NORFOLK, UK. 27th March, 2024 - Sustainable endeavours define the products and processes that distinguish Wrought Iron and Brass Bed Co.’s identity. This is thanks to Amanda’s lifelong appreciation for longevity and advocacy of natural fibres.
Her championing of British materials and enthusiasm for finding more opportunities to use them has fed her willingness to learn. Notably, encouraging her next adventure as a shepherd.
Sustainable living is integral to Amanda’s approach to the everyday. Something highlighted by her new endeavours in the worlds of podcasts and Instagram.
Amanda Oldfield is informed and eco-conscious. She is aware of her responsibility for the environment and her impact on the planet, albeit in only a small area. Her actions are intentional.
“As children, I always remember my brother Jack and I having wool carpets, cotton curtains and cotton bedding. Nothing was throwaway. It lasted; something that I think is more uncommon nowadays”, says her son Harry.
Influenced by the close relationship with her grandmother Ivy May, a Fashion Buyer for an independent department store in Peterborough, Amanda grew up surrounded by natural fabrics, interiors, and upholstery.
Every purchase is and has always been considered. Beyond being a passion, long-lasting, well-made pieces were also a necessity. Money couldn’t be spent on furniture that only lasted a few years; economy was key.
But this is something which resonates with homeowners and interiors-lovers alike even today. During a cost-of-living crisis, Amanda’s no waste attitude is contemporary. It contributes to eco-conscious living and taps into growing awareness of and support for durability, timelessness, and restoration.
Today, that influence is evident in every aspect of Amanda’s lifestyle: from her collection of 100% British wool knitwear to her reupholstered Victorian furniture to the origins of the Wrought Iron and Brass Bed Co. Quality and longevity take precedence.
Having founded Wrought Iron and Brass Bed Co. 20 years ago, Amanda is stepping back to explore her personal interests.
Forging a relationship with the Sandringham Estate for the brand’s 100% wool mattresses and bedding sparked an interest in British wool. Supporting British sheep farmers, their wool, and the welfare of their sheep, led Amanda on her current journey as a shepherd.
The word ‘no’ was her motivation. Amanda wanted to find out why she couldn’t use pure British wool for mattress ticking. In doing so, she has learnt knowledge she wants to share with others.
Amanda’s first-hand experience as a shepherd provides her with an educated approach on her crusade for wool. An ambassador for its benefits, she wants consumers to understand wool’s breathability, its hypoallergenic properties, and its alternate uses in gardening.
Man-made microfibres and fossil fuel-based fibres, including polyester, greatly contribute to plastic pollution. In contrast, wool is biodegradable. By promoting wool’s positive environmental impact, Amanda wants to grow support for the British wool industry and encourage consumers to choose wool for themselves.
Her own flock of five is expected to grow this spring and Amanda is anticipating shearing her sheep for the very first time. She hopes to create a wool rug which acts as a reminder of her passion and perseverance.
With the launch of her new Instagram account, followers can gain insight into her day-to-day, behind the scenes as a shepherd, and be part of a welcoming community which prioritises fairness, natural fibres, and sustainability.
Two in a Bed podcast listeners will also hear from Amanda herself. In upcoming episodes 3 and 4, she talks to local sheep farmer Gordon and Country Life’s Interiors Editor Giles Kime in more detail about wool and shepherding.
Amanda hopes to build her personal brand with a like-minded community which supports an awareness of, and lifestyle built on sustainability.