1. Local gnarl. 2. Rapunzel. 3. Fred and I enjoying some hammock time. 4 & 5. Gnomes in the woods at the Gnome Reserve & Wild Flower Garden. 6. Our very own gnome. 7. Playground antics. 8. Green.
Patchwork by Place de Bleu
Ethical inspiration meets scandinavian style in Place de Bleu's patchwork accessories made with offcuts from Danish manufacturer Kvadrat. Cushions, ipad covers, blankets and colourful children's bunting are all handmade in Copenhagen by a small team of immigrant workers. The company celebrates the unique way in which exceptional skills have been passed down globally through generations of women and then brought together in their workshop. With this in mind, Place de Bleu shot their most recent catalogue in their workers' own homes, juxtaposing their signature modern graphic style with the makers' traditional interiors.
Mama Papa Baby House
Mama: Fishermen's trousers by Acne. Papa (for Mama to steal borrow): Drop brim trilby by Christys' from Liberty. Baby: Pocket detail cardigan from Cos. House: Striped circle cushion by Rebecca Atwood from Couverture & The Garbstore.
Long Farm
This new house in rural Suffolk was designed by British architect Lucy Marston to reference old English farmhouses. Sitting high among a group of existing farm buildings, the exterior features red brickwork and a steep gabled roof, facing east across salt marshes and open fields, towards the sea. Internally, the vernacular references continue with whitewashed brickwork, exposed beams, a super-sized inglenook, window sills deep enough to sit on and a large kitchen table, seating ten. I particularly like the muted colour palette and the way the chartreuse yellow in the bedroom and bathroom complement the crops in the fields. Strangely, I also like the carpets in the living room and bedrooms. It's good to see that the owners of this stylish house have kept it cosy and comfortable; I'm sure that the result is a very happy and contented home.
Studio Visit: Rose Choules
Rose Choules creates the most beautiful handmade moccasins from her studio in North Cornwall. I visited recently to explore the space and to find out more about her work. For Rose the power of art and craft is life changing; she is that rare artisan who has dedicated herself to a hand-made life and who describes her work as the transference of love from one human who makes an item, to another who wears it. "For me this is the spice of life" she says, "and what I dedicate my everyday to." Rose designs two collections of moccasins a year and each pair are made to order in her workshop. My favourites are the mixed suede and leather fringed ankle boots for autumn/winter 13 and the cute mini children's versions. Rose also teaches moccasin making workshops, in London and at her studio - something that I would love to have a go at! She is currently running a number of unique workshops in Saskatoon, Canada, as part of the newly formed Young Artisans Co-operative. The aim of these special workshops is to help find a way in which craft can be used to alleviate poverty. To see more of Rose's inspiring work, please visit her new website.
Rennes
I was going to show you an Autumn/Winter collection today, but the weather is pretty amazing in the West Country right now and looking at woolly jumpers doesn't seem appropriate. So let's just enjoy the breezy simplicity of these handmade dresses by Rennes instead. Rennes is a small sewing house based in Boston, Massachusetts. From start to finish Julia Okun drafts, cuts, and sews every piece in the collection, placing attention on small details, unique materials, and quality of craftsmanship. The company is inspired by simplicity and the belief that making an item by hand creates community. I love this idea and Julia's dresses (and bags) are my kind of everyday wear.
Barbara Hepworth Sculpture Garden
Last week I took a trip to St Ives and visited the Barbara Hepworth Museum & Sculpture Garden. This is one of my favourite things to do in St Ives as it always seems like a little oasis of calm in the middle of the busy seaside town. The museum and garden are based at Barbara's own home, the delightful Trewyn Studios, so you can see the sculptures in the environment in which they were created and nosy around her former studio. It is a magical place with huge modernist pieces in bronze, stone and wood as well as smaller paintings, drawings and archive material on display. It's a great place to take kids but also somewhere you could happily spend a quiet afternoon alone, reading a good book and soaking up the atmosphere. I thoroughly recommend a visit if you are ever in the area...
Patterned Walls
I mentioned The Painted House here before and I just couldn't resist having a go of their patterned paint rollers. We have wonky cob walls in our house and although they are lovely and characterful, I've always wanted to have at least one room with a bit of pattern on the walls. Cob and wallpaper aren't a great match (plus the papers I like tend to be prohibitively expensive) so I was extra keen to give these rollers a try. I used design no.4 on our pale blue bedroom walls. It is a very simple design with a 1930's-style leaf pattern. I added the design in white, over the existing blue and I am so delighted with the results! It was extremely easy to do; the whole room took just under two hours and now the walls have a subtle vintage pattern that suits the cottage perfectly. I can see that these patterned rollers could become quite addictive. I am already trying to think of other places to paint, and the great thing is that they are reusable so you can use them an unlimited number of times. You could use them to create printed fabrics, wrapping papers and cards. I also think that they would make a great tool for kids craft activities. Patterned cardboard playhouse anyone?
Mama Papa Baby House
Mama: Black sailor midi dress by The White Pepper. Papa: Woodcut print by Tom Killion. Baby: Albers sunsuit by Wovenplay from Couverture & The Garbstore. House: Lila stoneware jug from Toast.
