Welbeck Tiles- Made in Britain

I love companies that support British craftsmanship and create bespoke products. Welbeck Tiles produce some of the most beautiful tiles that I have ever seen and make a real design statement in your home, whilst offering a truly personal service to all their clients.

This small-scale, batch production gives the tiles a truly unique quality which could never be replicated in mass-production.  All the tiles are made to an extremely high standard using a very labour-intensive techniques and only the best English materials are used, sourced from suppliers who too take great pride in their products.

Designed and made in a small workshop in Cornwall, using traditional techniques that have been in use in the pottery industry for more than a century, Brenda Bates, the MD and chief designer has a real passion for creating beautiful tiles.

Brenda has been involved in ceramic design and manufacture for over 25 years. After gaining an MA in Ceramic Design from Staffordshire University in Stoke-on-Trent, she went on to work in the ceramic tableware industry for a brief spell. Quickly realizing that this would be far too restrictive, as the industry was then very conservative in terms of decoration, she started her own company in 1988, producing china dinner services and giftware.

An extremely successful number of years followed, designing ranges for some of the world’s most prestigious department stores in the world, such as Bergdorf Goodman in New York as well as various London-based companies including the David Linley Furniture Company, Renwick & Clarke and the Irish Georgian Society. She also worked on numerous exclusive private commissions for some of the most highly-regarded names in Europe.

 In 1996, Welbeck Tiles was formed and with its innovative designs quickly grew to supply over 100 tile retailers throughout the country. They now only sell directly by mail-order and through a selected network of the best handmade kitchen companies in the UK. A lovely range of ceramic brooches and mugs is also available to buy online.

 

For more information and to view their stunning range; www.welbeck.com

 All the best

Sara X

Flowers

My Favourite Florist

I love flowers, if I was able to function before 9am I would be a florist, but alas I know my limitations and I will never be a morning person. I think floristry is so under-rated for both the skill and commitment required. Flowers can cheer up or even make a room, and there can be no greater gift than receiving beautiful flowers. Its great fun to buy flowers too.

Scarlet and Violet

In 2006 after working with flowers for 14 years Vic Brotherson opened her wonderful florists shop in 76 Chamberlayne Rd London NW10 3JJ. This has to be one of the most stunning and individual florists, I have ever seen.

Vic, who studied fine art, runs her business with her sister who is a textile designer, and you can definitely see the artistry in the colours and vibrancy of their work. What I love is the randomness and freedom. Unlike more traditional florists who follow a structured style which is fairly generic to florists in general. This is really unique, and Vic provides flowers for many celebrity clients, for their homes and weddings.  The style is textural, unstructured and painterly. Like a country garden. Seasonal flowers are used and English country flowers like; English dahlia, lily of the valley, gorgeous foliage and blossom. Unusual vases (often vintage) and jars are used which is much preferable to crystal vases.

I have included this in my book choice of the week but to tell you a bit more about her book, Vintage Flowers, I have also included some pages for you. I loved this beautiful book; it is full of eclectic ideas and stunning arrangements. Vic really is an artist using flowers rather than paint. This book is so hard to put down and is just full of inspiration for any aspiring florists or flower lovers. It is well worth reading. 

 http://scarletandviolet.com

Time Out says

This exquisite flower shop takes your breath away the moment you walk in the door. An abundance of flowers are displayed casually in old jugs, buckets, glass jars and even milk bottles. The artless containers serve in fact to draw the eye to the extraordinary artistry displayed in the bunches made up in the very personal style of the owner, Victoria Brotherson (at her happiest when arranging flowers for parties in people’s houses). Old-fashioned and traditional country garden flowers are plentiful, including nodding peonies, and tall sticks of hollyhocks and delphiniums. Highly recommended.

I have attached some lovely images of floral displays and as always I have a board in pinterest on flowers and gardens which also has some unusual flower arrangements.

Sara x