At Gecco Interiors we have spent the last few years gathering all the fabulous, sustainable, chemical free products in our eco-friendly product range to help you to create wonderful design schemes for your own ‘green’ homes. We are often asked for information and ideas about how to create a safe, toxin free nursery or kids bedroom – after all the increase in asthma and eczema has its roots in off-gassing of new furnishings and children’s immune systems are much less developed than ours. We thought it was time to create a section on the website just for kids.

So how do you create an Eco-friendly, natural nursery? Here are the main things to think about:

Flooring – the main culprit in asthma and eczema is the dust mite, which lives in normal house dust. To keep this to a minimum choose a wooden, cork, rubber or vinyl flooring and then soften the look with rugs that can be washed regularly. Failing that, look for natural wool carpets in natural shades that have not been dyed, even though they will still have been treated with pesticide and often stain repellent.

Walls – there really is no excuse to use anything but natural paint these days as there are so manylovely shades to choose from. The natural paints are made using a mixure of plant oils and not petroleum. They have zero VOC emissions, are easy to apply and  smell fantastic! The best news is that the air will not be polluted by off-gassing for the first years of your baby’s life.

Furniture – look for wooden furniture that has been finished with natural oil or non VOC paints

Mattreses – there are many different natural and organic mattresses on the market today and the woollen fleece layer wrapped around them reduces the number of dust mites, whilst also regulating your baby’s body temperature (as recommended by FSID)

Bedding – look for bedding made of certified ‘organic cotton‘, in the UK the Soil Association has certified many gorgeous bedding ranges to fit all sizes of bed

Curtains & Blinds – don’t go and ruin the overall natural design by buying curtains made of fabric using chemical dyes and finishes, as they too will off-gas for some time. There is now a huge choice of organic and sustainable fabrics in vibrant or pastel shades that would compliment any kids room scheme.

For more inspiration, why not check out our new nursery and kids section, or call our in-house eco interior designer Angie Kraft on 01494 565459

Gecco Interiors Limited is an active member of Ethical Junction, learn more

At Gecco Interiors, we have always carried a range of beautiful, soft and vibrant hemp fabrics that worked equally well for curtains as domestic upholstery – Hardy Organic Hemp. Recently we launched our 2^nd hemp fabric range, this time a textured, hard wearing yet gorgeous upholstery fabric mixed with wool – Hemp Plus. We thought it was time to examine the wonderful properties of this amazing plant for it is slowly becoming known as an environmental hero.

History

The first recorded piece of canvas is made of hemp fibres from 8000BC and it survives to this day! The Chinese created paper using hemp over 2000 years ago. During the great days of discovery almost all ships set sail using hemp ropes and sails. Pioneers crossed the newly found American frontier beneath wagons covered in hemp canvas sheets. Hemp seed was a mainstay in bread making in this country before wheat came along. It seems that hemp has always been a supercrop and yet it has been left behind with the advent of the industrial revolution and the introduction of foreign crops and fossil fuels, but all that may be changing.

Global Warming

As scientists and researchers look into new products to help tackle climate change, hemp, one of our oldest recorded crops, is taking centre stage. Here are a few key facts about this amazing crop

Pesticides & Pollution – Hemp can grow anywhere and needs much less pesticide control than other crops especially when compared with cotton which uses 25% of the world’s pesticides every year! Even more incredible is that hemp actually draws up toxins from the earth, almost cleaning it through a process called phytomerediation (1^st-ecofriendlyplanet.com)

Erosion – due to the long roots of the hemp plant, soil suffers less erosion when a hemp crop is grown

Carbon Emissions – according to a recent report for LBJ, an acre of hemp has been recorded to remove up to 10times the amount of C02 from the atmosphere as an acre of trees.

High Yield – the same acre of hemp can produce fibres to make four times the amount of paper that the acre of trees can produce. One hectare of hemp can produce 1 tonne of fibre which in turn can create 5,400metres of hemp fabric.

Fast Growing – Hemp is one of the fastest growing crops on Earth reaching 3 metres in just 120 days, making it much more sustainable to farm than trees which can take up to 25years to reach the same height.

