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The Perfect Piece for Your Home: A Bespoke Furniture Guide

Written by Crispin Moller on . Posted in Latest.

Finding a craftsman or artisan to create a one-off heirloom for your home is a rewarding process, and it needn’t be daunting. A truly bespoke piece of furniture is a collaboration between client and maker. This labour of love results in an exquisitely made possession as individual as its owner, and nothing elevates an interior like custom, artisanal design pieces.

But when it comes to commissioning a piece of furniture, where should you start? We speak with Alexander Shepel, founder of the multi-brand design studio and bespoke furniture-making business, SHEPEL’. With more than a decade of experience in the industry, Alexander explains how to commission bespoke furniture and the benefits it can bring.

Why should I invest in a piece of bespoke furniture?

By going bespoke, you can create pieces that perfectly suit your unique tastes, needs, lifestyle and environment. Whilst one-off pieces can be expensive compared to mass-produced furniture, the quality and longevity of hand-crafted items will far outlive that of high street options.

A bespoke piece can be the answer to practical problems, such as unusual layouts. We often craft joinery to solve design dilemmas which can’t be resolved with existing, off-the-shelf pieces. Commissioning something hand-crafted also presents the opportunity to support a maker you believe in and back a small business, rather than a ‘fast-furniture’ manufacturer.

What should I prioritise when commissioning a piece of bespoke furniture?

Case goods, like wardrobes and kitchen cabinets are at the top of the list when it comes to investing in custom design. When tailored to your home, these can stretch up to the ceiling and fit into awkward nooks, maximising every inch of storage space, and helping you to be more organised – whilst syncing perfectly with your existing design style.

If you’re contemplating designing a bespoke kitchen, always consider how your kitchen will need to evolve with your lifestyle. Your needs and tastes might change over time. Design your kitchen with the future in mind. Think about elements like adjustable shelving or multi-functional spaces that can adapt as your life changes.

How can I create a design brief?

One of the important parts of our work is identifying the desires and needs of the client through conversation about their habits and hobbies. We’ll ask you exactly where the piece is going to go and what functions it will need to fulfil. We’ll ask things like, do you anticipate this item getting a lot of use, or will it be more ornamental?

Next, we’ll explore your personal style and aesthetic preferences, asking questions such as: Is there a period you like or a particular design movement that speaks to you? Which materials do you find appealing? We’ll ask you to think about other pieces of furniture you have loved, and which design details you might like to incorporate into a new piece. We’ll also need to understand how important this piece is within the room as a whole – do you want it to be the star of the show or a functional object that blends into the background?

How can I make sure I choose the right maker?

A good furniture maker will take care of everything, personally visiting your space to take all the necessary measurements and get a feel for your style. We determine proper scale and sizing for your piece based on the layout of the room and your personal preferences. For bookcases, wardrobes, and sideboards, consider what you plan to store inside. This will guide our plans for shelf heights and drawer sizes.

Getting Your Garden Ready For Spring

Written by Anya Cooklin-Lofting on . Posted in Interiors, Latest, Lifestyle.

By Anya Cooklin-Lofting

Nurturing a garden of which to be proud is no small feat. It involves months of pre-planning, consistent attention and dedication to detail. However, the benefits of nailing your garden design, from layout to colour, function to fragrance, is one of the most rewarding domestic pleasures. Whether you’re creating an oasis for entertaining friends and family, a peaceful enclave for getting in touch with nature, a kitchen garden or a florist’s paradise, now is the time to start prepping. 

Getting Started

As an artist preps their canvas, a great gardener gives themselves the best chance of success with a clean slate. Tidying up the garden will give you a sense of clarity about what you want to achieve, how you’ll use your space and what the possibilities are for switching things up. Remove fallen leaves and branches using a rake or a leafblower, cut the grass and neaten up perennials that have sprawled over the winter. While this task won’t be quite as satisfying as picking bouquet flowers for friends or a few veggies to roast for dinner, it will definitely feel like an accomplishment by the end of the day.

On a more technical level, you can look at improving your soil quality. This may sound complicated, but there are actually a few simple ways do to this. Initially, you need to test your soil. The best way to do this, according to Old Farmer’s Almanac, is to dig up one cubic foot of soil, break it apart and search for earthworms. You should find at least 10 earthworms if your soil is healthy. If you find fewer than 10, the advice is to add organic matter into the mix throughout your planting areas, which could include compost, aged manure and leaf mould using a spading fork.

