Summer 2012

It may have come to your attention that we are flying the flag here at Heart Home this summer and with very good reason. The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee (2 - 5 June) celebrations and the London Olympics (27 July - 12 August) have given us even more excuse to feel patriotic. We have the usual mix of gorgeous and inspirational homes to share with you, including two very special historic houses that the owners have adapted to suit family life in the twenty first century, and one home by the sea, which quite frankly we wanted to move into.

Carole KingEditor-in-chief

Daniel NelsonArt editor

Arianna TrapaniEditor-in-chief

Which brings us to the great British summer holiday... the hotels feature is a ‘bucket and spade’ family break and a Glamping feature gives first-class tips on successful camping. But if you do prefer to flee the wonderful UK shores for your summer break, the fashion pages ensure you look great on the beach, in the city and yes, even on the camp site. Whatever you are doing this summer, we hope you have a wonderful time and remember to take Heart Home with you.

Carole, Arianna and Daniel

Photographer Oliver G

ordonCover im

age: Photographer Simon Eldon

The Heart Home team enjoying brunch atThe Modern Pantry. Read the feature

LLUSTRE.com is a new destination online to discover and purchase the best of local and international design for your home.

Window shopping

Michelle Mason St Tropez seedpod cushionRRP £42£33On sale in w/c 11thJune

Releasing new curated collections every week with a mix of limited editions, absolute exclusives and unmissable discounts of up to 50% off, it’s free to join and Heart Home readers can get £15 off an order of £100 or more with code HH15JUNE.

Linda Bloomfield Two tea cup set

RRP £46 £37On sale in w/c 18th June

Rex Chair Folding Rocking Chair LimeRRP £255 £204

On sale in w/c 18th June

VBC Casa vase

RRP £143£115

On sale in w/c 4th

June

Scent and Feel Fouta in fuschia

RRP £32 £22On sale in w/c 4th

June

Zoe Darlington

BartleyRRP £950

£760On sale in

w/c 11th June

Knot Lamp (Grey Large)RRP £160 £125On sale in w/c 18th June

Vitamin Knot Lamp (Yellow Small)RRP £130£99

Adam Bridgland Everything & Again

RRP £225 £202.50On sale in w/c

4th June

Liquidesign Edge Clock in walnut

& yellowRRP £35 £28

On sale in w/c 4th June

Haidee Drew Small Dandy Clocks - Half Hunter & Railway GuardRRP £36.50 £29 eachOn sale in w/c 11th June

Hario Silver DripKettle

David Ryan Robinson map of LondonRRP £120 £100

On sale in w/c 11th June

Bettina Nissen Gills Bowl (Green)RRP £54£45On sale in w/c 18th June

Bloomingville HammockRRP £199 £135On sale in w/c 4th June

RRP £52.50£44.50On sale in w/c 11th June

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To all of the wonderful contributors that have helped to make Heart Home possible, we thank you...

Andrew BoydEmma Lewis Simon EldonOliver Gordon

Photographers

Rona Wheeldon Kate Baxter Mary HiggsHelena del RioKatie Treggiden LaurenBryan Knight

Columnists

EllieWalker-Arnott

Victoria DockrellVanessaLeigh-Anders

Writers

Contributors

Paul CraigJames Balston Richard Clatworthy

Avishai Finkelstein Elkie Brown

Stylist

Eunice Yeo Roberto Banfi Tomasz Staszak

Designers Staff

Ally Mumm

Kelly Lavender Hannah RicciShane HollandMichaelaMildenhall

Liggy Griffiths ChedvaKleinhandler

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The French Connection – A Parisienne’s tips for chic rental living

Beach Life – A cool seaside second home full of vintage children’s furniture

The Good Life – A stunning 17th century home full of homespun charm

Oliver’s House – A character filled family home in London

Nurtured By Nature – An interior designer’s colourful country cottage home

Colourful Synergy – An artist’s jewel box home in Tel Aviv

Homes32

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100

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FeaturesSummer Wedding Loving – Thrifty but stylish tips for a garden wedding

Flower Power – A glimpse into the life of textile designer Clarissa Hulse

Bake, Style, Pretty – Tips for creating the perfect dessert table

Young Designer – James Ward

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Contents

8

Video interview with Anna Hansen of The Modern Pantry

Maryam Montague - talks about her new book Marrakesh by Design

Interviews68

29

Home and AwayBerlin – A stylist’s guide

Beside the Seaside – Bucket and spade holidays within our own shores

136

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Tel 0207 060 2975 Email info@westegg.co.uk

Restored antique & vintage furniture and decorative home accessories.Visit www.westegg.co.uk »

Regular featuresStop press – A last minute roundup of design news

The Great Date Guide – Miss Mary’s suggestions for sporty summer dates

Popartrockgirlyeah! – Investigates Bauhaus style.

Flowerona – Looks at the latest floral finds for your home

Aspiring Kennedy – A light hearted look at life by an American in London

Heart Home Diary – What to see this summer

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140

110

99

96

124

ShoppingFashion – Summer looks to turn up the heat

Skandi Skool for Kids – Stylish Scandinavian inspired looks for the little ones

Put the Glamp into Camping – Tips for stylish camping holidays

Deck it Out – Our top picks for that oh, so English deckchair

Hidden Gems – Seed in Somerset

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Photographer Richard ClatworthyStylist Elkie BrownSummer

Wedding Loving

Weddings don’t necessarily have to be about swanky venues and bank breaking budgets; especially in the summer months. With a little imagination and some extra preparation, the back garden might just be the perfect place.

Dazzle your guests with a bright fun wedding. Be thrifty and playful to create a relaxed day full of quirky surprises.

For cocktail hour serve gin and homemade lemonade in jam jars from buckets full of ice. Use retro paper straws and decorate the jars with ribbon.

Make flags as table numbers that can be placed into the flower arrangement. They can be made out of fabric, felt or card.

Mis-match brightly coloured prints. Make napkins out of three or four different fabrics to add colour

and texture to the table setting.

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Stockists

Paint tin cans in matching or contrasting colours as an alternative to glass vases. You can also wrap in fabric, wrapping paper or wallpaper.

If you have green fingers (or a family member or friend who does) why not grow your own flowers for the wedding. Flowers like Sweet Peas are fairly easy to grow but expensive to buy, just see what is in season.

Heart Style

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Coloured glassware will

create a fun but elegant

feel. You can hire coloured glassware in

an array of colours.

Mini flags can be made out of origami paper and skewers left on tables or placed in drinks as stirrers, you can leave fun messages on them.

Wedding Tips

You can resell anything you buy on

eBay or local neighbourhood websites...

lanterns, tea light holders, bunting…

somebody is always getting married!

Car boot sales, charity shops and

Freecycle are great places to pick up

props for your wedding.

To stop fresh flower waste,

organise someone to make up bouquets

of flowers to give to guests as they

leave, alternatively donate to a local

hospice or nursing home.

If you are having flowers at the

church design them in a way that they

can be transported and used again at

the reception.15

Create an elegant rustic wedding by keeping it simple but beautiful. Choose natural

materials, scent with fresh plants and herbs and light

with twinkly candles.

A simple piece of lace wrapped around a linen napkin, a sprig of

rosemary and a brown luggage

label makes a beautiful name place. WHSmith have the best luggage

labels I have found and Cox

& Cox do great rubber stamps.

Sage martinis served in vintage cocktail glasses with antique lace bows will welcome your guests and set the scene.

Heart Style

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Large and small white paper lanterns clustered together make a beautiful focal point. They are great to fill spaces with high ceilings. If you can, get then wired up so in the evening they glow. Try Ikea and online paper lantern stores.

Camelot stick back chair in mahogany from £3.50 each

Trestle table from £10.95 each

Both from Rayners Catering Equipment Hire020 8870 6000

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An alternative to fresh cut flowers is to use potted plants such as lavender and rosemary. Plant in large metal trugs for a rustic feel.

Wedding inspirationstylemepretty.comgreenweddingshoes.compostcardsandpretties.blogspot.co.ukmarthastewartweddings.comsnippetandink.comflorenceblue.comweddingtwitter.compinterest.comelkiebrown.com

Dot a mixture of glass and mercerised tea lights together for a beautiful twinkle along the table. Break up with simple church candles in elegant hurricane vases. Make inexpensive tea light holders using tumblers from Ikea. Leave as they are or using double sided tape wrap ribbon or lace around the rim. They create a beautiful light.

Table seating plans don’t need to be boring or complicated. Use them visually as a way of introducing your guests to the look of your reception. Luggage labels have been used here and then again on the place settings.

Weddingsuppliesnotonthehighstreet.com/weddingsikea.comseamstar.co.ukdzd.co.ukeasyfloristsupplies.co.ukclick4warehouse.co.ukpartypacks.co.ukcoxandcox.co.ukprettyvintage.co.ukrayners.co.uk

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01425 626147info@biancalorenne.co.ukwww.biancalorenne.co.uk

Fenella Smith is launching new pieces to her increasingly popular Animal Collection at Pulse in June; and they are very cute indeed! Available to buy online.

The Perfectly Imperfect HomePerfectly Imperfect Home, from founder of domino and editor of the Wall Street Journal magazine Deborah Needleman, is a must-have guide to choosing furnishings that will help create a relaxed, comfortable and stylish home.

Stop press

Craft Club at ‘In with the Old’In With The Old at 57 Amwell Street (near Angel) has started a fun craft club. Since the club is aimed at becoming a fun social event, drinks and snacks will also be provided. All

sessions run from 7pm to 9pm Monday and Wednesday evenings every other week. A full list of classes is available on their website.

New Products from Fenella Smith

Another fabulous collection from the founders of mini moderns, Keith and Mark. The Backgammon collection derives from their obsession from an early age with

the glamorous connotations of Backgammon, as well as its graphic geometry. Backgammon is available as a wallpaper in 4 colourways. Also available as cushions and a porcelain collection.

