Ever since the lovely Cass from Haven Workroom told me about The Papered Parlour (just take a look at their website home page for starters), I’ve been smitten with this new independent craft venue for London – everything from the concept, to the artisans involved, and of course, the space.

This fabulous venture, founded by 2 young visual artists Clare and Louise, is based in Clapham and is inhabited by artists, designers, musicians and theatre practitioners. They have set up the space like a parlour, running workshops, hosting performances and displaying exhibitions while the artist studio is arranged in a communal way  – shared work benches are placed in the centre of the space and individual work stations around the outside…

Clare says that when artists have a big project on and need a little more room they can book the workshop space during the week to complete projects.

“The studio was always intended as an antidote to art school where departments were kept separate and designers didn’t talk to fine artists” writes Clare, “It is now flourishing with activity and has a lovely atmosphere that’s made up from a mix of painters, illustrators, photographers, animators, milliners, textile artists, musicians and theatre designers all working alongside one another. ”

This year The Papered Parlour will be taking part in the London Design Festival as well as the Lambeth open studios in October. Check out their classes for upcoming workshops, parties and hires &  booking terms for info on booking this fab space,  and the artist studio to see who’s in there now, working away.

Congrats Clare and Louise for creating such a wonderful business and creative space. The Papered Parlour looks like just the type of place I’d love to find myself in, and I have no doubt your beautiful space will continue to flourish over the coming years, meanwhile I’ll be sure to come and visit soon.

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Have a wonderful weekend, mes amis! I hope you enjoyed this mini series on new creative ventures. I hope these posts inspire you to visit these special places if you are in their vicinity, and also maybe to think about branching out on your own, making something with your own two hands – there is nothing more encouraging than visiting other people’s magical places to help you along the way.

The sun is shining here in Amsterdam and although I have no weekend to speak of with the book launch month approaching and my other lovely book to continue writing and photographing (I’m “flat out like a lizard drinking” as we say in Oz language), I won’t get to enjoy the sunshine. But, it has found it’s way into my little boat home studio via the dancing, sparkly water reflections on the ceiling and walls. So pretty! It’s enough to keep me inspired the whole weekend through.

xx

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all images courtesy of The Papered Parlour.

Today in the (blog)house I am going to take you to two new creative ventures in two completely different parts of the world. Both of them inspire, excite, and entice, and in turn I believe they have each captured a little bit of magic. I hope you enjoy this impromptu Friday mini series…

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Last month while I was in isolation-writing-retreat mode, (blog)house visitor Charlie – a.k.a the lion tamer – emailed me to let me know about the launch of her super exciting new venture in Bali. I was completely captivated by it and have been dying to share her news with you ever since. With the help of a number of creative souls including a few australian + parisian designers, the lovely Charlie & gang have set up an ultra cool new restaurant and bar in seminyak, bali called The Sea Circus.

The grand opening party last month looked like an absolute riot – a circus-clad crowd of people filled the restaurant, overflowing into the street and performing all sorts of circus tricks amidst, the atmosphere looks palpable…

In her email, Charlie told me that after visiting the (blog)house she was inspired to search for new art and has created a dedicated ‘wall of art’ in the restaurant. How cool is that? Charlie also authors a great blog, full of fun details about her new venture but it’s also packed with inspiration, illustrations, and bali info (so if you’re planning to visit bali at some point, it’s well worth bookmarking her blog with posts like this one, and this one.)

This dining table was set up for a special Australia Day supper before the restaurant was actually finished, it’s so beautiful, I love the tins of flowers and the gorgeous colour combo of the chairs and table.

love the business cards!

The chef on board at The Sea Circus used to work at the famous sydney restaurant longrain. His tapas style menu sounds scrumptious – yellowfin tuna & watermelon tartare with whitlof & citrus; mahi-mahi & tofu fritters with chilli jam & spring onions; and tart citron with clotted cream & lemoncello, par exemple.

Charlie, Josh and their team also commissioned 23 year old  spanish artist Manuel Rebollo to make a couple of ‘sea circus’ illustrations, how gorgeous is this one below…

Spectacular, non? I love all the little touches, it looks like a little slice of magic in the heart seminyak. A big congrats to Charlie, Josh and all the sea circus gang for creating a place so wonder-filled, I look forward to visiting one day and I wish you all the best!

