I didn’t start my supper club Creative in Residence by logically thinking “How to Start a Supper Club” and working methodically through the list. Rather, I focused on my goals, which thankfully were a shared a vision with my co-host – wellness coach Vicky Shilling of The Flourishing Pantry. At the time, summer 2018, I was hoping to expand my professional network but felt pretty despondent towards networking events. I either got super nervous and anxious beforehand, or I found them a bit cringy and dull. Or both.

So an obvious solution seemed to be to start my own, which hopefully wouldn’t have me stressing at 3am about walking into room full of strangers the next day. No name badges. No on-the-spot presentations. Vicky’s delicious food. Lots of wine. Fabulous company. Fast-forward six months and Creative in Residence is a hot ticket with a waiting list, overwhelming testimonials and plans for our next event in Dublin.

HOW TO START A SUPPER CLUB

Here’s five things to think about if you are inspired to launch your own supper club or intimate networking event.

1. A room with space to seat six to 12 people

We host at my home in Greenwich, south east London. It’s cosy, and we literally have to dismantle my drawing table from the top floor studio, carry it downstairs and re-assemble in the living room. That forms a banqueting style arrangement with my dining table. A couple of extra chairs come out of the shed. Every plate and glass gets used, and they certainly don’t all match. But all the surface-level imperfections don’t matter. We are not pretending we are Claridge’s.  

Six people would be my suggested minimum number if you want to create the ambiance of a special occasion, not a family dinner. Twelve is my maximum. Any more becomes a far more logistical challenge to serve enough food, hot, whilst still feeling like you get a chance to chat to everyone. 

2. An inspiring guest list

This is my speciality and area of expertise, having compiled guest lists for the fashion industry for many years. The best parties always have an eclectic mix of backgrounds, industries, ages and experience levels – though will by-and-large share the same core values as you. It makes for the liveliest conversations. For the Creative in Residence supper club, our guest list is focused on female creative entrepreneurs and the business mentors that support us. I’d dare you to invite a few friends, a few colleagues and few virtual strangers, perhaps those you’ve only met once or purely have an online relationship with. It all adds to the excitement and there’s an invisible security blanket when you know you are not the only newbie in the room. Everyone naturally makes more effort to be inclusive and friendly. 

3. A delicious but simple menu

Here’s where my partnership with Vicky truly flourishes. She’s a foodie through and through. She loves to cook and loves even more to connect with people through her cooking. You only have to follow along on with her Instagram Stories to see her passion for wellness, self-love and level-headed nutrition, all seeping out across cyberspace. So while I’m free to focus on vibes, decor, guestlist and answering the door, Vicky can dedicate her time to lining up a delicious menu she knows she can deliver with minimum stress. Remember no-one appreciates a stressed-out bride, so prioritize fun over fancy. 

4. Fresh, organic ingredients delivered to your door

To articulate this point, I need to fill you in on my day that led up to our last Creative in Residence supper club. It all began at 5am, awoken by a vomiting child. The five hours of childcare I had scheduled was therefore cancelled, all of which time I was planning to dedicate to preparing for the event. On the way to collect our gorgeous flowers from the florist, a tyre puncture alarm suddenly went off when we were half way through the Blackwall Tunnel, under the River Thames. The next second, a tiny voice from the back seat whimpered, “Mummy, my tummy doesn’t feel very nice.” We were (as my bestest school friends would say) having a shocker.

But the silver lining came courtesy of Abel & Cole, the organic food box people. For 30 years, Abel & Cole have been delivering organic veggies (plus drinks, dairy and pantry goodies) across Britain. It’s worth noting that they offer a Build Your Own Box service, for those who fear they will be lumped with five turnips and an artichoke. 

We teamed up with Abel & Cole for this supper club because we felt their values – delicious, ethical, seasonal, sustainable – were total aligned with what we aim to serve up for our creative entrepreneurs. And thank goodness we did, because amid all the panic and exhaustion of dealing with sick children (and my eldest had been sick and off school earlier in the week too), plus deadlines and puncture dramas, my ingredients arrived precisely when expected, all present, totally fresh and delicious. 

5. A goody bag

Ever since I was teeny tiny, I can remember the thrill of receiving a party bag to take home. Often just a slice of cake and maybe a couple of colouring pencils, these little bags of joy still elicit a wave of feverish anticipation and gratitude from deep within me.

