There are people in the world whose work is to create new products that address today’s interior design and architectural demands. Either they improve existing materials and add more features that would bring more benefits to users, or create new materials that address not only the needs of clients but also tackle sustainability issues like climate change or even the shortage of existing natural resources that the world is facing today. In this post, we are going to discuss a few innovations in fabrics for the home that are being developed today.

What are the functions of fabrics in the home? They are varied—upholstery for furniture, carpets for the floor, draperies for the windows, linens for the bed or dining table, lamp shades, and so on…

Waste from Production Failures to Carpet Tiles

Depending on the material and structure of plastics, it can take 20 to 500 years to decompose. Items like plastic bags, straws, water bottles, which have PET (polyethylene terephthalate, otherwise known as polyester) takes 450 years to break down.

 

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These modular carpet tiles are produced from 100% waste, meaning there are no new resources used to make them. Studio Wae makes these tiles from the production failures or overstock of the three biggest carpet tile producers of the Netherlands inspired by the geometric designs of Dutch graphic artist M. Escher. The unique click system makes it possible for customers to come up with their own designs. Aside from carpets, these can also be used as wall tiles as acoustic material.

PET Bottles to Soft Textiles

 

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Vescom BV makes upholstery, curtain fabrics, and wall coverings made from 100%  recycled waste. The company makes yarn from PET bottles or bio-based material like linen.

The upholstery is highly wear-resistant, flame retardant, and comes in many colors. The company also has vinyl upholstery fabrics which are antibacterial and dirt-resistant. The antibacterial quality reminds me of Boysen Healthy Home paints that have an antibacterial protection technology. As for dirt-resistance, Virtuoso Silk Touch comes to mind with its Teflon™ surface protector that makes the walls coated with this paint dirt-resistant and easy to clean.

Vescom has produced a semi-transparent and soft curtain fabric that has a high sound absorption level, perfect for providing privacy in offices. Is there soundproofing paint? Yes, but Boysen does not carry it…yet.

Infinitely Recyclable Material

 

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Giulio Bonazzi, Aquafil’s president and CEO, relentlessly pursued his dream for four years, that of making an infinitely recyclable material called ECONYL® regenerated nylon, “a performance nylon that’s made from fishing nets, ghost nets, old carpets and fabric scraps. Rescued from all over the world, this waste is regenerated through a depolymerisation process that ensures the same purity and performance features of virgin nylon.” It is a product that closes the loop, meaning it can be recycled again and again. Today, the yarn made from ECONYL®  is used by numerous apparel brands, interior brands like Tom Dixon and Zanotta, and car manufacturers like Mercedes Benz and BMW.

The Eco-Friendly Alternative to Leather

 

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Animal lovers, this is for you. Muskin was invented by the company Zero Grado Espace, It is made from the button part of the inedible mushrooms found in subtropical forests that feeds on tree trunks and makes them rot. Unlike the processing of animal skin, the tanning procedure of Muskin is completely natural and does not use toxic materials. This also looks and feels so much better than leatherette. It is “transpiring, water repellent, and non-toxic.”

These are just a handful of materials being developed today by people and companies whose mission it is to save the planet. All the inventions are safe for us to use in our homes.

Know more about Boysen’s own sustanability efforts by clicking on this link.

 

Author

Annie is the Managing Editor of Let it B | MyBoysen Blog. An unrepentant workaholic, she runs this blog and her own company Talking Lions (https://talkinglions.com). She thrives on collaborating with people who are good at what they do, and working together with them to create something special. Annie learned interior styling while managing her own wholesale business in the Netherlands, importing high-end, handmade home furnishings to stock four outlets and a showroom in the country.

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