You can also take this opportunity to declutter your shed or gardening toolbox. A clean, tidy shed will help to preserve your gardening equipment and, of course, reduce the stress associated with chaotic, messy spaces, making for a more enjoyable gardening experience. It’s also advisable to clean and sharpen tools like secateurs and trowels for not just easier, but safer usage. 

Design Ideas

Getting to grips with how you want your garden to function is the first important step. Work out where you might like to establish dining or lounge spaces, a section for games or play and beds for flowers, fruit or vegetables. Are there any specific features towards which you’d like to draw the eye, such as a pond, an outdoor sculpture or a particularly beautiful tree? There’s no right or wrong way to do this, but giving consideration to these decisions will give you some structure to work to. 

Light-touch design ideas could include adding colour in unexpected ways. Paint fences or structures like trellising with bright colours that complement the colours of the flowers you might want to grow. Personally, I love the way paint weathers outside, chipping in places for a rustic feel. Another less intensive design idea is to use colourful pots in varying glazes, textures and sizes to bring different dimensions and layers to patios or decks. 

What to Plant Now

Classic spring flowers will thrive in your garden right now. Opt for daffodils and crocuses, fragrant hyacinths and decadent dahlias. Now is the time to lean into tulip varieties, too, which make delightful displays at home, especially using the TikTok-famous tulip petal hack. 

Getting ahead of the game on your vegetable garden will bring great rewards right the way through the summer. While it’s best to plant most vegetables in warm weather, vegetables including broccoli, cabbages, kale, Swiss chard, kohl rabi and lettuce can be planted in March for quick results. You can keep sowing seeds throughout the season to extend the harvest period. 

Windowsill Gardeners

For those without the privilege of a garden, windowsill options are still rewarding, and there is something charming about miniature gardening. While planting bouquet flowers might be tricky because of the height and space they require, lower-lying plants like hyacinth can be grown in bowls in bright spots around the home very easily. Where your indoor kitchen garden is concerned, growing salad items like microgreens and herbs is a manageable place to start. If you have a bright enough window, the opportunities are endless. Last year, I grew cherry tomatoes all the way through until November!

Art & Design Events to See This October

Written by Anya Cooklin-Lofting on . Posted in Events, Interiors, Latest, Lifestyle.

By Anya Cooklin-Lofting

As the days get shorter and cooler, it’s time to retreat into the warm, inviting lobbies of London’s finest venues, museums and galleries to get your autumnal cultural fix. Whether you enjoy a solo skulk around the National Portrait Gallery with a podcast, a rollicking family visit to the Natural History Museum or a romantic stroll through the towering halls of the V&A, ’tis the season to wrap up warm and soak up the cultural delights that the capital has to offer. 

Luckily, October is a time of great cultural importance, especially for the world of art and design, and alongside the programme of annual events that fall in October, including Decorex, Frieze Art Fair and the Goldsmiths’ Fair, there are a number of fantastic exhibitions to add to your ‘must-see’ list. So, this month, I’ll be rounding up some events for your cultural calendar, from decadent decorative arts events to eye-opening exhibitions and beyond.

Goldsmiths’ Fair

A bustling, glimmering celebration of all that glitters, Goldsmiths’ Fair is an annual selling and exhibition event that highlights some of the leading names in jewellery design today. The site of the current Hall, which is just northeast of St Paul’s Cathedral, has been home to the Goldmsiths’ Company since 1339 where two previous Halls once stood. The Hall’s Assay Office is where the hallmarking of fine jewellery began over 700 years ago, and where the painstaking task is carried out to this day. This year, the fair is celebrating its 40th anniversary with an integrated exhibition, 40 at 40, which showcases the work of 40 makers, each of whom is represented by an outstanding piece created after 1983. 

Week 2, 4th – 9th October 2022, The Goldsmiths’ Hall

Frieze London, Frieze Masters and Frieze Sculpture

One of the most prestigious and lucrative art programmes in the world, Frieze takes place annually amongst the gently landscaped parkland of Regent’s Park. The many globally renowned galleries that show their collections at Freize’s purpose-built pavilions attract over 60,000 visitors across collectors, gallerists, fellow artists and of course, the general public. For contemporary art, get yourself a ticket to Frieze London, and for artwork produced before 2000 and antiquities, head to Frieze Masters. For a free-of-charge meander around Frieze Sculpture, head to the south end of the park’s Broadwalk.

Throughout October 2022, Regents Park

PAD London 

Each October, PAD London takes over the leafy Mayfair square to showcase exquisite 20th-century and contemporary design from some of the world’s most sought-after galleries and designers. Amongst the design names to know taking part this year are Rose Uniacke, Galerie Scene Ouverte, Spazio Nobile, Sarah Myerscough Gallery, David Gill Gallery, Gallery FUMI and Carpenters Workshop Gallery.