We wanted to provide goody bags at Creative in Residence as a subtle way for our entrepreneurs to smuggle marketing materials to each guest. Nothing needed to be brandished across the dinner table. No phones required to share contact details. Everything is neatly prepared and packaged, ready to be digested the next day. Though we did have kind sponsorship from brands, we were also delighted to include our guests’ contributions – books and baking were fondly received in equal measure. 

If you are planning a supper club purely as a social event and not for business, you could still consider subtly advising your guests a week or so ahead that there will be a goody bag. Those who are able will contribute. 

The Future of Creative in Residence Supper Club

Our supper club is in it’s infancy, but Vicky and I are immensely proud of we have created. At 1am during our recent event, many of our guests remained, still seated at the table. Tales of racism, gender stereotyping, and feelings of inadequacy were balanced with school-day nostalgia, side-aching hoots of laughter and many weird, wondrous accounts of career plot twists. 

Inspired by Abel & Cole, we built our own box – as it were. A hang out for creative entrepreneurs to flourish and thrive, stuffed with all the ingredients we yearned for. Fuelled by nutritious food and company, in a homely surrounding and far from the anxiety-making threat of traditional networking events.

That’s how to start a supper club.  

Sign up to the Creative in Residence supper club mailing list here

CREDIT WHERE CREDIT’S DUE…

Abel & Cole generously provided the veggies we needed for the Creative in Residence supper club. We did not receive payment for this and all the words and opinions in this blog post are my own.

Read all about Vicky’s delicious vegetarian menu including her epic cauliflower curry here on The Flourishing Pantry.

All photos by Creative in Residence guest Donna at Skirting Boards & Chandeliers.

All Flowers by Creative in Residence guest Sally at Sweet Pea Rosa

 

 

“How Does the Wedding Bouquet Illustration Service work?” is a question I am asked regularly. I’m asked if I attend the wedding and draw live in situ. I’m asked if I am sent the bouquet by courier straight after the wedding. I have even been asked if I work from a preserved bouquet – to which I probably couldn’t disguise my bafflement. 

I WORK FROM PHOTOGRAPHY YOU PROVIDE

Maybe the answer is devastatingly simple, but I just work from photography. Usually, a couple buying for themselves or a groom buying for a special present for his missus will wait a few weeks and send me their professional photography. A handful of images is ideal, so I can clearly see all the different floral species and work out the best composition. But if there’s only one decent image of the bouquet, that’s absolutely fine. 

Often, I will ask for your florist’s details, so that I can quickly check the list of species featured. It’s a small detail, but one that means both you and I know your illustration is a true representation of all your wonderful wedding day memories.

Sometimes a relative buying the Wedding Bouquet Illustration Service as a surprise gift will send me snapshots taken on their smart phone on the wedding day. That’s ok too. The final illustration may be more a creative interpretation of the bouquet if the images are blurry or taken from an awkward angle. But the gift-giver will have the opportunity to approve the drawing at every stage. And I can always do some detective work via the bride’s florist, if required.  

Let’s go through the whole process of the Wedding Bouquet Illustration Service

1. PURCHASE THE SERVICE VIA MY WEBSITE

There are two options:

a. Full Bouquet (£290)

b. Mini Bouquet (£145)  

Both variations include the option to add a complementary gift voucher. This is a small card printed on luxurious paper stock, presented with an additional envelope, ribbon and a sticker – meaning the gift-giver can sign the card themselves before gifting. The voucher is valid for one year from the date it is posted out to the gift giver. It will be posted first class to the gift giver within five days of purchase. 

2. EMAIL PHOTOGRAPHY to me at charlotte@charlotteargyrou.com

3. CONSULTATION

I will offer the happy couple an email/phone/FaceTime consultation about the illustration. Most just chose to chat with me over email, as it means I can attach pencil sketches for approval, perhaps a colour palette if we are changing some details from the original bouquet. For the Full Bouquet servcie, we will agree the dimensions of the illustration – either a 30 x 30cm square or 40cm x 30cm (landscape/portrait) – according to the composition of the bouquet. Don’t worry if you are unsure, as I will make my recommendation for what I believe will work best. 

Some people are happy to say “do your thing” (literally, I’ve been told this…) and let me make all the decisions. 

It really is up to you. I believe a commissioned piece of art is truly intimate and personal, so I’m happy to send updates throughout the process, or just surprise you at the end if you prefer. 

4. DELIVERY

The illustration will be delivered directly to the couple, signed and mounted, via Royal Mail UK Special Delivery (signed for and with insurance), within one month of receipt of photography. No digital version will be supplied. I’ll check with you before I send the illustration, ensuring I have the best address to receive a signature with the least amount of bother. International shipping is available, subject to quotation and you will cover any additional cost. 

