Have you always been creative and can you tell us a bit about your journey to becoming an artist?

I always wanted to be an artist but my ‘sensible’ head always told me that is impossible to make into a paying career, so once I left school I went straight into retail and kept my artwork as a hobby. It wasn’t until I started my Instagram account @bland_design and posted photos of my home and decor that found my audience and it gave me the confidence to try and turn it into a business.

Why did you decide to specialise in gilding?

I ended up specialising in gilding by accident really. I was desperate to give my kitchen a face lift but couldn’t afford a new one, so working with what I had already I decided to use gold leaf and resin to create the brass worktops I’d been swooning over. When I posted about it online I started getting inquiries about bespoke worktops and tables which was amazing because I hadn’t planned for it to be a product I’d sell.

Your murals are such grand and striking pieces of art, do you ever feel daunted by the challenge when you start a project?

I’m always nervous when designing a new mural, it’s only once I actually start painting that I finally relax and get into it. I work with a rage of different artistic styles and designs which is really challenging, I end up doing dozens of rough sketches that go in the bin before I start to feel happy with my designs. Some of my work is freehand drawing as well, which has its own challenges when working on a large scale, having to keep stepping back to check it all looks right!

Your work was debuted on the final of Interior Design Masters, where you were commissioned by Siobhan Murphy to create a gorgeous, gilded crane mural. Can you tell us a bit more about that experience?

Siobhan has become a great friend of mine and I was honoured to be asked to paint a mural for the final of the show. It came totally out of the blue because they only get a week to plan their schemes so I had to reshuffle some of my work to be able to do it but I’m so glad I did. It was easily the most terrifying thing I’ve done in my career so far, I’m used to filming my work for Instagram but that’s just me and my camera… Not an entire production team! We only had 3 days to complete the project which was tough, not only did I paint the mural but I also gilded the vaulted ceiling in the hallway of the villa. Since then Siobhan and I have worked on a bunch of other projects in her home, and plenty more to come!

It’s incredible to think that Daniel’s journey began with a kitchen tabletop, some gold leaf, a pot of resin and a large dose of creativity! We’re delighted to hear he has more work in the pipeline with Siobhan. We can’t wait to see the results from this fabulous duo!

If you would like to find out more about Daniel’s stunning work (and seriously impressive plant collection!) You can find him on Instagram,  or contact him via his website, Bland Design.

Image Credit: Daniel Bland

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We can personally vouch for their comfort factor as well, rest assured they have been tried and tested by each of us and given the ‘ahhhh’ seal of approval! As Goldie Locks once said, “Ahhh, this chair’s not too soft and not too firm… in fact, it’s just right”. That was what she said, wasn’t it?

Sumptuous Winged Back Armchair

Soft touch velvet in a deliciously vibrant green, enhances the deep button back of this Sumptuous Winged Back Armchair and gives a twist of modernity to a classic that is sure to become a favourite for curling up in with a good book or for catching up with your favourite boxed set.

Sumptuous Deep Button Armchair

Vibrant jewelled orange in a luxurious soft touch velvet, with the back of the chair in a geometric black and white design for a touch of contrast. Perfect for brightening up any style of décor and bringing some charisma to a room.

Each piece is handmade to order, right here in the Midlands and not only that, but 1 upholsterer individually makes each velvet armchair from start to finish, in the time-honoured tradition of craftsmen that we excel at in Britain. The frames and legs are made from solid beech wood and, along with the coiled base springs, have a 10 year guarantee for peace of mind.

We’re so pleased to bring these beauties to you and we can’t wait to add to the collection! Do you have any requests? What chair have you been longing to find, but just can’t? We’d love to know! We’d also love to know what you think of these 2 new designs – do leave a comment below.

Jacqui x

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Photography: Amelia Brooks/ Styling: Jacqui & Amelia Brooks

And to quote Julie Andrews ‘These are a few of my favourite things’ all rolled into one……. things being textiles, velvets, cushions, colour and nature.  The landscape of Scotland being another one of my favourite things, I was instantly drawn to these beautiful and evocative velvet cushions photographed here on an amazing green velvet settee in The Pink House (another stylish Edinburgh based lady).

There’s currently a flash sale on all Mairi’s beautiful cushions (ending 28.02.17), so do take a browse here >>

The Mairi Helena collection incorporates a variety of print processes, including digital and hand screen-printing, producing abstract surface pattern designs with a unique fine art feel.  The homewares range includes velvet cushions, fabrics, contemporary wallpaper and lampshades, all with that high-end luxury look, and that uniqueness which is essential to create a truly eclectic home.

