ACROSS THE VALLEYS

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EBBW VALE
Future Homes are a Design Inspiration



The Future Homes project has been officially opened at 'The Works' in Ebbw Vale and Valleys Life caught up with Wendy Darke, the interior designer involved in bringing the zero emission PassivHaus to life.

Wendy, can you tell us a little about the Future Homes project?
We were invited by United Welsh to handle the furnishing of the PassivHaus and, unlike other show home properties we have furnished, this home is not designed to sell houses, but to illustrate how families can live in a sustainable low-emissions home. I wanted to take into consideration not only the environmental issues surrounding the future house, but also that it needed to contain a strong link to its Welsh roots, so I had to think outside of the box.

What did you work on in the house?
We decided which fabrics were to be used for the soft furnishings and had to consider their environmental impact. Obviously, man-made fabrics are gas guzzling and have a negative effect on the environment, and thus I opted for natural, sustainable fabrics, such as linen, wool, silk and even bamboo, which can have the texture of velvet. whilst being sustainable, it even produces more oxygen than trees and can help with the issue of soil erosion. Jab produces a fabric with a 'cradle to cradle' strategy, carbon neutral. This fabric has its own passport, so that when you have finished with it, it can be returned to be recycled! We made some up into a patchwork, which was then quilted by Welsh company 'Time machine Quilting' based in Llandysul.

What was it like to accessorise?
This proved to be the biggest test, but collating the finishing touches was probably the most rewarding. Yet, unlike a normal show home, I had to source Welsh crafts people, all of whom were lovely to deal with and equally excited about the project. I found Jen Jones in Llanybydder, who has a large selection of antique Welsh blankets and quilts, a pair of which were used in the master bedroom for a real splash of Welsh colour and authenticity.



What was the most unusual item for the home?
While researching for Welsh products I came across an article about a couple who were trying to set up production manufacturing Welsh Wool Duvets. The Baavets are a wonderfully entrepreneurial pair - so inspiring and enthusiastic and environmentally friendly! Although I have to say the garden furniture is also quite special - not only handmade from recycled Welsh Oak, but also very quirky. It was touch and go as to whether it would arrive on time though. Sylvantutch, who are based in Corris, needed a large lorry to transport it to us, but the bridge into the village had partially collapsed, thankfully last minute this was resolved and the story telling chair arrived and can now live to tell the tale, in its new Passivhome!

Viewing of the Future Homes project is by appointment only. Please contact Sue John on 01495 357811 Wendy Darke can be contacted at Design Inspiration, 01443 449955 www.designinspirationltd.co.uk