A Few Photos...
1. & 2. Crafting at Tate St Ives. 3. The big difference between Fred and myself is that he loves the camera and I don't. 4. We had a photo shoot at the cottage for an exciting new project - I'll be able to reveal more soon. 5. Wren is so much fun, she's always up to mischief. 6. I sampled the most delicious jam and marmalade from the Jamsmith club.
Tootsa MacGinty
I recently bought Wren the Bude trouser by Tootsa MacGinty from a great local kids shop. I was intrigued by the name (as we live in Bude) and wondered if they were a local company. A quick google told me no, they're based in London, but no doubt designer Kates' love of surfing inspired the name (this is a major surfing area!) I am very impressed with the quality and style of the trousers and bought them, fully intending that they would eventually be passed down to little brother Fred. It turns out that all Tootsa MacGinty's clothing (apart from a few dresses) is unisex. Kate founded the brand in reaction to the overwhelming genderisation of children's clothes – sludgy colours and camouflage for boys and glitzy princess themes for girls. “I believe our world is filled with colour, and everything is a possibility,” she says, “children like colour, they have big imaginations, they enjoy pretending, they love to dream and for them the world is full of possibilities. I don’t intend to limit their imaginations or make their world smaller by putting them in a sea of pinks and blues, or clothes that look like they were meant for adults.” I couldn't agree more and contacted Kate to find out more about the brand.
What inspired you to start Tootsa MacGinty? It’s a complete cliché but the birth of my daughter! And a subsequent return to living in London after living in Australia, the US and France since my late teens. I was working as a womenswear designer and was shocked by the stark gendering of children's wear and toys on offer on the British high street, so set about creating a stylish alternative. Where does the name come from? It is actually a term of endearment my daughter’s father uses. It is completely made-up gobbledygook! I didn’t want to choose a name that already had a preconceived connotation. I like that it is phonetic, sounds nice and looks good when written ….and is easy to Google! What are the ideas behind the current collection? The current Spring/Summer 2013 collection is inspired by the long summer holidays of childhood. In my memory they felt endless (no doubt, when my daughter starts school, as a parent they’ll feel eternal!) British seaside influences are found throughout the collection, such as the colourful “bunting” all over print, deckchair stripes, ice lollies, donkeys and sea creatures. What materials do you use and where do you manufacture? We always use natural materials (100% cotton, lambswool, cashmere etc.) and choose fabrics that wear and wash well; it is important that the garments will last to pass down to another child. We do most of our manufacturing in Portugal and a very small amount of denim comes from China. Everything is delivered softly pre-washed, itch free, pre-shrunk and ready-to-wear. What is your favourite thing to do with your daughter? Walking our big hairy sheep dog Rufus, going to see a good movie together (a bit of a rarity in kids film but when you see a good one it’s great to watch her little face light up!) Also, I like to get my running gear on and my daughter will jump on her scooter. No personal bests are ever achieved but it’s a good way to let off some steam. Plus baking and cooking – her favourite bit is the washing up! What is your favourite children's book? I love all the books by Allen and Janet Ahlberg. I read them as a child and now enjoy reading them to my daughter. Dr Seuss is great too. Fabulous to read-out-loud and always with a great moral story – The Lorax has felt particularly relevant of late. Does Tootsa MacGinty have any exciting plans for the future? We have extended our range up to a size 8 year old - available in late July/early August 2013. We've also just launched into the US market and I am looking forward to returning to New York this summer to build on the contacts and stockists we have already made.
Thank you Kate! Please visit the Tootsa MacGinty webshop here.
The New Craftsmen Garage
I've written about The New Craftsmen before here and I'm very excited that they will shortly be opening a new space where customers can buy, commission and experience pieces from their growing network of British makers. The new shop is called The Garage and if these preview pictures styled by Sue Skeen are anything to go by, it's going to be a very special place indeed. Open from Friday 7th June, there will be workshops and demonstrations as well as pieces from some of Britain's finest craftsmen. There will be ceramics from Billy Lloyd and Nicola Tassie, woven textiles by Catarina Riccabona and beautiful leather goods from Doe Leather. I'm hoping to head over there in a couple of weeks but if you can't make it to the physical space, don't worry, you can see a small selection of the pieces online here.
The Garage is open from Friday 7th June at 14a Adam's Row, London, W1K 2LA.
Oeuf A/W13
I'm digging the fantastical woodland theme of the new Oeuf autumn/winter clothing collection. Full of knitted crowns, Ewok ears, medieval-style dresses and bear suits, it is perfect for your little forest folk. All Oeuf's clothes are Fair Trade and very beautifully crafted from 100% baby alpaca. I like the fact that when you buy these special knits, you're not only purchasing an heirloom piece but also helping to transform the lives of women and children in Bolivia. Oeuf pays its makers a living wage and they work in small self-managing groups, making decisions as a democracy. This allows their children to go to school and greatly improves the quality of the artisans' lives. So happily, each piece is created for the benefit of everyone - you and them.
