Designing Better: Sustainability Without the Beige

More and more, we’re seeing clients want their homes to reflect not just their taste, but their values. And for good reason — there’s something deeply satisfying about a home that’s not only beautifully resolved, but also thoughtfully considered.

At Alix Helps Interiors, we believe sustainability should be functional, fabulous, and quietly integrated. It’s not about compromise — it’s about better choices, better materials, and better outcomes. Below are just a few of the ways we guide clients through more responsible design, especially when it comes to high-impact PC items.

Flooring that Feels Good (and Does Good)

Let’s be honest — the floor does a lot of the heavy lifting in a space. So it pays to make it count.

Woodcut Engineered Flooring is a go-to for us. Not just because it’s elegant and timeless, but because it’s sustainably sourced from certified European forests, crafted with non-toxic adhesives, and built to last. It’s the kind of investment your future self will thank you for — in bare feet.
Prefer something plush underfoot? Choose natural wool carpet, like the options from Bremworth. It’s biodegradable, beautiful, and proudly made in Australia and New Zealand. No nasties, no compromise.

Stunning results in our Turramurra kitchen with engineered timber from Woodcut

Tiles that Tread Lightly

Good tile selection is a skill. Great tile selection? A love language.

We regularly specify Earp Bros thanks to their GECA-certified collections, Green Star compliance, and dedication to cleaner manufacturing. Their factories run on renewable energy, reuse water in a closed-loop system, and turn waste into beauty. That’s the kind of background story we like.
Want the stone look without the environmental impact? Opt for terrazzo or full-bodied porcelain alternatives. They’re durable, low maintenance, and easy on the planet (and the eyes).

Tapware with Integrity

Tapware is a subtle flex — and one we take seriously.

Brodware is a brand we return to time and again. Not just for their stunning finishes and streamlined silhouettes, but for their commitment to lead-free brass, in-house manufacturing in Australia, and WELS-rated water efficiency. They also reuse machining materials and manage waste with precision. We love a clean conscience with our clean lines.
When it comes to basins, vanities and toilets, we look for Australian-made options with low VOC materials, FSC-certified cabinetry boards, and hardware that works hard behind the scenes. Performance is everything — but we never forget about the finish.

Brodware tapware in a Roma Bronze — Australian-made, lead-free, and effortlessly refined. Because sustainability should never mean compromising on style.

Wall & Ceiling Details that Work Hard

Wall and ceiling treatments are some of the most powerful ways to shape a space. Texture, mood, and acoustic softness? Yes. Environmental conscience? Absolutely.

Polytec Laminate Finishes are not just design-flexible — they’re backed by E0 MDF and LDF board substrates, which means low formaldehyde emissions for healthier indoor air. All their board products are Australian made, using recycled and sustainably sourced wood fibres, and they’re proudly GECA certified. We often use Polytec for practical, durable wall cladding in high-use areas where performance matters just as much as finish.
Bendy Bois is a designer favourite when we want to add rhythm and softness to a space. Made from FSC-certified plywood, it’s a low-waste, highly versatile material that can be used for curved wall and ceiling applications — and the visual result is always something special. Think natural texture with just enough drama.
New Age Veneers offer timber-style surfaces that don’t cost the earth — literally. Their Eveneer and Evenex ranges are made from responsibly sourced, FSC-certified wood, with low-VOC adhesives and substrates. We love their refined grain selections, warm colour palette, and the fact that they’re manufactured with sustainability at the forefront. Beautifully engineered, with none of the environmental guilt.
Cabinetti Panels are crafted in Australia with a focus on sustainability, performance, and design versatility. Their panels are available on E0 substrates with FSC certification and low-VOC options, making them ideal for joinery and internal cladding where both appearance and air quality matter. We often turn to Cabinetti when we need a luxe, timber-toned finish that’s equal parts practical and planet-conscious.

We used Evenex to beautiful effect for this vanity and shaving cabinets at McMahons Point

Furniture with a Future

Furniture is where function meets mood. And we’re all about both.

Armadillo rugs are handcrafted, natural-fibre, and ethically made — pieces with softness, soul, and integrity.
Kett is a Melbourne-based design studio creating furniture that’s timeless, refined, and deeply connected to the Australian landscape. Their pieces are made locally using sustainably sourced materials and FSC-certified timbers, with a focus on longevity over fast trends. The result? Design that feels grounded, honest, and beautifully considered.
Fanuli combines European craftsmanship with a commitment to quality and sustainability. Their collections feature ethically sourced timbers, low-VOC finishes, and durable upholstery — all built to last, and built with integrity. We love their blend of modern elegance and Italian sensibility, paired with a mindful approach to materials and production.
And yes — we still love a good vintage chair, especially when it’s reupholstered in something fabulous and given a second life. That’s sustainability with style.

An enduring classic, the Chloe from Fanuli's Australian made collection - sitting pretty at our McMahons Point sitting room.

The Final Word

Good design is about vision — great design is about responsibility, too. You don’t need to sacrifice aesthetics to tread lightly. You just need a team who understands the balance, knows where to source the goods, and doesn’t shy away from the details.

At Alix Helps Interiors, sustainability is simply part of the way we work. Elegant, intentional, joyful homes — that feel as good as they look. Looking to build a home that reflects your values, without compromising style? We’d love to guide you through it — beautifully.

Let’s create something that looks good, feels good, and does good. Get in touch if you'd like a chat.