Permaculture for sustainable interiors?

Oh yes, please — function, form and style.

Sustainability has certainly become one of the most talked-about topics of the last decade. Yet, amid all the glossy marketing and eco-buzzwords, it can be hard to know what’s truly green and what’s just greenwashing. As consumers, we’re left wondering which products actually support the planet — and how we can make our homes genuinely healthier for ourselves and our environment.

Working in the design industry for many years, I’ve seen both the best and the worst of “eco-friendly” claims. But it wasn’t until I completed two permaculture design courses that I began to understand how sustainability can extend beyond our gardens and into the very heart of our homes.

True permaculture isn’t simply about composting or growing your own herbs; it’s a way of designing spaces — and lives — that allow people, communities, and ecosystems to thrive together.

What Is Permaculture?

Permaculture is an ecological design system that aims to create sustainable human habitats by mimicking natural ecosystems. Developed in the 1970s by Australian ecologists Bill Mollison and David Holmgren, it emerged as a response to the damaging effects of conventional agriculture on the environment.

At its core, permaculture is about working with nature rather than against it — observing how natural systems balance themselves and applying those principles to human living. Since its beginnings, the philosophy has evolved well beyond farming and gardening to influence architecture, community planning, and interior design.

In the home, permaculture design encourages the harmonious integration of people and place. It promotes efficient use of resources, waste reduction, and closed-loop systems — all while nurturing comfort, beauty, and wellbeing.

Designing with Nature in Mind

So what does permaculture look like in an interior setting? Imagine spaces that not only function beautifully but also support natural rhythms — homes that breathe, nourish, and adapt. Start with observation: understanding the way light moves through your space, how air circulates, where warmth is needed, and where waste occurs. These small insights can inspire changes that make your home more energy-efficient and comfortable.Then, consider materials. Choosing natural, low-toxicity options like timber, bamboo, wool, and limewash paints. Sourcing locally or second-hand, repurposing rather than replacing, and prioritising longevity over trends are all expressions of permaculture thinking.

We’ve lived in our home for almost 4 years before starting our renovations, (Principles - Observe + Interact, Accept Feedback). Getting to know the light, the flow of the house and how it cools and heats, were all important things to understand when re-designing, (Principle - Catch + store energy). We cleaned and re-used bricks from the knocked through living room wall to brick up three unesseccary doorways, and will re-vitalize an intact solid timber floor hidden for decades beneath layers of unsightly flooring choices, (Principles - Use renewable resources + Produce no waste). Re-use not only saves money and materials, it is a way of leaning into and honouring a homes history, (Principle - Creatively use, and respond to change).

Sourcing from Bcorp companies like Koskela ensures you’re buying ethical, sustainable furniture and homewares and supporting local economy and community.

A System That Sustains Itself

One of the key principles of permaculture is the idea of closed-loop systems — where waste becomes a resource. In an interior context, this could mean composting kitchen scraps to feed your garden, using greywater for plants, or upcycling furniture instead of sending it to landfill. Even small actions, when thoughtfully connected, create a ripple effect of resilience. Think of your home as its own mini-ecosystem: every element should serve a purpose and support the whole. A well-designed kitchen layout that minimises movement and energy use, or a cleverly ventilated bathroom that reduces mould and moisture — this is permaculture in action.

Our garden nourishes both soul and body. We don’t use our green council bin or send any green ‘waste’ off site because all food and plant scraps go directly into our various composts to grow new soil, feed worms and create nutrient rich organic matter, all vital ingredients to grow delicious herbs, fruit and vegetables. Garden paths were created using bricks dug up around the garden. Its hard to believe this was just lawn 3½ years ago. Every year we see a an increase in healthy insect and bird diversity and the garden has become a sanctuary of calm and connection for us.

Beauty with Purpose

Permaculture doesn’t sacrifice style for sustainability. In fact, it celebrates it. By blending natural textures, organic forms, and seasonal palettes, interiors can feel both grounded and inspiring. Spaces designed with intention tend to feel right — there’s a quiet harmony that comes from living in alignment with nature’s colours and patterns.

A woven rug underfoot, sunlight filtering through sheer linen curtains, a lush indoor plant thriving in recycled pottery — these details are more than aesthetic choices. They’re daily reminders that good design can be both restorative and regenerative.

Locally crafted furniture, preloved wool rugs, linen curtains and handmade pottery. Yes Please!

Locally designed and produced wall papers and fabrics by The Papered room by Kate Swinson, are my go to for unique, sustainable walls and upholstery.

Where to Begin

Creating a “clean, green” home doesn’t require a full renovation or an endless budget. Start simply:

• Observe before acting. Notice how you use your space, where energy or water might be wasted, and where you can make small, lasting improvements.

