The principles of sustainable interior design and Salvatori's stylish, eco-friendly solutions
03.2023
Sustainable design ideas for the home with Salvatori natural stone textures, combining aesthetics and an eco-friendly ethos
The important role natural stone plays in green interior design
Sustainable interior design is an artful fusion of environmental awareness and a considered aesthetic. Its aim is to marry the innate human desire to surround ourselves with beautiful things with the increasingly pressing need to protect our planet’s natural resources.
The growing understanding of the impact we as individuals and businesses have on the ecosystem has led to a rise in sustainable design as a means of creating elegant, luxurious interiors that also respect the environment and reflect our own values and ideals.
One of the most sought-after materials in what is referred to as green interior design is natural stone, and with over 75 years’ experience working with it, we think it’s fair to say we are considered a global benchmark in transforming this incredible material into beautiful, functional products.
Salvatori collections showcase the respect we have for authentic forms and a belief that part of natural stone’s enduring fascination lies in its “imperfections” and idiosyncrasies.
Lost Stones, Romboo and Lithoverde® are all testimony to our commitment towards environmental sustainability and our desire to maintain the intrinsic character of stone, which we believe should be treated in a way that respects the fact that it is a living material.
As such, our products are based on simplicity and authenticity, two concepts that chime perfectly with the eco-friendly interior design approach.
In this article, we look at the topic of sustainability in interior design and Salvatori’s green philosophy and use of natural stone aligns with its principles.
Combining interior design sustainability and an elegant, natural aesthetic
With the increasing level of awareness of the impact human activities have on the environment, eco-friendly interior design is becoming a hot topic in the design of residential and work spaces.
More and more companies, designers and architects are looking for innovative ways to create welcoming, sophisticated buildings and interiors that also respect nature.
The aim is to show that there is a different approach to that of modern consumerism, by offering sustainable home design ideas that allow us to contribute to a better planet.
This is a theme that is close to our heart, because as far back as 1975, Salvatori was already focusing on green interior design, through the use of natural materials, recycling offcuts and by developing sustainable production alternatives.
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For example, we were among the very first in the sector to come up with a system that could purify and recycle the water used when processing stone. This was as a result of scrutinising all areas of our production cycle to evaluate the environmental impact of our business activities.
This means that we not only consider what goes on in our factory, but also every aspect of our daily work. We’ve moved away from a paper-based culture in our offices, introducing digital signatures so that there is no need to print reams of documents. Not only has this significantly reduced paper waste, but it has also made for a more efficient workflow.
Over the years, we’ve also invested in researching and developing innovative, sustainable packaging alternatives and currently, 40% of Salvatori’s products are packaged in recycled paper and cardboard, a figure we’re actively working to increase.
All these actions help ensure that a product’s life cycle does end in landfill, but instead generates new sustainable solutions and opportunities.
Art and nature: revolutionary stone textures for environmentally-sustainable home décors
Respect for the environment is entrenched in the Salvatori DNA and has pushed us to explore and develop a host of sustainable home décor ideas.
We are particularly proud of three products that have emerged from this approach, because they epitomise how innovation, aesthetics and respect for nature can coexist in perfect harmony.
We started by thinking about how we could reuse the beautiful offcuts that are a normal part of working with natural stone, in such a way that would give them a new life that was in line with the Salvatori design philosophy of understated luxury.
This mission based around interior design sustainability has led to Salvatori registering over 30 patents, with the first example of a product that exemplifies the green interior design ethos being the award-winning Lithoverde®, an incredible texture 99% made from offcuts and 1% from a natural soy-based resin.
This unique product was the first stone texture in the world to be recognised with maximum scores on the LEED ratings system which evaluates the sustainable credentials of products and buildings.
Another notable example of Salvatori green design is Lost Stones, designed by Piero Lissoni in homage to the wabi-sabi philosophy which places the emphasis on the beauty of imperfection and the natural world.
Abandoned and damaged slabs of natural stone are given a new life through the ancient Japanese art of Kintsugi, with gold-coloured seams used to repair the broken stone, transforming something that was unloved and unwanted into a stunning work of art.
The irregular form and unusual textures of the original pieces of stone are what makes this collection particularly special, and because every product is made to order, we like to describe it as the interior design equivalent of a bespoke garment.
The third product that ticks all the boxes if you are looking for stylish eco-friendly home décor ideas is our Romboo texture which is created by recycling offcuts of our much-loved Bamboo tiles.
The brainwave that led to its creation is an example of what can be achieved by thinking outside the box and looking for hidden potential in seemingly banal things, together with spotting value where others see none, and knowing how to transform something apparently simple into an object that appeals.
With Romboo, it was a case of looking at Bamboo with fresh eyes and realising that if the wasted pieces were cut on the angle, they could become small diamond-shaped tiles that could be combined to create a texture that takes on a striking three-dimensional aspect with the addition of artful lighting.
In summary, for Salvatori, sustainability in interior design is not just about using eco-friendly materials, but is also about creating spaces that reflect nature, recognise the beauty of imperfection and understand the need to embrace the needs of our ecosystems. To achieve all this, we are committed to challenging the status quo and coming up with innovative solutions that that meet the needs of both design lovers and the planet.
All you need to know about Biophilic Interior Design and how it uses natural materials to create a sense of wellbeing and a connection with nature in your home.
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