Style, served with tea

Well, hello! Even though we’ve packed up and decamped to the basement while undergoing a renovation at home, I’m still on the hunt for a few stylish bits and bobs that have caught my eye.

Cheers, Arren


Fashion designer turned ceramicist Harvey Bouterse knows how to turn a look. His enigmatic Insta catalogues his latest creations, with a Tumblr that expands on that point of view, letting you tumble down a very stylish rabbit hole with a look into both his work and other design inspirations.

The hand-built ceramic pieces, each with their individually applied decoration and patterns, play into Bouterse’s love of primitive forms and Brutalism. The result is sculpturally biomorphic shapes finished in hefty textural mid-century glazes that add even more character to his vases, lamps, candleholders and creatures. Quite the menagerie indeed, which - under the Wouter Harvey umbrella - is currently on show in the historic Perignem ceramic workshop in Beernem, Belgium, alongside the work of Wouter Hoste and Katleen Vinck.

Spring 2020 vase

Spring 2020 vase

Sketches of the Spring 2020 collection

Sketches of the Spring 2020 collection

Bouterse in his atelier in Antwerp

Bouterse in his atelier in Antwerp


The home of stylist Erena Te Paa is a stunner, filled with earthy organic pieces that manage to feel both stylishly on-trend and effortlessly collected. The angular open space is a mix of naturals and neutrals, making it easy on the eye, though she’s always on the lookout for something new to add. The latest is a vintage stool turned side table that fits perfectly into the tone-on-tone space - See is sliding around the room in a fun stop-go-animation here.

And, once we’re all travelling again, you might want to check out Te Paa’s cool little holiday rental - Akito Studio - kitted out in her inimitable style. Yet another reason to add New Zealand to your must-see list…

The living room of Erena Te Paa

The living room of Erena Te Paa


I’m loving London-based artist and photographer Max Siedentopf’s kooky and fun #accidentalinfluencer campaign for Gucci, where everyday people accidentally match their interiors. While the shots are ostensibly all about the updated Gucci Tennis 1977 sneaker, my fave is the stripe action happening in this shot, where the t-shirt matches the mugs. Though, if you’re a weirdo design geek like me, you’ll recognize that those aren’t just any old striped mug, they’re classic British Cornishware mugs from T.G. Green.

Cornishware started its striped life in 1924 in a simple blue and white combo, but have expanded over the years into 11 different hand-painted colour options, including this zingy Adder Green shade. In sizes up to a whopping 15oz, the mugs can handle an ocean of tea (or coffee, if you’re so inclined), and can even be personalized. Check out the full collection here.

Max Siedentopf for Gucci

Max Siedentopf for Gucci

10oz Cornishware mug, Adder Green

10oz Cornishware mug, Adder Green

Starring Roles and Greek Urns

As this week has continued, I think we’re feeling such a shift, such momentum for much needed change in the world. It doesn’t feel like ‘business as usual,’ which must be a good thing. More than statues are toppling right about now…

Cheers, Arren


Can we just make up a word here, please? I’m often taken by an interior and the couldntyoujustmovein-ness of how it looks.

This living room is by the fab Eneia White Interiors, and fits that word to a T. Is that a grasscloth ceiling? Be still my heart. Hello to of-the-moment reeded details. Yes! Can we take a gander at those chairs? By all means. And of course, all of those dark-hued accents ground it perfectly.

I don’t think I’d change a thing…

Below, I’m getting more of the feels with this dining room, part of a cool, calm and collected Upper East Side project by White. Check more or her work here.

Photo: Duke Renders

Photo: Duke Renders

Photo: Nick Glimenakis

Photo: Nick Glimenakis


Details, details, details! Hubert de Givenchy once said “Luxury is in each detail,” and it appears that designer Cheryl Luckett definitely knows that to be true.

As part of her One Room Challenge project, Luckett has not only upholstered doors in linen and finished them with antiqued brass nailheads, she has found hardware with the looks to take a starring role in a silver screen musical.

Sourced through Addison Weeks, the Charlotte-based designer mixed a Michelle Nussbaumer Enamel Star backplate with a Scallop Knob for major Art Deco vibes. In a brass and navy enamel finish the stylish result has left me completely gagged.

For even more style (and more nailheads) check out Cheryl’s upholstery collection for Sylvester Alexander here.

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While London-based ceramicist Freya Bramble-Carter imbues her work with a mix of forms and finishes inspired by nature, her recent project, a collab with interior design studio Krokalia, moves in a different direction. Described by Bramble-Carter as a ‘mish-mash’, the pieces combine her organic point of view with Classical Greek pottery. We’re talking inspo from 510-323 BCE.

The urns, vases and bowls, created by Bramble-Carter, and then playfully decorated by designer Pallas Kalamotusis of Krokalia, have such a fresh, handmade feel. Plus, there’s a definite nod to mid-century painted art pottery. More, please!

Freya Bramble-Carter is a member of the Black Artists + Designer’s Guild, a great organization worthy of your support, both financial and otherwise.

Photo: A finished urn and vase

Photo: A finished urn and vase

Photo: Painting in process

Photo: Painting in process

Photo: Ready for the kiln

Photo: Ready for the kiln