bemoreeco

Oliver Heath is famous for transforming homes up and down the Country on Changing Rooms. Sara Hobbin chats to the award winning eco designer and presenter of Discovery TV’s Dream Homes.

So Oliver, where did your passion for design and eco chic come from? Who inspires you?

I grew up in Brighton playing every summer on the sea shore which gave me a passion for the sea. At 18 I became a windsurfing instructor and taught people how to respect nature in order to take care of them selves whilst at sea. These experiences and lessons added to 6 years at architecture school (Oxford Brookes and the Bartlett, University College,) combining my passions for the environment with those of the built environment. I became interested in the ideas of architecture and design that worked with nature rather than constantly struggled against it – and so the birth of Eco Chic.

I am inspired by a number of designers many of whom work with the recycling of materials and find ways of creating contemporary and beautiful products, such as Lisa Whatmore at Squint Ltd.

Why ‘go’ eco?

Eco at home means that you will be creating a space that costs you less to run as you’ll be using less resources, it will be a more comfortable place to live in, contain less toxins and have a smaller impact onto the environment. In my eyes everyone wins, so why wouldn’t you do it.

You have pioneered the phrase ‘urban eco chic’. What does it mean to you?

Urban eco chic is an aspirational style that combines the functionality that we need to reduce our footprint with the sense of style that we need in order to make it part of our lives. After all we are emotionally led beings, and good design can inspire, and raise the emotions – so we need to first fall in love with eco design – the practicalities of the style inherently make sense to all.

What are the principles of it and how can we achieve it in our homes?

There are 3 principles that need to be in balance to create the contemporary style that is as good to live with as it is for the environment – these are Technology, Nature and Vintage. Its a style that balances form and function so that homes are eco friendly, and express character and identity.

1.Technology
Technology is an exciting area that is constantly developing; becoming smaller, better, faster and importantly more efficient. Embracing all that technology has to offer will allow us to make our lives less wasteful, more efficient and to gather more of what occurs naturally around us – such as renewable energies from the sun, wind earth and sea.
Technology not only refers to high performing appliances but also to cutting edge materials, be they new low impact materials, natural or even recycled.
We must trust that developments in technology are key to helping us reduce our impact on the environment and to combat climate change.

2. Nature
Nature is an essential component to our lives and one we sometimes take for granted. It should be remembered that we are not master of nature but part of it.
 
Interaction with nature is a grounding force in our lives, it quite literally brings us back down to earth, and reminds us that we are still part of the natural world. Think about the vibrancy of the smell of freshly cut grass, the textural feel of the bark on a tree, the flicker of the flames in a log fire-  these all raise simple but sensual primeval emotional responses in us, that are essentially very comforting. Like us, natural materials often improve with age and use, developing a sense of character unique to themselves and their experience, adding individuality and a certain richness to any home.
The use of natural materials not only brings textural sensuality to the home, but also allows us to choose sustainable and naturally renewable materials – ones whose impacts onto the environments, if responsibly managed will have a reduced impact on the environment. Better for for, better for the planet…………. brilliant!
 
3. Vintage
The term vintage is an umbrella term that opens us up to the glamorous worlds of the antique, the ingenuity of reuse, and even the excitement of flea market finds. It’s about making the most of what we already have produced, and finding new ways of using them – offering a new lease of life for an item that someone else may well have thrown away. The pleasure of vintage is all about invention – putting a new spin on an existing object – be that through repositioning, framing, grouping or remaking.
 
But more than just finding new ways of using old things its about using the sense of style that the object posses, about borrowing from its past to dd to your own. In this way vintage items have the potential to add a touch of glamour to our lives, which is no bad thing. After all why shouldn’t we live like kings just because we respect the environment? Surely a good king (or queen) has a vested interest in protecting the lands they posses?
 
Vintage items also have a softening quality – all those knocks, scratches, wear and tear are something that can’t be simply reproduced, they have the effect of taking the harder edge off a contemporary interior. This patina of age speaks of an experience, and uniqueness that money just cant buy. In this age of mass production we yearn for objects that posses individuality, and character- aspects that in some way wear off onto us, expressing our own identities and curiosities.
 

These 3 corner stones of Eco Chic; Technology, Nature, and Vintage can be interpreted in a number of different ways and can help you solve style and functional dilemmas when trying to create your own eco home and lifestyle.

What is your best eco design tip?

Sustainable living is a holistic way of life – no single change will make a significant enough difference – or simply let you “off the hook”. Of every decision we make we should be asking if there is another realistic way that has a smaller impact on the environment.

Now you have a new baby girl in the family, can you provide me with 5 top eco-family tips?

• Cut down on toxins in your home – use natural paints that don’t contain toxins such as Volatile Organic Compunds – www.earthbornpaints.co.uk
• Lights do get left on – so switch to energy saving bulbs and save 4/5’s of your lighting bills
• Education is key so create a place to grow fruit and vegtables – understanding the care and attention that food needs is key to greater appreciation and awareness of our environment.
• Enjoy using smaller fragments of materials – the patchwork effect creates a more relaxed feel and if one bit gets ruined or broken it can simply be replaced – think complimentary patches of wall paper, mismatched vintage chairs around tables, patchwork quilts etc.
• A home that is well insulated and free from draughts is a more comfortable and warmer p[lace to live (it’ll also cost you less!)

What is your vision for an eco Britain?

One that has a greater community focus, pooling resources and materials, with affordable and efficient public transport systems, and whilst were at it, a realistic grant system that allows everyone to invest in renewable energy technologies and insulation for their homes.

What is your green new year’s resolution?

To carry out an environmental refurbishment of the 1960s detached house that I’ve just bought for me and the family – it’s a great blank canvas, a good size, but ugly so needs a little aesthetic remodeling too!

Oliver appears on Discovery TV’s Dream Homes

Urban Eco Chic by Oliver Heath, Published by Quadrille, £19.99