Earth Day 2023 - Time to start saving the World!

Ok, perhaps that's a little ambitious but it's good to dream big sometimes right? I'm Gemma Broad from Embrace Bespoke Upholstery & Design and this is my first blog.

I have been thinking about writing a blog for some time now and today is the day it begins - I'm excited to finally get going. So why now?

Well, today is Earth Day. A global awareness day to highlight the damage that is currently being done to our planet. Like many of you, I'm sure, I have been glued to David Attenborough's Wild Isles on BBC One over the last few weeks and I was shocked to discover that the UK is in the bottom 10% of countries globally in terms of the nature we have left. It has made me think clearly about the impact I am having on the planet. No one person can cure climate change on their own but if every one of us takes action it will add up to huge steps forward. So, what can I change? How can I use my skills to help?

Through my journey into upholstery and becoming a small business owner, I have learned so much and become far more aware of the consequences of our buying habits.

Through reupholstery, I have discovered the craftsmanship, construction, and quality materials behind vintage furniture and why it matters for our planet.

It has been eye-opening and made me appreciate how the value of well-made furniture needs to be celebrated. The rise of fast fashion and fast furniture sees price put before all other values, with an expected lifespan of one to five years before it ends up in landfill. Meanwhile, vintage furniture made in the 1950s and 60s is still going strong and simply needs a fashion update or small repair. Plus it can be customised to your exact taste and become a much-loved member of the family to pass down through generations.

The joy of repair and reupholstery

So in this blog, I'm going to share more about the knowledge I have picked up along the way and the joy of reupholstery and repair. It’s going to be a place where you’ll find inspiration, tips, and help in how to embrace your story in your home in a more sustainable way.

You'll get an insight behind the scenes here at Embrace Bespoke as I embark on my new core business mission.

Saving the world - one chair at a time!

From today, I'm taking a stand in my little corner of the Earth and making the bold statement - I'm on a mission to save the world one chair at a time! Will you join me?

If you already have a project you'd like to discuss, and a chair to save from landfill, then please do get in touch here.