Happy Christmas

Sir John Soane's Museum by Candlelight

The intrigue that surrounds the home of Sir John Soane is founded upon the sprawling collection of curios which Soane arranged with his distinctive eye for display.

Experiencing this 19th century home by candlelight displays Soane's artfulness in design, the drawing room was modified by installing mirrored panels onto wooden doors and placing convex mirrors up high, in order to reflect the artificial light. He also built light-wells in the ceiling which flood the room by day with natural light. 

As a professor of architecture, Soane opened up the doors of his home to his students at the Royal Academy of Arts. The collection was amassed to illustrate the variety in architectural styles, in doing so, Soane created a mini tour of Europe. The architectural casts appear jewel like under the glow of candlelight, as they hang from Olive green walls. The casts were made from a variety of materials, which include plaster and stone.

On the first Tuesday of each month the museum invites the public to experience Sir John Soane's collection in candlelight, a free exhibition from 6 - 9, you may have to queue for over two hours, but its well worth the wait!

Friday Forage | Dedar

(Illustrations by Caroline Jenkinson, The Interiors Almanac)

Last week The Interiors Almanac was privy to view the exquisite fabric collection by the Italian fabric house Dedar, in Chelsea. The atelier is renowned for creativity and technical prowess, founded in 1976 by husband and wife Elda and Nicola Fabrizio, the company was passed down to their children Caterina and Raffaele, who have triumphed since the late nineties and continue to produce textiles that are firmly rooted in the Como region.

Each of the fabrics are woven in textile mills around the region of Como, interestingly, the design house works with a number of manufacturers in the area; a collaboration that marries the skills and knowledge of each mill to produce the most innovative woven fabrics.

 In addition to the many jacquards, prints and velvets for curtains and upholstery. This year, Dedar launched a collection of outdoor woven fabrics; a pioneering technique that uses traditional textile looms to create classic patterns such as Houndstooth and Tartans, previously unheard of for outdoors. Not only are the fabrics durable and water resistant, they are superbly soft to touch. 

Visit the Dedar showroom at Chelsea Harbour, to view the full collection... Pssst Hermes fabrics are on show there too! 

Nathalie Lete | Parisienne Studio

Naïve in form but carefully crafted, the work of Nathalie Lete is continuously imaginative. Her studio in Paris is a riot of colour and a beguiling mix of prints and collections. Yet each of Nathalie Lete's textiles, ceramics and furniture items would sit happily in any interior setting.

How do you begin a new project? Does each piece begin with a story?

My favorite day is when I can choose a theme, I do painting in the morning and make ceramics in the afternoon which I find is a good mix.

What is your favourite medium to work in?

I have no favourites; I like to do a bit of everything! I usually do more acrylic painting because it is the basis of my work, however, I like to work with painting, ceramics and embroidery.

What are the common themes within your work and why are you so drawn to them?

The common themes I choose are around vintage toys, flowers, insects, and animals of the forest, most recently I designed wallpaper full of fish and stones of the sea.

I have also worked on themes of anatomy, butchery, mountains, Little Red Riding Hood and other children's tales. I like to mix it altogether. I always return to these themes I made some years before, it is like a family I visit and revisit them from time to time.

It is interesting how you transform utility/ everyday items into something more magical and imaginative, was it a reaction to what was available on the market place?

I think it was firstly for myself to be surrounded within my own world, to feel like I created my own nest, which gives me the feeling of security. 

Then in truth I worked on these every day products because publishers (such as Anthropologie) asked me to print my images onto their products… It is how I make my money and give food to my family! What is magical is that my world can make other people happy, but that was not my goal at the beginning.

Your designs are often compared to Outsider Art, are there any particular artists work you admire?

I like Folk Art, Outsider Art and Arts & Craft. I am drawn to art and objects, which embody a sense of the hands and the heart worked by them. I don't know how to explain, but when creation is a necessity everyday.

I admire the work of Kiki Smith, Anette Messager, Picassiette, Facteur, Cheval & Bonnard, these artists gave me inspiration, but I have even more inspiration when I open a book of folk art or collection books on vintage toys. I also love books with engravings and coloured botanical illustrations or animals.

