Latest news with #ClayBrown
Emirates Woman
02-07-2025
- Lifestyle
- Emirates Woman
Interior 2025 trend: Nature-inspired and wood drenching
This year, design whispers rather than shouts. The focus shifts from bold statements to soulful spaces, and nothing captures this better than the nature-inspired, wood-drenched aesthetic that's taking over interiors. Why this trend works? It's calming, textural, and timeless. With people craving emotional sanctuary within their homes, this look brings the outdoors in—without sacrificing sophistication. The core elements of the look are: Color Palette Grounded & Earthy as this trend leans heavily into nature's neutral spectrum. Think Forest Green which reminiscent of pine canopies and deep foliage. Clay Brown and terracotta known for evoking sunbaked earth and handcrafted pottery, also Sky Blue which brings airiness and contrast, finally sand beige & moss olive known for anchoring the palette with soft, organic warmth. Overall, these tones layer beautifully to create depth without visual clutter, promoting a soothing, lived-in feel. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Wood Culture (@woodculturedxb) Materials Raw, Organic, Unpolished. Forget gloss. Surfaces are matte, tactile, and character-rich. Key materials include: Limewash walls for an imperfect, cloud-like softness Rough-hewn timber or reclaimed wood with visible knots and grain Linen, cane, terracotta, stone, and wool—each adding a sensory dimension Ceramics and handmade objects that celebrate craftsmanship over perfection Texture is everything here. The more layered and natural the material, the better. Lighting Soft, Warm, Circadian-Inspired. Harsh lights are out; gentle illumination is in. Think, skylights or sun-filtered windows that mimic natural light for any room. How to style it? Begin by layering textures, you can mix linen curtains with jute rugs and wooden accents. Secondly, invest in statement wood, a floor-to-ceiling slatted wall or a solid oak table. Then curate calming corners, think reading nooks with low seating and stone planters. Finally, play with proportion as it can pair oversized clay vases with delicate lighting. So, if you're thinking of adapting this theme around your home, swipe through our gallery of must-own pieces to fit the theme. – For more on luxury lifestyle, news, fashion and beauty follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and Instagram Images from website & Feature Image: @marbiliaestudio
Yahoo
09-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
B Lab sets out new B Corp standards
B Lab, the non-profit organisation responsible for B Corp certification, has unveiled new standards. Described as the 'most significant evolution' since B Lab's founding in 2006, the updated B Corp standards include the adoption of climate action plans aligned with the 1.5°C goal. "As the climate crisis intensifies and societal inequality grows, the standards provide companies with clarity on how they can take meaningful and tangible action on issues facing people and the planet," B Lab said. According to the organisation, nearly 10,000 companies across 100 countries and 160 industries hold B Corp status. However, the scheme had faced criticism. Last month, UK pet-food business Scrumbles went public with its decision not to renew its certification. In a post on LinkedIn, co-founder Aneisha Soobroyen wrote: "While we were proud to be one of the first pet food brands to certify in 2019, the certification no longer holds the weight it once did. It has started to feel like little more than a marketing badge and greenwashing rather than a true mark of ethical business." Just Drinks asked B Lab for its position on those comments. In the statement announcing the new standards, Clay Brown, co-lead executive of B Lab Global, called the new standards 'a complete reimagining of business impact to respond to the challenges of our time'. Previously, companies seeking certification underwent an assessment process involving a 'B Impact' assessment form, which evaluated their environmental, worker, material, community, and governance practices. To achieve certification, a company needed to score 80 or above out of 200. To maintain certification, B Lab mandates that companies re-certify every three years by completing a 'B Impact Assessment' and submitting documentation for evaluation. The updated framework introduces a shift from scoring to meeting baseline performance requirements across seven key 'impact topics': purpose and stakeholder governance; climate action; human rights; fair work; environmental stewardship and circularity; justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion; and government affairs and collective action. Judy Rodrigues, B Lab Global's director of standards, explained the update follows a four-year process involving two rounds of public consultation and the review of 26,000 feedback submissions from companies, the general public, and subject-matter experts. She added: 'We are confident that the new standards are clear, ambitious, and truly capable of raising the bar for businesses worldwide.' The seventh version of the standards also introduces differentiation based on company size. Larger companies – defined as having between 250 and 999 employees or $75m to $350m in annual revenue – face more rigorous requirements. Companies with 1,000 to 9,999 employees, or $350m to $1.5bn in annual revenue, are subject to even stricter criteria. According to a statement on B Lab's website, larger companies 'generally have to answer more (and more difficult) questions and meet higher requirements for verification, transparency, and additional factors in order to certify'. On LinkedIn, Emma Aberg of UK-based consultancy Greenheart, backed the update, saying: 'This is really great news in my opinion as it keeps B Corps where they should be; a true force for good in the world and the business leaders shaping our path towards a sustainable and regenerative future.' South African wine group Journey's End has recently signed up to the scheme. The company welcomed the new B Corp standards. 'As South Africa's first B Corp certified winery, we're proud to set the standard for our industry – this evolution of the B Corp framework affirms our conviction that excellence and ethics must go hand in hand,' Stephanie von Oppell, the global head of marketing at Journey's End, said. "B Lab sets out new B Corp standards " was originally created and published by Just Drinks, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site. Sign in to access your portfolio
