CELEBRATING CREATIVITY IN

Celebrating CREATIVITY IN LOCKDOWN

The challenges of the past year have provided an opportunity for many designers and craftspeople to forge a new path in their creative endeavours, from diving into exciting collaborative projects to fulfilling long-held ambitions

The unparalleled joys of creativity offer calm, respite and a more mindful approach to life. Engaging in an attention-absorbing process has long been highlighted as beneficial to well-being. In its February 2021 policy brief, the Crafts Council pointed to an increase in the amount of time contributed to creative groups during 2020, and to the creation of the National Centre for Creative Health. The latter was formed in response to a report detailing how the creative process helps increase well-being, with testimonies from Grayson Perry amongst others.

For several designers and craftspeople, lockdown allowed time for personal and professional growth. Over the next few pages we learn how the changes that played out on the world stage have shaped the career paths of a number of creatives. Plus we provide a list of resources to help take the first steps to a pastime or career in the creative world.

SYSONWHYTE

Print designer Lorna Syson and furniture upcycler Emma Whyte embraced lockdown as an opportunity to channel their creative skills, resulting in a collection of pieces brought back to life with Lorna’s designs and Emma’s expert decoupage, paintwork and artisanal skills.

“Emma and I had worked together previously in 2015, but had lost touch,” explains Lorna. “It was pure chance that five years on, we reconnected when I was looking for a new home and arrived at a house viewing in Oxfordshire to find Emma greeting me at the door!”

Inspired by this chance meeting, the duo decided to collaborate on pieces for Oxfordshire Artweek. “I was already working on the idea of a large-scale mural based around Oxfordshire’s wildlife and it just seemed perfect to also use these designs in our collaboration, as it was the county that brought us back together. We have many shared values and both love nature.” Lorna and Emma work together closely with clients on bespoke projects, breathing new life into clients’ existing furniture or alternatively sourcing special pieces on request. All designs are made to measure and can be tailored to include choice of species, painted colour accents and hand-cut decoupage details. Each piece is numbered, bears the SysonWhyte maker’s mark and includes a ‘species index’ of the flora and fauna in the design.

“When lockdown happened, the usual structures of time were removed,” says Lorna. “It became a time to take a step back and reflect. It truly was an opportunity to break the business mould and rebuild it, allowing for more creativity and collaboration all round. Emma is such a talented craftsperson and it’s a pleasure to see designs come to life on such lovely pieces that fit perfectly for our shared vision.” sysonwhyte.co.uk 

ABOVE Emma Whyte (left) and Lorna Syson (right) with designs from their collection. Clients wishing to extend the motifs elsewhere in their home can also opt for the flora and fauna design made available as a full-wall mural. Cupboard, £1,425; sideboard, £1,386; wardrobe, £1,735. Full-wall mural, from £275 for a threemetre panel

LAM LIGHTING

Launched in lockdown, Lam Lighting was born of a meeting of minds. “The seed of the idea had been germinating for a few years,” explains fine art ceramicist Julie Lam, one of the three names behind the brand along with her husband David (a designer) and image maker and photographer Hannah Thompson. “But when the first lockdown happened, it had a massive impact on us. In the atmosphere of Covid, the whole situation gave us the opportunity to step back and take a view on what we were doing, and subsequently brought what now seems like an obvious decision into perfect focus.”

Having worked together in various capacities at other lighting companies for over half a decade, the trio had long been aware of parallels in their approach, and decided to join forces to create their own vision. “We all knew that we loved lighting and lighting design but had our own ideas on how we might be able to start something new and progressive,” says Julie. “The pandemic made us re-evaluate our priorities and gave us the chance to focus our energy on the new brand.”

The Lam Lighting brand ethos is testament to its founders’ aesthetic: “We knew that ‘local’ and ‘British made’ were important factors to us, and craft skills were an essential element. We knew we wanted to produce lighting sustainably with an ethical conscience, and we knew we could design lights that were beautiful both in look and in materials.”