Do you have a favourite shop in Paris that you could recommend to our readers?

My favorite shop is Astier de Villatte store, 173 rue Saint Honoré, for what they sell of course (I am currently exhibiting there) but also for the atmosphere which is inside the building, the walls and the furniture are from the past and I love the past, that I never lived but that I can imagine by reading books. A place for imagination is the most important in life for me. 

On Photography | Thomas R. Mason Prospero's Kansas City

(Illustrations by Caroline Jenkinson, The Interiors Almanac)

The Interiors Almanac came across Thomas R. Mason’s photography through Instagram, immediately beguiled by the bold and beautiful 1950’s Neon signs that are ever present in his work. We asked Thomas to photograph one of his favourite stores in the Mid West, he promptly replied with photograph’s of Prospero’s, a book store in Kansas City, Missouri.

The store is evocative of Michel Gondry’s madcap video store in the film Be Kind Rewind, with reams of books and an abandoned type writer and telephone. 

Can you recollect the first time you picked up a camera and the first photograph you ever took?  

My first camera was probably a Kodak disposable 35mm, which I took pictures of toys and building blocks.  Although, my first real camera was a Olympus XB700 35mm that had a built in 70mm zoom.  My mom got it for me at a Kmart during a vacation in the Florida everglades in 2001 when I was 11 years old.  I was getting too close to the alligators in the swamp with the cheapie cameras.  The 70mm zoom was enough distance between me and them, so I could get some pictures and not scare the hell out of my parents.  

My first real picture was a wild alligator on the side of a road.  I should dig it out and scan it.

Are you a regular customer at Prospero's book shop?

I've been shopping there for about six years. I got to know everybody when they broke the world record for the longest consecutive poetry reading for 120 hours back in April 2010.  It's very much a neighborhood hangout, always characters in there, people playing chess, arguing about literature, movies, comics, and of course drinking cheap beer.

It's a very special place, It couldn't be manufactured, or transplanted.

How old is Prospero’s bookshop? 

They started in 1997 across the street and moved to the current location in 1999.  The building is from 1890 and used to be a hardware store, you can tell, there's a lot of relics still hanging around from that.   

Do you have a favorite section of the store?

Yeah, the front where they display all the recent arrival's, you never know what they're going to have. 

Do you prefer taking photographs at dusk?

It's the best time to take photos.  The so-called "Magic Hour" There's no harsh shadows or glare, but there's enough refracted sunlight to compete with all the artificial light.  So you can get cool city photos without the glare of street lights.  

You often feature Neon billboards in your work, why are you so drawn to them?

I like them because they are handmade works of art, that are not being made anymore.  There was a revival in the 1980s, where artists reexamined their worth.  But in modern post-recession America, not that many people have the money to upkeep them, (even though they are very energy efficient)  and generic corporate chains will never install new ones, they just print LED signs.

If you're traveling and see a cool neon sign, there's a good chance it's a Mom & Pop store, since corporate aesthetics wouldn't put up with something so dated and cheery.

I think in a way flashy Neon signs are like how flower blossom attracts bees, only at one time it was cars.

Hidden Hampstead | Maud and Mabel

Tucked away in a little side street of London’s leafy Hampstead, Maud and Mabel is full of treasure. The shop mostly sells ceramics, however, a sprinkling of textiles and other home-wares can be found there too. Last week the Interiors Almanac met Karen Whitely, the founder of Maud and Mabel. Whitely explained her love affair with pots and the Japanese design philosophy 'Shibumi', which is reflected throughout the store, with its simple, subtle and unobtrusive beauty.

First of all, where does the name Maud & Mabel come from?

“Maud and Mabel just came to me in a flash of inspiration. But I am sure influenced by names of teachers from my boarding school.”

How did you begin trading in ceramics and is your background in design?

“My working life started with Sam Haskins a famous photographer from the seventies and I was the stylist...it was on the Kings Road and a very exciting time. I also worked for Pan Henry (Mick Cassons sister) at the Casson Gallery on Marylebone high street at a time when studio pottery was becoming very popular. We showed Lucie Rie, Hans Coper amongst many other great British talents. It was here that my passion for ceramics developed.”