Mini Moderns launches Backgammon collection

affordablecontemporary art & design from the best british based

artists & designer-makers

paintings | ceramics | sculpture | textiles | lighting | furniturewww.cavalierofinn.com

our new o nline shop

click here tovisit

Fontana Covered Box, £88, Jonathan Adler

Summer lovin’Arianna’s wish list

Missoni crochet-knit bandeau bikini, £225,

Net-A-Porter

J Brand Denim skinny jeans, £225, Net-A-Porter

Black Band Straw Trilby, £15.00, ASOS

Beige Falabella Shaggy Deer Clutch, Stella McCartney, £495, Liberty

Balfazar Cushion, £29.99, Zara Home

Designers Guild

Uppsala Teal Rug,

£850, Amara

Tolix Classic French Cafe Chair, £190, Graham & Green

Diagonal Stripe iPhone 4 Case, $40, Kate Spade

Heart Shopping

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Who says only the grown ups can have cool, clean, chic design? Take a lesson from the Scandi school of thought and give the kids bright decorations and accessories that will stand the test of time and might even be with them forever.

By Carole King

skandi skool for kidsskandi skool for kidsskandi skool for kids

Hedgehog baby bedlinen from Skandivis. £46 Bedtime stories guaranteed.

Bird on a Wire wipeable blind from Bodie and Fou. £64.99

Birdy garden mugs from DotComGiftShop £4.95

Heart Shopping

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skandi skool for kidsskandi skool for kidsskandi skool for kids

Practical storage that won’t offend the eye. Sold as a set of three from Nordic House. £39.95

A modern twist on the classic doll's house from Ferm Living, available from MyHaus. £129

‘How it Works’ wallpaper from PaperBoy. £60 for a 10 metre roll. Cute and educational!

Oslo flowers lampshade. Retro style from HunkyDoryHome £34

From Danish design house Superliving these five beau-

tiful hand painted wooden birds nest together to make

the Bird Family. £29.99 from HunkyDoryHome.

Dutch boy stool £29 from 4-Living. Stronger than it looks and very adaptable. Is it a chair, a stool or a table?

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Patriotic but oh, so cosy. Knitted lambswool London soldier cushion from Folly Home. £39.95

Pricey but surely a future family heirloom? Rocking sheep made from real sheepskin from Story North. £345

Geo’s desk and Lilly’s chair. Made in Denmark from sustainable bamboo. £200 and £120 from e-side.

Melaminerabbits plate from the

‘Animal Inside Out’ collectionat the Natural

History Museum. £6Our Little Monster framed print. 50 x 70cms and available in 3 colours from Koko Kids. £29

This oak Bambi style lamp will add a mystical feel to any kids bedroom. £59.95 MyHaus.

skandi skool for kidsskandi skool for kidsskandi skool for kidsHeart Shopping

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Aderyn Deep V

Neck Dress, £169, Reiss

Esther Patterson Glass Pendants, £288, Cavaliero Finn

Gigi Statement Chain Sandels, £110, Reiss

Pink Paisley Liberty Print Trilby, £68, Liberty

Summer lovin’Carole’s wish list

Antik Batik Woven Leather Belt, £90, Net-a-Porter

Blue Urn Cushion, £54, PreyUK

Grand Cafe Margot Clock, £195, Graham

and Green

Paisley Crescent Wallpaper - Tangerine Dream, £45, Mini Moderns

Chunky Turquoise Teardrop Necklace, £30, Pasttimes

Rose Three Tier Cake Stand, £44.95, Not on the High Street

Marrakesh By Design

Maryam Montague is a writer, photographer, designer, human rights specialist & owner of boutique guesthouse, Peacock Pavilions. She is also the author of her award wining blog, My Marrakesh. Here she talks to Heart Home about her first design book ‘Marrakesh by Design’ and her love affair with this captivating city.

By Arianna Trapani

Heart Interviews

to buy them, no matter where you are’.When asked what has been her favourite

part of putting the book together, she said ‘I really loved spending time with the homeowners whose houses are included in my book. Many people who choose to live in Marrakesh are a pretty creative bunch. I adored seeing their collections and hearing their stories’.

So what is it that fascinates her so much about Moroccan design? ‘I love that Morocco has such an iconic design culture with features that are so instantly recognisable’.

If one has to describe Maryam’s style it would have to be modern global glamour. ‘I love things that are made by hand, unique and worldly. I also adore things that are intriguing and curious like talismans and African games. Beauty with a strange past is my favourite combination’.

So where do Maryam’s inspirations come from? ‘Simply from wandering the souks of Marrakesh’.

Maryam Montague first moved to Marrakesh 6 years ago and has never looked back. When asked what made her fall in love with Marrakesh, she simply responds ‘Its gorgeous madness. It’s a place that is literally a whirlwind of colour, sound, and taste, with a snake charmer or two thrown in there for good measure’.

It is for this very reason that Maryam decided to start her popular blog, My Marrakesh; to chronicle her life in the city and express her fascination with Moroccan culture and design. ‘I began to get more and more readers on my blog and then was contacted by Artisan Books to write a book to discuss the beauty of Moroccan design in a more comprehensive way’.

Maryam describes her first book, ‘Marrakesh by Design’ as a love letter to Moroccan design. ‘In the book I talk about the ABCs of Moroccan design: Moroccan architecture, decorative features, colour and pattern. In the second section I discuss how to add Moroccan flair to every room in the house. In the last section I talk about all the very best Moroccan things to buy and where

Read the full interview on the Heart Home blog »

- Grace Bonney

“Beauty with a strange past is

my favourite combination”

Photography Excerpted from Marrakesh by Design by Maryam Montague (Artisan Books) © 2012

Marrakesh by Design is currently available to buy on Amazon.moroccanmaryam.typepad.com

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Photographer Andrew BoydWriter Michaela Mildenhall

TheFrench

ConnectionParisienne blogger

Carole Poirot is the author of the

blog Mademoiselle Poirot. As we take a

look around her chic and feminine Forest Hill flat, we discover

that her beautiful home is just like her

wistful and stylish blog , très jolie!

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The oil painting above the desk is one of Carole’s own.

Upon glancing around the rented flat that Carole shares with her teenage son, you witness the evidence of

a creative mind at work everywhere you look.There are many of Carole’s lovely paintings on the walls. Carole prefers to work with oil on canvas, but has recently been experimenting with watercolour due to the lack of space. She has also made lots of cushions for the flat herself, and had a go at some curtains too. The flat itself is not architecturally unusual, although its location is. Situated above several garages, the flat looks out over leafy Forest Hill and you can watch the squirrels playing about in the trees. The nature continues inside as Carole is a lover of plants, and their presence in her home brings a lovely freshness to the flat. Carole has nicknamed the space “The Penthouse”, and it affords a little nook of quiet in the centre of London. Carole explains why she originally chose the flat; “I like the way it overlooks parts of London, it’s up on a hill. It’s quiet up here; there’s just nobody around unless you live up here…and it’s nice and green!”

“I like the way it overlooks parts of London …and it’s nice and green”

“The one thing I would say is to make sure you get on with your landlord”

The Penthouse is open plan, but Carole has skilfully managed to separate the rooms, and has cleverly used furniture that doubles up as storage. Carole has sourced the finds in her home from a varied range of places; she says she gets her inspiration “from absolutely everywhere and anywhere”, and goes on to say, “I’ve got pieces inherited from grandparents, my desk and table are from eBay, the dresser is from La Redoute - it took months to get it here from France!” Carole also picks up the odd item from flea markets, and describes her signature style as “eclectic”, whilst stating that she is “definitely not minimalist”.

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and that is how you gain their trust and are able to paint walls and things like that.” Carole’s lifestyle blog, Mademoiselle Poirot is a wonderful snapshot of her chic life in London, but she does admit that one day, probably when her son is a bit older, she might consider moving back to France, “..but not necessarily Paris”. Let’s hope that if Carole does move back to her native France that she keeps on blogging, although this time about her stylish life across the Channel!

www.mademoisellepoirot.com

“The Penthouse” may well be rented but Carole has very much made the space her own - it feels like a home. This is something that she feels strongly about; attitudes to renting are very different in the UK to on the continent. In France, for example, it is still very important to invest in your home whether you actually own it or not. In fact Carole has recently blogged about this; kindly giving us tips on how to make a rented home feel like your own. She tells Heart Home, “the one thing I would say is to make sure you get on with your landlord…show them that you are treating the property as your home…with respect,

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Style stealGet the look from Carole’s home

Heart Shopping

Wrought Iron Day bed, £355, Lavender and Sage

Handmade Portugese

Glass Decanter,

£44, Jasmine Way

Chunky Hand Knit Throws, £400, The White Company

Herb Pot Trio, £34.99, Stylish Life

Antique Venetian Dressing Table Mirror, £169, Ivory

Pearl Interiors

Oriental Floral Cushion, £30, Digitex Home

Rustic Industrial Style Cabinet, £565, Out There Interiors

Paris In The Pink Eiffel Tower, £55, Ghost Furniture

Lisbeth Dahl Square Gemstone Charm Perfume Bottle, £12.99, Mollie & Fred

Deck It Out!

ComeSummer and us

Brits like nothing more than lounging

around on our deckchairs. Here is a selection of our favourite picks…

Vintage French Deckchair

Bubbledrum £48

Pigeon & Jelly Deckchair

Rume £125

Bird on Egg DeckchairThornback & Peel £125.00

Maui Lizzie Deckchair Sling

Habitat £10

The Seabird DeckchairThe Seaside Company £70

Blue & White Stripe DeckchairThe Conran Shop £59

Union Jack DeckchairNext £30

Sheila Bownas Double Deckchair

Pedlars £495

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Melamine Cups, Pedlars, £4,

Melamine Bowl, Pedlars, £8.85

A-Z Paper Plates,Graham and Green, £12

Put the Glamp into CampingA Stylist’s guide to camping by Vanessa Leigh-Anders

Kissing Horses OilCloth, Anorak, £55 (for 2 metres)

If you can’t live without your cup of tea in the morning don’t forget your kettle and enamel mugs to give you that outdoor feeling.

