Are interiors frivolous?
I grew up in the 90s, and my introduction to interior design was via the 48 hour makeover show ‘Changing Rooms’.
People would paint walls in extreme colours, glue-gun feathers onto lampshades and use copious amounts of MDF to make furniture; all in the hopes of transforming a plain room into something special for their fellow contestants (who also happened to be their next-door neighbours).
Changing Rooms inspired me (aged 11) to redecorate my own bedroom twice; but also framed interior design in my eyes as something creative, expressive, accessible - but ultimately frivolous.
Although I continued to renovate my own homes, it wasn’t until I was in my early 30s that I revisited interiors as a profession via a Netflix profile of Ilse Crawford; an interior designer known for creating interiors that prioritize human experience, comfort, and wellbeing.
Suddenly I saw: as well as being creative, interior design has huge power to influence how we live and feel.
What makes an interior meaningful?
When we think about our homes, most of us picture comfort, safety, and a sense of belonging. But what if our interiors could do more? What if the choices we make — the furniture we buy, the materials we use, the atmosphere we create — could also help us feel more grounded, more connected to nature, and kinder to the planet?
Earth & Origin: the case for nature-first, meaningful interiors
When we think about our homes, most of us picture comfort, safety, and a sense of belonging. But what if our interiors could do more? What if the choices we make — the furniture we buy, the materials we use, the atmosphere we create — could also help us feel more grounded, more connected to nature, and kinder to the planet?