SUPPORT LOCAL:
HOW TO DECORATE YOUR HOME WITH ART & CRAFT FROM LOACL MAKERS
When designing an interior for a show home or a holiday let, I include colours, features and functionality with broad appeal. However, it’s a different story when creating a home interior. Your living space should be tailored to you which means reflecting your individuality in the design and contents. A great way to do this is to decorate your home with purchases from local makers. Let me tell you more.
Home Interiors: An Expression of Your Personality
When decorating a room in your house, the easy option is to pop to a major retailer and have a big spend on their selection of soft furnishings, artwork, ornaments and fittings. You’ll likely get coordinating pieces that fit with current trends. Job done.
However, these purchases are unlikely to be items that you love. What’s more, lots of other homes will have the same style, which won’t be in fashion for long. So, I’d like to encourage you to hold back and wait until you find items that are a true expression of your personality. I’m talking about crafted items from local makers.
When you source items created by local makers, you discover the story behind their craft, the materials and the inspiration. Each item is unique and full of character, so you are not going to find the same thing when you pop over to a friend’s house for a coffee!
Reasons to Buy From Local Makers
Keen to know some other reasons why I encourage you to source unique creations for your home? Here we go:
Evoke Memories - You can adorn your home with items that you love, which remind you of special times, people and places. And, you might have the opportunity to commission a bespoke piece.
Variety is the Spice of Life - Hand-crafted pieces offer a wide variety of colours, textures, materials and styles that can’t be replicated in mass-produced goods. The mark of the maker and the traditions of the technique all add to the interest and desirability.
Appreciation – Every purchase is valued by a maker, it means a lot that you’ve brought from them. What’s more, this money is more likely to be reinvested in your local community. Surely, this is far better than lining the pockets of the CEO of a major retailer?
A Story to Tell – when you carefully select a piece and possibly meet the maker, you will have a story to tell. Just wait for the item to catch a visitor’s eye and share what you learnt!
Ethical & Sustainable – When you buy locally, you know that the goods haven’t been shipped across the globe and people haven’t been exploited in a distant factory. It’s an easy way to make responsible choices.
Timeless Design – I’m an advocate for investing in pieces that don’t go out of fashion. Quality design and craftsmanship will last and always look amazing. Over time, you might build a personal collection of meaningful and timeless design pieces.
Where Can You Buy Home Furnishings From Local Makers?
Many towns now host an annual open studio or art trail event. Upcoming examples include the Wivenhoe Art Trail near Colchester and Suffolk Open Studios. You can see artist demonstrations and build an appreciation of the skills and techniques used. What events are on your doorstep?
You can find independent shops and galleries that champion local makers. Have a look at Folk & Bespoke and The Merchant’s Table to get you started and enjoy browsing! Alternatively, search for relevant small businesses on social media.
Why not enrol on a workshop and discover a new skill? I regularly sign up for a creative day with friends and have enjoyed learning techniques including:
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Screen printing and Embroidery with Miesje Chafer
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Letterpress Printing with Mabel & Co
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Origami Lighting & Decorations with Origami Est
The pieces I have made in these workshops are now treasures in my home.
Ask family, friends or your interior designer for their recommendations! Here is a selection of specialists that I have suggested to clients to match their tastes:
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Wallpaper designers: Rapture & Wright, Fiona Howard, Imogen Heath Interiors, Marthe Armitage
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Soft furnishings: Louise Tucker, Melin Tregwynt
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Ceramics: Hilda Carr, Frankie Ceramics
Whose work would you add to the list?
Tips On Introducing Handmade Items into Your Home Interior
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It is not realistic to fill your home with handmade pieces, yet you can select crafted items that complement your existing décor to personalise your interiors. These can be an effective way to add texture, shape or contrast to your theme.
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Use bespoke pieces to capture the essence of your interior spaces. For example, a bold, colourful painting will energise a room, whereas a subtle hand-thrown vase evokes a calmer feel.
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Be aware of the proportions of your room and the scale of the work you wish to purchase. Will it fit and does it create a balanced finish? Maybe you want to go large and make a visual statement!
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You can also add interesting aesthetic appeal with a collection of small pieces gathered in an eye-catching display. This can include a gallery wall of framed art or a series of complementary vases on a shelf.
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Finally, take your time to build your collection over the years, there is no need to rush out and buy everything at once.
Interior Design Advice
Have I convinced you to buy at least one item for your home from a local maker?
If you would benefit from other ideas and interior design advice, a design consultation with me will help you to realise the potential of your home interior. For further information, please get in touch.