DESIGNER OF THE MONTH
In an industry equipped with phenomenal designers left, right and centre - we want to highlight our favourites - and why we think they’re unique and brilliant at what they do. Follow along each month to see our picked ‘Designer of the Month’.
Samantha Todhunter
January
For our first edition of this months handpicked designer, we have selected the wonderful Samantha Todhunter. Her exceptional use of colour is just the injection of pizzazz we all need at this time of year! Charming and charismatic, whilst balancing soft and subtle features. Her gentle use of texture and shape highlights the space, honing in the rooms natural qualitites.
When I need to feel inspried, I...
I don't think you can beat jumping on a plane to a new destination - or an old familiar one - a change of scene always opens the eyes to something new. Or if a trip isn't possible, leafing through a book on interior design, furniture design, art, architecture - is the best thing.
The last piece I bought for my own home was...
A fabulous Foo Dog (enormous) in the perfect shade of apple green and white from the wondrous antiques barn in Somerset curated by Susie Forbes.
My most treasured possession is...
That is a hard one as I have many! A collection of Constance Spry vases, Rigattieri roosters from Venice, Jean Roger frogs, Ginori's Oriente Italino china... but probably at the top of the list, and if it is ok to call them possessions because they are integral to our family, our divine King Charles Spaniels, Josephine & Napoleon.
Sarah Brown Interiors
February
For this months handpicked designer, we have selected Sarah Brown Interiors. Sarah balances soft hues and unexpected textures with one of a kind pieces, adding sophistication, harmony and softness to a home. We love their confident use of colour, using it cohesivly to balance their clients wide variety of artwork.
When I need to feel inspried, I...
Pull out all my interiors’ books and particularly ones by American decorators and architects like Steven Gambrel, Gil Schafer, and Bunny Mellon. I also like to visit the Victoria and Albert Museum for inspiration and love to wander round the furniture collections.
The last piece I bought for my own home was...
A large, framed Polynesian tapa cloth from the Decorative Fair. I’d been looking for a framed textile for my sitting room for a while and found one that was the perfect size and colour.
My most treasured possession is...
A large platter that I bought from an antiques shop in Tetbury that hangs in my kitchen. It commemorates the coronation of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth in 1937 and although I’m not a royalist, I love the blue and red chequerboard design on it and year, which also happens to be the one my Dad was born in.
Emma Kirby Design
March
Our March Designer of the Month spotlights the enormously talented Emma Kirby Design. Emma and her team curate authentic barnhouse feel designs, inspired by natural elements and textures including exposed brick, reclaimed wood and wooden cladding. Emma uses these materials to create a warm and textured ambience - from the ceilings, the walls and on furniture - they encapsulate the room.
When I need to feel inspried, I...
Travel. A lomg weekend is my favourite. I love walking through streets taking in all the colours and smells as well as visiting galleries. This is often as much for the interior architecture as the paintings themselves. I could go back to Rome and Venice again and again for the food, people and beautiful buildings. Last year we visited the ancient city of Mattera in Southern Italy where many of the houses are built in the rock face. It is absoulutely remarkable and I would encourage everyone to go! I feel very inspired and happy on a mountain top in winter too where you feel on top of the world!
The last piece I bought for my own home was...
38m of Rose Uniacke Copper Beech velvet to upholster two sofas that I had made for the house when we moved in 11 years ago. They look incredible and have given the sitting room a new lease of life! Of course, it has now had a domino effect and I am changing the ottoman fabric, the upholstered chairs and even the artwork but as the last sitting room lasted eleven years so it was due a refresh!
My most treasured possession is...
Obvously, pets aside - a hand written recipe written by my grandmother and given to my mother for our family Christmas pudding which is, hands down, the best pudding I have ever tasted! It is rich and so light. My mother helped my grandmother make it when she was a girl, I helped my mother and now my daughter helps me. I am a sucker for traditions and we make it on Stir Up Sunday every year listening to Michael Buble's Chirtsmas album dancing around the kitchen like a pair of ninnies. The same old precious piece of paper with my grandmother's beautiful writing comes out every year.
Annabel Grimshaw
April
Our April Designer of the Month is Annabel Grimshaw. Her designs are full of charm, soft pastel colours, charming patterns and quaint antique finds. Annabel perfects the balance between classic and modern, the dual combination for a heartwarming home.