Enjoying the great outdoors can be more glamorous than a two man tent and a roll mat. It might take a bit more effort and a fairly long checklist but it’s worth it when you get together with a group of friends and create a cool and fun camp.

Enamel Mug, John Lewis, £6

Folklore Enamel Teapot, Liberty, £14.95

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Storm Lantern, Toast, £29

Petal Dome Tent, Cath Kidston, £85,

Put the Glamp into Camping

Smokey Joe Weber BBQ, John Lewis,

£59.99

BBQ’s are a huge part of camping fun - choose a portable BBQ that doubles as a fire pit for after hours sitting round the campfire - don’t forget the marshmallows..

Fire Bowl, Toast, £99

Send some sky lanterns into the night sky to finish off the perfect glamping day....

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Cable Knit Blanket, John Lewis, £80

Knot Garden cushion by Melin Tregwynt, SCP, £51

Kissing Stags Sleeping Bag, Anorak, £59

It’s the small things that count - get creative with decorating your camp. It's amazing how a table cloth, some bunting and flowers will transform your camp to glamp ! Hang battery powered fairy lights from tent to tent to give a magical feel - the kids will love it !

There is no reason why camping should be uncomfortable and hard work. You can create a comfortable homely feel both inside your tent and in your camp. Invest in some self inflating mattresses and fun sleeping bags, especially the ones that can still be zipped together to create a double bag and take your blanket from home to get that extra cosy feel - camping is no fun unless you get some sleep!!

Punk Bunting, Ruby Shoes Rocks, £19.50 (for 3 metres)

Marshmallows, Harvey

Nichols, £3.95

Heart Shopping

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Classic Diamond Rainbow Kite,

Skyhighkites, £7.99

Stomp Rocket, Skyhighkites,

£11.99

Sky Lantern, Graham and Green,

£14.95 (pack of 5)

Put the Glamp into Camping

Washing up can also be glamorous with a huge selection of tea towels to choose from. Trugs stack easily inside one

another which can then be packed with other things for

easy packing in the car and can double up as washing up bowls and ice buckets

for drinks - Love them.

jamieoliver.com/recipestheyurtfarm.co.ukfeatherdown.co.uk

Pick up a camping book for inspiration or there are some great websites to entice you to visit some fantastic campsites Coolcamping.co.uk is a good place to start. Visit Jamie Oliver's website for great summer recipes for camping too.

Give Me Sunshine Tea Towel by Pintuck, To Dry For, £9.95

Coloured Trug, Rainbow Trugs, 15L £3.30, 25L

Shallow £6.99 and 45L £5.90

The Camping Cookbook by Annie Bell, Oliver Bonas, £12.99, Glamping Getaways, Cool Camping, £14.95

Don’t forget to have some fun!

Helena del Rio turns up the heat with her favourite summer looks

FASHION

SummeR LOvIN’

Kimono, £14.99, H&M

Jonny D ruched bandeau bikini top by Norma Kamali,

£170, Net-a-Porter

Faux patent-leather and cork sandals by Stella McCartney, £225, Net-a-Porter

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FASHION

Beach GlamHandmade Acetate Cateye Sunglasses,

$150, Cole Haan

Rosebud Salve, $6, Sephora

Katie Basket, £30, Le Papillon Vert

Anthelios 40

Sunscreen Cream,

£unknown, La Roche-

Posay

Kindle Touch, £109,

Amazon

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FASHION

Jack Purcell Helen sneakers by Converse, £70, Net-a-Porter

Lizard-trimmed cat eye acetate sunglasses by Linda Farrow Luxe,

£345, Net-a-Porter

DiemTieFront, Medieval Blue, $184, Equipment

Paris cropped mid-rise straight-leg jeans by Mih Jeans, £145, Net-a-Porter

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Hit the city pavement

Mikas Pond Lacey, $178, Kate Spade

Bahari Necklace, £85, Stella & Dot

Michael Kors Jet Set Logo Medium Travel Tote, $278, Michael Kors

Nikon 1 J1 Compact

System Camera, £365.90, Amazon

Bobble BPA-Free

550 ml Water Bottle,

Blue, £7.99,

Amazon

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FASHION

Cropped ikat-print silk-blend pants by Michael Kors, £195, Net-a-Porter

Native Envelope Clutch, £30, TopShop

Organic cotton tank

by Chinti and Parker, £45,

Net-a-Porter

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Marrakech Dunes, Vintage Chic

Eye Kohl, £14, Mac Cosmetics

Pentax Asahi K1000, $299, eBay

Nikomachi Sandals, £114, Boutique1

Flower Cocktail Ring by Oscar de la Renta, £118, Boutique1

14-karat gold-vermeil teardrop earrings by Chan

Lui, £115, Net-a-Porter

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FASHION

Zoe Karssen Paris Can Wait Tee, £55, Asos

Denim Shorts, £7.49,

H&M

Mini Gracie pleated leather

shoulder bag by Anya Hindmarch,

£395, Net-a-Porter

Original Tall Hunter wellington,

£79, Hunter

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Rock it, it’s festival season!

Tangle Teezer Professional Detangling Brush, £10, Asos

House of Harlow 1960 Leather Station

Necklace, £51.93, Nordstrom

Batiste Dry Shampoo Floral & Flirty Blush 400ml, £4.99, Boots

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Photographer Simon EldonWriter Kelly LavenderBeach

Life

A shabby cottage near a sandy beach went from a weekend bolthole to a successful holiday let

for one business-minded couple.

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A family trip to Camber Sands turned out to be about much more than just building sand castles

for Rebecca and Mark Partridge and their three young boys, as they instantly fell in love with the area and decided to put down roots. However, it was Mark who saw the business potential in the property that they found to buy, just a stone’s throw from the beach, and he convinced Rebecca that they should let it out as a holiday home. Rebecca says: “We bought the property about a year and a half ago after falling in love with the area. I persuaded Mark to buy it, but he said it had to be as a business investment rather than entirely as our second home. We make the most of our time here when it’s not being let, but it’s proving popular with families as a great place to stay at weekends, during the summer and at Christmas.”

Over the past 18 months Rebecca has been working hard to make the 1930s coastal cottage welcoming and comfortable for anyone wishing to rent it, a mission that has been aided by her other business venture back home in Brighton. Along with business partner Jess Bird, Rebecca runs Nest, a company specialising in vintage children’s furniture. Her love for all things vintage is apparent throughout the Camber Sands property, as Rebecca who is mum to 11-year-old Tom, six-year-old Charlie and four-year-old Rufus, explains: “There is quite a lot of vintage furniture in the house. When I’m out sourcing new products it’s one for me, one for the house and one for the business.”

“There is quite a lot of vintage furniture in the house”

“When I’m out sourcing new

products it’s one for me, one for the house and one for

the business”

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Rebecca and Mark restored the entire property, re-wiring, re-plumbing and re-cladding along the way. “The en-suite bathroom was just like a little folly, it wasn’t even built-in, just the framework was there,” remembers Rebecca. With the hard work complete, Sandways is the perfect base for families looking to make the most of what Camber Sands and its mile after mile of sandy beach has to offer. “When it’s not being let out we just love spending time here as a family,” concludes Rebecca. “We can invite friends to stay now, whereas at first no-one wanted to come because we’d give them a job to do!”

Now called Sandways, the cottage comfortably sleeps up to 11 people, with three double bedrooms, a children’s bedroom with bunk beds and a further sofa bed in the living room. Outside there is a large decking area and a fabulous garden, complete with donkeys braying in the field that backs on to it. The clean white space is practical yet homely and a far cry from how Rebecca remembers it when they bought it. She says: “It was revolting. I just remember it all being brown, with UPVC windows and just absolutely tasteless. “We used to come here every weekend to work on it. I thought Mark would never want to come and stay again and that he’d hate it forever but he loves it now.”

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Rent the house www.cambersandscottage.co.ukRebecca’s vintage shop www.kidsnest.co.uk

“When it’s not being let out we just love spending time here as a family”

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Style stealGet the look from Rebecca’s home

Heart Shopping

Beer Hall Table & Benches, £275, The Old Cinema

Vintage French School

Chair, £68, Bubbledrum

Classic Couffin French Market Basket set, £56, Basket Basket

Roberts Vintage Digital Radio, £120, Cotswold Trading

Framed Original Bus Destination Blinds, £175, Unlimited Editions

Le Klint 172 Pendant Light, £246, Cloudberry Living

Vintage Mirrors,

£135, The Dormy House

Young Hunter Yellow Wellington Boots, £26.99, Wellie Boots

6 Mini School Milk Bottles In Metal Crate, £9.95, DotComGiftShop

Like many artists, James Ward of JimBobArt finds business a tough challenge but you wouldn’t know it from his inspiring success story.