5. SHARING

My business grows when my customers send a few words for me to use as a testimonial, or feature my work on their social media. I love this. Truly. It makes my heart sing to know my customers love their artwork so much they want to shout about it. However, I retain copyright of the illustration, so the recipient would need to ask my permission before reproducing an image beyond this. Ie. it is fine to take a photo of the illustration and put it on Facebook or Instagram, crediting Charlotte Argyrou Illustration. It is not fine to reproduce the image on t-shirts and sell them for your commercial gain. If in doubt, just ping me a message and I’ll respond very quickly. 

 

So that’s the Wedding Bouquet Illustration Service in a nutshell. You get married, send me your photos, we have a chat and I send you a unique piece of artwork that will hopefully become a treasured heirloom for for a lifetime and beyond. I’ll happily answer any questions, and you can find me in the following ways:

Tapping away on email at charlotte@charlotteargyrou.com

Over-sharing on Instagram @craftist_in_residence

Creating polls on Facebook @craftistinresidence

 

 

For this post, I interviewed three stylish entrepreneurs who are each dreaming of a green Christmas. If you are still searching for gift ideas, but looking for something a little unusual with a big heart, please have a read and let us know if any of these brands are a new discovery for you. Each of us love #communityovercompetition and to #shopsmall.

KATIE CASTLEY, THE HOME OF EVE

Katie Castley is founder of The Home of Eve, a curated online gift shop presenting coveted, luxurious and holistic products which uplift and bring about positivity to the everyday. Katie sources items that are natural, local, authentic and by brands that promote well-being and self-care.

 

“Nothing encapsulates a memory or an experience quite like a scent from a candle burning. The Mandarin & Sicilian Bergamot natural soy wax scented candle. Hand poured in England with a lead free wick by Abahna. All packaging is recyclable or reusable. A soul nourishing feast of essential oils, featuring the festive mandarin whose oil is believed to inspire positive energy.” 

“To buy from our own fair isle supports our economy and encourages home-grown talent like Mimi Emmett. A young artist who uses family run British manufacturers to ethically make her gorgeously fun nature inspired drawings into accessories. This Pomegranate cushion is full of punch and will make a perfectly plump present on Christmas Day.” 

“To buy a present that has little to no carbon footprint is rather green if you ask me. The British perfume house 4160 Tuesdays hand makes its indie scents, inspired by people and places, in small batches of 50-200 bottles in their London studio. Perfumer Sarah McCartney explains how even “Our boxes come from Baddeley Brothers of Hackney, so transport is minimal and they are 100{fc4ffa2697ca570e43b5816fe716a05c0e7f059c4d464a857cd73bdc5a1ff7f7} recyclable”. For the G&T lover on your Christmas list I recommend their delightfully aromatic and floral Scenthusiasm. With cucumber, Juniper and white woods this perfume was inspired by gin, it has gin notes accompanied by rose and iris, with the herbs dancing around it.”

LYNDA ATHEY, LYNDA LOVES

Lynda Athey is founder of Lynda Loves, a luxury stationery brand. Lynda designs and produces bespoke and customization stationery suites for weddings and events, and manages branding projects for small businesses. She has transformed her make-up bag this last year to include organic products that are kind to her skin and our planet.

 

“I’ve been using this US skincare range for a while and apply before bedtime. A gentle exfoliant that leaves skin super smooth by morning. Paraben free with no synthetic fragrances, this product range is all natural. Stocked in my local village health boutique, it has pretty packaging too.”

“My luxury splurge would be on this Australian brand with exquisite packaging. Any bottle looks gorgeous in my bathroom, but my current favourite is the exfoliating hand wash.”

 

 

“I’ve been an avid user of the Rosehip Facial Oil and lip and skin ointment this year. They are my go to staples all year round. Unfussy, clean packaging, vegan friendly, key ingredients in proper concentrations. Super affordable and under £10!”

 

“I love these cute little pots from ethical & organic apothecary, Hives of Hastings. I’m a sucker for packaging and was instantly sold on these. I’ve been using the Bee Soothed Balm since summer, perfect as a lip balm, for dry skin problems, cuts and bites and it smells delicious. Healing and nourishing too.”

