Jamb’s Secret Coade13/6/2014 If Georgian simplicity was the organizing principle inside the house of Jamb owner Will Fisher, then outside Will became Liberace. The piece de resistance of his secret garden is the gated Italianate pond adorned with architectural fragments - the antique fountain bought in Reggio Emilia, Italy and is surrounded by his collection of 18th-century keystones and capitals. The garden of his London terrace may be ideal for a game of cricket but measuring 20ft wide and 125feet long the garden presented a great design challenge as Will says; ‘I knew we needed to break the length down into separate spaces, so I built the pond at the back as a focal point. After that I just filled it with whatever seemed right. I always think a garden looks better full’ And why not fill it with some Coade work. Jamb reproduce beautiful marble and stone garden ornaments and have also been proud to represent Coade garden sculpture for many years now. These stunning pieces would accompany an accomplished garden design of any scale. Coade stone was originally made in 1769 at the Coade factory in London, under the guidance of Eleanor Coade, who employed some of the finest artists of the day to produce objects and sculptures for houses, gardens and public spaces. But when the factory closed in 1840 the formula and techniques for making coade stone were lost. After extensive research and experimentation, Steven Pettifer has rediscovered that formula, and now produces high quality coade stone with a ceramic body that is extremely durable and resistant to weathering. Working alongside Coade Ltd. means that Jamb are now able to produce bespoke sculptures and objects, both large and small scale, for interior and exterior spaces. jamb.co.uk
0 Comments
And G is for Georgian10/6/2014 We’ve certainly had our fill of the Georgians as the whole nation marks the 300th anniversary of George I’s accession. ‘WILLIAM KENT Designing Georgian Britain’ at the V&A until 13 July is an exhibition that explores this polymath, who having lived the high-life in Italy returned to recreate the dream in Britain. Handy for him that his career also co-incided with the rise of country-house building. I guess what is relevant to our homes is how he turned from painter to architect of interior design tackling an interior space as a whole – fascinated with everything from door frames and fireplaces to flamboyant furnishings. Love or loathe his exuberance he was seen as an arbiter of taste and in modern terminology a brand builder when Britain was ready for a fresh start. Decorex, which is at Syon Park, is going mad for the new Georgiana, just announcing it as this year’s theme, honing in on craftsmanship, celebrity and brand. Sitting Room in ‘English Decoration’ by Ben Pentreath The Katzsic sofa designed by Max Rollitt is based on a sofa Max bought in a Manor House in Lancashire which dates from 1790. Georgian style is considered one of quality and taste. We are building Georgian-style homes again and wresting rooms back from the grips of open-plan living. Neo-classicalism is just incredibly elegant and pleasing to the eye. Perhaps all this marks a move away from minimalism towards a desire for detail in decoration and for interiors that are refined and composed, yet comfortable and joyful. The above image is Ben Pentreath’s house in Dorset, a 19th century former Parsonage, where as he says the ‘rooms are calm, quiet spaces and I have designed accordingly, using plain, light furniture that responds to the simplicity of the building. The Parsonage is a changing place, as I use the house as a test-bed for my own ideas and thoughts, but an underlying Englishness and sense of comfort prevail.’ pentreath-hall.com maxrollitt.com Dial A for Antiques3/6/2014 Tis the time for the dealers to descend. This sacred ground is of –course ‘Olympia’ and its eponymous International Art & Antiques Fair, which kicks off this Thursday 5th June. I imagine the dilemma is not only to discover an exceptional piece that you fall in love with to think but how it fits into your interior space. That’s why I admire the likes of Max Rollitt and Will Fisher who tempt us to view antiques differently and show us how to present these pieces not just in period but also modern homescapes. Will Fisher, Jamb and Hawker Antiques Max is a dealer–decorator and his hybrid status is about as rarified as the objects he hunts down. He not only sources stellar antiques but also configures them into your home in an original and joyful way. Objects are not seen in isolation but in their entirety, and there is integrity in how Max puts a harmonious lived-in look together. Will has an incredible eye and focuses on what he calls pure English country–house dealing and declares ‘people become antique dealers because – well, partly because they’re totally unemployable – but because they have a passion for it.’ To some antiques are entertainment and money is buttons. But to Will antiques are above value. He doesn’t just talk about antiques he actually speaks to them. Admirer Michael Smith sums up Fisher’s style well saying says he’s ‘someone whose aesthetic is so unbelievably English with an eye for patina and detail but put together in a clean fresh way.’ If I enjoyed bottomless pockets I would appoint Max or Will at the drop of a hat. They have a totally individual aesthetic. They have taste. They have steered me from smartly polished mid-century modern to appreciate the beauty of the unrestored and objects loved over generations of stewardship. Happy hunting at Olympia but your little black book should lead with Max and Will under A. maxrollitt.com jamb.co.uk Categories
All
Archives
April 2020
|