Heart Columns

James. “I was also recently involved in an exhibition curated by EtsyUK for Clerkenwell Design Week, which had me drawing large scale drawings on tiles and in a bathtub.” Throughout the past year, James has been gearing up to sell wholesale and take part in the larger trade shows such as Pulse at Earls Court in June. He highlights press exposure a valuable helping hand to raise his public profile. “I think the hardest thing for a small business is increasing your visibility. There is so much great work and competition for design-led gifts.” James shares a hurdle faced by many creatives: finding the time and acumen to profit from his passion. “The balance is very difficult. I want to spend every day drawing new products but I have to be focused and try to concentrate on all parts of business,” explains James. “I took a business course run by former Dragon’s Den entrepreneur Doug Richards which has been really useful and I now employ an assistant two days a week which is a huge help.” Whatever James is doing, he is clearly doing it right and is firmly on track to achieve his goal. “I would love to just continue what I am doing but free up more and more time to produce new work.”

jimbobart.cometsy.com/shop/jimbobart

Curious creatures inhabit the fascinating world of illustrator James Ward. There’s Viv the badger with a penchant for

Victoria sponge cake and party bags; feline beauty Kat who, while shy, loves to boogie and dreams of becoming a respected author; and Ralph the ram, a political puppeteer who is set on taking his act to the West End. These characters and many others are created by 32-year-old James at his studio in Angel, north London, which he sells as art prints and hand-drawn ceramic plates and espresso cups. “I’ve always drawn animals. I enjoy creating an emotional connection with their expressions or with text,” explains James, who graduated in illustration at Westminster University in 2008 in need of a plan of action. “Illustration can be a difficult industry to get into so I wanted to supplement my income by selling in markets and local shops. I had to find a product and after being inspired by natural history surface design on a trip to Sweden, I decided to start with plates.” Hard work and perseverance has seen James’ grow his passion into a successful business in the past 12 months with international stockists and high profile commissions, including a recent T-shirt illustration for apparel brand Lacoste. “It was a great project because I was given a lot of control on the final piece,” explains

Animal Magic

“I’ve always drawn animals. I enjoy creating

an emotional connection

with their expressions or

with text”

Writer Hannah RicciPortrait photograph Zack Mclaughlin

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By Shane Holland

Heart Interviews

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“My grandmother was excellent at adapting dishes and recreating them with other ingredients ”

Anna Hansen opened The Modern Pantry in 2008 to show us all how to use ingredients to their fullest. Chair of Slow Food London, Shane Holland, tells us more...

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Anna Hansen set out to write a book called the “The Modern Pantry” after she left Providores, a restaurant she had opened with Peter Gordon a fellow New Zealander whom she had previously worked with in Mayfair’s Green Street Club. The book came, but not before Anna opened one of London’s most chic and playful restaurants in Clerkenwell in 2008. Born in Canada, to a Danish mother and Canadian father, but brought up in New

Zealand, a mixing of cuisine has been with her from birth. Taking everyday ingredients you’d find in your home pantry and paring them with the new global offerings available in virtually every supermarket, she creates a modern eclectic cuisine which is both deeply familiar yet surprising new at the same time. The book “Modern Pantry” was published in 2011, and includes home versions of all the signature dishes such as the Sugar Cured Prawn Omelette and Matchta Tea Scones.

Play video

Watch the video interview inpartnership with Crane.tv

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Play video

“You can go to a supermarket

and buy anything ... I try

to show people that you can use

these kind of ingredients”

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Cake stand (small), £25.19, SCP

Stelle Polaris decanter, £64, I Like It Here

boutique

Braque cushion

cover, £69, The Conran

Shop

Summer lovin’Daniel’s wish list

2012 cushion by Michelle Mason, £49, Lifestylebazaar

Nicoll High Back chair, £350, Habitat

Bobby floor lamp, £60, Habitat

Tea Towel English Dinner Red by Victoria Egg, £9, Moska

Kensal Rising by Old Town cushion cover, £32, St Judes

Blinder armchair, £795, The Sleep Room

Vessel Light by Decode,

£228, mydeco

Flowerpower

Heart Features

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Clarissa Hulse is well known for her lively and vibrant botanical designs. The exciting

prints, which capture the colours and shapes of the natural world, can now be found in hundreds of department stores

and exclusive boutiques across the globe.

Photographer James BalstonWriter Ellie Walker-Arnott

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We meet Clarissa in pretty North London at her studio. The building was once home to the chauffeurs who worked in Islington’s grand houses, but it now it serves as Clarissa’s studio, and will soon be converted into her family home, too. ‘I started my business in 1994 completely by accident!’ says Clarissa. ‘I was hand printing scarves and I got an order from Liberty and then Barney’s in New York saw my scarves in Liberty - then I had an order from Neiman Marcus and before I knew it I had orders coming out of my ears. All of a sudden I had to employ people and get a bigger studio. I had a business before I knew what I was doing!’ Clarissa’s business was a challenge to begin with. ‘We had a lot of ups and downs,’ she says. Now though, she employs 3 full time and 3 part time staff to help her manage the ever-increasing work load. In 2002 she expanded and launched her first cushion collection. She quickly sold the collection to Heals, The Conran Shop, Liberty and Selfridges. ‘I just knew I was really on to something!’ she says. After that the business grew into lampshades, wallpapers and fabric, before she was asked by House of Fraser to

design bed linen. Although her career really began in fashion, she says: ‘I felt happy with the move into interiors because in fashion everything is very fickle. People are much more conscious of what is “in” and what is “out”. With homeware people just

buy what they really love.’ When coming up with the ideas for her designs she sometimes starts with sketches.

‘A lot of my designs originally start from photography

or plants that I’ve gathered from trips

to the countryside though,’ says

Clarissa. ‘Some photographs I take in situ, but other plants I’ll take home and press. I

also might take a picture of an

amazing sunset or beautiful flower for

colour and inspiration.’ ‘For the next fabric and

wallpaper collection I’m doing I’ve actually done a lot of research online, which I’ve never done before,’ says Clarissa. ‘It’s a very different way of working. On the one hand it’s very frustrating because you’re sat at a computer and it doesn’t affect you in the same way that being out there experiencing nature does, but at the same time the enormous breadth of what you can find is just mind blowing. I think it’s good to change the way you work and challenge yourself every now and again.’

“I still feel like

really I’m an artist”

Clarissa and Business Manager Sue Davenport (left)

She also finds inspiration in the area around her. When she is in need of a little natural inspiration, Highbury Fields, with its vast expanse of green grass, is a must-visit. As is Angel’s Camden Passage, bursting with quirky shops and cafes. It’s a little haven of creativity – and only a short walk away from Clarissa’s studio. A favourite haunt of hers is The Elk in the Woods, a cafe and restaurant with impeccably designed, wonderfully eccentric interiors. After seeing the plush fabrics and bold prints for ourselves its clear why it’s one of Clarissa’s favourites! While

visiting Clarissa we popped into nearby Thomas Kleibrink, where Clarissa bought a cute vintage cup and saucer and Annie’s Vintage Costume and Textiles where we couldn’t help but try on some hats – we also stumbled upon a newly opened shop, Folklore, which Clarissa loved. ‘What I love about London is that you come across new things all the time!’ she says. Clarissa also showed us another of her favourite places, the Little Angel Theatre - a puppet theatre for children which showcases amazing puppets and props.

A few moments of relaxation at Elk-in-the-woods

“What I love about London is

that you come across new

things all the time”

Clockwise from top left'Little Angel Theatre' 'Thomas Kleibrink''Camden Passage'

Before we left we asked Clarissa what she hoped to achieve next. ‘Life is totally nuts at the moment - I feel like I’m spinning hundreds of plates!’ says Clarissa. ‘But I’ve got a great nanny and a great team and because this is my own business there is a lot of flexibility. Travel is the one thing I really miss since having children. I used to go to India all the time. Now they are getting older though I hope I’ll be able to start travelling again.’ ‘I still feel like really I’m an artist. I want to work with new techniques and new fabrics and I’d like to do more arty projects. Most of all though I do miss doing scarves and I’ll definitely go back to that.’

“I felt happy with the move into interiors because in fashion everything is very fickle”

clarissahulse.comthe-elk-in-the-woods.co.ukanniesvintageclothing.co.uklittleangeltheatre.comshopfolklore.comThomas Kleibrink 07710 770214

Annie's Vintage Costumes and TextilesHeart Features

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Enter now

Win

New shop Folklore

Photography & Words Eunice Yeo Bake Style Pretty

Heart Styling

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Dessert tables are all the rage these days; they add the wow factor to any party. Contrary to what many may think, a simple dessert table really isn’t that difficult to set up. Here Eunice Yeo shows us how it is done in a few simple steps.

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1. Plan aheadKnow how many people you are catering for and estimate the total number of items you will need. A rule of thumb to use is about 2-3 items per person. Estimate the number of stands and platters you will need and gather them in one place.

2. Bake or NotFor minimum effort and maximum results, you could assemble a variety of baked goods from your local bakery or get friends involved in making an item each!

3. Work with a themeStyle your dessert table around a theme. It could be as simple as a colour palette like yellow & green, or something more elaborate such as ‘a vintage garden tea party’. This will help you decide what desserts and decorating colours to use like icing, as well as the colour and style of the plates and other props.

4. Include a variety of itemsWith your theme and colour palette in mind, decide what kind of desserts you would like to have. Cupcakes and macaroons are easily customisable in terms of flavours and colours. A variety of items always add interest to your table.

5. Use interesting display plates and standsDisplay platters and stands are just as important in creating a visual impact. Collect

vintage and other interesting accessories from flea markets and thrift shops. A mix of styles work well together for a vintage look that is not too formal. Try to avoid too many clashing patterns or colours. Remember, less is more!

6. Decorate!Add decorative elements to play up your theme such as flowers, fruits in pretty vases or teacups and bowls. Objects like old books, lamps or boxes also add an interesting dimension. You could add stationery like tags and labels to indicate what desserts there are. Also consider hanging tissue pompoms, bunting, or other décor in line with your theme.

7. Add height and depth to your displayRemember to vary the height of the display using a variety of holders. Boxes and old books make fabulous raisers. You want to draw the eye’s attention to a focal point, such as a beautiful cake or a cupcake tower, which can be set in the middle at a higher point than the rest of the display.

