After 5 years in the interiors industry, Jules Haines set off on a mission to save surplus textiles from going to waste. In 2020, she founded Haines Collection, which sources surplus interiors stock and sells it on to design lovers at prices usually only given to Trade customers.
Haines has helped us, as well as many others, find new and loving homes for our fabric offcuts, ultimately preventing them from ending up in landfill. So far, our partnership with Haines has helped us re-home over 220m of fabric offcuts.
We spoke to Jules about her business, sustainability, and how she decorates responsibly. Alongside our chat, enjoy some photos of her beautiful home, photographed by Mark Anthony Fox.
What is the Haines Collection?
Haines is an award-winning eco platform selling surplus interiors stock that would otherwise most likely go to waste. We source and salvage designer fabrics and home accessories, ready to be rehomed and repurposed by design lovers!
Where did the idea come from and how did it all begin?
Previously I worked for a textile designer and learnt firsthand about the huge volumes of waste in the interiors industry. I also experienced that it can be very frustrating for a business not to know how to rehome its surplus responsibly.
The idea really solidified after a chance meeting in my local town. I came across an upholsterer and curtain maker who had a pop-up shop to sell off their fabric offcuts and roll ends leftover from projects. Chatting to him helped me understand that it was costing businesses money to store their surplus, and arranging a sale took up precious time and often they barely broke even. He was my first supplier! I started a beautiful resale platform that would save brands time and money as well as helping to reduce the chances of homeware and textiles ending up in landfill.
As well as being kind to the planet, the beauty of buying second hand fabrics and accessories is that they are like new and around half the usual retail price! It's a win win for all!
What does sustainability mean to you, and why is it important?
Sustainability means to me - ‘how can we do better’. We have been creatures of vast consumption, taking much more than we should. It’s essential we change our habits as we have disrupted the delicate balance of nature, and it’s threatening our existence - and many other creatures on the planet!
Before I make a purchase I always ask myself ‘do I really need it, and what is the lowest impact way to buy it.’
What is your process for sourcing your textiles and wallpaper?
It’s talking to every brand and often helping them understand what waste they have. It could be remnants, clearance, offcuts, or even rejected batches from the print process, waste is everywhere. It’s a by-product of production, and can’t be avoided but can be reduced. Lots of people don’t think that even half a metre of fabric can be reused or upcycled - but it can! Once we have found a new brand to work with we get their stock on our website as soon as we can, 40-50 new items are added every Monday night at 6.30pm on our website. They go quickly so it’s always a race to the finish line for the rare ones! We try to give everyone a heads up to what is coming on our Instagram account and Monday lunchtime email.
What impact have you made so far with the Haines Collection?
To date we have rehomed over 32,000 metres of textiles. This doesn’t include the hundreds of cushions, lampshades, rolls of wallpaper, rugs and pieces of furniture! We hope that we have inspired people too, shoppers to purchase more carefully and brands to be more mindful and think about the circularity of what they are producing.
Why did you decide to work with us?
Naturalmat is streaks ahead of any other bed company on the sustainability front. I was hugely impressed by the ethos and passion to make a difference and create beautiful low impact products. The ‘green blood’ that runs through Naturalmat is inspiring, helps myself and other brands understand how we can do better. Also, I have to add, the Naturalmat family are some of the nicest people you will come across, it’s such a pleasure working with you all.
How do you create a sustainable environment in your bedroom?
I look at every element and figure out what I can do that will be the best option for the environment, and myself of course too! The bed, the paint, the furniture and the textiles - there are so many environmentally friendly options so you don’t need to compromise on design and the aesthetic. We are lucky nowadays with so many eco brands on the market, more so than even three years ago when we started.
Jules sleeps on a bespoke Naturalmat bed and Splendid Mattress, pictured above.
What does the future hold for the Haines Collection?
We have always wanted our resale model to work anywhere in the world, so this summer we are expanding our operation to the US which is very exciting. We have a great customer base there already, and we know there is always textile waste - so why not rehome it! Also this year putting an emphasis on repair and holding home accessories repair workshops. It’s an area I feel isn’t often discussed with regards to home furnishings, so watch this space!
We are so excited for the future, and really feel like people's shopping habits are changing to lower our impact. It’s all about purchasing fewer and purchasing well.