CHARLENE RUSSELL, CHERRY TREE CAKERIE

Charlene Russell is founder of Cherry Tree Cakerie, a bohemian bakery specializing in unique, often botanically-inspired wedding cakes. She’s always looking out for new ingredients and kitchenwares and loves to support small businesses and responsibly-sourced products. 

At some point during the 35 degree heat of Summer 2018, I boldly declared that my Christmas 2018 would be Sellotape-free. Christmas is a time of huge wastage in terms of packaging (amongst other things) but as December draws near, I’m very aware that I don’t really know how I’m going to present my Christmas gifts without compromising on style. Thankfully, Kate Stuart has stepped in to offer practical guidance for us to create environmentally-friendly gift wrapping. Kate is an artist, writer and runs The Phoenix Green Store – Newcastle’s first zero waste solutions store. She contributes to No Serial Number Magazine, a publication promoting ethical and sustainable crafts.

3 Tips for Environmentally-Friendly Gift Wrapping

Kate begins, “With Christmas mere weeks away, many of us are wondering how, and indeed, if, we can get through the gift-giving season without Sellotape, glitter and sheets and sheets of shiny, sparkly, ever so festive plastic infused wrapping paper. Stepping away from plastic wherever possible is important work, but can feel like an insurmountable challenge, especially when we’re also challenging the festive status quo a little. But fear not, here we have our 3 top tips for you to make the very best environmentally-friendly gift wrapping with things you probably already have at home.”

1. The Furoshiki Wrap

“Furoshiki is a traditional Japanese method of wrapping and carrying using cloth, rather than paper. Cloth can be up-cycled from unwanted fabric in the home, and printed or dyed for the occasion, then used as a headscarf, bandana, tablecloth or sandwich wrap once the gift has been unwrapped. Perhaps you have an unwanted duvet cover, table cloth or old pair of pjs that have a standout print – consider repurposing this fabric for some Furoshiki wraps. You could even have a stash of personalised cloth wraps that come out every year for birthdays or Christmas. Check out this YouTube video to learn the basics, grab some cloth, and get started.”

I think silk scarves are a gorgeous way to achieve this and are an extra gift in themselves. I’ve found authentic vintage Liberty scarves on Ebay for £4.99, Christian Dior from £10. It’s a barely even a couple of pounds more than you may spend on luxury wrapping paper, bows and ribbon, but chic additional gift that can be kept and reused forever. In the You Tube video Kate recommends, it takes the creator Marianne mere seconds to create a beautiful parcel – another blessing!

2. Rethink the Ink

“Paper is most people’s go to for gift wrapping, but how to make it more environmentally-friendly? You could try using recycled paper – newsprint, sheet music, old maps and handmade paper can give an alternative to the shiny sparkly papers on the high street. Etsy has lots of sellers of these types of paper if you don’t have any hidden away in a cupboard somewhere. Tie your gifts with ribbon, string or twine for a well secured package without a hint of Sellotape in sight, and add handmade gift tags for a personal touch.”

I’ve inherited a thrifty habit from my parents and grandparents. Every Christmas and birthday when I take down the cards from the shelf, I spend 10 minutes cutting them up into gift tags and punching a hole in each. The festive ones go in the Christmas Box, ready for next year. The birthday ones go in a paper bag in my Party Box which I sift through, throughout the year. It’s not difficult or time-consuming, but simply requires a commitment to being tidy, organised and willing to recycle. (It’s also a lovely prompt to reread each card before it gets the chop!)

I use fabric ribbons that hold up well to be used and stored year after year within our family, unlike the plastic-coated paper curling ribbon that goes straight in the bin.

3. Re-imagining Usefulness

“Is there a reason why we traditionally wrap presents in paper? Do we have to? Why not re-imagine your gift giving traditions, and put gifts in a wooden box, basket or even a repurposed biscuit tin? We have so many containers around our home that could be used to hold a special gift and kept by the recipient afterwards. If your home is devoid of suitable containers, check out your local charity shop for low cost, recycled boxes, pottery and baskets. So many of us have made the switch from plastic shopping bags at supermarkets, so why not think about switching from plastic coated gift bags to reusable cloth bags when it comes to gift giving.”

I love the idea of using tins to package gifts. Emma Bridgewater has a vast array and I think the stackable sets will look fabulous piled up under the tree. Either the Christmas designs, which can be bought out each year in all their nostalgic splendor, or for maximum usage, choose the non-seasonal designs to store toys and household bits and bobs beyond Christmas Day. Check out Thornback & Peel for their stackable botanical set, and this bramble design that I think looks festive enough, but not restrictive to the holiday season. 

