Inspiring Shops...

Pentreath & Hall

This is another of my  inspirational shops to love, re-branded in 2013, formerly know as Ben Pentreath, Hall and Pentreath is full of English style and eccentricities and just perfect for Christmas presents….

5 years ago, Ben’s growing architectural practice needed a bit more room to grow. He decided to take on a little store front in Rugby Street, just across the road, and the idea was to have a little office annexe in the back with a tiny shop front on the street. Originally he was going lend the shop front to an antique dealer friend. However after a trip to New York he realised the fun thing to do was to open a shop all of his own.

In London he bumped into his old friend Birdie Hall, decorative artist and maker, and a retail collaboration was born. They opened the shop in 2008 with no retail experience and with one purpose in mind: to look for things that they loved themselves.

In 2013, ‘Pentreath & Hall’ was created. Although they have stayed true to the principle of sourcing and selling things that they really love – be it classic or contemporary, antique or modern; books, pictures, objects, furniture. Many of the products sold are from small companies and makers in England, France and elsewhere.

So do go and visit them if you are in London or browse their website. I am sure you will find lots of wonderful bits and pieces for your home and lifestyle.

Happy Shopping

www.pentreath-hall.com for more information

All the Best

Sara x

Old Favourite by Lucy Wakefield

In the run up to Christmas we are all on the hunt for unusual presents, in particular bespoke and hand-crafted gifts. A wonderful maker I have discovered is Lucy Wakefield, I am posting details about her lovely range.

Lucy Wakefield set up Old Favourite just over two years ago, but first started her obsession with colour, textiles and vintage whilst studying for a degree in fashion in the mid-1990s. Lucy then went on to work as a knitwear and fashion designer. When Lucy recently returned to live in Devon, she started to develop a range of screen printed textiles, using imagery from her collection of vintage postcards, hand drawings and wooden print blocks. Lucy's passion for interesting handmade things has formed the basis of Old Favourite. pieces include vintage paper birds, (featured in Country Living and English Home magazines) printed cushions, tea cosies, tea towels, lavender hearts and peg bags, alongside mixed media paintings and prints.

"Old Favourite is all about vintage inspired art and design, a collection of handmade and hand printed things for your home which are unique, full of character and nostalgic."

 See www.oldfavourite.co.uk for details on stockists and trade enquiries and commissions.

Happy shopping

All the best Sara x

Fashion Drawn...

Garance Doré is a French photographer, illustrator and author, best known for her fashion blog and stunning fluid drawings…

Any self-proclaimed lovers of fashion will know all about this multi-skilled and stylish woman, who is simply too talented for words. Garance originally lived and worked in Paris but is now based in New York. The street style snapper emerged on the fashion scene in 2006, in the early days of the blogger boom and remains to be a major player. Along with her photographer boyfriend, Scott Schuman, they are the reigning King and Queen of street style photography. Doré has lent her creative touch to numerous creative projects. Working as both a photographer and illustrator has allowed her to collaborate with a long list of clients: such as Chloe, Louis Vuitton, Moschino, Max Mara, MAC Cosmetics and Dior.

She’s been featured in The New York Times, Vogue and ELLE Magazine and on featured on Harper’s Bazaars Women of Fashion, GQ’s 25 Most Glamorous Women of Fashion, and Vogue’s 40 Women of the Decade and Elle France’s 30 Most Powerful Women in Fashion.

I love her work  and hope you do too…

www.garancedore.fr/en/ for more information

Bye for now

Sara x

Melin Tregwynt- Made In Britain

Made in a beautiful setting these wonderful woven blankets and fabrics have been used in many different ways and combine the best features of british design and craftsmenship.

Modern Traditions

Melin Tregwynt Blankets and Cushions

As the weather gets colder and we think of snuggling up in a warm blanket and not leaving the house….

Melin Tregwynt heralds a new spirit in Welsh design with exclusive wool blankets, throws and cushions, furniture, accessories and clothing that combine authentic Welsh tradition with innovative and modern design.

A family run business since 1912, they still employ 20 local people to work in the mill. The 1980s recession saw many of the Welsh Mills close. Melin Tregwynt was lucky however. Howard’s son Eifion had come home to join the family business and began to develop markets further afield. New yarns and new designs kept the mill and its staff busy supplying customers all over the world. Their products are seen in many design-led shops and hotels worldwide. They collaborate with many well know designers such as Matthew Hilton who has produced a retro reading chair. I love the mix of tradition and craftsmanship whilst still been very current and desirable. The range is constantly been added to and new items introduced, so this niche label will carry on I feel sure for another 100 years.

We like to make things that are useful and beautiful to look at. We stock simple stylish clothing, accessories and bags, blankets, throws and cushions – all made in our own unique fabrics, together with other carefully chosen Welsh gifts, clothes and accessories innovative and modern.

http://www.melintregwynt.co.uk/ for information.

Wrap up warm….

Sara x

Carine Gilson Lingerie Couture

Wonderful Shops To See....

Carine Gilson Lingerie Couture

I love beautiful shops and interiors. Many of my favourite shops are in Paris, which is a really good excuse to take a trip to Paris….

Carine Gilson sells stunning couture lingerie; the art of perfection is second nature, using the best materials of Lyon silk and Chantilly lace. Every item is unique and hand-crafted in silk, both fluid and elegant in design.

To exhibit her couture lingerie, Carine Gilson imagined a contemporary boudoir, where the minimalist space meets the decorative spirit. The space is vibrated by continuous mirrors, offering a sensual atmosphere. Carine is a graduate in fine art from the Antwerp academy in Brussels, setting up her workshop when only 23 years old, she produced her first collection in 1994. Her collections are now available worldwide from London, Brussels, Paris, LA, New York and Tokyo and there are branches of Carine Gilson in Paris, Brussels and London.

www.carinegilson.com for more information

Sara x