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all image courtesy of sea circus bali.

…between stars afloat in the night sky…

Now, I’m no poet so I’ll stop right there, but this lovely friend of mine is. Not only is she a poet, but an artist of the truest kind who surrounds herself with beautiful handmade creations, works in progress, and lots of interesting curiosities.

Are you ready to come and visit her corner of the world with me? She lives quite far away so I hope you’re up for a little adventure. Take my hand. All set? Okay, let’s go…

Welcome to the home studio of Kylie Johnson, creator of paper boat press. Kylie lives in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia, in one of the most picturesque quiet corners of a city I’ve ever seen. Surrounded by huge native eucalyptus, wattle, ferns and palm trees, Kylie works on her clay creations, illustrations, and poetry in her studio which is an outdoor room overlooking the trees and a gorgeous old church.  I visited her a couple of months ago for the first time and already, I am missing being in her presence and her calm, inspiring space – which is why I wanted you to come with me today…

I could spend hours looking at Kylie’s creations – picking each piece up, turning it in my hands, and imagining a world that exists outside the one I know. Her book of poetry ‘count me the stars’ is filled with beautiful words, phrases, fragments of memories and dreams. I like to open it at a random page and digest the content while I continue with my thoughts.

Fancy a cup of tea and some homemade muffins out on the balcony? Kylie has just pulled a batch from the oven, they smell utterly delicious. Tea is on the table…

Kylie has lots of wonderful things happening this year – including the release of her second book of poetry published by murdoch books called ‘a once courageous heart’. I can’t wait to read it…

photograph courtesy of kylie johnson

It’s time to go. I know, I don’t want to leave either. But now that we have this post permanently in the (blog)house, we can come back again and again. Thank you for having us dear Kylie, I wish you all the best for the year ahead and I can’t wait to see you again, wherever that may be…

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The launch for Kylie’s book is next Friday, March 5th and if you live in or near brisbane, please go along and cheer her on for me. The rsvp date is this friday, february 26. Details are below…

I am going to linger in queensland for the rest of the week here in the (blog)house as I have lots I want to show you from my trip there last month. I hope you’ll join me…

xx

PS oh and I nearly forgot! Here is a little peek inside her living room, I love it. But I got so distracted with her studio and creations that I forgot to show you…

Cassandra’s  beautiful old home in New Zealand, as photographed by Matthew Williams.

Perhaps you are like me and are guilty of collecting fabrics upon fabrics which you want to make into a quilt but never find the time? Well, yesterday while I was reading Cassandra Ellis’ (from Haven Workroom)  beautiful blog, I was thrilled to find out that she is now taking orders for quilts made with your own personal collection of fabrics! It’s a wonderful idea, and Cassandra’s style and designs are stunning, she is one of the rare people I would give my pile of precious fabrics to without hesitation.

Read her original post about how she serendipitously came upon the idea here, and click here to find out about pricing (follow the link to ‘our goods’, ‘quilts’, then  ‘download pricelist’).

For those of you who are new to Cassandra’s work, let me introduce her to you. Back in 2002, Cassandra started a business called Haven Workroom in NZ. Then it was a gorgeous little store selling high-quality hand-made homewares (which sounds like my little indigo, but no doubt much, much nicer!). A little while ago, Cassandra packed her bags and moved to London and re-created Haven Workroom into an atelier making bespoke contemporary quilts as well as restoring and up-cycling vintage furniture. Cassandra’s aim is to keep artisan skills alive and relevant. Her quilts are contemporary and one-of-a-kind, made from vintage silks and cottons combining Indian, English, Asian and Eastern European textiles.

Take a look at her quilts right here.

The photos you see above and below are from Cassandra’s home back in New Zealand. I love her eclectic yet cohesive collection of homewares displayed throughout each space. It’s a home filled with soul…

Beautiful, non? Oui! But you know I was going to say that.

I don’t know about you but for me, this week’s posts about talented female artisans and their work spaces has been truly inspiring – first  it was Tracey Deep, then Harriet Goodall and now Cassandra Ellis of Haven Workroom. Be sure to check out all the links attached to each post as there is more inspiration to be had than what I have shown here.

Have a great weekend mes amis. See you on Monday!

xx

PS I am over the jetlag and flu now – yay! Thanks for all your well wishes.