MY LEARNINGS

So of course I had to put this into practice. 

My first challenge was to use no Sellotape for my daughter’s third birthday. Instead, I used brown paper, secured with fabric ribbon. It worked fine, but I think mostly because I only had to transport the gifts from one room to another within my house. I wouldn’t feel confident my parcels would have held up if they needed to travel further, or by post. In this instance, I’d recommend Kate’s third tip – place each item in a box or tin and then wrap in non-platicized paper. 

My second challenge to myself was to create and package a Secret Santa gift, totalling less than £10. I bought the Kilner jar (£3), confident that they are useful in everyone’s kitchen. Then I filled it with homemade granola, jam-packed with cranberries, pecans and all kinds of seasonal loveliness (probably around £2, if that). I used a scrap of fabric ribbon that’s already circulated around my family many times. And added a tag from my Party Box – this one was formally the cover of a Prada accessories catalogue! Finally, I placed the Kilner jar in a reused paper bag, and simply added my recipient’s name in a chic understated script. 

 

ENVIRONMENTALLY-FRIENDLY GIFT WRAPPING CONCLUSION

It is possible to wrap gifts without Sellotape

It can still look good

We just need to be organised, and think about wrapping at the time of purchasing or creating the gift

 

Thanks to Kate for sharing her ideas and guiding my Sellotape-free Christmas. I’ll be sharing more photos with my progress, and Kate and I would love to know your ideas about environmentally-friendly gift wrapping.

KATE STUART:

Kate Stuart is an artist, writer and craftswoman based in the North East of England. She runs The Phoenix Green Store, selling zero waste solutions, handmade quilts and original art. She also writes for No Serial Number Magazine, a quarterly paper and digital magazine, committed to offering a platform for environmental and heritage crafts, grass roots eco movements, maker activists and conscious citizens.

Further reading:

Find out more about Kate’s zero waste boutique: The Phoenix Green Store 

A great resource for sustainability information and inspiration:  No Serial Number Magazine. Use voucher code ECOWRAPPING for a 15{fc4ffa2697ca570e43b5816fe716a05c0e7f059c4d464a857cd73bdc5a1ff7f7} off a subscription to the quarterly magazine, for my blog readers.  

No Serial Magazine links: Facebook  / Pinterest / Instagram

Click here to read more of my blog posts

 

After a few weeks of wardrobe despair, eagerly dressing in cashmere in the early morning and stripped down to a vest by lunchtime, it happened. It got cold. Things can officially get cosy. Here are five of my favourite Instagram accounts that I reference for autumn inspiration. 

The Future Kept

The Future Kept is a collection of consciously crafted, responsibly sourced, sustainable and ethical products for the home, and living a more eco-friendly lifestyle. But founders  Jeska & Dean Hearne are also photographers and stylists, with experience in interior, graphic and product design, writing, and brand development. Meaning The Future Kept brand, and especially the Insta account, offers a wealth of creative inspiration alongside the beautiful products. I love their simple mission statement: 

“Our primary goal with The Future Kept is to inspire more people to think carefully about the items they have in their lives, by putting together a collection of beautifully designed handmade products from honest origins all with a story to tell.” – Jeska & Dean Hearne, Founders, The Future Kept

Soho Home

Soho Home, the homewares brand under the Soho House umbrella, offers up an Insta account full of interiors inspiration and products to lust after. I kind of love that it’s seasonality is subtle, not all pumpkins and orange tones. Plus it lets us have a sneak peek inside the gorgeous global private members’ clubs and the homes their aesthetic inspires. 

Canopy & Stars

Guardians of gatehouses, glamping, treehouses and trucks, Canopy & Stars presents a edit of the most most weird and wonderful places to stay in the UK and beyond. Ahhh minibreaks. You have eluded us for five years, thanks to our babies who struggled to settle and love to party through the night. But gradually, we are getting into a place where we feel we can book the odd night away. Canopy & Stars, you are on my hitlist for 2019. The Insta account will have you daydreaming about autumnal escapes, hot chocolates and crunchy leafy walks galore. 

Sarah Ann Macklin

Nutritionist and model Sarah Ann Macklin shares informed nutritional guidance with a hearty dose of foodie and fashion gorgeousness. I love how she weaves issues surrounding wellness and dietary support into her highly creative seasonal content. Her quick IGTV recipe idea updates are filmed in Emily Murray’s The Pink House (also home to the original version of my Prickly Pear illustration), and focus on delivering delicious dinners in 20 minutes. 

