July - Things of Note
Vignettes and vegetable competition photography.
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INTERIOR NOW
E J R Barnes x Sanchez Benton
I’ve been an admirer of E J R Barne’s work for a long time. His work seems to be the perfect ode to elegant early modernism but with a utilitarian twist, which 100% floats my boat. This beautiful bird pendant light may be my favourite piece to date. How much peaceful joy would it bring you if it was suspended over your own dining room table. Love the curation of objects throughout this collaborative space alongside Barne’s own designs.
Photography by @richard_round_turner
‘Bird’ pendant and ‘Faux Ellipse’ table by EJR Barnes.
Vintage Spaghetti Chair above by Giandomenico Belotti, available here
INTERIOR NOW
I was recently watching something in the depths of an interior YouTube hole about what makes designed or perhaps more considered interiors different from your average Joe’s room, and it’s apparently VIGNETTES. Little pockets of space that have been thought about, not necessarily painstakingly styled, but where all the objects placed alongside each other have an interesting conversation … And then I stumbled across the work of La La Reimagined and noticed they are very good at the whole Vignette thing, perhaps said YouTuber was correct in their analysis.
Of Note
Above is 100 percent my kind of pattern clashing.
Below top left - whimsical light, art that isn’t “easy”, geometric textiles and bold pink walls. On paper I’d be sceptical, but it works.
Also love the whimsical framing of the window on the bottom right.
INTERIOR NOW
Enjoying Studio Doherty’s off the beaten track choices .. and look out for those excellent vignettes again. I love this little design theory as its pretty easy to implement with just re-arranging some of the objects you already own … everyone has a small figurine of a goat hanging around somewhere right? ( see pic 2).
Of note
I love this view from the ensuite. The tile here frames the doorway perfectly, if you are after something similar I got some great samples from Solus ( Big thank you to @all.design.studio for the tip off)
The contemporary photography and the Pinch pendant also get a tick. Its probably one of the priciest lights I’ve come across but it really does make a room sing, lucky wealthy folks.
On the subject of affordable contemporary photography, I noticed The Wrong Shop have added some more Martin Parr posters to their offering.
If one of my subscribers buys the old man carrying a giant leek to go above their bed, my work here is done and I will offer you a free subscription once photographic evidence has been supplied.
Martin Parr Switzerland Size B - £60
INTERIORS NOW
This magical home belongs to the co-founder of World of Interiors magazine, Min Hogg. Its on the Canary Islands and was featured in Cabana Magazine last year.
Read the full pieces here, Inspired By: Min Hogg
‘In the age of beige, the legendary interiors editor Min Hogg will forever be a heroine to those who enjoy decoration, eccentricity and individuality. Her friend, Charlotte di Carcaci, explores Min Hogg's irresistible panache, alongside glorious photographs of Min's home in the Canary Islands.’
INTERIOR NOW
It was only a matter of time till Julia Rouzaud ( of the platform Good Moods ) would put her immaculate eye toward’s her own interior design studio. I’m a bit slow off the mark as she launched back in February. The project below proves it was a fantastic decision.
juliarouzaudstudio - blending artistic direction, curation, and interior design. A multidisciplinary studio dedicated to beauty, at the crossroads of style and storytelling.
Of Note
There is a new colour I’ve recently become a huge fan of, its not Teal ( god forbid) but it does combine green and blue in a sludgy way. A close paint colour would be Beata Heauman’s OVERALL . It absolutely loves being paired with red , as per this beautiful gloss wall below and is also an excellent companion for a butter or ochre yellow.
OBJECT NOW
Enjoying Sam Stewart’s Marty Cabinet. I also love that there are affordable accessories on his shop, not one to encourage smoking but if you need a gift for the smoker in your life, this ashtray is perfect . Available in butter or brown. You can also purchase his handles from the fantastic furniture jewellery store Petra Hardware.
OBJECT THEN
Janette Laverrière
The Swiss-French interior designer, artist, and political activist Janette Laverrière was a prominent member of the Modernist design scene in postwar France. Through her varied practice, Laverrière mastered the interplay between the contrasting styles of Modernism and Art Deco. At her death in 2011, she left behind an eclectic oeuvre of whimsical furniture, auratic installations, and her Evocations, a complex series of sculptural mirror objects with an eccentric twist.
You can purchase her work here . I love the adjustable rotating book shelf below and the chair with extra wide armrests to double up as a side table for your beverage.
BOOKS
One of the perks of putting this newsletter together is I occasionally get free things. My favourite thing to receive is books and I was delighted to receive two recently, both of which I can highly recommend.
First is a book about the slightly mysterious designer Betty Joel. I’m obsessed with her entrepreneurial spirit, her work and the era in which she was designing. With over 400 illustrations drawn from private collections it’s well worth a peruse, learn more about her here. The other is a book about an architecture hero of mine, Ricardo Boffil. Neither squid games or Instagram can ruin my love of Bofill’s architecture, which is both playful and monumental, what a feat. Its a fantastic compilation of his output with beautiful photography.
and lastly, not gifted to me but definitely on my list is Retrouvius’ latest book celebrating beauty, reuse, integrity, and salvage finds put to imaginative use. Published by Rizzoli, Retrouvius: Contemporary Salvage: Designing Homes from a Philosophy of Re-Use is available to pre-order now.
LOVES LATELY
A few things that have caught my eye in July.
This French hand carved sculptural olivewood pitcher, This mid-century abstract cityscape, This Ana Kraš for HAY, Ava Pyramid Table Lamp, This Key Fabric by Block Shop Textiles
SEE, READ & LISTEN
SEE
Koak: The Window Set , An exhibition by 26 March–21 September 2025, Charleston in Lewes. Learn more about Koak’s work here
READ
I like nothing more than reading the words of Elizabeth Goodspeed on Its Nice That ..this article particularly resonated.
Posting as Practice - On the rise of the designer as influencer
I am sometimes required to put myself in the frame when working on a collaboration with a company. It’s not something I feel particularly comfortable with but understand why it is often required. Sometimes I wish I could just make the work rather than worry about my skin, my weight or whether my fringe needs a trim though.
LISTEN
The First Lady of Textiles: Celebrating 50 Years of Design with Christine Van Der Hurd on The Business of Home podcast
Thanks for reading! … and please do like or restack if you found the above interesting. It helps more people find the newsletter and the lovely designs and designers I share.
Em
x
Am 100% buying the old man with leek poster. Will consider above bed placement... the only drawback being less people will see it!
I loved this one! Thank you for putting it together 😍