8. Add depth to your displayThink of your display in layers from front to back, with shallow platters placed near the front and taller stands & objects placed behind. Smaller props and flowers scattered around.

www.carpenterandcook.comheavenwildfleur.blogspot.co.uk

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Photographer Paul CraigWriter Michaela Mildenhall

Canadian expat and blogger Elisa Rathje takes us round her

stunning 17th century home, and lets us into a few secrets

about her handmade style and homespun living!

Good Life The

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Heart Homes

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There aren’t that many people that you can safely say make and restore most of the furniture and furnishings for their own homes,

but that is precisely what Canadian blogger Elisa Rathje does! The handmade chic of this inspiring writer is very much in keeping with the style of the historical property that Elisa shares with her husband and two young girls in West Sussex. The 400 year old building was originally a Wheelwright and has undergone a few transformations in that time - and for the Rathje family it was love at first sight! Elisa explains, “Originally we looked at another property; it would have been so easy to live in – it was very straightforward, nothing weird or unexpected, but in the end we couldn’t not go with this property (Knave’s Acre) – it was so unusual, and there’s so many stories”. The property was originally one building, but is now a semi-detached space, and was first named Knave’s Acre as, “literally you had to be a knave to farm here. You couldn’t get your horse in – there’s a cliff rising up in the middle of the garden!”

“Literally you had to be a knave to farm here. You couldn’t get your horse in – there’s a cliff rising up in the middle of the garden!”

The layout of the property is very unique due to the nature of the origins of the building. Unusually, there are four levels in total! But Elisa has a very strong feeling of historical perspective, and she is sympathetic to the period style of Knave’s Acre and the subsequent changes that the building has been through. This is something which she tries to convey in the way she decorates and furnishes her home. The house is rented, but Elisa has still managed to make the home feel uniquely hers, and the neutral white walls and the worn beams were

already to Elisa’s taste, she explains, “..It already “fitted” when we moved in. We didn’t own hardly any furniture…so there’s this opportunity to get some great antiques and pieces that we are interested in and fix them up!” Elisa loves to learn traditional skills. The list is almost endless – pottery,quilting, spinning,sewing,shirring,dressmaking,knitting,woodturning and preserving: “I’ve always learned what I need to learn to make an idea happen. I’ve never focused on one particular medium…and I love a lot of variety and change”.

“I’ve always learned what I need to learn to make an idea happen”

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“We didn’t own hardly any furniture…so there’s this opportunity to get some great antiques and pieces that we are interested in and fix them up!”

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pass on some knowledge about this wonderful skill. The videos will also be beautiful because everything Elisa uses for the skills are vintage. Her ironing board is wood; there is an old fashioned iron on it. Her sewing machine is vintage. There doesn’t appear to be anything plastic in the house, although Elisa did say the children had some Lego!

appleturnover.tvwww.bloominggreenflowers.co.uk

Obviously Elisa uses these skills to furnish her home, creating a wonderful backdrop to a creative and domestic life filled with the aroma of home-baking; using organic ingredients of course. Not only that, everything is shared with her readers on her blog Apple Turnover.So passionate is Elisa about homemade, and preserving traditional skills, that she is now in the process of making ‘how to’ kits for people who might like to do the same. She has even being talking with a Stonemason to

“It already ‘fitted’ when we moved in”

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Daisy Mae Quilt, £100, Berry Red

Vintage Bobbin String & Scissor Holder, £12.95, Homes and Dreams

Gabriela Louis XV Sofa, £Bespoke, Oficina Inglesa

Amelie Bedside Table, £119,

Newtons Furniture

Octagonal Pottery Dinner Plate, £15.95, Boutique

Provencale

Style stealGet the look from Elisa’s home

Heart Shopping

Vintage Imperial Typewriter, £75, Bubbledrum

Vintage Style Cushions, £39.95, Nordic House

Waxed Oak

Rattan Chair,

£314, Sweatpea

and Willow

Linen Red Rose Curtain, Susie Watson Designs

By Lauren Bryan Knightwon’t make it to England summertime anytime soon, take heart, there is Pimms! Where there is sun in England, there will be Pimms by the gallon. Whether you are at Wimbledon, at a garden party, or a wedding cocktail reception- England toasts to summer with this classic drink. Whenever it’s summer in Britain, it’s always Pimms O’Clock!

Classic Pimms Cup1 part Pimms3 parts lemonade (or Sprite, if in the US)IceFreshly cut orange slices & strawberriesA handful of fresh mintSliced cucumber piecesFill a carafe or jug about halfway full of ice. Add in your fruit, mint & cucumber. Pour in 1 part Pimms and 3 parts lemonade. Stir, serve & pray for sunshine.

ICED TEA Growing up in Texas, we have a certain opinion of how to make the perfect cup of tea: unsweetened over ice in a large tumbler with lemon wedge (porch swing optional). Iced tea is more than just a drink back home, it’s a part of life. Upon arrival to England, I was a bit dismayed to see that in this land of great tea culture, iced tea really isn’t acknowledged. I, eventually, chalked it up to a loss, but found myself enthused at the Oxford Cambridge boat race last year when I fell into a crowd of people meandering along the Thames drinking giant cups of iced tea. Glory be! The South has risen! Iced tea has come to England! However, upon my first drink I realized my mistake. This was not iced tea, this was… well, I didn’t know what it was. “Darling, haven’t you ever had Pimms?” my friend laughed. While iced tea probably

Diary of a Texan living in the UKAspiring Kennedy

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OLYMPICS It’s impossible to ignore that the 2012 Olympics are approaching! The weather is warming up, stores in London are stocked with trinkets, restaurants are starting to advertise Olympic-themed food like “Olympic Onion Rings”, and long-forgotten friends are appearing at record-breaking frequency in hopes of qualifying to earn a spot in your guest room. The chance to watch some of these events in person offers me the chance of a lifetime… and, hopefully,

some consolation as the amazing talent of these young athletes reminds me that I have completely passed my physical peak. SUMMER BARBECUES American Ex-PAT Public Service Announcement, Please Read: Are you headed to a friend’s house for a “barbecue” this summer? In order to avoid confusion (and dare I say, “beginner’s disappointment”), here are something you might want to know before setting out for a day of sticky BBQ in the sunshine: there isn’t actually any barbecue. In British-

English, “barbecue” refers to the grill used rather than the type of food. Instead of sticky ribs & hotlinks, envision grilled burgers. In fact, just switch out the term “barbecue” completely for the American term “cook out.” Beyond that small-but-totally-befuddling factor, you are in for a treat. While you won’t find any brisket or hotlinks, you are going to discover a new realm of delicacies like meat-flavored crisps & Eton mess.

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ENGLISH COUNTRY WALKS To fully experience the splendor of an English summer, you need to get out to the country. Until you’ve tromped through a field with fluffy sheep, watched the clouds suspend like clumps of wool over the hills, and felt like Elizabeth Bennet wandering to Netherfield, you really haven’t lived. Pack a lunch for the day out (or plan your route in the direction of a village pub) and head out the country for a rustic adventure. (Americans: This is an example of an appropriate time to wear your rainboots/wellies.) Not only will you be indulging yourself in one of Britain’s favorite pastimes, but you’ll experience England at it’s best.

SUNSHINE With all the talent sparking within this tiny country, it’s a privilege to live in such a place. However, there’s one problem; it’s got the worst weather in the world. After working through about 8 months of grey skies & rain, the lack of sun almost

starts to feel personal. It’s very one-sided relationship, too. Even though good weather constantly ignores this corner of the earth, Britain couldn’t love the sun more. When it sporadically appears, the day’s plans go out the window. Upon the sun’s arrival, the only thing anyone seems to care about is getting somewhere, immediately, that maximizes exposure to the golden skies. While most people find themselves lunching on patios or hauling out the grill, others satisfy the craving for Vitamin D a little different. And for these people, who appear dotted along grassy fields & public spaces missing key articles of clothing, we wish you the catnap in the sun you crave... and some aloe vera for the burn.

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By Rona WheeldonFloral Finds for your Home

Rona Wheeldon is the writer behind the floral-inspired blog, Flowerona

1 Bluebellgray’s new Harebelle cushion features a perfect combination of blue hued florals in an abstract style. A great way to add a splash of colour to your sofa this summer. £70.00 2 With a cascading blossom design in teal blue with metallic highlights, Giselle wallpaper from Harlequin would certainly add impact to a room. £42.00 per roll 3 Featuring bright blue Morning Glory blooms is this 1/2 pint hand-decorated mug from Emma Bridgewater £19.95 4 With a dainty floral design, this pretty Blue Rose Tableware collection from John Lewis draws inspiration from traditional cobalt porcelain decorations used back in the 9th century. £6.00-£25.00 5 This lavender diffuser from Crabtree & Evelyn is a lovely way to add such a quintessential English scent to your home. £28.00 6 A beautiful Blue Hydrangea Heart Wreath from Bloom — perfect for creating a country cottage feel outdoors on a patio in the summer, or indoors all year round. £35.00

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Oliver’s House

Photographer Oliver GordonWriter Kelly Lavender

Turning a run-down Edwardian house into a character-filled family home was more than just a passing fancy for Hannah Gooch, as it led to her setting up an interior design business of her own.

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When Hannah and Richard Gooch moved in to their

three bedroom Edwardian home south east London, finding any original style features seemed like an impossible feat, but Hannah was determined to restore the house to its former glory. The Gooch’s bought the property seven years ago and Hannah still recalls what it was like when they first moved in. “It had louvered windows which let in the draught and an old gas boiler,” says Hannah. “There was so much paint on the woodwork and plaster work that you couldn’t see the detail so we stripped it all back to its original state.” With a helping hand from Richard’s carpenter dad, the couple set about restoring the property to its former glory, stripping the walls and floors, installing alcove cupboards, placing Victorian fireplaces in each room and replacing all the windows with wooden sash glazing.