How many designers do you promote at the Hampstead store?

“We show the work of about 25 ceramic artists. Mainly from GB but also Japan, Finland and Italy.”

I notice you represent many Japanese ceramists’; do you have an affinity for Japanese design?

“I do appreciate Japanese philosophy of design, in particular 'Shibumi' which I believe the aesthetic of my gallery/shop echoes and the principles of the Zen philosophy of design.”

I really like the Wedding list service you offer, as it nice to think that each bespoke piece will mark the start of a journey and can be passed from generation to generation. This notion also reflects the ‘Shibumi’ ethos, whereby objects do not tire, but constantly find a new meaning. Can you explain a little more about this service?

“The Wedding list is quite a unique and personal service. The way it works is the couple come into the shop and carefully make their choices for their unique gift list we then create a private website for their guests with images, information on the makers etc…  enabling guests to make an informed decision. The pieces are then packaged beautifully before being delivered to the happy couple, nearly all the works offered are one off pieces and many are collectors’ items. The couples therefore start their married life with a selection of wonderful ceramic/wood pieces for their home and all the work is cohesive so sits very happily together.”

  

Do you take commissions at the store?

“Yes, I often take commissions, but it needs to be clear that no two pieces will ever be exact. So there will be a slight variation in dimensions and glaze.”

Your little emporium is set in beautiful surroundings, which aspect of Hampstead do you enjoy most?

“For me it is always the Heath, It is gentle on the soul and always offers some exciting new colour/light etc…”

Can you recommend any other places worth visiting whilst in the area?

“Judy Greens garden store is enchanting, also The Livingstone Studio...indescribably beautiful offering hand made garments and textiles.”

Heal's | Beautiful British Made Design

If you happen to have visited the Heal's store lately you are sure to have been charmed by the array of beautifully British made products. This season’s collections reflect time-honoured techniques and Craftsmanship.

1 Modern British: Whitstable collection.

Named after the glorious British sea side town, this wholesome collection has a crafted feel, taking inspiration from Welsh milking stools called Stick stools; the leg detailing was originally designed to stop the struts from sticking into the mud.

2. Mint Configure Cushion by Laura Slater, 30x60cm, £50

The Yorkshire based textile designer has created an exclusive Limited edition collection for Heal’s called ‘Assemble Configure’. These bold painterly designs have an interesting patina, which are hand screen printed onto Linen.

psssst...Take a look at the Laura Slater interview on the Heal's Blog

3. Whitstable Three-legged Chair by Mathers & Hirst, W52xD45xH80cm, £195

Handmade in Whitstable, exclusively for Heal’s this chair features superb detailing.

4. 405 Line Throw by Eleanor Pritchard, 150x180cm, £230

Made in a Traditional textile mill in West Wales, Pritchard's references are often esoteric, this piece for instance is named after the number of lines per inch for analogue black and white TV transmissions.  

Friday Forage | Nautical Patterns

(Illustrations by Caroline Jenkinson, The Interiors Almanac)

Stripes, fish, crustaceans and coral are popular themes within this selection of wallpapers and fabrics by Cole & Son, Osborne & Little and Dedar. This Friday, The Interiors Almanac dives in, to see whats on offer...

1. Acquario wallpaper, Fornasetti at Cole & Son. Wallpaper roll width 69cm, match half drop, repeat 76cm. Price on request.

The Milanese artist, Fornasetti was a gifted painter, sculptor, interior decorator and engraver of books. He is said to have created over than 13,000 products.

2. Corniche Trimmings by Osborne & Little. Price on request.

A spectrum of coloured trimmings from Osborne and Little which takes inspiration from the French Riviera. The collection encompasses; fringes, tassels, cords, delicate braids and ombre pleating.

3. Holiday jacquard stripe fabric by Dedar. Fabric width 140cm, £137 per meter.

Composition: 100% Polyester

This Luxury Italian company specialise in beautifully crafted fabrics and wallpapers, their collection is vast and includes fine silks, embroidered fabrics and jacquards.

