It’s no secret that renters are limited in the way they can use and alter their homes, but it doesn’t mean that sustainable action is off the cards. Just ask Sydney-based creative cake maker and cookbook author Katherine Sabbath.
Despite adding her own creative flair to her family home, with eclectic homewares and a love of pattern, like many other renters, Katherine is restricted from installing rooftop solar. That’s why she did the next best thing: switching to GreenPower.
GreenPower is Australia’s only government accredited and audited renewable energy scheme, where your power company buys renewable energy on your behalf. It means the money you spend on your electricity bills is going directly towards new Australian renewable projects, bringing more renewable energy to the grid.
It typically doesn’t cost more than a few dollars extra per month, and it’s the fastest and easiest way you can help grow the renewables industry. More than 10 electricity companies in Sydney offer GreenPower, all you have to do is sign up through your energy provider. Plus with energy prices on the rise, it’s also a great opportunity to shop around for the best deal, and Energy Made Easy is great resource for comparing all the latest electricity plans.
Katherine shares how she managed to make the switch, while juggling parenting and her flourishing baking business!
Hey Katherine! It’s been a huge few years for you, can you give us an update one what you’ve been up to?
Hey mates! I’ve been super lucky to have recently welcomed into the world our first born, Zemirah (Zee!) with my partner Troy. Around the same time, my third cookbook, ‘Bake My Day’ was also released! It celebrates sweet ways to make friends and be the life of the party through baking. It’s been a chaotic juggle of course, but such a wonderful chapter to have the privilege of navigating through.
Tell us about your home and how you’ve styled it?
Having grown up down the coast in Shellharbour and Wollongong, I’ve lived in the inner-west for the last 10 years and I just thrive on the creative community here. The home we’re currently renting has lovely Victorian design features and I’ve decorated the interior with mid-century and art deco furniture, plants, and eclectic homewares. I love the single-floor, open-plan style of living, with loads of natural light.
As a multi-tasking creative (with a new baby!) what are all the different ways you use your home?
It’s a priority for me at the moment that our home functions as both a family space and a workspace. I test all of my recipes and write all my cookbooks here! Some days I use this space to create my own baking videos, or I can spend days on the dining room table as my ‘office’. Now recently with little Zee in tow, it’s important that she has space to explore and grow, so we’ve rearranged the living room (and most of the house to be honest) to become her play zone! At the moment I’m spending most of my time with her in her play zone or outdoors at local parks, and cherishing it!
What are you feeling passionate about at the moment?
I’ve always loved the meditative and creative nature of baking away in the kitchen for special people, but I also LOVE being outdoors with family and my dog Pluto, or tending to our plants. Living in the inner west means there’s lots of local parks, pubs, cafes, and events that we can check out on foot.
You’ve recently made the switch to GreenPower. How and why did you make the switch?
It was really easy! I just called up our energy provider and specifically asked them to help me switch my plan over to GreenPower. The process was straightforward and only took 5-10 minutes over the phone.
I think it’s everyone’s responsibility (and in our best interests of course) to look after the environment, but at the moment I’m not in the position to install solar panels to the house we’re in because it’s a rental. Switching to GreenPower is such an easy and small change that anyone can make. In the long run, supporting renewable energy makes a big impact!
What’s next for Katherine Sabbath?
I’ve got some exciting creative collaborations with local businesses in the pipeline, as well as working away on my own small business, Creative Cake Decorating. I’d love to work with more artists as well as sustainable Australian brands this year, so I’m putting that out into the universe!
Find GreenPower providers and other useful tips to make the switch from City of Sydney.
