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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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London Design Week Trends
By Anya Cooklin-Lofting
From Sunday 13th to Friday 18th March, the Design Centre Chelsea Harbour opened its doors once again to hoards of interior designers, home renovators and the media to celebrate its loyal brands’ new spring/summer collections for London Design Week 2022. The annual event is a hub for designers to sample new fabrics, wallcoverings, furniture and accessories, supplemented with a talks and events programme that allows visitors access to the top designers of our time. Some of the showrooms at the Design Centre also offer interactive sessions like block printing at Morris & Co. or watercolour painting at Cole & Son, to engage their customers and ignite a passion for craft and making.
Every year, the organisers forecast trends for the year ahead based on the creative direction of the collections and designers. This year, the spring/summer trends are hugely varied, completely compelling, and at once timeless and of the moment. From Bridgerton-esque pastel passementerie to Avant-Garde abstraction in the style of Sonia Delaunay, all signs point to personality-laden spaces filled with colour and texture with a sense of reserved grandeur. Here is a run-down of the themes and motifs the London Design Week experts are seeing for 2022…
Fondant Fancy
According to London Design Week, the Fondant Fancy trend is less stuffy and starched than delightful, sweet and frothy. Tones of classical confectionary abound, evoking sorbet, macarons, tiered wedding cakes and patisserie. The trend is defined by furniture inspired by 18th-century boudoirs with frills, thoughtful details and floral upholstery. Accents of fringing, piping and tassels are integral to this look, giving each cushion, vase, lamp or rug a touch of regal glamour.
New Shoots
Not unlike Fondant Fancy, this trend relies on vintage charm with a nature-inspired twist. With delicately rendered pattern repeats available as wallcoverings and fabrics, many design brands have turned to botany and the English countryside for a feeling of freshness in their new collections. Interestingly, London Design Week believes that this more domestic approach diverges from the lush, tropical designs like banana leaves and palm trees that were popular before the pandemic. This could be indicative of the way we all came to value our local parks and gardens more than ever while international travel was halted.
Brighton Pavillion
Inspired by the south coast’s Regency pleasure palace, this trend is theatrical and expressive – perfect for those who entertain at home. Chinoiserie, golden accents, Eastern-inspired prints and rich, jewel tones coalesce to bring a refined sense of occasion to the home, from wall hangings to rugs, lighting to wallpapers.
Sonia
Early 20th-century artist, Sonia Delaunay, is the figurehead of this trend and who, 100 years on, is still making an impact in design. The artist is best known for her bold, abstract paintings and for the costumes she designed for the Ballets Russes, a French ballet company that, despite the name, never performed in Russia. For London Design Week, her relevance to the modern design landscape is clear: the energy and speed of modern life, from street lighting to modern dance, is captured in today’s fabric, wallpaper, tile and flooring designers, who are incorporating her expression of vitality in their new collections.
Mystic Garden
Described by London Design Week as “hippy and trippy,” this melange of vibrant colours, Indian inspired block-printed fabrics and papers and psychedelic upholstery is a real treat for the eyes. In the tradition of the Hippy Trail of the 1960s, mandala-style motifs, stylised florals and warping stripes comprise this trend that has maintained its appeal 60 years on.
Stitch & Weave
Sustainable materials like grasses and some woods have been a mainstay in interiors for a few years, especially with the rise of handcraft and more rustic finishes. This trend draws on the skills of artisans around the world using weaving and stitching techniques to create unique, eco-friendly, affordable and stylish homeware for contemporary living. A mainstay of this trend is rattan, which can be grown and harvested within two years, compared to some hardwoods that can take up to 30 years to fulfil the same demands. All kinds of furniture can be made with rattan, from chairs and trunks to headboards and coffee tables.
Seven Phenomenal African Safaris that Champion Sustainability
By Amira Hashish
When it comes to bucket list travel, few experiences trump an African safari. Whether you are seeking breathtaking landscapes, that wow factor wildlife moment or the opportunity to immerse yourself in local culture, an adventure is almost certainly on the cards. At the core of the very best safari trips is a commitment to sustainability and deep-rooted conservation efforts. Here are seven destinations that offer ultimate escapism whilst nurturing their surroundings…
Kyaninga Lodge, Uganda
Let’s get acquainted: Perched high above Lake Kyaninga, the lodge is the passion project of a chap called Steve Williams who passed through the area on his way to see the gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. His vision is rather remarkable.
Ethos: Steve and his team spent six years building the lodge entirely from locally-sourced materials, with every piece of timber and stone put in place by hand. The result is an imposing and beautiful lodge with nine cottages, all connected by a raised wooden walkway. Each of the rooms has a terrace with views across the lake. On-site, the Kyaninga Child Development Centre brings support to local children with special needs, and the Kyaninga dairy raises revenue for the centre. Meanwhile, the Kyaninga Forest Foundation helps to restore degraded forest in the local area.