Nurture and Bloom 

Nurture and Bloom is a collective of soulful creatives, with “racing minds and wild hearts, drawn to create.” I’m a contributing writer and illustrator for the quarterly magazine NURTURE (£6.50, currently digital with plans to grow into a print edition next year). The Insta feed showcases the best of the community’s makes, bakes and words alongside editor Kate Cullen’s creative adventures. Expect plenty of greenery alongside a fuzzy glow of golden hues, and an urge to get your wellies on and get outdoors.

Who am I missing? I’d love to hear about your favourite accounts that inspire your autumn.

 

You can also find my Autumn style inspiration edit here on Pinterest 

Weblinks

Wrap up with British-made blankets from The Future Kept

Ogle at dreamy interiors by Soho Home

Fantasise about treetop getaways beneath the Canopy & Stars

Find rainbow platefuls with a fashiony flourish by Sarah Ann Macklin

Join me and a creative community of high end crafters at Nurture and Bloom

 

One of my favourite hygge rituals at this time of year is to spruce my home – especially the walls – with little updates. Hanging new frames, switching around pictures, tweaking colour palettes – all help to refresh and bring cosiness to the home. For this reason, I think the autumn season and hygge sensations go hand-in-hand. It’s something you feel, that ebbs and flows and brings with it moments of great joy and belonging. I spoke to four stylish brands about the little traditions at this time of year that best evoke these feelings. 

LOWER THE LIGHTS

Donna Ford is an interior designer, photographer and blogger, currently shortlisted for Best Newcomer at the Amara Interior Blog Awards. 

PRECIOUS ALONE TIME

Valentina Ring of The Stars Inside is a wedding and events stylist with a totally dreamy aesthetic. She finds comfort in time spent alone with her thoughts and her pencils. 

“For me, the most soothing form of contentment comes from sketching: I find myself a cozy corner of sofa, where I can curl up under a blanket, paper pad gently rested on my knees, and pencils all around me. The sense of calm that it gives me comes from three things:

(1) it’s one of the only moments I take for myself which has no agenda or ulterior motive – which I find difficult these days, when even social media has become a business tool

(2) it’s one of the only skills I have from which I’ve never expected more than a hobby or a space for personal development

(3) it’s one of the only times when I allow myself not to multi-task. When drawing, time quietens down, my limbs relax in the warmth, and my mind focuses in a very grounding kind of way. I feel present, and immersed in the joy of an uncomplicated, carefree activity – alone but not lonely – purposeful, but not rushing towards a goal. To me, it represents the ritual of pressing pause on everything else, unapologetically, and intentionally single-tasking.” 

GET OUTDOORS

Kate Cullen is a Creative Director for many artisan brands, as well as maker of her own collection of exquisite luxurious ribbons and papers. She edits new lifestyle magazine NURTURE: For Soulful Creatives, for which I am a Contributing Writer and Illustrator.

Kate’s autumnal hygge ritual involves getting outdoors and sourcing the goodies that she will use as dyes for her products. “I adore Autumn, it’s my favourite season, the transition between Summer and Winter means you get the best of both in my opinion – sunny days still perfect for long walks through Autumn colour, but lower temperatures perfect for cozying up on the sofa with a mug of hot chocolate and a film. This season is a time of gathering for me and my natural dyes – from elderberries and blackberries for the dye pot, to sloes and conkers for fun!”

SCENE-SETTING WITH SCENT

I’ve always be drawn to scent as an instant moodchanger, scene-setter and cosy-creator. My ultimate personal scent is Diptyque Philosykos. I drab a drop of the roll-on oil on each pulse point and let the heady richness do its thing. Naomi and Sarah, founders of luxury candle brand SevenSeventeen, agree. Their motto, “Mood-boosting Candles for the Burnt Out”, perfectly sums up how scent becomes part of a hygge ritual. “As the nights draw in and there’s a nip in the air, lighting a luxurious scented candle at the end of a long day becomes a nightly ritual. Unlike the more delicate florals or zestier fragrances synonymous with summer, autumn presents the opportunity to light some of the heavier, more decadent scents from our collection. We’ll go for smoky black oud, spicy black pomegranate or for glowing embers, our earthy fireside smell evocative of hot crackling fires.’ All Seven Seventeen candles are hand-poured, made in England, in recycled jars AND support incredible charities. Each purchase of my favourite – Be Still – offers £1 to CALM. 