There is also a range of silk scarves and velvet tote bags in the same vibrant hues if you wish to adorn yourself as well as your home.

Mairi Helena also has a great blog with lots of home renovation tips and styling advice so check that out as well to see how she uses her amazing designs.

Jacqui x

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Image Credit: Mairi Helena

These little gold desk dishes are fab and tie in so well with our blog on covering lever arch files in marble effect sticky back plastic. Why have a boring, uninteresting desk when, for very little effort and money, you can have a glamorous and inspiring desk that actually gives pleasure, plus it’s so satisfying to have done it yourself. I love to transform something that is essentially a utilitarian object into a thing of beauty to be admired instead of hidden away.

Do take a look at Amy’s blog and be inspired to have a go yourself. Amy makes it sound easy, and it actually is, as long as you follow her instructions. Before you know it your desk will be feeling the gold and marble love!

Jacqui x

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Images from Homey Oh My!

You will need:

Lever arch file

Sticky backed plastic available from ebay

Gold spray paint

Ruler, pen and scissors or rotary mat, scalpel and safety ruler.

Soft cloth

Here’s the instructions for covering a whole folder in sticky back plastic:

1. Lay the sticky backed plastic reverse side up and place the file opened out on it and position in line with the grid already marked for you. Cut the plastic to size, but  allowing enough excess to turn over the edges.

2. Mark a line on the plastic at each corner of the file, 45 degrees to the file edge.

3. Cut along the lines you just marked on each of the four corners.

4. Mark and cut 2 small notches from top and 2 small notches from the bottom of file where the file folds.

5. Peel away one edge of the protective backing, but don’t start sticking yet, just mark where the edge of the folder should sit, so that when you are ready to start, you know where to line it up correctly.

6. Lay the file out flat on the reverse of the plastic and starting at one end carefully peel away the protective backing from the plastic folding the inside flap in.

7. Make sure it is positioned correctly and then smooth over with the cloth to get rid of air bubbles. Continue in this way a small section at a time over the front of the file, smoothing out air bubbles and making sure the plastic adheres to the file.

8. Turn the file over and lay flat so that you can carefully fold the flaps in and smooth them down.

The instructions for the folder with marble front and back, and gold spine are very similar:

1. Spray the spine of the file gold (preferably outside and making sure you have a good sized sheet or cardboard laid down first) with several light coats of spray paint so it doesn’t run or clog. Allow time between each coat for the paint to dry.

2.Lay the file down on the reverse side of the plastic so you can mark the shape. Cut along the edge that will butt up to the spin and again cut the corners at right angles for tuning in.

3. Start at the edge of the spine and remove the backing making sure you have it positioned in a straight line along the spin and smooth over with the cloth to remove air bubbles.   Carefully remove all the backing whilst smoothing out the plastic and then turn in the flaps and smooth them down.

4. Repeat for the other side of the file.

And for the gold version of the lever arch file just spray all over in even thin coats allowing the paint to dry in between until you are happy with the coverage. The jam jar has been sprayed in the same way and then a strip of marble sticky backed plastic cut to fit the centre of the jar. Choose a jar that has straight side so that the plastic doesn’t have to be shaped to fit.

What a glamorous collection of lever arch files and who would have thought it would be so simple or so cheap to do?   Combined with the gold and marble pen pot they make even the simplest office shelf or desk into a thing of beauty.

Jacqui x

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Photography: Amelia Brooks/ Styling: Jacqui & Amelia Brooks

A knowledgeable book that takes you through the seasons based on what you can grow yourself, or forage for, and ideas on how to create displays with your gatherings. Ideal for the novice gardener as it takes you through the stages of growing plants but also for the experienced gardener with ideas of what to grow for different crafting activities. The ideas range from a woodland display to terrariums to making an alpine theatre. In fact so many lovely ideas from the simple, that are ideal for children, to more complicated projects.

I love this driftwood planter filled with succulents (I do have a soft spot for succulents) and it’s so easy to make, and again, knowledgeable information on growing succulents.

The section on winter crafts almost makes me feel it is a season to be jolly, with ideas for berries, twigs and seed heads and there is a good section on forcing bulbs for winter flowers which always bring cheer on dark, dismal days.