The New Craftsmen | In conversation with Co-founder Natalie Melton

Last week, The Interiors Almanac gleaned an insight into the creative workings of a very special Interiors shop in Mayfair, for the launch of ‘The Real British Souvenir Shop’. The New Craftsmen simply began over a cup of tea… so says its co-founder and Managing director Natalie Melton.

Natalie Melton has worked with many creative individuals as a Mentor for the ‘Crafted’ program at Walpole, an organisation that nurtures emerging Luxury design talent. She foundered the shop with Catherine Lock and Mark Henderson out of “a desire to help Crafts people commercialise”. Natalie continues to support her protégés, many of whom sell their work at the New Craftsmen. 

How did The New Craftsmen come to fruition?

“During my experience working with Crafts people through the ‘Crafted’ program, I met Mark, who was also a Mentor, we were trying to think of ways to support Crafts people and we wanted to take the program a step further, in creating a retail platform for makers. Catherine had spent a yearlong road trip touring the British Isles, meeting makers, learning regional craft skills and traditional culture.

Collectively we wanted to create a retail space for craft that was contemporary, that wasn’t just a neutral gallery space and that had some personality and a point of view.”

Craft fairs often have a reputation for being outdated, why do you think this is?

The outlets to sell craft is often limited, selling directly from the maker, which makes it very difficult to achieve the margins they need and to value their work properly.

Craft fairs on the whole have very little curation, the business model is to sell space, therefore often High quality makers are not able to display their work in the best way. We wanted to bring some order to the process and create a space where people aspired to sell their work and make a space that we felt could showcase the strongest and most exciting makers in Britain.

Do you work solely with British designers?

“The criteria we work within is British made products, the foundation of what we do is routed in British traditions and cultural identity, although, that is not to say that everything has to be terribly British and old fashioned. Britain by its nature is very multi-cultured. One of our makers Silvia K, produces beautiful platters which tell a story of her Slovakian Heritage, Silvia lives and works in Brighton.”

Do you think that Craft has a sustainable future?

“The desire to have pieces that are unique and hand made seems to get stronger and stronger.  It’s a backlash against mass production and a concern about sourcing sustainably and localism.  Akin to peoples interest and knowledge of sustainably sourced food, which also translates into the objects you live with.”

Which aspects of your role do you most enjoy?

“I look after the day-to-day running of the business, the thing I enjoy the most is working out ways that we can drive the business forward and finding ways to engage in the local community. Mayfair has a very rich history of the Artisan, which dates back to the Great Fire of London, which flushed out all of the Artisans who were based in the City of London and consequently moved and established their workshops here, becoming a real hub for makers. The gentry and aristocracy who lived here gave a rich patronage and enablement for the Artisans to develop work.  We are trying to engage our makers with the local area, working alongside local historians to create pieces that pull together that heritage.

Many people think of Mayfair as a part of London for the super rich, that is a bit crass and tasteless, Mayfair still has many makers, from long established to emerging talents. Purdey’s the gun makers for example have a very long tradition in making and they have a lot of samples in their archive. The Footware designer Nickolas Kirkwood keeps his archive and does all of his bespoke commission’s from his shop on Mount Street.”

The Workshops are an interesting way to communicate with the audience, have they been a success?

“Aimee Betts did a Braiding workshop here a few weeks ago, a three-hour workshop on a Saturday afternoon, everyone left with two bracelets each. Amy teaches a lot, as a lot of makers do, to supplement their income. It is lovely for craftspeople to communicate what they do to an audience and there was such a lovely atmosphere!

We have a Woad dying workshop coming up with Katherine May, who will teach people the Woad dying process, which they can then make purses from.”

Details of the forthcoming Woad dying workshop at The New Craftsmen can be found here

Floral Flourish | Flowers of Liberty

‘Flowers of Liberty‘ is a brand new homeware collection which fashions fine quality English made kitchenware from Liberty’s most iconic ditsy prints. These include: Betsy, Wiltshire & Theodora. 

The Wiltshire is most favoured by the Interiors Almanac, especially applied to this luxury travel suitcase…