The Art of Slow Living

Like the concept of slow fashion, the slow furniture movement is gaining momentum as consumers start to understand the benefits of mindful purchasing and living more sustainably overall. It’s an approach that prioritises sustainable practices, ethical production and high-quality craftsmanship over mass production, aligned with the notion of slow living. Natalie Walton, an interior stylist, designer and author, is a champion of the slow living philosophy, sharing her insights in the book Still The Slow Home. She believes that when we start to take responsibility for the choices we make in our own lives, this has a ripple effect on others and the world around us. We (both individually and collectively) have the power to make a big impact, and there is no better place to start than our own home. In this article, we delve into the ways you can embrace the concept of slow furniture and share Natalie’s top 10 steps to bring more presence and mindfulness into your life.

When it comes to renovating, refreshing or styling your abode, it is essential to consider the underlying motivation for seeking change – do you need a king size bed, another rug or armchair? Excess consumption and fast fashion are a staple of our current generation, but we can reverse this trend. Being aware of whether it is a need or want can help you in the decision-making process to ensure it is a conscious and well thought out purchase.

Also consider if it is a piece that already exists in your home that you could repair or up style – like reupholstering dining chairs in a beautiful new fabric. Or if the furniture in mind is only for a specific life stage (like a cot for a baby) or only used occasionally, could you potentially borrow it from family and friends? The aim is to consume less in an antidote to buying more, more often. 

It’s now the time to celebrate timeless over trends and make selections that won’t deplete the world of resources. The notion of supporting local is something that we can all embrace wholeheartedly. From construction materials to how you fit out and furnish a home, consider shopping local – you’ll limit the carbon footprint and benefit an entire community. It is also important to select furniture and styles that go beyond a trend – timeless pieces that you won’t get bored with and feel the need to replace in a few years’ time. A useful way for limiting the amount of rubbish that goes into landfill is to shop second-hand and select antiques that have been passed down from generations before us. Here at Few and Far, we love uncovering one-of-a-kind vintage gems from places near and far that can be styled alongside more contemporary pieces to seamlessly blend old with new. Our emphasis is always on quality craftsmanship – focusing on sustainable materials where possible and the value of pieces made by hand. You can explore more at our online home for Few and Far.

Natalie Walton in her beautiful book Still The Slow Home provides 10 actionable steps to consider in your journey to a more considered home. She believes that we need to simplify our lives from the inside out in order to make real change – from how we fill in our days to setting boundaries and connecting to nature. As Natalie so eloquently says “living mindfully can also help us reclaim our lives in a way that no consumer good ever can”. Here are some simple ways to get started:

1. Create a vision – it starts with you and how you want to live. We can only create the life we can see, so ensure that you spend the time visualising your future home and lifestyle. If we have a choice, we also have power. Consider the Japanese concept of ikigai – your reason for being. This vision will become a guide and compass to living in a way that is more aligned with our values. 
2. Develop a value framework – make meaningful change based on a personal philosophy and live by this. Natalie says that we find our way when we establish the same framework for our lives, as for the homes we are creating.  
3. Find our why – have a clear sense of purpose to make the right choices. 
4. Focus on priorities – set boundaries around what’s most important in your life and allocate your resources accordingly. Our homes are ideal places to create boundaries from limiting time on devices to connecting over dinner together at the table.
5. Take responsibility – it’s important to recognise the difference between a need and a want. And that you have a choice – from what you consume to how you live. Build a pause in the decision-making process so you don’t rush into unwanted purchases - self-awareness is key.
6. Let go – worry less about how other people are living their lives. Care less about attaching status to objects and measuring them as a sign of self-worth. 
7. Switch off – disconnect to reconnect with yourself and what matters most.
8. Live in the now – become awake to the real beauty in your life. Reclaim what’s most important by being present and mindful of your time.
9. Cultivate good feelings – pay attention to when you feel good or energised – is this by the ocean, cosying up with a book by the fireplace or cooking a meal with loved ones? Cultivate and nurture these strands of our lives.
10. Embrace SLOW living one step at a time. Consider Sustainable, Local, Organic, Whole choices in making a difference to our environment both now and for future generations.

We invite you explore more of the slow furniture movement by browsing our beautifully curated pieces online or by speaking to one of Few and Far’s in-house stylists for considered selections that can seamlessly fit into your space. Natalie’s book Still is also available in our Berry, Bowral, Huskisson and Thirroul stores for purchase. We can’t wait to see how you embrace the slow lane in your own home.