spaces, and remodeling insights across Santa Barbara. SANTA BARBARA, CA, UNITED STATES, May 12, 2025 / / -- A newly published article delves into the work of Perry Lieber, a recognized expert in home renovation and interior design. The feature offers insights into Lieber's approach to remodeling residential spaces, emphasizing functionality, aesthetics, and personalized design. The article, titled *'Perry Lieber – Home Renovation and Interior Designer Expert,'* examines Lieber's contributions to transforming homes across Santa Barbara and surrounding areas. Readers can explore the full content of the article at: The piece outlines Lieber's design philosophy, which blends architectural knowledge with a strong commitment to client-focused solutions. It reviews how Lieber's team approaches each project with a focus on sustainable materials, innovative spatial planning, and the client's individual lifestyle needs. From initial consultations to project completion, Lieber's process aims to ensure quality craftsmanship and attention to detail. Key highlights from the article include: - Perry Lieber's background and experience in construction and design - A step-by-step overview of the renovation process he follows - Emphasis on sustainability and functionality in modern remodeling - Examples of residential transformations led by his team - Discussion of current trends in interior design and custom home renovations The article features several project case studies where Lieber applied his expertise to solve design challenges, optimize layouts, and modernize outdated spaces. One notable section quotes Lieber's perspective on balancing aesthetics with practicality: The most successful renovations are not just about visual upgrades—they're about creating spaces that truly serve the people who live in them,' the article notes. The full feature provides readers with a comprehensive understanding of how Lieber's renovation and design strategies are implemented in real-world settings, making it a valuable resource for homeowners considering similar projects. About Perry Lieber Perry Lieber Santa Barbara -based home renovation and interior design expert with over a decade of experience in the construction industry. Known for his client-centric approach and attention to detail, Lieber focuses on delivering functional, sustainable, and elegant living spaces tailored to individual needs. His firm provides comprehensive services from concept development to final build, with a commitment to high standards and collaborative design. Learn more at: Perry Adam Lieber Montecito Building +1 805-926-5557 email us here Visit us on social media: LinkedIn Instagram X Other Legal Disclaimer: EIN Presswire provides this news content 'as is' without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the author above.
Associated Press
07-05-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Little Tandem's Flagship Product The Frame Reaches Hundreds of U.S. Families Within Months of Launch
Little Tandem, a U.S. children's furniture company founded in 2024, reports strong adoption of The Frame, its flagship product designed to support children's independence and emotional well-being. The sustainable wooden furniture system features customizable elements and reflects growing market demand for functional children's furniture. North Carolina, United States, May 7, 2025 -- Little Tandem, a U.S.-based children's furniture company, today announced that its flagship product, The Frame, has been adopted by hundreds of families nationwide in just a few months since launch. The Frame is designed to encourage calm, organization, and independence in children's living spaces. Little Tandem was established in late 2024 and develops multifunctional children's furniture grounded in principles of emotional well-being and thoughtful design. Its best-selling item, The Frame, is the core of a customizable system built to evolve with a child's developmental needs. Little Tandem constructs The Frame from sustainably sourced wood and designs it to sit low to the ground for safe, easy access. It works alongside a growing lineup of optional attachments, including The Canopy, a soft drape that turns the structure into a quiet retreat for reading, reflection, or unwinding. Together, these elements create a personalized environment that supports autonomy and reduces overstimulation. 'The overwhelming response to The Frame from families across the country confirms that there is a strong desire for furniture that not only looks good but serves a deeper purpose,' said Amanda Meguid, co-founder of Little Tandem. 'We designed The Frame to offer children a calming retreat, an anchor in their environment where they can recharge, find quiet, and feel in control of their own space.' The growing demand reflects wider shifts in the children's furniture market. According to IMARC Group, the global children's furniture market was valued at approximately $52.8 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach $187.4 billion by 2033, growing at a compound annual growth rate of 15.12 percent. Maximize Market Research projects a growth rate of 9.2% in the North American segment through 2030 as families increasingly seek practical, adaptable solutions for limited space and evolving child needs. Little Tandem's method aligns with this trend. By focusing on emotional and functional needs rather than aesthetics alone, Little Tandem has differentiated itself within a traditionally cluttered market. The product's design reflects guidance from the American Academy of Pediatrics, emphasizing the importance of stable supportive environments for promoting autonomy and emotional regulation in children. Meguid added, 'We often talk about independence in terms of milestones like tying shoes or riding a bike. But we believe it starts earlier with routines, habits and having a space to call your own where you feel in control.' Little Tandem's operational strategy's key component is its vertically integrated model. The company handles design production, and fulfillment internally, allowing for high-quality control and quicker response to customer feedback. This structure has enabled Little Tandem to grow while maintaining consistency and craftsmanship. Little Tandem currently ships The Frame to all locations within the continental United States. To explore The Frame and learn how Little Tandem is shaping a more intentional home environment for children, visit . About Little Tandem Little Tandem is a family-owned children's furniture company based in North Carolina. Founded by a husband-and-wife team with over a decade of experience in high-end furniture, the company focuses on designing calming, functional environments for children. Every piece is developed and manufactured in-house to ensure the highest quality. Since its launch in 2024, Little Tandem has reached hundreds of families and continues to expand its presence in the U.S. market. Contact Info: Name: Amanda Meguid Email: Send Email Organization: Little Tandem Address: United States Website: Release ID: 89159438 Should you detect any errors, issues, or discrepancies with the content contained within this press release, or if you need assistance with a press release takedown, we kindly request that you inform us immediately by contacting [email protected] (it is important to note that this email is the authorized channel for such matters, sending multiple emails to multiple addresses does not necessarily help expedite your request). Our expert team will be available to promptly respond and take necessary steps within the next 8 hours to resolve any identified issues or guide you through the removal process. We value the trust placed in us by our readers and remain dedicated to providing accurate and reliable information.