My particular favourite has to be these vases, made from gourds and filled with dahlias, so gourds will definitely be on my ‘to grow’ list for next year so will be following Louise’s advice on how to grow them. I’ve always fancied having a selection in bowls but never thought to make vases from them.

None of the projects are too difficult or time consuming but all have a beauty and authenticity about them that will appeal to even the most novice crafter and great projects to introduce children to the joys of growing plants and nature. On a timely note this blog post by dovegreyreader discusses the health benefits of crafting and creating (akin to meditation, apparently) and how it clears the mind of worries as you concentrate on the task in hand. There is also much research being done on how grounding and therapeutic nature and gardening are in our digital age. Definitely a book to appeal to a broad range of ages and skills, and with a timeless appeal.

Jacqui x

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Photography: Amelia Brooks/ Styling: Amelia and Jacqui Brooks

‘The Crafted Garden- Book Review’ written by Jacqui Brooks

Kimberly from Swoon Worthy has excelled herself with this one, well there are 3 posts actually and they are all fabulous. Scented room spray, scented soap and scented candles, all made from essential oils, and the icing on the cake is that Kimberly has designed gorgeous labels for these home made products that are free to download from her blog. They make such fabulous presents and look so professional with Kimberly’s labels.

Image credit: Swoon Worthy

If you are looking for a more unusual floral decoration for your Christmas table then Si from the French By Design blog has a guest post by floral artist Kiana Underwood who gives a step by step tutorial for creating a sumptuous floral extravaganza using soft hues that that can be tailored to suit your colour scheme. I like the idea of using softer colours but you can use anything that takes your fancy.

 Image credit: Cindy Loughridge for French By Design

I’m not generally a great fan of poinsettias but after seeing the ideas on MyGardenSchool blog I’m a convert. I love the small poinsettia inside a glass bell jar, simple but very pretty. There are lots of ideas from Andy McIndoe on how to make Christmas wreaths and table decorations and ideas for filling pots with seasonal pot plants that would make great presents.

Image credit: MyGardenSchool

Jacqui x

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]]> https://blogs.audenza.com/blog/3-ideas-for-a-crafty-christmas/feed/ 2 https://blogs.audenza.com/blog/gan-rugs-handmade-designer-rugs/ https://blogs.audenza.com/blog/gan-rugs-handmade-designer-rugs/#comments Fri, 06 Jun 2014 17:05:35 +0000 http://www.miafleur.com/blog/?p=2737 Another edition to our interiors sourcebook, today I wanted to share with you a stunning company that I came across called, Gan Rugs.  They have a large range of handmade designer rugs and accessories, by various textile designers each with their own unique style.  All of the products are handmade in India using traditional, as well as cutting edge techniques and I hope you’ll agree, are certainly pretty stunning!  I have picked out below a few of my favourites.

So, first up is the Cross Stitch collection by Sandra Figuerola which have been made with felted wool using traditional embroidery techniques:

The yellow rug is my absolute favourite, I would love one of these adorning my living room- what do you think?

The next collection is by Charlotte Lancelot and is available on rugs, cushions and poufs.  The cross stitch design is made using a perforated soft belt base, with interwoven threads of wool, which I think creates a great effect.  I love that it’s quite a traditional style design used in a completely different way.

Lastly, I really like the lace effect of this design by José A.Gandía-Blasco which has been hand tufted:

So what do you think?  Which is your favourite?  These are just my top three, but they have quite a large selection online, so do have a browse.  As you would expect for a handmade designer rug, they’re by no means cheap, but they do ship internationally and you can access their shop here: Gan Rugs shop.

Have a lovely weekend all.

Hollie x

Sourcebook: Gan Rugs- Handmade Designer Rugs by Hollie Brooks

I’ve used a pretty teacup and saucer but a jug would work just as well, as shown in Junk Genius.

1. Cut a scrap of fabric such as lining fabric to roughly the size of a hanky and then fill with sand and tie it together in a bundle. Before tying it up tightly make sure it is the right size for your container then tie it really securely.
2. Cut off the excess fabric and then put a piece of decorative fabric over your sand bundle – using pins to hold it in place while you eliminate folds.
3. When you are happy with the effect tie it together with ribbon and place it in the teacup.

I have made mine stand quite proud of the teacup because I wanted a nice fat pincushion but that is up to you. The instructions said to glue it in place but I felt it didn’t need glueing as it sat quite firm.

Such a pretty addition to your sewing table and so quick and easy to make. It would make a great present for the sewer in your life.

Jacqui x

How to make a Pincushion by Jacqui Brooks