A recent article by Adrian Wilson of EcoComposites, the on-line magazine for ecological composites, highlights the benefits of hemp cladding as a sustainable alternative to conventional composite cladding. Hemclad, by UK company Lime Technology is a bio-composite made with a hemp and lime binder offering a cost-effective and sustainable panelling with all of the build performance and good looks of conventional products.
Key to Hemclad’s green credentials is its negative embodied carbon – the hemp absorbs CO2 from the atmosphere during growth, effectively storing atmospheric carbon. In addition, Hemclad has superb insulation performance minimising the need for heating and cooling systems, cutting energy costs. Hemclad is proving a hit with architects and designers and is currently being installed on a vast warehouse construction as can be seen in the picture.
www.ecocomposites.net
www.limetechnology.co.uk
Hemp, a sustainable building solution….
Flax, horses and boats….what a combination!
A coracle made from linen fabric and coated in linseed resin is used to dress one of the jumps at the internationally famous equestrian Festival of British Eventing held annually at Gatcombe Park, the spectacular home of the Princess Royal.
Simon Cooper of Flaxland has been using his collection of traditional working boats to dress jumps at Gatcombe Park and the Badminton Horse Trials for the past five years. The frame of the coracle pictured, is made from locally grown ash and covered with linen fabric that has been sealed using a linseed resin to make it waterproof. In this very eco-friendly process, even the linseed resin is simply cured by the sun – no fumes, no chemicals. Alongside his boat-building interest, Simon has become intrigued by the whole process and now grows flax in his Gloucestershire fields. At Flaxland’s hands-on workshops you can discover the ancient art of flax growing and processing, turning the flax plant into the finest of textile fibres.
www.flaxland.co.uk
Linen….never on the Fringe!
For three weeks each summer, Edinburgh becomes the cultural capitol of the world presenting the very best in international drama, dance, music and opera as the Edinburgh International Festival. Equally famous is the Edinburgh Festival “Fringe” for its off-the-wall performances, comedy and madcap street-theatre.
For Bill Baber Knitwear the festival is a hectic time as people from around the globe visit Edinburgh, not only for the cultural experience, but to shop in the beautiful capitol city of Scotland. Bill Baber Knitwear situated in the historic Grassmarket, is a true “knitwear designer” business – each piece is a one-off. Jackets, dresses, tops and sweaters made by hand using only natural and vegetable fibres. A true family business Helen, Bill’s wife is the principle designer whilst their son Jack has recently joined them to open a new shop in York.
Bill says “In Edinburgh we all layer-up as we don’t know what the temperature will be like between home and office, or house to house when we go visiting! Might as well make every layer count, so we always look good!” Seen here is “Tango” a lightweight over-top shift dress in Linen with a “Sally” dress beneath it, also in Linen – Linen on Linen has got to be twice as comfortable!
www.billbaber.com
Reflections of an English Watermeadow
Gabi Bolton creates highly original designs for Fabrics, Wallpapers and bespoke Interiors.
Personal drawings and photographs are often the starting point for Gabi’s designs. These often complex designs are the result of a slow process of building up a patina of texture and tone in addition to the drawing and selection of motifs.
Watermeadow print linen scarf:
Inspired by walks through Richmond Park, one of London’s most beautiful landscapes, a place of woods, ponds and meadows. The watermeadow design reflects these natural elements; trees, pebbles, water, grass and flowers. Inspired by a trip to Tokyo, Gabi’s style has evolved over the years into an invocation of Japanese prints. As Gabi says “In my prints I try to create texture and tones that gives the fabric a sense of age, time-worn and cherished ……. occasionally faded …… a quality in vintage cloth I particularly like. I love using Linen as it seems to hold the memory of touch and has such fluidity”.
www.originallittlebird.co.uk
UK Interior Design students learn about sustainable linen
KLC School of Design, London, specialises in Interior Design courses for international mature students and has established an outstanding reputation for providing professionals for the interior design industry.
Susie McHugh is shown giving a lecture to 40 students from the KLC this week, focusing on the Sustainability of European Linen. The presentation was very well received and Course Director, Kevin McEwen has asked Susie to repeat the presentation to the new academic year intake.
Interior Design Yearbook
European linen features in the UK’s « essential sourcebook for interior design » the Interior Design Yearbook now on sale across the nation at all 565 WH Smith Stores and Travel Shops. Targeting the professional interior designer and their customers, this annual publication is a must for anyone involved in the interiors sector. This year’s contributors include GIORGIO ARMANI for Armani Casa and KELLY HOPPEN MBE, reknown British designer with an international list of private clients.
www.armanicasa.com
www.kellyhoppenretail.com 
