North Norfolk inspires a new way of seeing.
 
I have always had a soft spot for north Norfolk with its acres of sandy beaches that stretch for miles around this forgotten tip of England. Florence, my artist mother loves painting the three-quarter skies and my two bird-watcher brothers in teenage years trod the shingle at dawn. But it was the seascape with its blue distances that seduced me and how you can walk the flat shores for miles on breeze-less days or be greeted with howling Northerlies.
 
This rabble of childhood memories grew into a longing to get a Norfolk bolthole and we now have a tiny flint cottage where we snatch weekends and spend a week or two during the summer months.
 
Sitting amongst the dunes when the tide has turned, seeing the stretches of shore, sea and sky create layers of shades is a simple joy. Harriet at Ochre describes how they colour designs inspired by a seascape or perhaps a river’s flow. I appreciate how Ochre’s Sable chairs arranged together resemble the rhythm of a river in blues, greys, and greens. It’s an inspired way of seeing and colouring designs. 

Some of Ochre’s evocative palette reflects the open coastline of Shelter Island, where Harriet has her retreat – painted in shades that are soft, muted and inspired by the landscape. This is a landscape of layers – sea, islands, and sailing boats across the skyline.
 
Living in big cities like New York or London is great but you just have to escape and breathe a sigh of relief when you can actually see the horizon.  Having a seascape is a beautiful bonus.
 
I also think we all need a bit of solitude, silence and the simple joy of wide, open spaces and I find this solace in on the shoreline of the forgotten tip of England.
 
For inspired images follow Ochre’s Instragram
 
instagram.com/ochreochre
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As part of the ongoing fundraising for the New Courtyard, the makers and designers and artists of the Art Workers’ Guild have come up with a new twist on the secret postcard auction – three-dimensional postcards.  It will be online and launched with a bang on November 5th.
 
Expanding the postcard sale to include 3D works of art means an opportunity to buy artworks by some of the most highly skilled craftspeople today. The Art Workers’ Guild (AWG) has an extraordinary range of membership covering over 60 crafts, including sculptors, architects, textile artists, potters, graphic designers, glass engravers, furniture makers and printers. Guild members and some of their distinguished friends are contributing to this unusual fundraising event.
 
Their creations will be auctioned on Friday 11th December at 7p.m.

 Insomnia
 
Each ‘postcard’ (6” x 4” x 3”) will be anonymous, with the maker only being revealed after the sale: this gives each purchase an element of mystery, and allows the possibility of buying works by renowned artists from as little as £50.
 
The auction will begin online in November, and blind bids will be accepted until 5 p.m. the day before. On December 11th silent bids can be placed until 3 p.m. The results will be announced during the party in the evening.
 
As well as the online catalogue, postcards will be exhibited to view in person throughout the day on Friday 11th until the results at 7 p.m. Come in person to see the AWG’s outstanding Grade II* listed building, with a chance to explore the magnificent Hall.
 
This auction is part of the AWG’s ongoing fundraising for the new courtyard project, which will transform the central courtyard of the building. It is the first fundraising event for Phase II, the installation of a glass roof and creation of a new exhibition space, and follows the success of Phase I for the introduction of wheelchair access.
 
 
About
The Art Workers’ Guild was founded in 1884 to promote excellence in craftsmanship and foster creative connections; it now has over 360 members from more than 60 disciplines. Its work is based in a five-storey Georgian building in Bloomsbury with a splendid Arts and Crafts Hall.
 
 
See online catalogue here
http://www.artworkersguild.org/news/awg-appeal-auction/
 
www.artworkersguild.org
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I sometimes day dream that if my numbers come up, then I would invite Max Rollitt to decorate my home, which would be some sort of Georgian dwelling filled with natural light.

Either that or something completely new, but then Max may not be interested. He has that Midas touch where everything he touches is beautiful. Not gold exactly but patinas bought about by aging and Max’s grasp on how the aesthetics of time can create joyful interiors.
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I think he will make more people happy with the launch of his new bespoke furnishing collection called White Goods. Odd name granted and makes me think of washing machines and linen, but this is a simply beautiful series of pieces that focus raw wood, celadon glaze, stoneware and gesso.

Max with his collection in his Hampshire showroom.

The furniture part of White Goods features a Sycamore topped table with a bronze frame, a Windsor Bench based on Max’s favourite ‘Windsor’ chair made in ash with an elm seat and a classic Ash Bench.

The decorative part has Garniture, a word that means a set of decorative accessories. Max’s Garniture is a set of five of lidded and unlidded vases. His other White Vases come in curious shapes and sizes arranged in groups or individually. To complete the collection are three stately Celadon Vases that can also be lamped and the Bobbin turned lamp.  

White Goods will never make be think of washing again. 

www.maxrollitt.com

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