10th-16th October 2022, Berkeley Square

Decorex

For the latest in interior design, Decorex is the very best place to seek out new trends, meet makers and gather inspiration for your next home decoration project. Set against the backdrop of the soaring Victorian halls of Olympia London, international design studios and makers gather to network, and meet new clients and customers. It’s a riot of colour, pattern and inspiration, especially if you attend a few of the interior design talks held throughout the week on topics from collecting design pieces to making a happy home. 

9th-12th October 2022, Kensington Olympia

StART Art Fair

For emerging artists with fresh, booming voices and innovative approaches to their media, the StART Art Fair is a one-stop-shop. Harti, Illuminati Neon, Tommy Fiendish and a number of international fresh faces will be exhibiting, bringing punchy, political and thought-provoking art to the prestigious venue. Visitors will also have the opportunity to review the entries to the inaugural StART Martin Miller’s Gin Emerging Art Prize, where entrants were invited to create works to respond to the theme, transformation. 

12th-16th October 2022, Saatchi Gallery

Summer Picnic Hacks

Written by Anya Cooklin-Lofting on . Posted in Events, Food, Latest, Lifestyle.

By Anya Cooklin-Lofting

From antique rugs on the lawn pulled casually from drawing rooms to fully-realised dining tables in fields of wildflowers, the picnic, humble or otherwise, can take many forms. For the Instagrammers and Pinteresters amongst us, picnics provide the perfect opportunity to really hammer home an aesthetic. You can take your picnic design ideas to the nth degree with place cards and menus, little floral sprays in bud vases dotted down the table, and your most prized tableware (formerly for indoor use only). 

But never fear, you don’t need to be a professional stylist to achieve the perfect afternoon picnic with friends and family or for date night. Beyond tasty food and cold drinks (that stay cold), there are a few hacks for making sure your picnic has a considered edge. Just a bit of housekeeping: Keep single-use plastic to a minimum, take any rubbish home with you, remember your SPF and add frozen fruit to your drinks instead of ice cubes, which will dilute your picnic tipple of choice.

In the age of curation, styling and photographing everything we do and eat, take some time to think about how your picnic will manifest itself, especially if you’re throwing it for a special occasion. A loose theme is a good start, even if it’s as vague as ‘Italianate dinner party’ or ‘English summer luncheon.’ Not only will this influence the colours you choose for the picnic blanket or the style of crockery you opt for, but it will also make menu planning easier. Bruschetta and Aperol, anyone, or perhaps it’ll be pâté and citron pressé?

The idea is not to do away entirely with tablescaping – just try your hand at blanketscaping. It’s about creating texture, layers and dynamic heights around a centrepiece, even if that centrepiece is a beautifully arranged tray of homemade sandwiches. Depending on how much you can carry (or how many hands on deck you can wrangle), incorporate the crockery and serveware you use inside at home to give the picnic a highly considered, even magical feel. A collection of mismatched plates and trays looks charming on your dining table at home, so imagine quite how gorgeous it would look laden with food on the grass in a more casual, relaxed setting. This also goes for cutlery and glassware. Bettina Ceramica has some beautiful options for ceramic serveware (above) – a fantastic spot if that Italian theme speaks to you…

It’s no secret that our summers here in the UK are getting warmer, so it’s time to invest in some proper outdoor cushions and a good-quality picnic blanket. Accessories like throws and cushions are not only essential for the comfort of your fellow picnic-ers, but they also add an almost dreamy, cloud-like quality to the scene, encouraging people to relax and recline. There are some absolutely exquisite outdoor cushions available these days, many of which could very easily pass for indoor cushions. For example, Liberty’s new outdoor fabric collection, The Liberty Garden, reworks the company’s iconic prints and patterns in polyester to make them picnic-safe, while Andrew Martin’s outdoor cushions (above) and rugs are almost indistinguishable from its interiors ranges.

As much as it feels like summer has only just begun, as we approach high summer, the days will start to shorten, so it’s important to consider a light source if you plan on extending your picnic suppers late into the evening. Candles, especially citronella, create a particularly useful and atmospheric feel, with the benefit of keeping away pesky mosquitos. So too do cordless lamps, of which there are many available today. Pooky (above) and Lights&Lamps have collections of long-lasting, rechargeable wireless lamps that you can take outside to keep the party going into the early hours. 