How do I book? visit coraltreetravel.com or call 01242 908 720.
Virunga Lodge, Rwanda
Let’s get acquainted: A magnificently positioned lodge with some of the most jaw-dropping views in Africa. From the stone bandas, there is a vista of the cloud-topped volcanic landscape, decorated in rich shades of green.
Ethos: This is one to explore with Steppes Travel, which prides itself on offering luxury trips with sustainability at the core. Their itinerary offers a twist on the traditional Rwanda safari journey through the varied terrain of Akagera. Once devoid of wildlife, this park has been brought back to life with a vast array of animals.
How do I book? Visit steppestravel.com or call 01285 880 980.
Arijiju, Kenya
Let’s get acquainted: Inspired by Ethiopian monasteries, this magnificently designed five-bedroom private house is built into the landscape and leaves a very subtle footprint on the view to Mount Kenya. It can only be rented exclusively so it is one for those who value their privacy. On the Borana conservancy in Laikipia, the land is a hub of wildlife, including Africa’s Big Five, wild dog and cheetah.
Ethos: The Borana Lewa conservancy is a 90,000 acre conservation archetype. Borana, Lewa and the neighbouring ranches and communities are pioneering a collaborative conservation approach that gives animals access to more wilderness and integrates free-ranging cattle ranching. The results speak for themselves; over the last 20 years, Laikipia is the only part of Kenya where wildlife numbers are increasing.
How do I book? Visit handpickedafrica.co.uk or call 07779 410 481.
Kaya Mawa, Malawi
Let’s get acquainted: On the dramatic shoreline of Likoma Island, this is a stunning beach paradise which champions its community. Malawi is known as the Warm Heart of Africa for its friendly people and blue skies. It is also home to one of the world’s deepest lakes and its freshwater teems with aquatic life, including 400 species of cichlid fish. An alternative to the above ground safari experiences. Merge the best of both worlds by combining the trip with Shawa Luangwa Camp in the predator playground of South Luangwa or Ila Safari Lodge in the game-rich wilderness of Kafue.
Ethos: Built by locals and as Malawi’s first resort run solely on renewable-energy, Kaya Mawa is firmly grounded in sustainability, community empowerment and ethical trade. It is part of the Green Safaris collection which has a commitment to conserving the environment, protecting wildlife and empowering people.
How do I book? Visit greensafaris.com or speak to the agents at smallworldmarketing.co.uk.
Xigera Safari Lodge, Botswana
Let’s get acquainted: Comprising 12 beautiful suites, each resting effortlessly in this wild landscape, the lodge’s design is dedicated to celebrating African art and creativity. Each piece has been handcrafted and inspired by the natural surroundings in Botswana. Pronounced ‘kee-jera’, Xigera is named after the Pied Kingfisher that makes its home amid the watery channels of Botswana’s Moremi Game Reserve.
Ethos: Conservation and sustainability are at the heart of the experience. The lodge is powered almost entirely through solar energy and single-use plastics are eliminated.
How do I book? Visit xigera.com.
Lepogo Lodges, South Africa
Let’s get acquainted: Deep valleys and spectacular cliffs with tumbling streams are part and parcel of this serene destination. There are two separate lodges, both of which can be booked in their entirety. Noka Camp sleeps 12. Melote House, an exclusive use house sleeping up to 16, opens this year.
Ethos: The Lepogo Lodges Carbon Offset Programme neutralises every guest’s carbon footprint from the moment they leave their homes until their arrival at the lodge and back again. It’s a super impressive initiative and the giving back doesn’t stop there. Lepogo Lodges is a non for profit venture and gives 100% of any financial gains back into the reserve for the benefit of wildlife and local community. Cheetah reintroduction and preservation is a priority.
How do I book? Visit lepogolodges.com or call +27 60 574 7117.
Kwitonda Lodge, Rwanda
Let’s get acquainted: Right on the edge of Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda, Kwitonda Lodge was created in response to its dramatic setting. Woven ceilings and hand-fired terracotta brickwork has been crafted by local artisans. There is also a dedicated Conservation Room and on-site nursery and vegetable garden which provides fresh produce for Kwitonda’s farm-to-table food. This is where a third of the world’s remaining mountain gorillas find refuge.
Ethos: Volcanoes National Park is committed to preserving and protecting large areas of African wilderness through the development of dedicated programmes that support biodiversity conservation as well as community partnerships that make a meaningful difference in the lives of people living in the area. A set of 10 sustainability principles, making up The One Planet Sustainability framework, continue to guide all decision-making.
How do I book? Visit singita.com or call +27 (0) 21 683 3424.