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“We gutted the whole house,” says Hannah. “We put a working fireplace in the living room so we can enjoy open fires and put architraves on the windows to replicate what would have been there originally.” With its muted colour scheme and original features, the house is now a far cry from the draughty shell the Gooch’s first moved into. But it is Hannah’s eclectic style and passion for hunting down individual pieces that really makes this house a home for the couple and their two-and-a-half year old son Oliver. Hannah says: “I like to find elements that are unique and accessories that are a little bit different, although I am much more like this now than when we originally furnished the house so if I was doing it all over again it would probably be quite different. Originally two rooms, the kitchen diner was the last piece of the puzzle for the Gooch’s, as they knocked two rooms into one and opted for large glass doors that overlook the garden. Hannah says: “This is my favourite spot of the whole house. We can enjoy the views of the garden whatever the weather and in the summer Oliver can run in and out to his heart’s content.”

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“I’ve always preferred shopping for interiors rather than clothes”

Hannah and Richard have opted for an off-the-shelf Ikea kitchen which they adapted so it looks custom-made. “We couldn’t afford a hand-built painted kitchen and did consider gloss but that would have been a nightmare with Oliver’s sticky fingers,” Hannah explains. “Ikea had one that was the right shape so we built a frame around it and painted it so it looked hand-made.” It was this passion for individuality that led Hannah to set up her own interior design website –eburyhomeandgarden.com. She says: “It initially started out as a wedding directory and blog, which is still online at theeburycollection.com. When I was planning our wedding I didn’t want to conform to what everyone else had and it’s been the same with the house.

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“I source pieces from countries such as Denmark and India but am keen to stock more items that are made in this country and support local businesses. I’ve always preferred shopping for interiors rather than clothes and creating the website has enabled me not only to fill the house with things I like but also to showcase my styling.”

“I like to find elements that are unique and accessories that are a little bit different”

www.theeburycollection.comwww.eburyhomeandgarden.com

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Style stealGet the look from Hannah’s home

Heart Shopping

Vintage Shoe Last, £13.50, Homes & Dreams

Glass Dome Bell Jars by I Love

Retro, £15, Not On The High

Street

Handcrafted Shell Mirror, £175, Graham & Green

Vintage Style Box Files, £18.95-£35, Graham& Green

Adorno Chair Set, £119, Fashion For Home

Mandara Table Lamp, £29.75, The Chandelier & Mirror Company Ltd

Brushed Motor Floor Lamp, £445, Alexander & Pearl

Concrete Candlestick, £14.90, Nordic Bliss

Victorian 7 Drawer Jumbo Chest, £445, UniqueChic Furniture

Heart Columns

Michaela Mildenhall, otherwise known as Pargy, is the author of the blog which hunts down the best in bold and daring design from the past and present.

Be prepared to be seduced by bold geometric shapes and bright colours. Get out those Kandinsky and Klee

posters. That’s right, Bauhaus style is massive in interiors right now, and it’s young, cool, British and very modern darling! For those who wanna be in the know, the main components of this uber-trend are the circle, the triangle and the cube - along with lots of flat, but vibrant colour. There are some fabulous young Brit Designers that are rocking this modernistic look right now: Fashion and prop designer (and the creator of THAT Lady GaGa telephone headpiece), Fred Butler; the inspiring Patternity Girls

- who see “Pattern Everywhere”, and the creator of the Bauhaus birdfeeder (yes that’s right, even your common House Martin can reside in Bauhaus style), Julia Jacobs. Of course we are all getting in a bit of a lather regarding all things Bauhaus due to the exhibition being held at the Barbican Art Gallery this summer. The original movement was German, but it wasn’t some dusty old Art “ism”, but in fact an Art and Design school set up by the architect Walter Gropius in 1919, and initially funded by the Weimar Government. Basically it started out by being what we might call “a bit of an experiment”. It was shut down by the Nazis in 1933. What is especially exciting for many designers about this school is its unique way of paying equal attention to art, architecture, design and craft; it combined these disciplines to create a unified vision for a modern way of living. The Bauhaus had some very cutting-edge tutors too, such as the German Expressionist Artists Wassily Kandinsky and Paul Klee; the now famous colour theorist and painter of the “Homage to the Square” series, Josef Albers; and of course, designer of exquisite furniture, Marcel Breuer.

Wassily Lounge Chair by Marcel Breuer

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So how do you add a bit of Bauhaus to your own house? Most importantly, I always think that when you are looking to the past for inspiration it’s best to do so in a fresh way; there’s no need to teleport your home back in time! Here are some how-to Bauhaus tips: It’s hip to be square, triangular or even Rhomboid! Embrace strong shapes and look for inspiration in architecture, abstract art and mundane everyday objects. When looking for furniture to fit with the Bauhaus theme, you can’t go far wrong with a bit of tubular steel! Think of the furniture of one of the original members of the school, Marcel Breuer, whose “Wassily” Chair is still hugely popular today!

Colour was a key part of the design of the Bauhaus school. Stark white modernist or soft grey walls are a great backdrop to showcase lots of colour. Magnolia is best avoided. Strong geometric vases are very sculptural and add depth to any room. Simply fill with a cheap bunch of vibrant tulips for an instant piece of Modernist Art! You can take your pick when it comes to Bauhaus poster Art. Why not check out vintage Bauhaus exhibition posters, or buy a new one from a contemporary show!

The Bauhaus Birdfeeder by

Julia Jacobs at REthinkthings

Phase Bureau by Toby Winteringham and Patternity

Vintage 60s Bauhaus exhibition poster from a selection at Fears and Kahn

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Heart Homes

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Photographer Emma LewisWriter Liggy Griffiths

Nurtur ed by Natur e

Henny Tate was brought up in the

countryside by a mother who loves

nature. Following in her footsteps,

she has settled in a remote country

cottage where she works as an

interior designer. She discusses the

inspiration behind her work and

setting up a family home.

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Interior Designer Henny Tate lives in a stunning grade II listed house with her three young

children and husband Rupert. They fell in love with the country cottage six years ago and decided to follow their hearts and buy the property, “We had no reason to move here whatsoever!” she laughs, “but we just loved the house”. The house has evidently evolved throughout its lifetime and if walls could talk, it could certainly tell some stories. It’s 350 years old in parts and occupies what would originally have been two and a half cottages. In its time it has posed as a hardware shop, hairdressers, a bakery and even an armoury during the war. “There’s a little door in our bedroom that’s bricked up - I think it’s from when it was a bakery, but I’m not sure what would have been brought up through that window” Henny says with interest. “That’s what I like- houses like this that grow organically. Some of the doors aren’t square- they just lean!”

“We had no reason to move here whatsoever, but we just loved the house”

A cow painting by mum ‘Celia Lewis’ hangs in the kitchen

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“I find bits from everywhere!”

Henny’s studio is situated in the old shop front.

The ceramic wall art behind the sofa is by Fenella Elms who lives in the same village

“I think it’s nice to have everything thrown together”

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Henny has maintained the character of the house beautifully when renovating, but has managed to assert her own style with quirky, thrifty furnishings. Dotted around the home you can spot old church pews, re-upholstered chairs, a bargain sofa bought from her local auction house and, her favourite piece, a work top cleverly re-crafted from an old billiard table top - need I say more! From looking at the combination of cleverly put together crafts and objects it is clear that Henny has an inherent talent. Very few could inject touches of ethnic art and colourful textiles into a quintessential English Country cottage quite so effortlessly.

A quick delve into her background reveals where she gets her creative flare from. Her mother, Celia Lewis, is an artist and author whose published books, ‘The Illustrated Guide to Keeping Chickens’ and ‘The Illustrated Guide to Keeping Pigs’, are proudly placed on the coffee table. “We were brought up in a house down a two mile bumpy track into the middle of nowhere; Mum and Dad were always quite self-sufficient, they had chickens, sheep, pigs and a huge vegtable garden” Henny says warmly. Mum’s on her fourth book now which is an ‘Illustrated Guide to Nature’- she’s nature mad!”

The master bedroom with its mysterious door to nowhereHeart Homes

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“I also love things that friends and family have made”

“Some of the doors aren’t square - they just lean!”

Celia’s illustrations can be seen on various cushions or table mats throughout the house and although she is not as big on nature as her mother, it’s evident that the country theme is very close to Henny’s heart. “I find bits from everywhere!” she smiles “I love things that friends and family have made, a lot of items in this house have come from them. I like blending things together and prefer it to a curated look- particularly in cottages and family homes, as I think it’s nice to have everything thrown together”. Alongside all the mix-matching even the most eclectic designers such as Henny have their staple pieces. After a memorabletrip to France one year, she discovered the wonders of French

linen and hasn’t looked back. “There are linen curtains here, there and everywhere- it’s the one thing I still use all the time!” Henny’s earthy background and love of all things wholesome have undoubtedly influenced her attitude to life and design. She places great emphasis on homemaking, and her penchant for cultural pieces, natural fabrics and up-cycling has proved the perfect recipe for creating a beautifully nurtured family home.

www.hennytate.comwww.celialewis.co.ukwww.mollybydesign.co.uk

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Floral Pink Quilt, £76.75, Berry Red

Vintage Industrial Factory Enamel Shade, £185, Bubbledrum

Elegance Armchair, £POA, Oficina Inglesa Sissy Rug, £115, Idyll Home

Ikat Cushion, £9.50, Very

Indigo & White Carpet, £17, Berry Red

Style stealGet the look from Henny’s home

Heart Shopping

Nek Vase in Pink, £59, Villeroy & Boch

‘Have a Seat’ Stool by House Doctor, £70.99, Artic Design

French Upholstered Bed, £1397, Sweetpea & Willow

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© Johnny Ladd

Lab Craft: DigitaL aDventures in Contemporary Craft the barony Centre, scotland, 2 may to 1 July 2012 tickets: free entryopen: mon to sat 10am - 5pm and sun 12noon - 5pmLab Craft: ‘Digital Adventures in Contemporary Craft’ is a Crafts Council touring exhibition that previewed at Tent London at London Design Festival in September 2010 and launched at the Turnpike Gallery in Leigh, Greater Manchester in October 2010.

