As part of our brand-new blog series, we’re catching up with some of the people who inspire us, getting to know a little bit about them and their homes, all within 10 questions. The perfect excuse to grab a cuppa, switch off from the bustle of daily life for 5 minutes, and learn something new!
Who better to begin with than Mindful Business Coach, CEO & Founder of conscious clothing brand Beaumont Organic, Hannah Beaumont-Laurencia. Practicing a slow and conscious lifestyle in Manchester with her husband Nelson and their utterly adorable poodle Lola, Hannah opens the doors of her immaculate Victorian home to chat to us about all things travel, mindful living and home renovation…
Thank you for taking the time to chat with us Hannah! Tell us a little bit about yourself…
I was raised by two ambitious parents and at school I learnt that you can do anything if you work hard enough. My journey as a young adult began with a gap year at the age of 18; a four month visit to Taveuni, Fiji where I lived as a local, teaching at a small island school. You learn so much about yourself whilst travelling. Seeing the world is not just about visiting cities, beaches, and breath-taking landscapes, but how these experiences enrich you as a person. In Fiji my values expanded; the trip made me realise that anything can be achieved as long as you believe in what you are doing and are determined.
What motivated you to start Beaumont Organic, and what’s the mission?
I had a love of fashion from an early age and, by my early teens, had also developed an entrepreneurial flair by making handbags for a local boutique. In 2008, Beaumont Organic was born from my love of fashion and a lack of organic and ethical contemporary clothing in the market. I knew from a young age that I had my own voice and that I wanted it to be heard in the wider world. Beaumont Organic became that voice. It allowed me to combine my creativity and business sense in an authentic way, because I created a product I believed in, that I knew inside out and was passionate about.
In today’s busy non-stop world how important is mindfulness to you?
It’s critical – I started my mindful journey with small daily things like journaling, yoga, and meditation. On days I don’t practice I feel significantly different.
What do you think are the biggest misconceptions about living and buying sustainably?
Cost – people think it’s going to cost more. It’s not – what you must do is get organised and creative with how you live and your buying choices.
What lessons did you learn when renovating your home?
Many of the most beautiful things can be found in reclamation yards. Do things slowly so you make discerning decisions.
How would you describe your interior design style, and what were your main considerations when designing your home?
I would describe it as a mix of clean minimal Scandinavian with a nod to French luxury. My grandmother was French, and I hold a lot of her style in me, and then my personal clean minimal living style mixes in with this. I only have in our home things I need and love, and everything has a place.
How does your home make you feel?
Calm, relaxed and peaceful. I love being home – especially on a slow weekend, knitting or doing some pottery.
The wall-to-wall curtains in your living space are a real showstopper. What made you choose to incorporate The Pure Edit into your home?
The made to measure service was a huge pull and natural fibres. It’s an 8-meter-wide area so it had to be made to measure and great quality. Everything we buy, we buy to stand the test of time.
Hannah chose to use our Flanders Alabaster 100% linen made to measure curtains to dress the incredible glass sliding doors in her main living space and kitchen, creating a gentle sense of flow from one side of her home through to the other. The beauty of linen is in all its natural slubs and imperfections, and this dreamy fabric still allows soft light to filter through when the curtains are drawn, making Hannah’s home glow. Our go-to fabric choice for laid-back spaces, available through our made to measure curtain and blind service, or by the metre.
What should people look for when buying sustainable homeware?
Where it is made and the fabric composition. Opt for natural fabrics where you can, and products that are made as close to home as possible. Ideally made to measure to minimise overproduction.
Finally, what advice would you give to someone who wants to live more slowly and sustainably this year?
Take small steps – start the first month with one small change. Maybe eat vegetarian for half your week or only buy pre-loved clothes for 6 months or take up a hobby… knitting, yoga and pottery serve me very well.
Looking back, my journey towards conscious living started well before my conscious mind fully understood what my subconscious naturally gravitated to! Small choices from my youth now make me smile and think ‘well, I have always been this way’. I now approach living in a much more conscious way by choosing to shop locally for groceries, ethically for clothes, organically for skincare, and, when in doubt about a product, I ask questions.
To keep up with Hannah and continue seeking inspiration from her wonderfully slow home and mindful lifestyle, you can find her over on Instagram @hannahbeaumontlaurencia.