Independent Home Brands to Know and Love

Written by Amira Hashish on . Posted in All, Interiors, Latest, Partner Blogs.

By Amira Hashish

There is something very satisfying about kitting out your home with pieces that have a story. Whether it’s a dreamy vintage find or a beautifully sculpted item, seeking out home decor with heritage and craftsmanship elevates your space whilst adding character. Unsure where to start? These independently owned brands and websites will set you on the right path…

Design Stories

In a Nutshell

Crafted collection

The Detail

Design Stories creates refined, eclectic spaces that reflect the distinctiveness of its environment and the people who inhabit it. Founder Murude Katipoglu has a wonderful eye for statement pieces that conjure feeling and warmth. So it is excellent news that the studio has recently launched a shop on its website where you can buy beautifully sourced pieces and a small but soon to be growing selection of bespoke items.

What to Find

Furniture, Ceramics, Kilims

Discover More

studiodesignstories.com

@designstories.collection

Partnership Editions Home

In a Nutshell

The home as art

The Detail

Twelve artists have translated their creative talents to produce ceramics, lighting, table linens, candlesticks, wall hangings and cushions. Similar to Partnership Editions’ art collections, there is an emphasis on curation, quality and collectible limited runs. Each piece is available to buy throughout the year in a series of Home Drops alongside the release of artworks. The debut collection features work from Alessandra Chambers, Adriana Jaros, Cecilia Reeve, Frances Costelloe, Isabelle Hayman, Joseph Dupré, Julianna Byrne, Kanica, Laxmi Hussain, Petra Börner, Venetia Berry and Zahra Holm.

What to Find

Crockery, Cushions, Decor

Discover More

partnershipeditions.com

@partnershipeditions

Aller Dorset

In a Nutshell

Huts and homeware

The Detail

A tale of a London family who left city life to set up their dream country escape. Aller Dorset is set on Aller Farm. Ant and Cat recently moved back to the farm and founded Aller Dorset, comprising two luxury self-catered huts overlooking the most lovely lake and Dorset countryside. Cat’s growing interest in interior design led her to create luxurious furnishings for the huts, with many special touches for the guests to discover. If you can’t make it to Dorset you can shop her pieces online too.

What to Find

Staycation, Headboards, Tableware, Accessories

Discover More

allerdorset.com

@allerdorset

Skye McAlpine Tavola

In a Nutshell

La Dolce Vita at home

The Detail

Known for being the hostess with the mostess, it was inevitable that cookery writer Skye McAlpine launched her very own tableware line. She says: “I have often struggled to find just that right plate – the right shape, the right size, colourful enough to be striking on the table but not so garishly bright that it takes away from the food, and so forth… and so Tavola was born.”

What to Find

Tableware, Aprons, Entertaining Decor

Discover More

skyemcalpinetavola.com

@skyemcalpinetavola

Glassette

In a Nutshell

Laura Jackson means business

The Detail

A new online marketplace for the home. Every object has been thoughtfully chosen because of the creativity, care and craft that has brought it to life. Longevity, artistry and environmentally conscious materials and design are at the forefront of the selection by Laura and her team.

What to Find

Prints, Fragrance, Furniture, Decor

Discover More

glassette.com

@glassette

Domenica Marland

In a Nutshell

Affordable art

The Detail

A young art dealer based between Wiltshire and London, Domenica has created an online platform that aims to sell affordable and decorative works of art. Through representing rising and contemporary artists she has established a programme that is accessible and engaging. The collections are made for homes that are unusual and diverse. 

What to Find

Prints, Frames, Decorative Art

Discover More

domenicamarland.com

@domenicamarland

De La Jardin

In a Nutshell

Va va voom vases

The Detail

Jacqueline de la Fuente, aka De La Jardin, sculpts all her vases from paper mache clay using her household paper and card waste. Each vase is slowly hand-sculpted with traces of her fingertips and hands on the surface to make every piece tactile and one of a kind. J’adore.

What to Find

Paper clay vases, Prints

Discover More

delajardin.com

@delajardin

The Sette

In a Nutshell

Kitchen kitsch

The Detail

Table and kitchenware that is relaxed and optimistic, with craftsmanship at its core. Think colourful cutlery, printed linens and scalloped-edge plates. Oh and it’s pronounced Set.

What to Find

Kitchenware, Linens

Discover More

thesette.com

@the.sette

BIVAIN

In a Nutshell

Colourful cushions

The Detail

Founded by Megha Lohia and Rachel Fong, BIVAIN is a contemporary British home decor and accessories brand inspired by travel and centred on desire with an edge. The Central Saint Martins-trained designers worked for brands including Agent Provocateur and Zac Posen prior to launching their own whimsical line.