So lower the lights, light a candle, make a crumble from foraged berries and get out your pencils. Autumn is here. I’d love to here about your personal hygge rituals and how you embrance the season. 

FURTHER LINKS

Find home inspiration and book Donna’s Room Service makeover package on Skirting Boards & Chandeliers

Dreamy floral-inspired event inspiration and Val’s styling service at The Stars Inside 

Find ribbon and paper heaven at Kate Cullen or more info about Nurture Magazine at Nurture & Bloom

Hand-poured, ethically produced and luxurious candles at SevenSeventeen 

There’s plenty of vintage light bulbs, lighting and hardware to savour at Dowsing & Reynolds

Modern rustic kitchens, furniture and accessories at Neptune 

Fantacise about spill-free living with The White Company 

Fine art photography by Georgina Harrison Photography 

 

Stepping into The Pink House is a curious combination of being on the set of a magazine shoot and visiting any of my mum-friends at home. And it’s oddly familiar for somewhere I’ve never visited before, because for the past year I’ve been an avid observer of owner Emily Murray’s domestic life through the little squares on my phone – along with 53K+ other fans. 

WELCOME TO THE PINK HOUSE

When an influential Instagrammer produces video content – as Emily does often – a bizarre one-sided relationship results, because you feel like you know them so well, yet to them you are a stranger. Popping those slightly awkward feelings aside, I knocked on the infamous F&B “Nancy’s Blushes” front door with my artwork in hand.

Humbly excusing the boxes in the hallway (she should see mine!…), Emily guided me through to her Insta-famous kitchen, about 75{fc4ffa2697ca570e43b5816fe716a05c0e7f059c4d464a857cd73bdc5a1ff7f7} the way through its transformation. Her children and husband (know anonymously as PHH: Pink House Husband), scurry around and play Marble Run, as Emily and I chat. The space is gorgeous. It really, really is. Individually, there are some beautiful items and quality furnishings, fixtures and fittings. But it is Emily’s surprising and innovative juxtapositions that really make this room quite unlike any other. There are no Insta-cliches here, because she is the trendsetter. 

MY ILLUSTRATION

The illustration I presented to Emily is an off-set prickly pear in vivid greens, pinks and purples. I wanted to draw this species because I was so captivated by its varied tones and complex structure, but knew I also wanted to create a modern composition. For me, a drawing like this is perfectly paired with a vintage frame because the result balances old and new in perfect harmony. It is ideal for a period home like Emily’s, which celebrates such a dynamic and playful interior. 

Now the prickly pear illustration hangs on a candy pink wall in her open-plan family lounge / dining space, alongside both contemporary and vintage botanical illustration prints. I love her interpretation of colour and mixed proportions, especially that oversized hanging plant!

Limited Edition prints of this illustration are available for £75, here

 

Emily Murray is the author of The Pink House blog, winner of the Interior Blog Awards “Best Written Blog” 2017 and stylist with work featured in Grazia, Glamour and CN Traveller magazines.  The Pink House won the “Best Wow Factor Interior” award at Pinterest’s inaugural Interior Awards this year.

Follow her Instagram for a gorgeous and entertaining view of her colourful life, and Pinterest for inspirational family living ideas 

Come and join me for a quick look around the home studio. My HQ space is a former guest bedroom, south-facing, blessed with a floor-to-ceiling window. A few months ago, we decided my little empire had grown too large to exist on the dining table any longer. We donated the double bed to a charity and set about installing more storage for minimum cost.

As we live in a three-year-old new build property, the walls were white and unadorned. With the bed dismantled and propped against one wall, I started to use the room for illustration work. This gave me the opportunity to see what changes were required, before making unnecessary and costly additions. We found a large, white, modern dining table on Gumtree for £30, which has become my primary drawing desk. There’s also a secondary desk, which my husband uses if he ever works from home. 

Below are the other additions I have made over the past six months that have proved to be the best buys. 

FIRST, A NOTE ABOUT VERTICAL SPACE

In a compact – nay, skinny – modern townhouse, we have learned the vertical space (ie up the wall) is the best way to add storage. We have to be careful not to overload, but there are huge advantages to keeping floor space clear. I find it especially stressful when the floor is cluttered and I need to climb over boxes. 

GALLERY WALL

The IKEA Mosslanda shelves cost £8.95 each plus delivery, and have given me the gift of versatility. I can quickly whip around frames and mounts to show clients my work to scale. I can easily style up a photograph for Instagram that looks bright and modern, and revert within seconds. We found these shelves very simple and quick to put up. 

