PORTA
A collaboration between Tess Newall and Brooklyn-based PORTA, we are excited to introduce the Ottoline Collection - a range of hand-painted tableware inspired by the creative history of East Sussex, where Tess lives and works. Rooted in the spirit of the Bloomsbury Group, the collection draws inspiration from Charleston Farmhouse, the storied home of Vanessa Bell and Duncan Grant where painting escaped the canvas and spread across walls and furniture. There, art was woven into the rituals of daily life, and our collection of painted ceramics seek to reimagine the table as a place for artistic expression.
BOODLES X HISTORIC ROYAL PALACES
We collaborated with Boodles and Historic Royal Palaces on their RHS Chelsea Flower Show garden, uniting two iconic British institutions in celebration of history and craft. Referencing the botanical painting of the Picnic Room in Queen Charlotte’s Cottage at Kew Palace, 1805, we decorated the vaulted roof of the pavilion at the heart of the garden. Deep red aquilegia and purple geranium weave to meet climbing nasturtium and morning glory. The paintwork echoed the jewel-toned planting of the garden, designed by Catherine MacDonald, with a rich palette of burgundy and red taking its cue from a 17th century damask used for Mary of Modena’s canopied bed at Kensington Palace. The metalwork featured winding grape vines and bosses shaped like nasturtium leaves, inspired by the ceiling of the Great Hall at Hampton Court Palace. The garden won the Silver-Gilt Medal.
FORTNUM & MASON
We collaborated with Fortnum & Mason on the ceiling decoration of their new Biscuitorium. Our brief was to design a mural which invites visitors up the stairway to explore the world of the Biscuitorium, and to conjure the imagination of the brand. A central golden sun echoes the original art deco ceiling roses found throughout the building, and the symmetrical pattern references English Arts & Crafts design. Abstract ears of wheat are a nod to the key ingredient of Fortnum & Mason biscuits, and a scalloped outer edge echoes the sweeping waves of the building's double helix staircase. A neutral colour palette allows the iconic packaging of their biscuits to sing.
Penelope Chilvers
Decoration of the flagship Penelope Chilvers store in Notting Hill, inspired by the brand’s equestrian roots in southern Spain. Our brief was to create the inviting feel of a hacienda, transporting visitors to warmer climes. The walls were given textured colour washes, and hand-painted borders in the style of antique Spanish tiles line the windows. A Jaime Parladé-inspired arch welcomes customers into the snug area, drawing customers into the shop’s warm embrace.
VOLGA LINEN
We created a collaborative showroom with Volga Linen for Design Destination London, celebrating surface and pattern design made using time-honoured techniques. The space showcased our shared references and design processes, along with a twin bedroom upholstered in our fabrics alongside Volga bed linens. The showroom provided inspiration for layered interiors which evoke an atmosphere and tell a story.
DIPTYQUE
We collaborated with Diptyque on the decoration of their Marylebone boutique, incorporating hand-painted elements throughout. Inspired by an illustration painted by Diptyque's founder in the 1960s, our brief was to capture the wildness of the French countryside and play with colour in nature. Referencing Fauvism, we developed a style where painterly marks are both abstract and representational. Upon entering the boutique customers are greeted with a hand-painted tiled counter, before discovering a panoramic mural which frames a display of the iconic fragrance collection.
VINTERIOR
With a shared commitment to craft and purposeful design, we were asked to be part of One of One, a collection of timeless furniture sourced from Vinterior, reframed and repurposed to create statement pieces. Inspired by Swedish blue and white painted armoires, we transformed an antique pine cupboard. The collection celebrated sustainability and the idea of giving new life to preloved pieces, and sold out within 24 hours.
DÔEN
We collaborated with DÔEN in the decoration of their European stores including Harrods, Liberty London and Le Bon Marché in Paris. Inspired by historic European houses, painted borders frame the clothing displays. Deep aubergine and plaster pink paintwork create an earthy, tonal palette, and the design includes a stylised leaf motif in a nod to the brand's Californian roots.
Ceraudo
We designed and hand-painted a collection of Ceraudo's Chiara Chairs, decorated with Bloomsbury-inspired patterns in two complementary colourways. A breakfast was held at the iconic Persephone Books in Bloomsbury to celebrate the launch, with guests being given copies of Virginia Woolf novels as gifts.
Loeffler Randall
We designed a custom wrapping paper for Loeffler Randall, with a pattern inspired by historic Indian textiles. Our floral print was reimagined in three signature Loeffler Randall palettes, and printed onto newsprint quality paper. Customers were able to add the gift wrap to their orders, and the collection quickly sold out.
Kit Kemp
We designed and hand-painted a collection of Kit Kemp's Stack Lamps, decorated with Bloomsbury-inspired geometric patterns. The lamps were used in the Bloomsbury Publishing head office, sitting alongside murals painted by our studio.
YOLKE
Inspired by an 18th century French textile, we reimagined YOLKE’s Cherry Floral print as a hand-painted wallpaper and border. The design is reminiscent of dreamlike days, with berries and floral garlands evoking a folksy charm. The collaboration was launched at YOLKE's store inside Liberty London.
Matilda Goad
We designed and hand-painted a collection of Matilda Goad's signature Cloth Scallop lampshades, decorated with delicate motifs - clovers, stars, cherries and meadow flowers. To celebrate the launch of our collaboration, Tess decorated lampshades instore, giving customers the opportunity to watch the process and take home their lampshades with them.