When I need to feel inspried, I...
Visit London. I'm based out near Bath now and we have some amazing creatives, makers, shops and hotels here that I frequently visit, not to mention the architecture! But a trip to London doesn't fail to spark the imagination. Some of the shops and places that I love visiting are Tissus D'Helene, Soane Britain, Robert Kime, Liberty London, The V&A, Choosing Keeping & VV Rouleaux.
The last piece I bought for my own home was...
A new ottoman covered in a Pierre Frey fabric I've been wanting to use for a while.
My most treasured possession is...
I don't really have one thing. I love my Atelier De Villate collection, and in particualr the John Derian painted plates. I also love the Diana Forbes painting that I commissioned that hangs in our kitchen.
Henry Prideaux
May
Our May Designer of the Month is Henry Pideaux. His designs are just as characterful as Henry himself - full of quaint antiques, colourful fabrics and colour. His portfolio honours historic features and combines them with a fresh concept.
When I need to feel inspried, I...
'Look up'. We can be so consumed by looking down at content on screens that all blend into one that sometimes the best inspiration isn't right in front of you, but up and out in the real world like the different shades of green in a landscape to inspire a room scheme or the profile of a period architectural construction detail to solve an interior conundrum.
The last piece I bought for my own home was...
An oil painting of some sardines from Kempton market that now hangs in the kithen at home. I like to add vintage original pieces to our home that are collected over time to sit alongside the newer pieces we put in when we refurbished the house. The easiest things to add are small artworks, little side tables (make sure you turn them upside down to check for woodworm) or sculptural forms that just need a bit of a wipe down rather than a full rewire or upholstery (which we do as well, but adds another step to the process).
My most treasured possession is...
A pair of tall, off-white, vintage Royal Doulton lamps that have moved from house to house with me and featured in a handful of photoshoots. They always attract buyers but I can't bear to part with them.
Howark Design
June
Our June Designer of the Month is Howark Design. James and Saskia's work is full to the brim with texture, colour, pattern and harmony. Their portfolio sparks imagination and playfullness in a balance of subtle and charming designs.
James and Saskia's latest finds:
Fabric: Ede Citrine by MetaphoresTrim: Mind's Eye Beaded Tape by Schumacher
Light Fitting: Pineapple Sconce by Casa Alfarera
When we need to feel inspried, we...
find a change of scenery usually does the trick. Whether that means travelling somewhere new, exploring a different neighbourhood, spending time in nature or simply stepnig outside of our normal routine. Being in a new environment helps us see differently, think more creativity and reconnect with ourselves.
The last piece I bought for my own home was...
James: A work by Kim Waine-Thomas discovered earlier this year at the 'Outside In' at Christie's. I was immediately drawn to her freehand machine embroidered sculptures, delicate stitched forms that feel almost alive. The piece now sits amongst the other works on my living room gallery wall and feels like the perfect living wall sculpture.
Saskia: I'm currently in the process of making a custom outdoor bench made from limestone and pebbled mosaic finished with an outdoor cushion in performance fabric with a contrast trim. Hopefully it will be done in time for summer!
My most treasured possession is...
James: A hippopotamus that I bought from The British Museum when I was 11 years old. This even served as the inspiration for my turquoise bath in the bathroom at my house. It’s been covered in a painted lotus flower motif.
Saskia: My passport, which aside from being a practical choice, is a symbol of freedom. Traveling the globe is what brings me to life so without a passport I would go mad!
How did you last handle a client who purchased a large monstrosity (i.e. unsolicated) for a project you were working on?
We’re lucky enough to work with clients who generally have wonderful taste, but we’re always up for a challenge. Part of our job is finding a way to make unexpected pieces work within a scheme, whether that means reframing them, repositioning them, or designing around them in a way that makes everything feel intentional and cohesive.
What's your ultimate design faux pas?
James: Bunny-chopped pillows, leave it in the 90’s!
Saskia: Coffee tables placed too far away from sofas, how can you put down your cup of tea?! It drives me mad!
What does this mean when you show this to a client? (see image below)
The mood board is part of an exciting collaborative meeting where we walk clients through every detail of the scheme and refine things together until everything feels right. If a client wants to change something, we embrace it as an opportunity to better understand their taste and how they want to live in the space. We’ll always be honest if something isn’t going to work, but collaboration almost always makes a scheme stronger.
