'Lifestyle conversations: Earth-conscious at home and on the go'
While we continue to rely on digital technologies and quality of life innovations, it's never too late to create an eco-friendly daily routine. From the moment you wake to when you fall asleep again, you and you alone are in charge of how you live your life.
According to Forbes, 77% of people want to learn how to live more sustainably, with 93% showing genuine concern for the environment. Additionally, 87% of people stated that they made efforts to live an eco-friendly lifestyle, with 72% wanting to leave a better planet for their children.
Ever wondered what some easy micro steps towards an eco-friendly home and a more earth-conscious lifestyle are? Last week, I sat down with Natalia, Co-Creator of Dreams Jumper bedlinen to have an Earth-conscious conversation on how I’m living to build a more sustainable art practice and lifestyle everyday.
My A’s to Natalia’s Q’s, Co-Creator of Dreams Jumper.
Dreams Jumper is a Toronto based linen company that aligns with my sustainability ethos. They are dedicated to spreading the love for nature and its splendour. And aim to create a transparent and environmentally friendly supply chain where we can trace the methods and the practices used to create their products. I LOVE sleeping in their linen and enjoyed answering their questions on this topic dear to my heart, so much!
Dreams Jumper’s Q: What does sustainability mean to you, and how do you ensure a sustainable lifestyle on a micro-level and at home?
A: I have personally been more conscious around what the 'end of life looks like to something'. Organic matter decomposes and gives back nutrients to the earth during its life cycle. I'm now more conscious than ever when making consumer decisions about what my choices will make in the creation, during and at the end of their life with me. I apply this theory to the food, clothes, furniture, everyday consumable needs I purchase.'
Were they ethically and sustainably made and delivered?
How are they packaged? Can I refill or compost it?
How long will they last?
Can they decompose easily?
Is it possible for them to have a life after they leave me?
Will someone else have enjoyment and a use for them after they leave my care?’
These are questions that run through her head in every step of her day, choice of materials and purchase decisions. It's what a sustainable life looks like, as we both Anna and we believe investing in nature is the smart thing to do and the right thing to do.
Dreams Jumper’s Q: What's your secret to a mindfully designed home?
A: I love working and collaborating with Local craftspeople/designers who have sustainable practices. And I LOVE to incorporate sustainably made, local artisan-made, vintage or up cycling as a design tool into my home decor and art practice.
Dreams Jumper’s Q: What influences your decision to use linen in your home? We’ve also noticed linen appear in many of your artworks!
A: I love sleeping in linen bedding. Having worked in the bed linen industry for many years, choosing suitable bed linen is essential and involves some education to yield the best results. I'm so thankful to have had this education bought to my attention many years ago. And once you know a damn good sheet from an average one, bedtime is never better!
My go-to bed linen is obvs Dreams Jumper's Linen sheets. I love your oatmeal / natural linen for the fall and winter and change out to White during the summer months. I'm a bit of a fan of your Terracotta colour too. This is next on the hit list for Molly's bedroom.
Through the genius of new printing technologies I have been able to print some of my artwork collections onto natural linen fabrics. My artwork derives from a tactile approach and feeling. So this presentation has enabled me to capture their tactile aesthetic, both visually and physically. The linen yields an almost painterly effect to my digitally printed work, I LOVE IT SO!
Dreams Jumper’s Q: What are your top three bedroom decor tips?
A: Let’s keep it simple: Start with a canvas of sustainably sourced bed linen and build from there. Blackout curtains (or close to it) are essential for obtaining deep sleep.
Choose bedroom furniture designed locally and/or with sustainable practices in mind. The same goes for throws, floor rugs and throw cushions.
Dreams Jumper’s Q: Do you have to keep up with the latest trends?
I think it is doable to consciously decorate and live with a sense of serenity and longevity in mind that will create a lasting aesthetic for years to come!
SLEEP AS A RITUAL
Dreams Jumper’s Q: For city people who are continuously at work and have their heads racing, getting enough sleep is both necessary and difficult. What are some of your tricks for getting a good night's sleep while keeping your creative juices flowing?
A: I have been consciously improving my bedtime routine after listening to Lewis Howe's podcast interview with a sleep specialist, Dr Matthew Walker. Umm, wow, talk about an eye-opener!
I'm now practising switching off electronics/work from my mind, during & after dinner. Talking more time to be present with my kiddos, reading books or chatting and decompressing our days together, the highlights, the lows or failures they may have felt, what we are grateful for (this is our standard family dinner time chat).
Most nights after the kids are tucked in, I'll take a bath and read a book (or watch a Netflix show). Hoping into a bed with lovely bed linen is always the best end of day treat!
A PEEP INTO MY SUSTAINABLE LIFESTYLE
Below are some of the ways I go about achieving eco-conscious goals. My dedication to sustainability extends to almost all aspects of my life.
TRAVEL
Because of our proximity within our neighbourhood we have been able to not have the need to own a car or 10 years (we rent when needed). The size of a person's carbon footprint is incredible. On average, each individual emits 19 tonnes of greenhouse gases each year. Does not owning a car make a difference? I hope it does? I believe if one person can make a difference, this can have an eccumilve impact upon our planet and environment.
There are many convenience stores, shops, schools & restaurants + public transit within walking distance from our front door that have benefited from us supporting the local circular business economy. We are lucky to live in Toronto, where biking, walking or taking local transit is very accessible.
REFILLING PRACTICES
For many years I have used refiling practices for all my household products, hand-wash, Laundry detergent, cleaning supplies, etc. (all naturally derived, obviously). I always carry a tote bag, reusable coffee cup and drink bottle with me at all times.
FOOD
We use a wonderful vegetarian food service called Crisper Kits, which is great tasting with zero-waste, zero packaging; just rinse and return. This has also helped lessen our meat consumption. We also have a composting bin in our backyard!
FASHION
I am very conscious of my wardrobe consumption and create a capsule wardrobe for each season. This practice was made even easier with the Pandemic because no one was going out, of course! I consciously and also love to support local fashion designers and shops where ever possible.
HOME
I love linen's tactile and visual feel and appearance. I have introduced linen into my lifestyle in a multitude of ways, via throw cushions, curtains, clothing, bed linen, even into my art! I love its versatility. It just makes me feel good when I live with it and in it.
SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS PRACTICES
My responsibility for the environment is an intrinsic part of my art practice and I use sustainably crafted fine art paper to print on by Hahnemühle, who produce a line of sustainable paper in an environmentally friendly way.
It’s important to note; that lowering our individual environmental footprint is very vital, but as consumers, the blame for the climate crisis cannot all fall on us to be the only ones responsible for it. Governments need to step up and implement policies around better recycling infrastructure, single-use plastics in the packaging of food & consumer goods, Fossil Fuel consumption and practices and protect our ancient forestry lands. Even if we did our very best as a collective of individuals to be environmentally conscious, we wouldn't have half the impact the government can have if they implemented critical environmental policy and built better social awareness.'
Sustainability is still a juvenile concept for many, and we can only hope that the world steps up, for there will be no world worth living in if we don't protect it. For now, we can all do our part by adopting the mindset called 'Sustainability'.
Here’s to living and loving in a more Eco-Consciously friendly way, everyday!
Anna xo