Many natural disasters have befallen humanity in recent years.
The fires that raged in Australia last summer, the floods in northern Turkey, the earthquake in Haiti, the heavy heat waves all over Europe.
Lack of consideration for the environment has caused the warming of the ozone layer and climate change, and these events bring us to an understanding of how severe the damage we ourselves have created, and how strongly nature is acting in response.
As the awareness of those around us rises, so can we together stop, or at least moderate, the next natural disaster.
Terra cotta pots, product design: Matan Wallerstein, photography: Michal Loft
Recycling as a consensus
One of the most prominent aspects in the field of ecological design is the recycled materials.
This is an evolving awareness, and they have evolved with it and become a kind of consensus - falling glass in one factory will be used as a raw material for glassware in another factory, and recycled plastic bottles become the basis for raw materials from which armchairs, rugs and other products are made.
If in the past the recycled materials were a kind of attraction, then today even the international quality brands incorporate products based on recycled materials in their various collections.
Recycled plastic carpet, Formgatan, House Six admits, Photo: PR
Recycled glass vase, ZARA HOME, Photo: Sand PR
Ecological materials
When it comes to home decor, and especially its walls, which are the main shell of the building, you should use ecological materials: if you chose wallpaper for the wall - be sure to choose water-based adhesives.
If you have decided to paint the walls of the house - use environmentally friendly paints.
If you cover the wall with decorative materials - use breathable and natural materials such as cork, which has become a sought-after material among those who want to maintain a green environment and are not willing to compromise on design.
Even when it comes to textiles, the choice is wide and great emphasis is placed on materials that benefit the environment - the use of organic raw materials and a combination of textiles based on natural materials such as linen, silk, bamboo and more.
The wall of the bedroom is covered with natural cork, oak, Photo: PR Sand
The living room wall is covered with natural cork, oak, Photo: Sand PR
Real SETI bamboo rug, NATUZZI, photo studio Natuzi
Ecological color absorbs the carbon dioxide in the air, Photo: Assaf Pinchuk
Water-efficient habitats
Potted plants will make an important contribution to the ecological environment you create, but equally important are the habitats.
There are pots made of natural materials such as terra cotta, basalt and others, which know how to store the water in them and give the plant the amount of water it needs, just like the process that happens in nature.
With such pots there is no need for a plate under them, because the water will not drip.
Other solutions are flower pots that come with a bottom plate that controls the amount of irrigation needed, and frees you from the frequent preoccupation around the developing plant.
Terra cotta pots, product design: Matan Wallerstein, photography: Michal Loft
Potted plants with smart irrigation mechanisms for those who are not sure how much water to use, LOOP LIVING, product design and photography: Elisheva Mankin
Smell of grass
Atmosphere is important to enhance our affinity for a particular design style or value that we believe in.
When it comes to an ecological environment, using green can contribute to creating a mindset that connects to nature.
This can be expressed in choosing a shade of green for the wall or even through scents reminiscent of the shade, such as the smell of chopped grass, the scent of pines or sea and other scents that connect with the nature outside.
Green space, design: Ruth Arad, photography: Yoav Peled,
Grass scent capsules, MOODO, Photo: PR
Adequate insulation
We are dealing with Mediterranean weather.
If you can make do with ceiling fans and mobiles - this is the ideal option, but even when there is an air conditioner you can save.
If thermal blocks and / or windows with insulated glass and built-in thermal systems are chosen for the house, these will provide an adequate level of insulation, which will allow the cold air inside the space to be maintained for a longer time, thus helping to reduce electricity costs.
This also applies to space heating in winter.
This is a significant financial saving, but beyond that, significant savings in air pollution as well.
Glass walls, design: Yinon Ben David, photography: Shai Epstein, courtesy of Aluminum Star
Level of insulation that enables savings in electricity expenses - Studio design: Ron Shenkin, Photography: Amit Gosher, courtesy of Aluminum Star
Filters for purifying the space
The domestic space is full of particles and pollutants emitted from the vehicles on the road, and manufacturing plants also emit toxins into the air.
Air purification filters ensure that healthy air is maintained for breathing.
The latest developments offer designed filters, which are well received in the home space and also add to it in the aesthetic aspect, but perhaps more importantly, are accessible, easy to operate and ensure that we breathe cleaner air.
The purification system conducts monitoring and analysis of the air, and recommends the purification plan that is suitable for the space, AURA system, development and design of PRIME studio
Green wall and decorated toys
The green world offers a lot of options in the field of DIY. We chose two - hanging gardens: it can be an ornamental garden or spices, and there is also a quick and chic solution that everyone can make themselves - a mesh wall. Buy a black iron mesh, attach to the wall and hang small flower pots with herbs or flowers, or both.
Decorated toys: Instead of buying another plastic toy, go to the nearest park and collect items from nature - pieces of branches, pine cones, interesting stones and more. From all of these, you can create small animals and decorative elements full of value and emotion, as good as your imagination or on the web, which is full of instructional videos for design from nature. The result will be lovely, and it can also be a fun activity with the kids.