HeartHomeDiarysouthbank Centre festivaL of the WorLDsouthbank, London, 1st June – 9th september 2012SouthBank Centre Festival Of The World: the largest ever UK poetry festival that gives the chance to work with, and learn from, the world’s leading artists- this festival has it all! This summer, the Southbank centre will be transformed into an international learning site that shows how art transforms lives.

internationaL arChiteCture anD Design shoWCasevarious embassies and cultural centres across London23rd June – 23rd september 2012tickets: freeopen: opening times varyThe International Showcase will draw upon the relationship between architecture, design, the creative industries and the cultural context of cities. Projects and examples from around the world will show how cities and their inhabitants are incubators and leaders of extraordinary cultural, social, technological and environmental change.

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By Katie Treggiden

Public Receptors by Gabi Schillig. © LFA 2012

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Design stories – the arChiteCture behinD 2012royal institute of british architects, London, 25th June – 21st september 2012tickets: free entryopen: Wed - sat 10am – 5pm, tue10am – 10pm. Showcasing the design stories behind the venues and spaces of London 2012, this audio-visual installation is a unique collection of films, images, models and a new 14 metre mural that reveals the thinking and design flourishes that shaped London’s newest architectural landmarks.

LonDon festivaL of arChiteCturevenues across London, 23rd June – 8th July 2012tickets and opening times: vary The London Festival of Architecture is a city-wide celebration of architecture and architectural talent in the UK capital. It brings architects and communities together to examine how we make London a better place. The theme of the 2012 Festival - ‘The Playful City’ – responds to the presence in London of the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

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The layers of the London 2012 stadium© Populous

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Christian Louboutinthe Design museum, London1 may to 9 July 2012 tickets: £11 adults, £10 concessions, £7 studentsopen: Daily 10am - 5.45pmCelebrating a career which has pushed the boundaries of high fashion shoe design, this exhibition celebrates Louboutin’s career showcasing twenty years of designs and inspiration, revealing the artistry and theatricality of his shoe design from stilettos to lace-up boots.

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Colourful Synergy

Words Chedva KleinhandlerPhotography Avishai Finkelstein

Heart Homes Abroad

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An artist re-invents himself in his new jewel-box of a loft

For years, artist and designer Samy David – known as Samy D - wouldn’t even have one of his designs at home.

“I didn’t want to come across as arrogant,” he says, “like I was on some sort of ego trip.” But as the years passed by, the jewel-like aesthetic of his sculptures and ceramic creations started leaking into his life… and apartment. After living in Jaffa and having his own boutique shop in Neve Tzedek, where he sold his eponymous ceramic dishes, D and his writer partner Yohai felt like a fresh start. “I moved to this new studio space in south Tel Aviv,” says D, “and the energy was amazing. When we were looking for a new apartment we didn’t initially think about this area, but then the loft above the studio became available for rent and we just went with it.”

“When we came here, the apartment was totally open space.” D re-planned the space to allow some privacy (two rooms) and turned the tiny kitchen into something more appropriate for its cooking- and entertaining- loving tenants. Apart from the new space plan, the design was done more freestyle, as befitting an artist. “I knew there was going to be a lot of colour, but not exactly which colours or where each would go.” The artist-come-designer had a certain yellow, which he first saw in a book from the ‘70s, in his mind for years. He thought he found the right match and indeed used it to paint the wall that connects the entrance to the bedroom and dining room, but later found out the effect wasn’t the one he was lusting for. Another regret is the green hue the couple used for the living room ceiling and the pipe on the same room’s wall, but D doesn’t feel like design regrets are a bad thing. For the designer, whom experimented with colour and interiors since his childhood, design is more about evolution. Taking those “décor disasters” in stride is part of the everyday for an artist whose become more and more interested in returning to interior design, years after he studied it in university. The paint scheme wasn’t the only thing recycled here. Though boasting a luxurious look and feel, the loft is filled with sentimental – and many times repurposed – furniture and different items.

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“You can spend all the money in the world on an architect, designer and so on, but what’s it worth if you can’t tell who lives there?”

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It seems like flexibility is a must when designing a perfectly imperfect home, which happens to be a rented loft in an aging building, without a humongous budget. “We didn’t set a fixed budget for this project. Frankly, I never thought we would spend so much – and not only money – on a rental.” But budgetary restrictions aren’t all bad. “If we don’t have the budget for a project, we wait. It actually allows for some welcome time to re-think, re-value and plan ahead. For a designer well known in Israel and abroad, Samy D is awfully un-pretentious. The highlight of designing their loft, he says, was the freedom of experimenting with colour and the sheer fun of practicing one of the greatest loves – design – together with his partner. “You can spend all the money in the world on an architect, designer and so

on, but what’s it worth if you can’t tell who lives there?” says Samy. “My favourite

houses are those where the owner’s personality shines.” The next

step for the colourful loft? “We started designing the bedroom recently, but then I decided we simply had to have some sort of greenery in the building and I installed a koi fish pool and planted some grass.” In the building’s joint yard, right in

the middle of the formerly-grey, industrial area, hints of grass are

already raising their green little heads and hinting at a new life.

“My favourite houses are those where the owner’s

personality shines”

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Beside the seaside

By Ellie Walker-Arnott

Buckets and spades at the

ready! 2012 is the year to embrace the Great British

summer.

Heart Travel

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The Lugger hoTeL, CornwaLL(from £450 for a 3 nightstay with bed and breakfast)

The Lugger Hotel is the ideal setting for a Frenchman’s Creek-style romantic getaway.

Once a smuggler’s inn, the hotel still retains its atmospheric fog-filled history, but now embraces a more relaxed and modern feel. The boutique hideaway can be found in the delightfully coastal village of Portloe. Think whitewashed walls, lobster pots and fishing boats - and you won’t be disappointed. The hotel clings to the water’s edge, literally a

stone’s throw from the Cornish surf. With a heavenly terrace for sampling locally sourced treats when the sun does shine, a cosy and chic interior for less pleasant days and a luxurious spa for truly disappointing days, The Lugger is a seafront haven whatever the British weather throws your way. In Portloe, with miles of rugged coastal path to explore, little mobile phone signal and no street lamps, you can really get away from it all.

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Set above the North Norfolk coastline in the pretty village of

Titchwell, Titchwell Manor is a perfect bolthole from which to explore Norfolk’s sweeping stretches of sandy coastline. The county’s beaches will delight bird watchers, sand castle builders and sun seekers alike. Marshes and woodland sit alongside miles of sand that are just crying out for a picnic blanket. When you’ve selected the perfect sun-soaked spot indulge in a lunch of local crab and deliciously salty samphire. Titchwell Manor itself is an elegant Victorian manor. Simply designed, with calm, coastal shades and luxurious fabrics, it’s an ideal place to wipe the sand off your feet and refresh after a day on the beach. With ambitious, bold and eclectic menus, foodies won’t be disappointed by dishes on offer in the Manor’s restaurant either. This charming hotel, set on the edge of Titchwell Marsh, is the perfect treat for a summery weekend away.

TiTChweLL Manor, norfoLk(from £330 for a 3 night stay with bed and breakfast)

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if you’re dreaming of a Great British summer holiday, what could be better than your very own cottage on the

beach? Set on the edge of Tankerton Beach in Kent, surrounded by wild woodland, the Artist’s Beach House is an idyllic setting for a beachside break. You can spend your days sunbathing on the sand, reclining in your hammock or frolicking in the surf – there’s even an outdoor shower for rinsing off afterwards. The white, wood clad beach house was

built in 1906 and retains all of its vintage charm, with a wrap around veranda and a chic period interior. The veranda is the perfect spot to enjoy 180° views of the ocean, or indulge in some seaside cuisine - fish n’ chips anyone? The Artists’ Beach House is an ideal place to retreat to when you need a break from London. After just a 90 minute train ride you’ll be able to hear the sound of the surf and sink your toes into the sand.

arTiSTS’ BeaCh houSe, kenTvia Unique Home Stays (from £1250 for a 3 night stay)

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AStylist’s

GuidetoBerlinIt was one of those gloriously sunny days reserved exclusively for introducing you to a foreign city when you have just 24 hours to explore; everything is tinged with magic, the possibilities are endless, and yet you have to somehow distil the complete essence of the city into just a few hours of wondrous enlightenment. And thus, the stage was set for my introduction to Berlin...

