This year, I began on a note of renewal and regeneration, and the spirit of this theme has been omnipresent throughout 2022. Interesting new projects have provided the opportunity to form new relationships and develop the studio’s depth and breadth of expertise. Despite the sometimes gloomy outlook in the newspapers (and capricious weather) there’s a welcome feeling that brighter days lie ahead with our homes being appreciated more than ever for their constancy and sanctuary.
It’s with much joy that I share the news that our Metamorphic Artist’s Residence project is featured in the befittingly regeneration focused summer edition of Country & Townhouse magazine alongside my friend, art consultant, Rachel Maggart who is the artist behind the project’s quirky name!
The story explores our desire to put brave aesthetic individuality at the heart of the project whilst seeking to prioritise ethically and sustainably sourced pieces in the process.
In continuation of the theme, I invite you to explore a few of my favourite London artists who create soulful and unique pieces, followed by a few very tempting looking world-class spas from around the world to render even the busiest Londoner peaceful.
GODDESSES OF THE HOME
Harlie Briggs
London based Harley is a visual artist who creates intuitive, abstract paintings that explore colour, emotion, nature and the female muse. The image below shows the personal artwork commissioned by Lucy & Chris for their family room mantlepiece in our Sunny & Soulful project.
Simone Brewster
Simone is a London based artist creating large scale, statement sculptural furniture and objet d'art.
The image on the left shows a bespoke Yin/Yang chaise longue created for our Metamorphic Artist’s Residence project.
http://simonebrewster.co.uk
Rosanna Dean
Multidisciplinary artist Rosanna founded Mena Woolfe a London based creative studio that creates bespoke, hand crafted works of art that reflect her client's stories and bring a sense of magic and the extraordinary to their homes.
The image above displays a corner of her intricately handpainted work ‘Orphalese’ which transformed an everyday object (a humble fridge) into an exquisitely imaginative work of art in Rachel’s home.
https://www.menawoolfe.com/creations
Sarah Davis
Sarah is a multi media artist using hands on sculptural techniques to explore the cyclical nature of recovery and renewal. She uses traditional approaches with a deep historical resonance, such as wood carving and bronze casting.
For Rachel’s home, we collaborated with Sarah to create a one of a kind cast bronze door knocker depicting two entwined serpents. A motif she uses in a number of her pieces, such as the striking ouroboros convex mirror in the image above.
https://www.sarahgdavis.co.uk
TEMPTING SPAS
ARO HĀ WELLNESS RETREAT, GLENORCHY, NEW ZEALAND
Aro Hā is located in New Zealand’s ethereal Southern Alps, just a 40-minute drive from Queenstown Airport. The retreat combines the adventure of subalpine trekking with soothing practices that focus more on creating a balanced internal landscape. The design, by Wellington architect Hugh Tennent, is refreshingly simple and unadorned: built of stone, wood and glass to blend into the landscape.
COMO PARROT CAY, PROVIDENCIALES, TURKS AND CAICOS
Parrot Cay’s earthy, whitewashed villas and colonial-style buildings have an old school charm. Rooms are adorned with four-poster beds dressed in Italian linen, breezy Indonesian-inspired furnishings and outdoor showers. With its white sandy beaches, ample tranquility and a couple of great restaurants the hotel’s laid back island vibe promotes unhurried languorous harmony.
BIO-HOTEL STANGLWIRT
Bio-Hotel Stanglwirt, an expansive, snow-capped chalet at the foot of the Wilder Kaiser mountain in Austria mirrors the postcard-pretty set of The Sound of Music. The Stanglwirt is both an organic farm and a five-star luxury and wellness resort that’s been welcoming guests for over 400 years with its authentic Tyrolean hospitality. Best known today for its wide array of facilities for leisure, sport and relaxation, it’s a good choice for those who feel most relaxed when actively exploring and getting their heart pumping.
To benefit as much as possible from the fresh mountain air, take a six-mile climb over to Schwarzsee Lake, one of the hottest in the Alps, where you can set up a picnic or take a plunge in the crystalline waters.
Love,
Anouska.x