Easter entertaining

Though Easter may have deeply-rooted religious meaning, it also presents the perfect opportunity to gather loved ones for a mouth-watering feast. 

We'll be setting the table soon, accenting it with our gold-dusted bunny butter dish and sugar bowl, perhaps hiding a few chocolate eggs amongst the flowers and crockery too. 

Whatever you're planning, here's to a wonderful long-weekend celebration - enjoy! 

Simple (yet effective) stencilling

Stencilling. Just the word feels a tad outdated, and the 'doing' seems a little tricky - but we've stumbled upon some ultra-easy, yet totally modern ways to do it.

Use spraypaint and lace: You can buy nylon/polyester lace at any good fabric shop, but if you can bear to cover beautiful vintage lace with paint, this works like a dream.

Cheat with a print-out pattern: there's a whole host of pre-cut stencils on the internet so take your pick. Feel like creating your own? Pinterest has plenty of templates and ideas.

Opt for wall decals: just like stickers, these decorative adhesives update rooms in seconds and are often re-usable, too. We love Abode's windblown dandelion.

Short of time? Look out for soft furnishings with cut-out details such as our bloom throw - they add the stencilling effect without the work. 

Reinventing Flowers

One of the simplest ways to transform even the smallest of your home's nooks is to pop hand-tied blooms into an old (clean) jam jar. If you don't have one to hand, a milk bottle, or even a glass, makes the perfect vessel. 

Here are some ideas we love - including pastel painted bottles and ornamental cabbages in tumblers that photographer Leila Sanderson shot at furniture designer Greg Hatton's Melbourne home. Why not give it a go, too?

Images: Leila Sanderson, Greg Hatton, Pinterest.

Reflecting upon Richard

Living so close to London’s iconic Portobello Road - overrun with antique china, as well as charm - it’s no wonder that ceramicist Richard Brendon is ever-inspired.

His own designs encapsulate a little of this vintage appeal – looking to the history of found porcelain and melding it with a modern vision to create striking teacups, saucers, and dinnerware.

In particular, his ‘Reflect’ collection truly stands out; china tea cups are coated in platinum so that when resting upon vintage-like saucers, their mirrored patina echoes and transforms the plate’s patterns.

How long have you been designing?

Technically since I studies DT at GCSE in 2003

Did you go to art college or are you self taught? 

I studied product and furniture design at Kingston University

What are you main creative influences?

Droog and Dutch design from the early 90s is what sparked my interest in design.  I really liked the way they pushed the boundaries of materials and process to create products with character and narrative.

Where do you find inspiration for your work?

Antique fairs – the antique markets of Portobello and Golborne Road are on my doorstep and provide great inspiration.

What aspect of your work gives you the most pleasure?

Receiving the first finished sample of a product that has taken a long time to research and develop.  It’s not until I see the finished piece that 

Where are you most creative?

In the shower

What is your workspace/studio like? 

Hilarious! I share a really fantastic space with a record label and they are some of the funniest people I have ever met. It’s an 800 square foot studio, with French doors that open out into a courtyard surrounded by other studios.

How do you describe your style?

Considered, refine and dynamic

What are you currently working on?

A collaboration with pattern visionaries, Patternity, we will be launching 2 cups and saucers in April. I’m also working on a collection inspired by the best British porcelain ever made, with a porcelain expert from a leading London antiques auction house.

When you first started out, what was the best advice you received?

Know exactly what your brand is.

And

Make as many mistakes as quickly as possible.  

What advice do you have for other designers starting out?

Surround yourself with good and talented people.  Try to have mentors you can go to for advice.

How do you achieve a work/life balance?

I don’t really, but fortunately I love what I do.

What are you other passions?

Skiing, food and drink

What is your favourite food?

I like a lot of things! Anything that is refined and perfected to be the best it can be.  I’m a big fan of the burger craze sweeping London, there are some really tasty burgers out there!

We're thrilled to share with you that a special edit of Richard's Reflect collection is now available at Roost Living. Choose from red, pink, or blue designs to prettify your tabletop and leave guests in awe.