Alexis Bruchon
Pattern is something that excites me – I think that it always has. I studied History of Art and Architecture at the University of Manchester, and I had an inspiring teacher who opened my eyes and showed me how even the application of paint can create patterns. She taught me to notice the patterns that surround us in life. This interest began to give my everyday travels new meaning – I’m forever looking up, taking a moment to consider what is before me.
Why, then, can it feel like such a big and scary decision to incorporate pattern in our homes? I think many of us find comfort in what we perceive to be safe and that often means plain (and neutral in colour). That’s understandable, as decorating your home is an investment – and not every investor is prepared to go high risk.
Tuesday 23 February 2021
My partner and I always knew we were buying a fixer-upper, but heck did we imagine we’d get the keys to our first home at the beginning of a global pandemic. In April 2020 we started work on our small Victorian terrace absolutely delighted, but a tad confused. How to go about your first ever renovation when hardware shops and builders merchants are closed, and your local Sainsbury’s can’t even get hold of some dried pasta? Planning our dream home was going to be a digital affair.
The thing people really underestimate with a renovation is just how many decisions you’re making at once, especially when every single room needs TLC. So I naturally did what any sane Millennial would do. I spent every waking moment of my furlough on Instagram and Pinterest trying to figure this thing out. While I found so many beautiful homes on social media, something struck me as ‘off.’ Nearly everyone was white?
Wednesday 24 February 2021
The Craft Council’s annual art fair, Collect, is fast approaching. We’re taking a look at the line-up of events and what not to miss from a schedule packed with the best of today s craft and design.
The Collectors, Modern Craft in the Hands of Interior Designers.
Friday, February 26
Alun Callender
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VIP programme supporters of Collect, Cox London, are hosting an exclusive interview with some of the industry’s leading figures, that will be available to watch from February 26.
House & Garden’s Editor Hatta Byng will interview four pioneers in the field of interior design: Olivia Outred (
Dean Hearne
When considering lighting in the darker months of the year, it isn’t about trying to recreate summer sunlight. It is more about embracing winter’s natural light, and working to amplify it on those darker winter days.
Layer your Lighting
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Electrical lighting has so many approaches that it’s essential to consider rooms individually. Think about the natural light they receive, the purpose of the space and the decorative style of the room. Varied and layered lighting – a mix of lamps, wall lights and pendants – is often the best plan, but in a kitchen overhead lighting is essential. If you’re embarking on a full renovation project, try to avoid covering the ceiling in a grid of lights. Instead, think about where you need light specifically, for example do you want to highlight an artwork or architectural features? It is also always good to install a strong task light over a kitchen worktop. As for pendants and wall lights, there are some fantasti
Thursday 17 December 2020
With a week to go until Christmas descends, the time is nigh to get your Christmas menu sorted. It s not just about Christmas Day itself, there s Christmas Eve dinner, Boxing Day and all the snacks and Christmas baking to consider too. As we all know, this is a Christmas like no other and we are not going to be having the 20 person festivities some might be used to. So what do you cook for a Christmas of two, four, or six people?
Firstly, think of it as a chance to experiment with new recipes. A turkey crown instead of a whole turkey is an excellent place to start for a smaller Christmas dinner, or Donna Hay s poached turkey breast, but you could also leave the bird out altogether this year and opt for something else as the showstopper. Consider Mary Berry s beef wellington recipe; it s suitably impressive, not something you re likely to eat everyday and the recipe can be scaled down easily to accommodate a smaller party. Braised beef shanks with spices an