“The first few weeks of lockdown were instrumental – David produced sketches of our first designs and I set to work on creating them in my garden ceramics studio. It took around 10 months to perfect those simple designs, and we launched the brand this spring with our first, 12-piece-strong, collection, of which we are enormously proud.” lam-lighting.co.uk

ABOVE LEFT & ABOVE RIGHT Each design is crafted from a slip developed from sustainable Limoges porcelain. Ophelia pendants (left), £140 each, and Cottage pendant (right), £78 BELOW LEFT As part of its commitment to sustainability, the studio always ensures a full kiln for firing. BELOW The founders at work; Each piece is made by hand in the Constable Country studio on the border of Suffolk and Essex.

DUO-HUE

For Royal College of Art graduate and textile designer Amelia Ayerst, the global pandemic presented an opportune moment to revisit a digital embroidery project she developed during her time as a Mixed Media Textiles student. Having been made redundant from a colour, material and finish (CMF) role at engineering firm Dyson, Amelia had the means to purchase her own digital embroidery machine and the time to further develop her project.

As a result of her endeavours, in early 2021 Amelia launched Duo-Hue, a range of textiles designed, embroidered and made in the UK that are in complementary colourways and differing stitch densities to create a colour-morphing effect. “I have always been fascinated with colour, and how it can transform thoughts and feelings,” says Amelia. “Digital embroidery allows me to combine craft and technology to realise ideas and explore new avenues.”

The distinctive creations born of her lockdown work include interior products such as cushions, footstools and wall hangings, which are designed to allow clients to grow a look unique to their home: “The idea is that customers can build their own wall-hanging grid from the range of designs,” she explains.

Keen to foster creativity with other brands, collaborations are also key to Amelia. As part of Duo-Hue’s launch offering, she worked with Cornwallbased bag designer Francli to create a range of rucksacks using repurposed army bags given a new lease of life with embroidery. Plans for the future, meanwhile, include further collaborative work with furniture designer Tom Collison, and Juliet Bailey of Bristol Weaving. “The level of support I have received from other designers and creatives during this period has been wonderful, as has their feedback and advice,” says Amelia. “In many ways the lockdown seems to have brought out the very best in so many people.” duohue.com 

ABOVE LEFT Grouping the designs in number amplifies their clever illusion of movement. Floating Framed Textile Panels, £295 each ABOVE Influenced by her travels around India just before the first lockdown, Amelia’s collection combines bold shapes with strong colours. Clockwise from top left; Floating Framed Textile Panel, £295; Scatter cushion, £165; Rucksack, £565; Footstool, £1,465; Scatter Cushion, £165; Large Cushion, £195 LEFT Textile designer and Duo-Hue founder Amelia Ayerst.

ALISON GEE

Having worked as head designer for Morris & Co and Sanderson for more than 22 years, in 2016 Alison Gee made the decision to go freelance. She soon had a steady stream of work from brands including Schumacher, Zoffany and GP & J Baker amongst others, as well as from her previous employers, but lockdown brought with it a change of pace. “In March 2020, all this stopped. So I made the decision to make the most of this time to work on my own collection,” she explains.

“I wanted to create something that I thought to be the most usable, beautiful and timeless set of designs for use throughout the home, picking the best sources of inspiration from all over the world,” Alison continues. “Designs that I would like to find if I were looking to decorate. Designs that co-ordinate beautifully, using lots of different scales.”

Alison set to work to fulfil her vision and develop it into an online business idea. “I wanted to create a one-stop shopping place for the consumer who appreciates beautiful designs and co-ordination, and who wants to be able to access these online,” she says. “Clients can put together schemes by looking at the different combinations I have put together on my website, which also has a special pinboard function that allows them to create their own mood boards.”

The 22 designs in Alison’s wallpaper and fabric collection are testament to her vision and include a Fortuny-style damask, an intricate paisley design, an elegant tonal stripe, and large-scale Indian palampore motifs, and all can be custom-coloured. “The variety is made possible because I print to order, and do not need to hold stock of any products,” she explains.

