Show kindness in your décor choices.
Forget about a vegan kitchen? What about a vegan living room!
What does “vegan” mean and why does it matter?
The short, non-scientific definition of a vegan is someone who does not partake in any animal products. Yes, we mean meat, eggs, and dairy, but what many people don’t know is that this extends to other animal products like fur, feathers (Decorative as well as down), wool, leather, traditional silk, beeswax and animal-based resins (mostly derived from insects). Animal testing for dyes, self-care products and other household substances also go against the vegan ethos.
Where does furniture and décor come in?
Obviously, a traditional leather sofa, and accent pieces like hunting trophies (!) are a big no. But what about less obvious animal derived home items?
If you feel strongly about living a cruelty free, truly vegan life, it is going to take commitment as well as self-study.
Places where non-vegan components might hide:
- Inside the stuffings of pillows and duvets
- In the glue and resin used to construct your furniture or art
- Particularly in antique and vintage furniture when the drive for sustainability was non-existent. (Watch out for anything from animal based glues to shellac on wood or inlays.)
Hard truth: Depending on how far back you want to go, the past was the WORST if you were a defenceless little bunny or goose. From historic accounts we can be sure that very little was done to mitigate the suffering of the creature being “harvested” for their natural fibres or body parts.
But why is it an issue?
If you are still not convinced, we get it. In any case, our mission is to educate you and allow you to make your own decisions based on your personal preferences and beliefs, not to shame or convert you.
Sustainable use of our natural resources is a no-brainer. This is obvious from the fact that humanity nearly hunted whales into extinction for their whale oil for lamps and industry in just a few decades and even after the large-scale ban on whaling, the populations are still fighting their way back to sustainable levels.
Notwithstanding, there are irrefutable benefits of animal products in home design:
Leather just hits differently. Unsurpassed Longevity, easy to care for and infinitely forgiving and restorable, leather just remains a brilliant material for creating furniture and personal items.
Nothing beats wool. The same is true for other animal fibres like mohair and cashmere. When it comes to long lasting bedding and comfort pieces, the heat retention and longevity of real wool is irrefutable.
Beeswax furniture polishes and coatings are non-toxic and biodegradable. Making them ideal if you are cutting down on household toxins and allergens.
Animal products that don’t stand the test of time:
Insect derived shellac coatings
- There are various plant-based coating alternatives that can give you the same glossy finish as this secretion from the Lac beetle. Shellac production is mired by controversy for how it is harvested and its intensive use of water. Apart from the animal cost, the shellac industry is also unregulated and labour intensive and ripe for human exploitation.
Ivory:
- From predatory poachers to conservation concerns for a vulnerable species. Just say no.
Fur (not wool, which is sheared off):
- Once again the crimes of the fur industry are widely documented and impossible to ignore.
Coral décor pieces:
- That beautiful objet d’arts you bought back from your island holiday is, in all likelihood made from poached corral removed from a living coral reef that really can’t afford to lose even more of its structure. Steer clear and rather just take a picture. For more on why coral and other “poached” marine souvenirs are bad, read this deep dive (pun intended).
Discussion: Sheepskins and hunting trophies
Not all animal products are a bad idea however.
- Sheepskin has amazing medical properties when it comes to the prevention of bedsores and its hypo-allergenic and body heat regulation for premature babies and frail patients.
- Hunting trophies are a South African staple and there is nothing inherently wrong with them. Just don’t overdo it…
Alternatives:
If you really want to get away from any form of animal product in your home, there are innovative solutions.
Vegan bedding and blankets
Vegan “Leather” furniture.
This vegan leather sofa with a classic tufted design and its mid century modern finishings will be a beautiful addition to any home.
There is no shortage of debates about the benefits of a cruelty free home.
Now you know:
Whatever your opinions are, whatever you prefer and however you choose to make your home is completely up to you. As always, we are just here to give you the facts and inspire your own personal style.
What we can say is that a beautiful photograph of a majestic kudu can be just as striking as a massive pair of horns, and there’s no harm in heeding the conservationist mantra: Take only pictures, leave only footprints.
