When we think back to a year ago, there was a stark uncertainty of what was to come, yet across the country and globe we united. From banging kitchen utensils on our doorsteps to cheering on our exhausted nurses and doctors or passing by our neighbours with rainbow-coloured drawings and paintings and ‘thank you messages’ to our NHS key workers. We were and still are in complete admiration of hearing the stories of our brave NHS workers who put themselves at such great risk on the front line, to care for others. Interior Designer Francesca Rowan-Plowden spared no time in trying to help, using her creative background to set up a charity initiative in April 2020 – Design Haven for Heroes. Using her interior design contacts, Francesca created a collective formed from a broad community of interior designers, interior stylists, high profile product suppliers, interiors and homeware brands, as well as skilled makers and tradespeople such as curtain makers and decorators. All happy to donate their time, skills, experience or products to the cause and create teams to work together to deliver ‘Havens’ for the frontline NHS heroes. The concept was simple and so very heartening, NHS frontworkers workers were nominated and once chosen they were matched with an interior designer who would completely redesign a room of their choosing and create a ‘dream team’ to undertake the work. Edward Bulmer Natural Paint are proud to be a supplier of Design Havens for Heroes and in fabulous company with Colefax & Fowler, Tom Dixon, Sofa.com to name a few, all volunteering their products and/or services for the initiative. Every brand and individual involved is giving their time and products free of charge, to say a huge thank you to NHS staff and create a ‘haven’ where workers can rest and recharge after a long, tiring shift. We were truly honoured to be involved with creating one of the first havens for midwife Vanessa and her daughter Ariella @a_joyful_soul. A living room transformation using our ‘Welmish Blew’, transformed by talented designers @fionadukeinteriors and @juliaalexanderinteriors. We are so delighted to be in company with the following brands to create the living room of dreams for all the incredible work Vanessa does for the NHS, especially during this time – Flooring: @carpetright_uk Blinds: @blinds2go Sofa: @sofadotcom Table, chairs, lighting and storage: @wayfairuk Accessories: @madedotcom and @neptuneofficial Flowers: @freddiesflowers Gifts: @skimonobeauty @londonbathers Electrical servicing: @thunderelectrical_ Photography @annastathakiphoto Our hats are tilted to @francescarowanplowden for creating this brilliant movement. There has also been superb support from patron @twiggylawson and ambassadors, to name a few @ninacampbellltd, @edward_bulmer, @matthewwilliamson, @michelleogundehin, @mad_about_the_house , @glamzin and @dominiccoop A true triumph, certainly one of our favourite before and after transformations with @a_joyful_soul! A pleasure to be part of this small but ever so mighty initiative Francesca and the team have created! Discover more about Design Havens for Heroes and their incredible work here and donate towards their fantastic work here. You can also purchase their very own rainbow t-shirts, exclusively designed by Carly Lawson, the daughter of Design Haven for Heroes patron Dame Twiggy Lawson.
Hallway Ideas to Make an Entrance We are here to help with your hall or hallway colour conundrums! Serving up some serious inspiration and top do’s and don’ts when it comes to decorating your hall or hallway spaces.
Kitchen Colourways with Emma Diaz and Jim Lawrence Jim Lawrence has created a superior collection of hand crafted home furnishings including lighting, curtain poles and more, in the most exquisite finishes. We played a small part in their collaboration on finding the perfect finish for your Kitchen, with our colour consultant Emma Diaz.
Big Tent Festival: Exploring Big Conversations At its core the Big Tent Festival and Foundation is about making a difference by actively supporting the new conversations, approaches and leaders required to refresh our political discourse.
How to Decorate with Pinks Pinks have undoubtedly been one of our hottest colours for some time now with best sellers; Jonquil, Lilac Pink and Cuisse de Nymphe Emue. If we’d known they would become so popular we might have given them less risque and unpronounceable names, but it seems every one has wanted some of that aroused nymph’s thigh on their walls from studies to bathrooms, period to modern.
Interior ICONS: Laura Fantacci Laura Fantacci, fashion editor and co founder of Wardrobe ICONS, is a modern day muse to many. Laura set up WardrobeICONS with her best friend and fellow fashion editor Petro Strofberg, inspiring inboxes across the globe with timeless fashion, beauty and lifestyle pieces.
4 Colour Ideas for Your Kitchen Colourful kitchens have been enjoying rather a renaissance, from rustic farmhouse to more modern sleek designs, we have been seeing more and more colour on walls, cabinets & woodwork and even ceilings!
The Power of Natural Pigments: Issue 4 Discover again this month more about the natural earth and mineral pigments we use to create our colours which are far more sophisticated and subtle than synthetic AZO dyes used by most paint companies.
As seen In: Glorious Interiors Features There is nothing more indulgent than taking time out to enjoy and digest our favourite glossy magazines, in today’s crazy digital world it seems even more important to have this screen -free ‘me’ time. As a small independent brand any press coverage we receive really get the office dancing!