Low Irrigation – Hemp does not need anywhere near the amount of water demanded by thirstier crops such as cotton

Clean production – both paper and cotton industries are a huge source of pollution not least of all due to the fact that their fibres must be bleached, traditionally with chlorine. Hemp fibres do not need bleaching which makes for a much cleaner manufacturing process.

Biofuel potential – the hemp seed itself is high is oil content that is easily converted into hemp plastics and bio fuel similar to ethanol, thereby reducing our reliance on fossil fuels. It also releases much less carbon dioxide when burned and almost no sulfur dioxide compared with burning fossil fuel.

It seems that there is no end to the environmental advantages of this supercrop and the industries now using hemp in their own manufacturing grows daily, here are just a few:

Fuel

Plastics

Cosmetics

Construction

Paints

Medicines

Health and Well-being

Paper

And of course……Fabric!

Hardy Organic Hemp is suitable for curtains, blinds and domestic upholstery, comes in 13 vibrant shades and costs £79.00/m

Hemp Plus is suitable for all kinds of upholstery and curtains, comes in 31 gorgeous colours and costs £32.00/m

The applications are endless but the choice is yours!

Gecco Interiors Limited is an active member of Ethical Junction, learn more

Further reductions in our sale on organic baby clothes and children’s organic clothing.

Global kids is an active member of Ethical Junction, learn more

A family run boutique hotel with nine rooms in the historical centre of Luz St Sauveur. Our buffet breakfast is essentially organic [bread, cereal, jams, butter, hot drinks, milk, juice, yoghurt, fruit] or locally sourced [honey, cheese]. There is a restaurant on site – the managers use organic flour for crepes and galettes and offer organic tea, coffee and hot chocolate. Meat is from the local butcher, meaning the lamb and beef is entirely raised within the valley. All renovations have been undertaken with environmental considerations in mind, and all cleaning products are ecological. We encourage our clients to come by public transport and are happy to help facilitate this if needed – the buses are regular and reliable. http://www.organicholidays.co.uk/at/3062.htm

Organic Holidays is an active member of Ethical Junction, learn more

We offer accommodation in a small hotel built in an old neighbourhood in the beautiful town of Bansko. Breakfast includes 100% organic milk, cheese, jam house made with our own fruits, apples and pears grown in our own yard. For lunch and dinner we offer traditional meals made with meat and vegetables bought from local farms. The hotel is run by our family and we are known for our hospitality and smiles. We support our local producers and are members of EuroGites, ECEAT International, and the BAAT organisation. We are also part of the Green Lodge project. We are situated in the heart of the town on a quiet street with traditional architecture, ten minutes from the centre and fifteen minutes from the ski lift station. http://www.organicholidays.co.uk/at/3061.htm

Organic Holidays is an active member of Ethical Junction, learn more

The guest room is a very spacious room with stunning views. It is absolutely peaceful. The room is ecologically furnished and all materials used are natural – a real wooden bed, natural latex mattress, biodynamic cotton bedding. The accommodation is totally separate from our house, so you have full privacy. The organic breakfast can be served in bed, in the room, or on one of our outdoor terraces overlooking the meadows, pond, garden and vegetable garden. During the winter breakfast is served in the house with views of the distant woods. We have two electric bikes, enabling you to go to the seaside or to Bruges without using the car. For stays of three or more nights with two persons we offer organic champagne [with label]. http://www.organicholidays.co.uk/at/3060.htm

Organic Holidays is an active member of Ethical Junction, learn more

Thinking about what to get your loved ones for Christmas? Want to remain green & ethical at the same time? Have a look at these gift suggestions, and fret no more!

What are you treating yourself to this Holiday season? Let me know by leaving a comment below.

If she loves lush, smooth, sensual and feminine fragrances, enchant her with MuLondon Organic Rose Moisturiser. With 100% certified organic ingredients and precious Rose Otto oil, this cream will pamper her skin like nothing else. If you add the Organic Rose Face Wash to it, she’ll be over the moon!