 

PINBOARD

Next is my large pinboard which I had custom made, to precisely match the width of two pieces of Lombok furniture we already owned. Formerly, it was in my bedroom above a chest of drawers and showcased photographs and inspirational images. Was this just preparation for my business launch? Now it rests above our secondary desk in the home studio. It’s just a chair spin away from me while I work. It represents both my ideal client, and my “ideal me”. And of course, it’s ever-changing. Not shown in this picture are my 90-day objectives, pinned up on an A3 sheet, outlining objectives and processes across eight areas of my life. If there’s a moment – alone – where I’m lost for what to do, my pinboard normally provides clarity. 

 

MAGAZINE AND PAPER RACK

I spray-painted this magazine rack using Rustoleum in Bright Gold. Big papers can be annoying to store. They are expensive and a single crease renders them unusable. It only took a couple of quick coats and was pretty easy. Worthwhile for the result achieved and I was hugely relieved to have the paper pads off my desk space. 

 

SHELVING

This is Take Two of Project Shelving. Our first attempt was a droopy failure, and couldn’t cope with the weight of items I really needed to store. Spray-painting these was a bit of a pain. I needed to cover the inside edges as well as the outside, with two coats. It took a while and would probably be easier for someone with the luxury of more space. But, the final result is strong and effective. And I lovely the wrapping paper storage opportunity! The cushions were bought from The Shop Next Door, adjacent to the gorgeous George in Rye hotel. They were the first thing I bought for the house, while still waiting to get the keys. 

 

 

 

Overall, it is a calm, versatile space that works hard considering its dimensions. I know my business may take various pathways, and the room will need to morph accordingly. But the impact of having “a room of one’s own” is extraordinary. If you like this home studio tour, click through to the Pinterest board, which features all the inspiration shots I used to create the design.  

USEFUL LINKS

The George in Rye / The Shop Next Door

Rustoleum

IKEA

Lombok 

A bespoke picture frame is always going to give you the highest quality finish for your artwork, offer reassurance about UV protection and give a perfect fit. But to reduce costs, give as a gift, or perhaps as a stopgap while you decide on your perfect picture frame, here is a quick, visual blog post to give some examples of 40x30cm frames readily available online or on the UK High Street.

I’m always happy to answer queries or make recommendations about framing your art prints or portrait wedding bouquet illustrations, so drop me a line at charlotte@charlotteargyrou.com. 

I really like Habitat for frames, especially as there is a function on their website to filter by size – a function which is missing from other retailers (including Marks and Spencer, IKEA, West Elm and John Lewis). They also come with corner protecting packaging, which is helpful regardless of whether you are buying in store or online. 

John Lewis: House by John Lewis picture frame in Natural, £24

John Lewis: Croft by John Lewis grey frame, £28

Hobbycraft: White picture frame, £10

Habitat: Kupari copper picture frame, £30

 

Habitat: Toronto walnut frame, £32

Habitat: Damien gold matt frame, £32

 

Links to featured products:

John Lewis: House by John Lewis frame in Natural, £24

John Lewis: Croft by John Lewis grey frame, £28

Hobbycraft: White frame, £10

Habitat: Kupari copper frame, £30

Habitat: Toronto walnut frame, £32

Habitat: Damien gold matt frame, £32

A bespoke picture frame is always going to give you the highest quality finish for your artwork, offer reassurance about UV protection and give a perfect fit. But to reduce costs, give as a gift, or perhaps as a stopgap while you decide on your perfect picture frame, here is a quick, visual blog post to give some examples of 30x30cm frames readily available online or on the UK High Street.

I’m always happy to answer queries or make recommendations about framing your botanical prints or square wedding bouquet illustrations, so drop me a line at charlotte@charlotteargyrou.com. 

 

Hobbycraft: Metallic Pewter Memory Box Frame £15, real glass

 

 

Nielsen: Essentielles White frame £19.78, real glass

 

Eframe.co.uk: Light Wood frame, £14.41, with real glass

 

Eframe.co.uk: gold frame £16.85, with Clarity+ good quality plastic “glass”

 

Links to featured products: 

Hobbycraft: Metallic Pewter Memory Box Frame £15, real glass

Nielsen: Essentielles White frame £19.78, real glass

Eframe.co.uk: Light Wood frame, £14.41, with real glass

Eframe.co.uk: gold frame £16.85, with Clarity+ good quality plastic “glass”