Journal
Clients often ask where they can source unique accessories for their Guild Anderson kitchen. You may have already amassed a curated collection of objects that you cherish; some may even hold sentimental value.
Serveware, crockery or glassware can all be highly decorative items, and you may wish to add to that collection, looking for items from independent brands which will re-fresh your kitchen with new colours or designs.
Whatever you chose to use; styling your kitchen will involve selecting beautiful personal items which you wish to display.
KITCHEN ISLANDS & WORKTOPS
Always at the centre of the room, an island lends itself to being less cluttered, yet the perfect area to display something striking. The counter can be used to prepare food, sit for a coffee, read a paper, so the accessories you may wish to place here should be limited yet beautiful. A table lamp, a bowl for fruit, a vase of flowers, a pair of candlesticks or a tray full of cherished pieces are all decorative items that lend themselves to an island display.
In the main image (above) our client has sourced a table lamp from Ham Interiors and teamed it with a lampshade from Pooky.
Worktops offer the necessary space to prepare food and make drinks, and so again accessories need to be kept to minimum to avoid over cluttering. More practical items such as pepper and salt grinders; a selection of chopping boards; jugs or pots of herbs; essential cooking utensils are all useful and readily to hand when preparing and cooking food.
KITCHEN WALLS
Naturally walls lend themselves to cupboard storage, open shelves or space for artwork. In the past 20 years we have incorporated all of these in our kitchen designs, depending on the space allowed we like to use a combination of them all.
Traditional style wall cupboard designs have been adapted to incorporate small open shelves below the cabinet to house our clients Susie Watson pottery collection. Walls are also the perfect back drop for displaying plates. A collection of traditional porcelain can been hung to hi-light the arch of an original fireplace. Larger artwork can be hung as a feature or in the spaces between the wall cabinets or open shelves. Depending on our clients personal preferences we have seen large format photographs, oil paintings and striking prints all being used to add a decorative element to the kitchen walls.
KITCHEN SHELVES
Open shelves naturally create the perfect display area. A space to store a collection of cookbooks, decorative glassware, plants, small artworks or more practical items such as mugs and glasses.
Designed by Nick Anderson for Armac Martin, the Harborne Shelf Bracket (below) can support bespoke marble and wooden shelving. The front shelf edge rests seamlessly upon a lipped curve to stylishly support custom-made wall shelves.
KITCHEN LINENS & RUGS
Placemats, tablecloths, napkins and even tea towels are not only practical items, they add softness to the overall space. As kitchens are now multifunctional spaces, not simply rooms in which to cook, there may be a dining area as well as a sofa area.
By using rugs you can not only soften the flooring under your feet, but easily define zones within the space softening the overall feel of the room. Here (below) our client has used runners from Oka to add texture and warm contrasting colour.
A small selection of the independent kitchen accessories brands that offer table linens, textiles, tableware, lighting and home accessories…..
Sarah Petherick designs water buffalo horn and rosewood cutlery which is handcrafted in Vietnam. Combining Eastern heritage with Western practicality to create tactile modern classics that are completely unique.
Sarah.K is synonymous with elegant and timeless home linens. The collection of table linen, bed linen and home accessories includes exclusive designs. SARAH.K products celebrate the centuries old traditions of hand block printing, hand embroidery and hand weaving.
John Julian is a pottery studio and workshop based in rural Wiltshire. The workshop was set up by sculptor and designer Julian Sainsbury in 2013 after he became disheartened with the restrictions of conventional mass manufacturing. They produce handmade luxury tableware, serveware and kitchenware, made in small batches by skilled potters.
Montes & Clark offer a beautiful selection of colourful embroidered textiles, tableware, ceramics, lighting and accessories, and is a reflection of the value placed on craftsmanship and the importance of ethical and sustainable trade. As well as working directly with 2 woman’s Co-operatives in Mexico they work collaboratively with many makers in Ghana, India, Italy, France, Morocco, Portugal and the UK.
So Souk began after a trip to Morocco with friends. Started in 2016 they have gained an enthusiastic following on social media and expanded their range to include hand blocked homeware and have developed their own So Souk label.
Turnbull & Hooch originally set up as a wedding gift list business Sarah noticed that lots of people were asking to buy the products she was sourcing for the wedding lists so decided to shift focus and launch Turnbull & Hooch.
Weaver Green is a Devon based homewares brand that turn recycled plastic bottles into beautiful additions for our homes and everyday lives. They offer a range of environmentally-friendly, recycled home accessories and rugs that look and feel just like wool, but contain up to 3000 salvaged plastic bottles each. They only use weaving houses committed to employing skilled adults, who are paid fairly and enjoy comfortable working conditions.
Susie Watson design and create furnishing fabrics, furniture, ceramics and home accessories. They desire to create spaces that are wonderful to live in, creating a relaxed, comforting and happy space to endlessly enjoy. Incorporating a fine balance of beautiful shapes, attractive patterns and colours inspired by nature, giving their designs a unique & stylish charm.