For young and sensitive skin of all ages, make sure you treat it right and use mild products from the start! MuLondon Organic Lavender Moisturiser and Cleanser soothe and protect with 100% natural, relaxing ingredients.

Dry, ageing and mature skin will benefit from MuLondon Organic Marigold, Frankincense & Myrrh Moisturiser. Its healing base of Shea butter and Jojoba oil is enriched with extracts of Blue Chamomile and Marigold and essential oils of Frankincense & Myrrh – to soothe and repair. Be as wise as the Three Wise Men, and give the gift of (Mari)Gold, Frankincense & Myrrh!

MuLondon – Natural Organic Skincare is an active member of Ethical Junction, learn more

Masseria Il Frantoio is an ancient farmhouse dating from the sixteenth century. It is surrounded by a hundred and eighty acres of centuries old organic olive groves with over four thousand olive trees. The manor house is furnished with antique furniture, and you’ll find many communal areas such as the upstairs ’salon’ with its library of some fifteen hundred books. There are two wonderfully tranquil gardens and a sixteenth century underground olive press. A ten minute drive will lead you to the four beaches, where umbrellas and loungers are reserved for our guests. The kitchen ‘belongs’ to Rosalba, a passionate and creative chef. She leads a team of local women in a delicious cuisine that incorporates all the fresh organic and wild produce of the farm, using traditional recipes. http://www.organicholidays.co.uk/at/3059.htm

Organic Holidays is an active member of Ethical Junction, learn more

A GREAT CHRISTMAS OFFER! A Great Christmas Gift promotion from geoskincare….. Always thought of going natural but just not got round to it then take advantage of this Xmas Promotion campaingn from geoskincare to introduce their luxurious skincare brand to the UK and the European markets. An unbeatable offer for a high quality brand from New Zealand where they know how to go natural…. for quality there is no other choice………. **RRP Geoskincare Avocado & Grapeseed Masque – 100ml: £21.50 Geoskincare Hydrating Hand & Body Cream – 100m: £13.50 _______________ For more products, moisturisers, shampoo etc… go to our health & beauty section You will find more information on Geoskincare in the product info page. More Geoskincare Products due to be released.

Green Bear UK Limited is an active member of Ethical Junction, learn more

The Perfect Girls Red Christmas Dress

If you are looking for the perfect dress for your little girl to wear this Christmas or even just throughout the Autumn/Winter season, Green Nippers organic red girls dress is a perfect choice! The dress is made from soft and comfortable organic cotton in a gorgeous warm rustic red colour with little cream pockets.

The girls red dress is very versatile and can be dressed up or down! For example, it can be worn with cream tights and little party shoes for a party or special occasion, alternatively if your little girl wants to go for a more casual look – how about wearing it with a pair of leggings or tights and ankle boots?

The long sleeve cotton dress forms part of Green Nippers Junior Collection, which consists of dresses, tops and leggings for the girls. For the boys there is a wonderful range of trousers, dungarees and t-shirts. We have extended our age range of organic clothing collections, so therefore this dress and the rest of the Junior Collection can be purchased in a range of sizes from 0 to 5 years.

If you have purchased one of the Green Nippers garments or baby grows before, you will appreciate the luxuriously soft organic cotton fabric. Not only that, they are made to an exceptionally high quality and are very durable so can be worn over and over again and can even be passed down to younger sisters or friends!

Green Nippers have recently exhibited at a few retail shows: The Organic Food Festival in Bristol (where the Junior Collection was launched), The Baby Show at Earls Court in London and The Living North Christmas Fair in Newcastle. Green Nippers Junior Collection, in particular the girls red dress, was a very popular choice by parents, grandparents and other relatives. We find it very beneficial to exhibit at retail shows as it is lovely to meet our customers and hear their wonderful feedback.

Our full range of organic baby and children’s clothes including the little girls red dress is available on our website: www.greennippers.co.uk.

Girls long sleeve red dress – 0-2 years is just £17.99, and 2-5 years is only £19.99

We also have free UK delivery and can ship anywhere in the world for only £4.95!

Green Nippers is an active member of Ethical Junction, learn more