What to Find

Cushions, Rugs

Discover More

Bivain.com

@bivain

Lay London

In a Nutshell

Ready-to-rent tablescapes

The Detail

A tablescape rental service for those seeking instant dinner party glamour. Designs are born from a mutual love of bold colour palettes, elegant textiles and decadent furnishings in joyful combinations. Sisters Jemima and Alice have curated every LAY look.

What to Find

Table decor

Discover More

laylondon.com

@laylondonltd

Freya Bramble-Carter

In a Nutshell

Ceramics with soul

The Detail

Artist Freya creates work with a strong connection to the natural world. She has been firing pots from a young age at her father Chris’s studio in Kilburn which the duo now share. Freya’s work ranges from fine homewares, including plates and bowls, to sculptural pieces for the home and garden. You could even sign up for a workshop.

What to Find

Sculptural crockery 

Discover More

@freyabramblecarter

TAT London

In a Nutshell

A vintage haven

The Detail

TAT’s Charlie Porter has such a good eye for vintage finds which will add that special touch to your living spaces. We are big fans of her ‘Sale for Ukraine’ initiative. All the profits from these pieces will go towards supporting the people of Ukraine.

What to Find

Decorative items, Rugs, Mirrors

Discover More

tat-london.co.uk

@tat.london

Arlette Ess

In a Nutshell

Wild wallpaper

The Detail

Arlette started her print journey at Alexander McQueen and is now one of the artists contributing to the iconic Hermès Paris scarves collections. Her drawings showcase myths and creatures to convey a visceral beauty. You can shop her interiors directly, from statement wallpaper to intricately designed fabric.

What to Find

Wallpaper, Fabric, Cushions

Discover More

arlette-ess.com

@arletteess

Immerse Yourself in Wes Anderson’s World With the British Pullman

Written by Amira Hashish on . Posted in Latest, Travel.

By Amira Hashish

All aboard the British Pullman for a train journey like no other. Iconic film director Wes Anderson has joined forces with Belmond to create a carriage inspired by his signature style and we are all invited to step into his wonderfully wacky world.

The visionary behind movies including The Darjeeling Limited, The Grand Budapest Hotel and The French Dispatch, was given free rein to reimagine the Cygnus carriage. You could be mistaken for thinking that you had stepped onto one of his fantasy film sets. He has teamed opulent green fabrics with a pink ceiling, symmetrical lines and art nouveau design alongside two new private coupés. It is the Instagram stuff of dreams.  

From long lunches and sumptuous afternoon tea experiences to special dinner packages, journeys depart throughout the year from London Victoria Station and there is some last minute availability pre-Christmas. ‘

The train’s high profile fans include Adwoa Adobah, Emma Bunton and Holly Willoughby who have been spotted enjoying festive celebrations on board recently. 

Speaking of the collaboration Anderson said: “I love trains. I have often had the chance to invent train compartments and carriages in my movies so I was immediately pleased to say ‘yes’ to this real life opportunity, and very eager to make something new while also participating in the process of preservation which accompanies all the classic Belmond train projects. They are keeping something special alive; igniting this endangered species of travel into a new golden era.” 

His interiors feel refined with a typical playful twist and he has paid careful tribute in his dream-like storytelling to the origins of the 1950s carriage. Named after the Greek God of Balance, Cygnus is often personified as a swan and immortalised as one of the most recognisable constellations in the night sky. Detailed reference to the myth and legend can be found throughout Anderson’s design in the intricate waves and swan detailing in the marquetry. From the meticulously positioned silver leaf on the ceiling that reflects like water, to the swan shaped champagne coolers – the carriage is a tribute to the majestic swan. 

As the journey continues you will no doubt keep noticing the little touches that make all the difference.

For a very exclusive option, there are two new private coupés. The intimate space, with 360 degree carefully handcrafted marquetry, can be booked for up to four people. The train manager personally greets coupé guests with priority boarding and ensures free flowing champagne is available throughout the trip.

Group bookings are also possible with entire carriages available for celebrations of up to 26 people.

Winding your way through the English countryside in delightful surroundings is always a joy and there is no more luxurious way to do so than with the British Pullman.

Pullman Dining by Wes Anderson starts from £400 per person. The Pullman coupé by Wes Anderson starts from £1,800 per coupé. The full carriage hire price is available on request. To book or for more information email nicola.price@belmond.com.