By Kate Baxter

EAT I made a point of seeking out contemporary Alpine restaurant Alpenstueck, whose minimalist décor combines a wall of stacked logs with cool grey tones and well balanced lighting to create an alluring environment. The food was hearty with a contemporary twist; lots of schnitzel, maultaschen, goulash, kässpätzle and sauerbraten, all made with local produce. I settled on the cream of asparagus soup, swirled seductively with herb oil, followed by chicken breast with a spring onion and goat’s cheese risotto, both fragrant and delicious. The following morning, their sister-venue Baeckerai was calling my name, and provided a welcome break from sightseeing with a delectable array of kaffee und kuchen, Alpenstueck, Gartenstraße 9, 10115 Berlin

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ARCHITECTURE Designed by US architect Hugh Stubbins, the Haus der Kulturen der Welt caught my eye for its shell-shaped concrete roof, which is known locally as ‘the oyster.’ The contemporary arts centre is one of Berlin’s cultural hubs and the go-to place for spectacular large-scale exhibitions as diverse as contemporary Indian art, Bedouin culture and Chinese avant-garde. Haus der Kulturen der Welt, John-Foster-Dulles-Allee 10, 10557 Berlin

Consisting of 2,711 massive rectangular stones on a sloping stretch of land, architect Peter Eisenman courted controversy with his abstract design for the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe. The imposing grey stone slabs appear outwardly to symbolise the regimented order of the Third Reich, while the contrasting disorderly terrain and differing dimensions of the blocks seem to reflect the despair, confusion and fear of the persecuted Jewish population.The whole space is at once beautiful and eerily sombre, and deep inside the myriad of stone slabs you feel a million miles from the city, providing a place for quiet contemplation. Holocaust Memorial, Cora-Berliner-Straße1, 10117 Berlin

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ART Whether it be illegal street art, spatial installations in unconventional settings, provocative action art or inventive contemporary architecture, Berlin has it all, and more. It definitely pays to walk around the city with your eyes wide and darting, taking in the brightly coloured streetscape, political slogans and anarchist caricatures, as well as more modernist art installations and advertising hoardings, for Berlin is a photographer’s dream! Top of my agenda for art consumption in Berlin was the Boros Bunker, where the peeling urban decay of anex-air raid shelter provided a surprisingly stark yet sympathetic contrast to the modern art installations on display from the Christian Boros collection, including artwork by Damien Hirst and Olafur Eliasson. I was also captivated by the Banksy-style graffiti adorning the exterior, which further enhanced the concrete bunker’s estrangement from the surrounding modern district. Boros Bunker, Reinhardtstraße 20, 10117 Berlin

If you are on the look-out for highly credited art in the Oranienburger area, make sure you keep your eyes peeled (!) for spray painted yellow bananas by cult street artist Thomas Baumgaertel, which are tagged outside art galleries he holds in high esteem. I was delighted when I finally spotted one outside the Sara Asperger Gallery, but apparently you can spot a number of Baumgaertel stamps of approval locally. Sara Asperger Gallery, Sophienstraße 18, 10178 Berlin

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SHOPPING Guided by the vivacious Antiques Diva a.k.a Toma Haines, I concluded my introduction to Berlin with an afternoon’s ‘vintiquing’ on Suarezstraße. The beautifully curated selection of turn-of-the-century luggage, steamer trunks and travel ephemera at Antik-Center had me in a spin, as did the eclectic junk-shop style inventory at Hin&Weg. The ultimate selection for me though had to be the iconic 20th-century design classics at B3, where I swooned over a mouth-watering array of vintage Bauhaus posters, classic Mies van der Rohe Barcelona chairs and mint-condition mid-century modern sideboards, wondering how I could ever fit it all in my carry-on! Antiques Diva, Antik-Center, Suarezstraße 48/49, 14057 Berlin Hin&Weg,Suarezstraße 55, 14057 Berlin B3, Suarezstraße 47, 14057 Berlin

STAY The Cosmo Hotel Berlin Mitte, situated in the heart of Berlin’s historical city centre, offered the perfect urban crash-pad for my whistle-stop tour. My sleek minimalist-designed 7th floor room afforded me stunning views across the heart of the city, while the interior décor melted shades of chocolate into cream and slate for a warm, understated appeal, creating a decadent home from home. Cosmo Hotel Berlin Mitte, Spittelmarkt 13, 10117 Berlin

Kate Baxter is author of inspirational blog fabricofmylife.co.uk

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Rowing In London our favourite water-based date is hiring a boat in Richmond and rowing down to beautiful Ham House for a spot of culture, followed by a delicious afternoon tea at the quintessentially English (and effortlessly stylish) Petersham Nurseries which is just a short stroll around the corner. Another favourite is hiring a boat in one of London’s parks and smuggling some wine and cheese aboard! Wherever you live there’s bound to be some water nearby so don a Breton top and a pair of deck shoes and set sail.

We hired a rowing boat from Richmond Bridge Boathouse for the day. It cost £45 for two adults but we got a 50% discount on production of our National Trust ticket for Ham House. A pot of earl grey and two delicious slices of cake cost us about £12 at Petersham Nurseries.www.petershamnurseries.comwww.richmondbridgeboathouses.co.uk

Tennis

Wimbledon is now a symbol of British summertime. If you haven’t been before you really should go, as it’s a fantastic experience. If you’re not lucky enough to get a ticket in the ballot then queue up for a day ticket, or (and this is our top tip) head over after work and buy a cheap evening ticket then, once inside you can queue for Centre Court returns. If you don’t live in London there are plenty of other options. Dress in your best tennis whites and head to the Nottingham Open (men’s) or Eastbourne (women’s) for the pre Wimbledon competitions. Or how about your own DIY tennis tournament? Book some courts at your local park and get a couple of friends together (tennis doubles = double date!). A strawberry’s and cream picnic is essential. Ground court tickets for Wimbledon are just £14 after 5pm. www.wimbledon.com

Miss Mary’s suggestions for...Sporty Summer datesBy Mary Higgs

Horse racingAnother classic summer date is going to the races and our favourite, for the sheer glamour, has to be Glorious Goodwood.

Whether you like horse racing or not, there’s no better excuse for dressing up than a trip to Goodwood. Retro style rules here, so girls, a 1940s tea dress would be perfect – with a hat of course! And did I mention the view? Perched on top of a hill, it’s renowned as one of the most beautiful racecourses in the world, with stunning views for miles around. On the way, make sure you stop off at the lovely town of Petworth, which is full to the brim of super stylish antique shops and an incredible deli – great for upmarket picnic supplies. If you can’t make it down to Sussex then have a hunt around for a race meeting in your area, and perhaps have a little flutter whilst you’re at it. Glorious Goodwood runs from 31st August to 4th July and tickets range from just £16 to £126 with discounts available if booking before June.www.goodwood.co.ukthehungryguest.com

Cycling Perhaps our best chance at winning Gold and certainly a winning date idea. Again, lycra is optional. If you’re in London then the fabulous “Boris Bikes” make planning a cycling date very easy. All you have to do is pack a picnic (or cheat and have one delivered!), unlock a bike and set off through London’s beautiful parks, stopping when you see a suitably romantic spot. We recommend the Rose Garden in Regent’s Park, perfect for some blowsy summer blooms. If you’re after something a little more strenuous then head to Richmond Park and hire mountain bikes – after 5 minutes you feel like you’re in the countryside! Even if you don’t have your own bikes, it’s easy to hire them all over the UK so there really is no excuse.

Boris Bikes cost £1 each for the whole day (we cycled in half hour stints which means it’s free to use the bikes) and ordered a delicious “lawn” picnic from picnic2u costing £45.www.tfl.gov.ukwww.picnic2u.co.uk

Mary Higgs is the author of popular website The Great Date Guide.

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With a background in fashion, Sinead

was frustrated by the struggles

faced by talented, fresh young

designers and artists, to get their products

showcased when they are first starting out.

Through SEED, and the creation of a platform

showcasing the work of emerging British design

talent, she hopes to help them blossom. “I

would like to think that in some small way I can

help designers to fulfill their potential, whether

they make as a hobby or a full-time career,

there is nothing better than the knowledge that

someone else appreciates and loves what you

have created.”

Writer Victoria DockrellPhotography SEED

Hidden Gems: Somerset’s

SEED

“I love architecture, design, fashion,

interiors and draw inspiration from all

aspects of life”

Sinead Foley’s Frome emporium provides fertile soil for the germination of young British design talent.

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“There is nothing better than the knowledge that someone

else appreciates and loves what you have created.”

“I would like to think that in some

small way I can help designers to fulfill

their potential”

Sinead is clear that she wants SEED

to “offer something unusual, something

different to the high street” not only in

the products and designers she stocks, but

also in the environment in which she sells

them. “Good design is what inspires me” she

enthuses, continuing “I love architecture,

design, fashion, interiors and draw

inspiration from all aspects of life.”

Currently housed within the Black Swan

Arts Centre in Frome, SEED stocks a wide

range of items including jewellery, art,

ceramics, sculpture, homeware, candles

and scents, accessories, furniture and gifts.

The shop itself is beautiful and Sinead

incorporates lots of freestanding vintage

and antique furniture into her displays, all

of which are also for sale. “The appearance

of the shop keeps changing which keeps it

fresh, there is always something new to

see” Sinead says. She claims she “wanted

to create a store interior that embraced

industrial and antiques” while also

providing a “relaxed and welcoming space

to display the variety of merchandise”.

Metal racking is used as a picture rail,

from which art hangs on industrial wires,

juxtaposed by an eight foot mirrored

French antique chiffonier, which is used

to display items under glass cloches.

Her current ‘need’ is a beautiful vintage

inspired brooch from Nicola Wylie “it’s

oxidised silver, with an etched bone brooch

set with onyx, it’s completely stunning and I

love trying it on!” she says.

Sinead loves scouring antiques fairs for

individual new pieces and admits her labours

of love can be hard to part with, for example,

a bobbin trolley with wheels and leather

reinforcements along the sides which originally

came from a British textile factory, “I’m in no

rush to sell it, it’s totally unique!” she admits.

The fairs and markets provide a fertile hunting

ground for the furniture/home accessories

sourcing service that SEED offers.

In late 2011 Sinead also launched her “SEED

talks” which provide an independent artisan

or designer with the opportunity to host an

event within the shop and they have a local

blacksmith coming to demonstrate his art with

a mobile forge lined up for their next workshop

in June.

Sinead is positive about the future and

hopes to continue SEED’s success through

organic growth and expansion. “I would like to

try to get people thinking differently, to help

them appreciate the wonderful talent Britain

has to offer and not to be afraid to shy away

from mass-production.”

www.designsbyseed.co.uk

145

Anniversary issueout 13 September 2012

Photographer Oliver G

ordon

Summer lovin’

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