The Set Table
I love beautifully set tables. By that I don't mean anything too fancy; just some nice plates and cutlery (it's fine if they are mismatched) with napkins and a few sprigs of flowers. Setting a table makes even the most simple meal feel special and having just read The Set Table: The Art of Small Gatherings by Hannah Shuckburgh, it's something I am going to make a bit more effort to do well. The book strikes just the right balance between inspirational and achievable and shows you how to set a beautiful table with modest resources. There are tips on choosing crockery and cutlery, suggestions for flowers and lighting, and advice on how to make all mealtimes that little bit more memorable. As well as Hannah's useful tips, the book also features lots of inspiring photographs, which make you want to grab some napkins, bake some bread and invite a few friends round. It's a good book and one that I'll be dipping into time and time again.
The Set Table: The Art of Small Gatherings is published by Cicada.
Gingerbread House
This building was winner of the AJ Small Projects Awards 2013 and looks like an industrial gingerbread house! It has pretty rounded shingles and sits behind the reconstructed wall of a former Victorian box factory with mismatched brickwork. Architect Laura Dewe Mathews designed the house for herself and was keen to show that contemporary architecture can be friendly instead of severe and alienating. I love the contrast of the curved cedar scales, thick galvanised steel window surrounds and patched brick wall. Inside the house is just as delightful, with a double-height kitchen and dining room, timber-clad walls and a beautiful resin floor, it really is the stuff of modern-day fairytales.
A Few Photos...
This week was all about Wren's birthday. She turned two on Tuesday and we celebrated with a little party at home over the weekend. It was very simple, just a couple of friends and we got the kids making pizzas. Wren was very lucky and got lots of nice presents; a Clothkits dolly and xylophone from her grandparents, some new crayons and books from friends and real, child-sized cooking equipment from us. It rained all day on her actual birthday, so we spent the day inside baking cakes and biscuits with her new tools.
1. Sprinkles. 2. Playing with new toys. 3. Party Fred. 4. Cloth Kitty. 5. Wren's biscuits.
I bought our great party plates, cups and hats from Molly-Meg.
Pala Mino
I am crazy about this new kids' label Pala Mino! Designer Louise Coughlan, used to make costumes for Giffords Circus and now she designs magical children's clothes. The pieces are all beautifully handcrafted using vintage fabrics and trims from Louise's treasured textile stash. The styles are playful and fun, yet also timeless. They are pieces to be treasured for a lifetime, as they amplify the carefree nature of childhood. I interviewed Louise to find out more: What inspired you to start Pala Mino? I work freelance as a costume maker and I get most of my work from industry costumiers. In addition to the work room, they also have a large warehouse and I like to look through the rails at lunchtimes. I am always drawn to the beautiful fabrics and shapes of the children's section, so I started taking patterns of my favourite pieces and it kind of went from there. What is the inspiration behind the current collection? I'm inspired by costume, film, pattern, shape, colour and fabric. I love films that transport you using pace, landscape and music. I often think of characters and imagine what their children might wear, Jane from Paris, Texas is a current favourite. I am influenced by my costume background but like to be inspired by a cinematic persona rather than a theatrical character. What materials do you use? Cotton, silk, wool, viscose. I prefer to use natural fabric. I have sourced vintage fabric through the years. I am usually drawn to print and/or colour. It's the same with trims and buttons. I have also taken clothing apart and re used it for small pieces like a collar, facing or piping. I am a sucker for a graphic print and get a kick out an unexpected colour combo. What is your favourite thing to do with your kids? Have a lazy morning in bed at the weekend. If we have no plans, there's nothing better than eating breakfast in bed. Then hanging out, reading, chatting, drawing, watching stuff on the laptop. It doesn't happen as much as I would like though, we always seem to be too busy. What is your favourite children's book? I think it is probably Diary of a Wimpy Kid. It was the first book my eldest son loved reading by himself, up until then he would only read short stories. Do you have any exciting plans for the future? Oh yeah, as long as I can keep making and being creative. At the moment I do all the making and dyeing myself, if it gets too much I already know very skilled people who can help out. The process is as important to me as the product, this is reflected in the price point but the garments are not throw away. I'm hoping that they will be cherished, well worn and handed down.
Louise can produce all the pieces in different sizes to order. Please don't hesitate to get in touch!
How About?
How about Dahlia's? They are one of my favourite flowers and remind me of old men tending allotments wearing dungarees. Plant some now for lots of late summer flowers that are perfect for cutting and bringing inside. I like the garish bright colours best, but these soft white ones are pretty too.
Photo by Kara Rosenlund
A Few Photos...
1. Tiny toes. 2. Stripes. 3 & 5. I finally used my Christmas present - a trip to the St Moritz Cowshed spa - it was amazing! 4. Steely gaze. 6. Big toes. 7. Wild swimming. 8. The winding road home.
Mama Papa Baby House
Mama: Kestral Soar tan sandals by Clarks Originals. Papa: Letters From Everest: A First-Hand Account from the Epic First Ascent by George Lowe and Huw Lewis-Jones. Baby: red Tip Toe shorts with braces by Jessie and James from Liberty. House: wooden chopping boards from Bodie and Fou.