Since moving into his Sydney apartment in 2015, interior designer Jono Fleming has made a few key updates – including taking steps to reduce the carbon footprint of his home.
Living in an apartment building restricts him (and many other Aussies) from installing rooftop solar, but that hasn’t stopped Jono from going green! How? By switching to GreenPower.
GreenPower is the government-accredited program that purchases Australian renewable energy on behalf of its customers. It’s available from almost every energy provider, and for many inner-city dwellers, it’s the most impactful thing they can do for the environment, at home.
We caught up with Jono to learn why and how he made the switch.
Living in an apartment building restricts Jono from installing rooftop solar, so he’s recently invested in Australia’s renewable energy sector by switching to GreenPower. Photo – Alisha Gore for The Design Files
By choosing GreenPower, Jono is directly investing in the production of renewable electricity across Australia. Photo – Alisha Gore for The Design Files
Unlike carbon neutral plans that can take years to offset emissions, and don’t do anything to move Australia away from burning fossil fuels, GreenPower is a government accredited program that only supports Australian renewable energy projects. Photo – Alisha Gore for The Design Files
Reducing his carbon footprint is especially important to Jono who often works from home. Photo – Alisha Gore for The Design Files
‘The switch to GreenPower was surprisingly easy. All I did was call my energy provider and in less than three minutes, they explained the concept, the rates, and the switch was made. No long complicated process at all!’ says Jono. Photo – Alisha Gore for The Design Files
‘GreenPower works so well because I know that for only a couple of extra dollars a month, I’m able to support renewable energy with ease from my home. Photo – Alisha Gore for The Design Files
Jono’s apartment was purchased off-the-plan in a building designed by SJB. Photo – Alisha Gore for The Design Files
The concrete exterior is contrasted with lush plants. Photo – Caitlin Mills. Styling – Annie Portelli
‘All I did was call my energy provider and in less than three minutes, they explained the concept, the rates, and the switch was made. No long complicated process at all!
In case you haven’t noticed, we’re BIG fans of Jono Fleming! The interior designer is our unofficial Sydney insider who’s always keeping us up to date with the latest decor trends, restaurants, and travel destinations, as well as stylish updates to his own home.
It’s been a while since we last toured Jono’s ‘curated maximalist’ off-the-plan Waterloo apartment, and it’s since undergone a sustainable makeover… one that’s not visible to the naked eye!
Since solar panels aren’t an option for Jono, he has upped his home’s sustainable credentials by switching to GreenPower. By adding just a few cents to his standard electricity rates, he’s now directly investing in the production of renewable electricity across Australia.
Unlike carbon neutral plans that don’t do anything to move Australia away from burning fossil fuels, GreenPower is a government accredited program that only supports Australian renewable energy projects. GreenPower customers are actively investing in Australia’s renewable future.
In short, for households unable to install rooftop solar, GreenPower is the most impactful climate action they can take at home. Learn more about GreenPower here!
Jono joined us for a chat about how he made the GreenPower switch, and what’s next for his home and career.
How would you describe your apartment and its recent updates?
I live in a two-bedroom apartment in inner-city Sydney with my partner Ryan McGregor. I’ve lived here for nearly eight years, and over that time I’ve loved seeing my own style evolve.
I’m currently in a shifting state with my style here, adding in some deeper, moodier colours than I’ve previously gone with. The Almonte rug from Weave home pairs perfectly with our Jardan Valley sofa, but is in keeping with the curated maximalist tones and colours of the space.
For an off-the-plan apartment (designed by SJB) there are some gorgeous details in the home, such as the fluted cornices, so for the past eight years, I’ve kept most of my changes purely decorative. This year, however, I’m looking at doing a few renovations to really have the space reflect how I use it.
How do you use your apartment for work?
Freelancing and working from home can be tricky at times just due to the lack of work/life separation. Our second bedroom has become our full-time office and the best part at the end of the day is being able to close those doors and keep work contained to that room. I bought a desktop computer to stop me from lounging about and getting distracted, but every now and then, I’ll take the iPad out to the balcony and do a bit of work or sketching in the sun.
One of my rituals to trick my brain is making sure I separate my scents, so I have a work candle and a home candle. It’s so simple but it really helps keep me in the zone when I’m working at home everyday!
You’ve recently made the switch to GreenPower. How and why did you make the switch?
The switch to GreenPower was surprisingly easy. All I did was call my energy provider and in less than three minutes, they explained the concept, the rates, and the switch was made. No long complicated process at all!
They offered me options of 20%, 25%, 50% or 100% GreenPower. I went with 100%, which adds 3 cents per kWh on top of my standard rates.
Why do you feel good about choosing GreenPower?
There’s always more I would love to do when it comes to sustainability at home, but living in an apartment, we’re obviously limited as far as modifications such as installing solar. GreenPower works so well because I know that for only a couple of extra dollars a month, I’m able to support renewable energy with ease from my home.
What’s currently inspiring your home and work?
I always say if I weren’t in design I’d be in the film industry, so movies and TV shows are an endless source of inspiration. From the Sicilian shores of The White Lotus to the surrealist landscapes and vignettes in one of my all time favourite films The Fall by Tarsem Singh (colour and design addicts, this is a must) there’s so much to learn from production design that can carry into our real world.
What projects have you been working on lately?
Work can be a mixed bag for me and I’ve got lots of exciting projects on the way! My partner Ryan and myself are working on a large interiors project on Sydney’s Northern Beaches. It’s a great old ‘80s house that is getting the full renovation and we’re lucky enough to have clients that embrace colour as much as we do, so that’s definitely one to keep an eye out for.
Kerrie-Ann Jones and I have the fifth season of the House of Style podcast coming out soon, with some great guests in the mix.
Lastly, my series The House Project that I’ve hosted for Bunnings is coming out March 1. We’ve taken a standard red brick Australian home and transformed it over eight episodes into something really unique and beautiful, all with the power of DIY, and a hand from our builder here and there. I’m so proud of how this house has turned out and I can’t wait for everyone to see it for themselves!
Find GreenPower providers and other useful tips to make the switch from City of Sydney
