Petra Palumbo

I set up my namesake sustainable homeware company, Petra Palumbo, in October 2018. I always knew I wanted to have my own business but wasn’t sure doing what exactly until I went on to do a Masters in sustainable textiles and it was there that my ideas really formulated and I decided I wanted to marry sustainability with homeware. I’ve always loved the home and I felt it was important as a 21st century designer to create products with the environment in mind at every stage of the process.

You just opened a new shop this week in Beauly.  Why did you choose Beauly and can you tell us about the new shop?

Beauly is the town my family and I live in. My husband grew up here. It’s just 12 miles outside of Inverness in the Highlands. The Petra Palumbo flagship is located on the ground floor of the freestanding old bank building which is simply gorgeous, it has 10 very tall arched windows which allows the light to flood in and has a wonderful, airy atmosphere. The opportunity presented itself to rent the space so I took it. I think it’s going to take my brand to the next level and really help put my products into context, they’ll be associated with the flagship.

William Morris’ Honeysuckle wallpaper splashes the main wall as you enter the store and I have pulled out key colours from it and have reflected them throughout. You can also see the inner workings of the online business from the shop floor by peering through a large reclaimed window that’s painted in Edward Bulmer’s Light Olive Green.

Nestled to the side of the store you’ll find my ever-evolving curation space which is painted in a calming Dove grey and is complete with two very large original alcoves which have been fitted with antique mirror and shelves either side of the original fire place. Set up as an extension of my home, it might be a picnic scene one month, a child’s bedroom the next. The idea is to put the wares into context and spark the imagination.

Have you got any new products being released – for the new opening or for Christmas?

We are releasing a wonderful collection of UK mouth blown glassware in time for Christmas. The range is gorgeous; full of colour and texture. It’s taken months of sampling and colour testing to get it just right. We will also be selling our classic Christmas tree skirts and some more PP x Tapisserie needlework kits.

Sustainability is a big part of your brand.  Can you explain what measures you have taken for sustainability?

We have recently been accredited with the Butterfly Mark by Positive Luxury for our commitment to sustainability and also the Made in Britain brand mark which certifies the fact that we actually do produce our homeware in the UK. Whatever components we import from other countries, we are open about this on our site but are constantly try to minimise it. The reason why we produce in the UK is that we can have control over our supply chain, reduce general carbon footprint, build relationships with our suppliers and physically see their working environments. Manufacturing in the UK has its pros and cons, the cost per unit is generally higher and there aren’t all the skillsets and techniques that you can find abroad but sampling turnarounds are shorter, lead times are quicker and there’s generally more openness.

We also pride ourselves on being as plastic free as possible, I ask my suppliers not to send up our wares in plastic. It’s no good unwrapping products that are covered in plastic to then put them into plastic free packaging to send onto customers. That’s why we tackle it from start to finish so there’s circularity. We work with suppliers who are FSC certified, ensuring that paper used in their packaging is coming from responsibly managed forests. We also use recycled paper where possible for our packaging.

Petra Palumbo is committed to giving back to nature and has partnered with Trees for Life, a charity dedicated to revitalising wild forests in the Highlands of Scotland. For every purchase made, customers can add a voluntary contribution of £1, which the company will match.

Materials play a big part in our design too, We recognises the importance of responsible sourcing and having full traceability of materials. The majority of products are made in the UK and promote the use of sustainable materials, this includes the use of water-based, solvent-free inks which minimises toxicity.We also look a the life cycle of the material and the energy it takes to create the material itself and the final product. What will happen to it when it breaks? Can it be recycled? If it’s not recycled, does it breakdown or not? How much energy do you need to use to make it? Where does the waste go? How is it managed? How can we reduce it?

All these questions are something we consider when we’re designing. We certainly aren’t perfect and have lots of things to learn and areas refine but working with Positive Luxury is great because they hold us accountable.

Can you describe your interiors style?  Which interior designers and design brands do you like the most?

My interiors style is very eclectic, colourful and cosy. I mix brown furniture with modern pieces.

I love the work of Lonika Chande, Timothy Corrigan, Howark Design.

What are you currently reading and what do you want to read next?

If in Doubt, Wash your hair by Anya Hindmarch and then Soul on Ice by Eldridge Cleaver

What are you hoping to get for Christmas (we won’t tell anyone!)?

I’m asking Santa for a new pair of curtains!

You’ve collaborated with several brands such as Cabana and most recently your mother for your beautiful needlepoint kits. Is there anybody else you’d like to collaborate with?

I’d love to collaborate with a landscape gardener for our garden behind the Flagship.