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Natural Beauty | The Rise of an Eco-conscious Surface Brand

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Noosa Residence Pool House | Featuring natural Botanicrete render by Mineral Fox | Photography by Brock Beazley

Founded on a passion for craft and quality, and a responsibility for sustainability, Australian company Mineral Fox is at the forefront of eco-conscious surface design.

At the heart of Mineral Fox lies a commitment to innovation and artisanal authenticity. By continually pushing the boundaries of possible wall finishes, Mineral Fox seamlessly integrates sustainable practices with the latest design movements, all while honoring age-old techniques. This fusion of old and new has enabled Mineral Fox to offer bespoke, high-quality finishes that attract renowned Australian designers and architects, including Madeleine Blanchfield Architects, Tamsin Johnson, and Se Déa.

From their Botanicrete render to Microcement finishes, Mineral Fox’s expanding product range reflects Australia’s abundant natural heritage, drawing inspiration from the local environment to create non-toxic wall surfaces. Their emphasis on using natural materials reduces environmental impact and promotes a healthier living environment, aligning with the growing demand for eco-conscious design solutions. “Our natural wall plasters and renders are made from lime, clay, and gypsum with bio-based additives and recycled materials, creating unique, textured beauty,” says Founder Karmin Kenny.

We sat down with Karmin to explore the inspiration behind starting her brand, understand how decorative mineral coatings elevate interiors, and uncover their latest sustainability initiatives.

In partnership with Mineral Fox.

Noosa Residence Pool House featuring natural Botanicrete render by Mineral Fox | Photography by Brock Beazley

Take us back to where the Mineral Fox story began and the vision that underpins the company.

Karmin Kenny: I founded Mineral Fox back in 2020 when, as a mother of two young children and after travelling the world, I wanted a traditional, non-toxic wall plaster for our home. However, I was frustrated by the lack of options available and founded Mineral Fox to help others, such as myself, to return to nature through our mineral wall finishes.

Your philosophy centres around the idea of ‘Returning to Nature’ Could you elaborate on what this looks like, and how this shapes the selection of products at Mineral Fox?

Karmin Kenny: Nature sustains and rejuvenates us, yet we’ve distanced ourselves from it. Over the past century, natural building materials have been replaced by synthetic, often toxic alternatives for the sake of cost and convenience. We’ve envisioned a world where nature is present in every corner of our living spaces. Our natural plasters and renders, made from lime, clay, and gypsum, are free from synthetic additives and toxic chemicals, fostering a deeper connection with the natural world.

From a health perspective, natural plasters and renders can enhance indoor air quality by not trapping moisture and helping to regulate indoor humidity levels, thereby preventing mold growth. From a sustainability standpoint, natural finishes are free from plastics—a critical factor, after a recent report by Swiss firm Earth Action identified architectural coatings as the leading source of microplastic leakage into our oceans and waterways. Additionally, these finishes are chemical-free and can be returned to the earth at the end of their life cycle, making them an eco-friendly choice.

Bungalow Residence by Studio Jos | Featuring natural Ibiza plaster by Mineral Fox | Photography by Brock Beazley

Noosa Residence Pool House featuring natural Botanicrete render by Mineral Fox | Photography by Brock Beazley

How do natural surface finishes enhance biophilic design principles in modern architecture? Specifically, what role does your Botanicrete render play in this context?

Karmin Kenny: Botanicrete utilises botanical extracts, specifically tree resin, instead of petrochemical-derived resins or acrylics, to create a wall render that is not only uniquely beautiful but also healthy and highly durable. Tree resin offers a sustainable alternative to the synthetic resins and acrylics commonly used in wall finishes, imparting a distinctive depth and patina that fosters a natural connection.

Sustainability is a core value at Mineral Fox. What inspired the Circular Sea Collection initiative, and how did the partnership with The Nature Conservancy, Noosa River Catchment Society (NICA), and Resource Recovery Australia come about?

Karmin Kenny: Our Circular Sea Collection offers a range of uniquely textured architectural plasters that repurpose tonnes of restaurant shell waste, diverting it from landfill. Oyster shells, which are composed of 96% calcium carbonate—the same mineral as limestone—are milled to various sizes and used as decorative aggregates, replacing virgin sands. Oyster shells capture and store carbon, enabling us to lock carbon within our finishes. Through our partnerships, we’ve been able to gain access to sterilised waste shell material whilst also supporting crucial oyster reef restoration projects.

Fletcher House designed by Se Déa | Featuring Mineral Fox Microcement in Cocomilk | Photography by Dave Wheeler

“Our natural plasters and renders, made from lime, clay, and gypsum, are free from synthetic additives and toxic chemicals, fostering a deeper connection with the natural world."

– FOUNDER, KARMIN KENNY

Fletcher House designed by Se Déa | Featuring Mineral Fox Microcement in Cocomilk | Photography by Dave Wheeler

How do decorative coatings enhance the authenticity and character of a historical renovation or contemporary project?

Karmin Kenny: Unlike conventional wall finishes that contain cement or plastic (synthetic polymer) additives, natural plasters “breathe,” preventing moisture from becoming trapped within the building fabric—an essential quality for heritage projects. In contemporary designs, they add warmth and softness, enhancing the overall ambiance. When applied by a skilled tradesperson, natural plasters and renders offer timeless appeal, with aesthetic depth that surpasses the one-dimensional look of acrylic finishes.

Can you discuss standout projects where your surface finishes have made a significant impact on the overarching design?

Karmin Kenny: Our natural Ibiza plaster has been specified for hundreds of high-end residential and commercial projects and is valued for its timeless beauty, non-toxic properties, and sustainability. In commercial settings, it adds natural warmth to spaces.

Notable projects include a residential home in Tamarama by Madeleine Blanchfield, where the client required a non-toxic plaster due to chemical sensitivities, and The Range Estates Copperstone; a luxury estate in Bangalow, where the owners were dedicated to using only the highest quality natural and sustainable materials throughout the build.

The Range Estates | Featuring natural Ibiza plaster | Photography by Sean Fennessy

What are some of the most popular natural finishes Mineral Fox offers, and what makes them particularly appealing to your clients/designers?

Karmin Kenny: Our natural Ibiza plaster and Botanicrete are highly sought after in residential projects for their uniquely elegant aesthetic. Beyond their beauty, these finishes contribute to improved indoor air quality and are both sustainable and biodegradable.

In commercial spaces, our Circular Sea Collection has received an incredible response and is specified across several high-profile projects. Its appeal lies in its strong sustainability credentials and the creative possibilities it offers, particularly with our exposed shell aggregate finish.

What recent movements have you observed within the design community regarding decorative surface finishes? How do you plan to continue evolving your product offering?

Karmin Kenny: We see the growing awareness of sustainability within the design community as a key area that will have the greatest impact on the future of decorative finishes. Our unique ability to innovate with Australian minerals and alternative sources to virgin sands and aggregates positions us at the forefront of this movement.