UK Interior Designer Launches New Homewares Platform With Circularity At Its Core

With many of us spending more time indoors over lockdown, homeowners are looking to change or improve their interior spaces. "Being responsible about how we do that would be a positive step forward." states Lauren McMullen, founder of the newly launched Altra Living. Coming from a background in interior design for the luxury property sector, McMullen is well versed in searching for quality products. However, what she couldn't fathom was how, and why, so many items, when removed as part of an interiors overhaul, would be discarded and inevitably sent to landfill. Drawing on her family background of construction, and combining this with a passion for change, she has set about in starting a new venture to bring a circular mindset to the luxury interiors market.

The result is an online design platform where McMullen has curated a collection of home accessories all salvaged from commercial projects which have been repurposed and upcycled giving the treasures a new lease of life. While many may not associate upcycling with the luxury sector, McMullen is keen to redefine what luxury really means and hopes to bring a renewed accessibility to it. Operating in London, she sources her finds from the retail, hospitality and textile sectors, and seeks to reduce waste levels from a variety of industry sources.

Being involved in the family construction company from a young age, McMullen saw the problem of waste consistently propose not only an environmental issue but also a logistical and financial challenge for many developers, giving her the motivation to find a sustainable solution. "We now work with construction companies, real estate developers, furniture makers, upholsterers and the fashion industry to help enable them to not only reduce their waste disposal costs, but more importantly, to improve their Corporate and Social Responsibility by embracing a sustainable mindset." She continues. "Until systemic solutions are implemented to recycle, nothing is going to change. It broke my heart to see beautiful, fully functioning items discarded which subsequently made me realise that these high quality, unique pieces could be refurbished and repurposed, leading me to launch Altra Living." 

Her attention to detail coupled with a design-led approach, strengthened from her first-hand interior design experience and a qualification from the KLC School of Design, highlights how far removed upcycling is today from its past association to DIY projects and a shabby chic aesthetic. Giving it the recognition it deserves, she is helping to rebrand the craft form in a new light, giving the artisans behind the work much-needed respect and status. Bridging the gap in this way not only presents a stronger future for upcyclers across the globe, it also brings a new dynamic to the luxury property market.

The idea behind Altra Living came into fruition in 2019, with the digital platform officially launching this month. The current range consists of a small selection of limited editions including an Arabescato Corchia marble platter, which was formerly a bar-top in a prestigious London restaurant, and a Richard Hathaway polished brass picture light, now restored to its former glory. Alongside salvaging these treasures from commercial sites and skips around the city, McMullen is also partnering with UK-based independent seamstresses to turn fabric offcuts into cushions and other soft accessories. Each product is unique, thanks to the bespoke service the brand offers, and select items can be modified to suit the customer's taste as well as providing a sourcing service for clients who may be after something more specific.

Presenting desirable solutions, which mean no compromise on the end result for the client, is a game-changer for interior designers and decorators who are keen to reduce their impact. And, with price points often being unattainable for such items, McMullen is keen to bring a wide range of accessibility to her platform as she develops the range. With a mission statement: "Luxury living shouldn't cost the earth. Literally!", Altra could be the positive disruption needed to readjust the construction industry which, in the UK, is estimated to be responsible for 32% of the country's landfill waste.

Already gaining recognition from industry heavyweights, the company is one of many emerging projects to spearhead a shift in the construction industry's recognition of its waste. "This is a growing trend among our valued clients." comments Josh Braid, Partner and Co-Head of Central London Retail at Knight Frank, "High street retailers, particularly food and beverage occupiers, are keen to improve their sustainability efforts and want to have more responsible operations, especially when it comes to reducing their waste footprint. Altra Living is offering a simple solution which can help our clients achieve this."

To take the mission one step further, Altra donates up to 15% of its profits to Earth Alliance, encouraging the development of change on a wider scale. This all-round approach and commitment to sustainability is testament to McMullen's personal passion to galvanise change in her own circle of influence. If other leaders could look to her as an example in how to merge a successful business model with an inherently circular and conscious mindset, they could create a domino effect of adaptation - one so urgently needed as we select which parts of normality we want to revert back to in a post-pandemic society.

Now is the time to think bold, now is the time to shift industries and now is the time to move from discussion to action. And, as McMullen has done, presenting scaleable business models which offer desirable, yet sustainable, solutions, is definitely a route to follow. The platform is suited to both homeowners and interior designers, facilitating a future where opting for vintage, preloved and second-hand items will not only add a deeper narrative to your space but helps in consciously creating a timeless aesthetic lasting for years to come.

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