• Choose materials wisely. Opt for natural fibres, low-VOC finishes, and quality pieces designed to last.

• Think systems, not single solutions. Connect your choices — compost feeds your herbs, herbs flavour your meals, food scraps return to build soil.

• Design for community. Swap cuttings, share surplus, and collaborate. Permaculture thrives on connection, not isolation.Sustainability isn’t sterile or restrictive, dirty, hippy or hard. When approached through the lens of permaculture, it becomes creative, nourishing, and deeply human. Our homes can be more than beautiful — they can be living systems that sustain us and the world around us. After all, good design isn’t just about how something looks. It’s about how it lives.

Here are some great resources if you’d like to learn more about permaculture:

Permaculture Australia - Info, events, directory.

Permaculture Matters, Katoomba - Fellow Lithgow permaculture course graduates (I’m also a course contributor).

Online: Milkwood - Gorgeous humans doing awesome things. Do yourself a favour and sign up to receive their newsletter or do one of their courses. FAB content.

And a must watch for inspirational permaculture living - The New Peasants. A fab film by our fab friends Artist as Family

A visit from Meg, Pat and Woody, ‘Artist as Family’ back in 2018. These ever inspiring humans truly raised the bar for me when it comes to creating ‘home’ after visiting their quatre acre permaculture haven in Daylesford a couple of years earlier. Complete with sauna, a guest tiny house and an abundance of organic food, I was blown away by how beautiful and inviting the place was. I had previously beleived that permaculture = messy/hippy/style-less. They utterly proved me wrong. And don’t get me started on their underground pickle and preserve pantry! OBSESSED!

Fancy a Wild Food adventure with me?

Last but not least, as I wrap up design work for the year (only to push through with my own home reno’s), I’ve made time for one more Foodies Forage adventure.

This one takes place on Sunday December 14th in beautiful Coledale only an hour or so from Sydney, (Foodies Forage Katooba already sold out). If you’re interested in gifting ‘pickled seaweeds’ this xmas or making ‘wild cocktail syrups’ for your seasonal soiree, get your tickets now!

I hope the seeds of sustainability find their way into your gardens, homes and lives. xxxx

Spring Style: How to Create the Perfect Spring Table-scape

With the weather warming up and the social calendar calling, it’s time to dust off your favourite dinnerware and maybe even an outdoor table and get ready for a springtime dinner (or lunch) party.

Many trees now have flowers aplenty, so let’s make the most of nature’s bounty and utilise what spring has sprung to decorate our seasonal table.

Creating a magazine-worthy table setting doesn’t have to be difficult or expensive. When I’m entertaining at home, my own garden offers simple spring styling options such as native blooms and foliage, green runners like turkey rhubarb and jasmine, plus pretty flowers, some of which are even edible, like violets, dandelions, and magnolias.

Here I’ve shared some of my top tips to help you dress your table for a dreamy gathering your guests will rave about.

Start with the Tablecloth

I love the drama of a tablecloth that pools on the floor at either end, yet good quality, extra-long linen tablecloths can be expensive. I use a near-new linen blend curtain that I found in an op shop for 10 bucks, and no one has ever guessed it's actually a curtain. Look out for linen or cotton with pastel colours or floral patterns for springtime flair.

Up-cycle

Like my ‘curtain’ tablecloth, I often find that another man’s trash can be my table top treasure. Instead of buying expensive and often boring napkins, I use old fabric sample squares or fabric pieces. Coming in all sorts of bold patterns and colours, I wash and dry the fabric, cut it to size (usually 25 x 25 cm square), then hem them. Second-hand shops often have off cuts, and if you find some vintage tea towels, you can cut them in half and hem them as well. They work wonderfully as one-of-a-kind napkins. Some of my favourite Sydney go to stores are The Bower in both Marrickville and Summer Hill, The legendary Reverse Garbage Marrickville, Salvos stores, Vinnies, your local tip shop etc, etc.

Get Creative

I do love to get a little bit Alice in Wonderland when throwing a dinner party. It creates a sense of fun and interest. Try using teacups as entrée bowls to serve a cold soup or even dips. Or how about teapot vases to display your fragrant blooms as a centrepiece?

Vases and Bottles

You canalways find lovely old glass bottles or jars and whimsical teapots at markets & second-hand stores. Collecting wildflowers and displaying them in small jars or bottles down the middle of the table is also an easy and inexpensive way to brighten your setting, and they make a lovely gift for guests to take home after the meal.