“The lockdown was such a strange period, but the uninterrupted time was a chance to create,” Alison says. “The collection really gave me something to focus on, and was a wonderful way to finally fulfil a long-held dream.” alisongee.com

THIS PAGE Alison’s work draws on inspiration including natural surroundings close to her family home in rural Buckinghamshire. All designs are available as fabrics and wallpapers. Fabrics from £60 a metre; wallpaper from £90 a roll

RESOURCES TO INSPIRE AND SET CREATIVITY ALIGHT

Take time to explore and develop artistic expression with our suggested resources

CRAFTS COUNCIL National charity for craft, with directories and information on supporting and engaging with makers and courses. craftscouncil.org.uk

WEST DEAN COLLEGE OF ARTS AND CONSERVATION This internationally recognised institution in West Sussex offers short courses, degrees and diplomas in arts, crafts and conservation. westdean.org.uk

MIDLANDS ART CENTRE Located near Birmingham and offering a wealth of classes from ceramics to painting and print. macbirmingham.co.uk

NEW BREWERY ARTS Cirencester-based centre in the heart of the Cotswolds with classes and courses available online and in person. newbreweryarts.org.uk n

JULY EDITION

● Choose a kitchen by colour to add character and impact ● Explore hotel design style secrets to recreate at home ● Head to English holiday destinations loved by those in the know ● Step inside four beautiful homes dressed to make the most of an English summer

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YOUR ONCE-IN-A-LIFETIME TRIP INCLUDES: • Free international fl ights (if applicable) • One-night London stay • Two-night stay in Edinburgh • Visit to Edinburgh Castle • Tickets to Blenheim Palace • A night in a Cotswolds hotel • West End tickets with dinner

Enter our competition for your chance to win a holiday in Britain for two worth up to £5,000, including free international flights

What would your dream holiday to Britain include? A five-star stay in London and tickets to a West End show? A trip to historic Edinburgh? How about a stay in the Cotswolds, including a visit to one of Britain’s finest stately homes? Well, with our Great British Holiday competition, you can win all of this and more.

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Accommodation for the night will be at Minster Mill, a glamorous and luxurious hotel on the banks of the River Windrush in the historic village of Minster Lovell.

After a full English breakfast, you can take advantage of the hotel’s top-class facilities – from its spa to its croquet lawn – or explore your surroundings: the idyllic Oxfordshire Cotswolds are home to some of England’s most beautiful villages.

HOW TO ENTER

Go to www.theenglishhome.

co.uk/GBH2021 or fi ll in the coupon on the right with the answer to the question:

SHUTTERSTOCK / PHOTOGRAPH DAVID IONUT Question: Which famous Brit was born at Blenheim Palace? a) Isaac Newton b) Queen Victoria c) Winston Churchill

TERMS AND CONDITIONS Closing date for entries is 31 July 2021. The winner will be announced on www.theenglishhome.co.uk on 9 August 2021, and the holiday can be taken between 1 September 2021 and 31 May 2022, subject to availability. For full terms and conditions, go to www.chelseamagazines.com/great-britishholiday-competition-2021 Two annual tickets to Blenheim Palace, one of the country's fi nest stately homes and the birthplace of Winston Churchill. www.blenheimpalace.com

One-night stay for two at The Athenaeum, a fi ve-star hotel in London's Mayfair district, near Buckingham Palace. www.athenaeumhotel. com

One-night stay for two at Minster Mill, a luxurious Cotswolds hotel near Blenheim Palace. Includes breakfast. www.minstermill.co.uk Two-night stay for two including breakfast at the Radisson Collection Edinburgh on the city's Royal Mile. www.radissonhotels.com

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Visit Edinburgh Castle, the Scottish capital's unmissable historic attraction, followed by a three-course dinner for two from go-to gift experience company Red Letter Days. www.redletterdays.co.uk

SEND YOUR COUPON TO: US readers – Great British Holiday Competition 2021, The English Home, C/O NPS Media Group, 2 Corporate Drive, Suite 945, Shelton, CT 06484 UK & ROW readers – Great British Holiday Competition 2021, The English Home, Jubilee House, 2 Jubilee Place, London, SW3 3TQ, UK

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