Use What You Have or Raid Nanna's Garage

Glassware, plates, and cutlery DO NOT have to match. My design rule is that there just needs to be a common thread connecting them. For example, you might have ten glasses of different shapes and sizes, but the commonality is that they might all be of the same vintage or in the same colour. Plates should just be of a similar size for the course. I generally lay a large main course plate first, then a smaller entrée plate on top. Once again, second-hand shops and garage sales are a great place to find quirky tableware.

The Finishing Touches

If you want to really impress your guests, you could try making your own menus. I print mine on kraft paper with my home printer, but handmade menus are also a nice personal touch. To add a rustic, yet refined vibe, try tying a sprig of rosemary or a small bloom around each napkin with twine or ribbon. This looks so lovely and also offers guests a sensory treat.

Setting a beautiful spring table doesn’t need to be complicated. By using elements from your garden, upcycling second-hand treasures, and getting creative with your presentation, you can create a stunning setting that feels both personal and magical. The goal is not to impress with expensive items but to showcase your creativity and love for the season. A spring tablescape is all about embracing nature, having fun with your decor, and creating a welcoming atmosphere for your guests to enjoy.

So gather your blooms, set the menu and get creative so your spring gathering is one to remember!

As a bonus, because sharing makes the flavours taste sweeter, here’s my recipe for a deliciously floral cocktail syrup. Sooooo yummy with a drop of gin and a dash of soda water.

Why thoughtful design has a huge impact on our well-being.

Bold colour + simple, quirky vignettes are at the core of my aesthtic.

Some of my warmest childhood memories are of regularly rearranging my bedroom furniture, painting murals on the back of doors (I’m GenX so my parents were fairly loose), and doing up old furniture with the help of my dad. The end result, a fresh new space which gave me a huge sense of satisfaction and an immense feeling of calm. This was a big deal for such an anxious, overthinking kid. It was no surprise then that this love of recreating spaces travelled into adulthood, across the globe and into a career as an interior stylist. It is my belief that a space created with instinct, thoughtfulness and love will encourage its inhabitants to live their best lives.

The design of the places we inhabit such as our homes, work and community spaces have a profound impact on our mental health and overall well-being. The layout of a space can influence our mood, productivity, stress levels, and even our relationships. By understanding the psychology of space, we can create environments that promote comfort, happiness, and a sense of well-being.

 If our toilet is blocked we call the plumber. The lights go out, we summons the electrician. When our car isn’t running smoothly we take it to the mechanic, yet even though we spend the vast amount of our time in our homes and workplace, when these spaces are not functioning at their best we tend to just make do. Like engaging a sparky to rewire your house so all the lights can turn on, seeking professional advice from an interior stylist can greatly improve the mechanisms of a happy healthy living space.

 So beginning with some of my favourite design advice when it comes to improving our interior spaces, let’s get started.

 Colour Psychology: 

Colours can evoke different emotions and influence mood. Soft, neutral colours like blues and greens promote calmness so they are perfect for relaxation areas like reading nooks and bedrooms, unless of course you want to really spice things up by using vibrant colours like red and yellow which can energise and stimulate. These colours are best used on front doors or in high energy areas. Choose colours that align with the desired mood for each room, and of course the colours that make your heart sing.

A colour consultation is a good investment.

Spatial design and flow:

Layout and orientation are important considerations when it comes to your interior. In residential designs, creating a sense of flow between different areas – particularly communal and private spaces is key to fostering mental well-being.

Open plan living promotes interaction and connection while a closed space offers privacy and retreat. Getting the right balance can enhance both social well-being and a sense of personal safety and comfort.

Ensuring clear pathways, enough access and minimal clutter can reduce stress and improve flow.

Making sure furniture, rugs and accessories fit and have plenty of room so it is easy to move in the space.

 Bring nature in:

Natural light, views of nature and house plants are essential elements for a calm inducing environment. Having plants in your space has been proven to improve air quality and mental health. If you don’t have a view you can create your own with nature photography and artwork and there are lots of plants that can thrive with minimal sunlight such as Swiss cheese plant (Monstera deliciosa), Polka dot plant (Hypoestes phyllostachya), Bromeliad (Bromeliaceae genera), Ponytail palm (Beaucarnea recurvata), Money tree (Pachira aquatica) and Peace lily (Spathiphyllum spp.) just to name a few.

Plants not only make a space feel alive and fresh, they also pay their rent by cleaning the air for us.

As our awareness of the connection between living spaces and mental health grows, we’ll likely see increasing emphasis on designing homes and communities that prioritise well-being. In the meantime, we can all take small steps to improve our living spaces and enhance our mental well-being. And who doesn’t want to be in a space they feel fabulous in.