Up With The Lark And

In these spring-time episodes, I look to the great outdoors, to gardens, garden design, landscaping and, in particular, that great institution Chelsea Flower show.

Far from its past reputation as a little ‘fuddy duddy’, Chelsea is now a place to luxuriate in the great garden renaissance of the 2020s. It is an opportunity to explore current themes, preoccupations and meanings found within the natural world and how we experience it.

In this episode I am joined by Lottie Delamain. She is one of the Garden Designers exhibiting at Chelsea 2022. Working with Fashion Revolution, the garden explores the relationship between plants, textiles and colour dyes and prompts us to ask ‘what is in my clothes’? There is simply so much more to that question that meets the eye, so much to consider, to conflate and to contrast.

Lottie shares her story, the move from textile to garden design, her experience of Chelsea Flower Show, the Fashion Revolution Garden, the behind-the-scenes practicalities of making it happen and, importantly, the future of the garden once the gates of Chelsea close.

You might be forgiven for thinking that you've downloaded an episode of Elizabeth Day's How to Fail when you hear the story of this episode. I had the honour of interviewing Taymoor Atighetchi, founder of Papier, some weeks ago over Zoom. I'll be honest. I made a huge mistake. I failed to press record. It was a horrifying realisation. By some miracle Taymoor's PR team had recorded the call. However the quality isn't perfect. But the lesson I learnt is. The consequence of my conversation with Taymoor has significantly changed my approach to my own business. But that is for another day. For now, please excuse the technical difficulties and enjoy one of the best conversations that I have had about business. I'm quite sure that you, too, will be changed by it.

In this episode we start with paper and pen. Taymoor is a captivating example of the power of sitting down with a blank page. In a literal sense you might be writing a menu for a party, inviting a loved one to a celebration, saying thank you, scribbling a frantic to do list or journaling and reflecting on your day,. Metaphorically a blank page offers the opportunity of a new way to do business, a new combination of concepts, fresh investment and new markets to explore.

Taymoor knows more about a blank page than most. Papier is, to my mind, that perfect combination of analogue and tech, of tradition and the current moment, of breadth and depth. In this episode we consider the significance of his childhood, what drew him to paper, why Papier, his belief in big vision, in embracing growth and growing state-side.

So grab a pen, get ready to scribble because there are quite a few golden nuggets to be found.

Welcome to the latest episode in our Start Series. Today we Start with the Classics with Emily Campbell of nightwear brand If Only If.

For me a classic is something timeless, of quality, of influence, an outstanding example that for reasons not always easy to articulate stands apart. A classic may come in and out of the limelight, be refreshed and reimagined, but they remain.

Examples are numerous and personal. My list is long and includes, without doubt, the nightdress. I consider Emily Campbell, of If Only If, to be a custodian of the classic nightdress. Their nighties are beautifully designed, using beautiful materials. They are for all women, at every stage of life, in every generation and of all sizes and styles.

We discuss how her mother began the business, Emily’s decision to leave teaching and take on the business into a new era, the changes she has made and the impact they have had, how the business continues to celebrate classics and women and what the future holds.

Welcome to the latest episode in our Start Series. In this episode we consider, Start A Partnership. And we do so with a very special pair indeed - Lori de Mori and Laura Jackson of Towpath.

Towpath is that rare thing these days. It is a discovery. Nestled in four kiosks on Regent's Canal, the shutters open in Spring to reveal a warmth, an intimacy. They offer great food, drink and conversation. Their cookbook - sharing recipes and stories - is a little window into their magical world and, importantly for us, the partnership of Lori and Laura. There is a chemistry, a trust, mutual reliance and honesty in this partnership. Perhaps it is the most important recipe of all.

I ask Lori and Laura about how they met, their individual experiences and points of view, the early days, how things have evolved and what they think the key is to a great partnership.

So if you are thinking of starting up a project with someone, are in a partnership that seems to be struggling a little or one that is thriving and you want to make the most of it, this is for you.

I feel very lucky indeed to have enticed them to record this episode just before they opened for Spring. A myriad of delays means that I am only releasing now. But the good in that is that they are open. Go today. Go now. You won't regret the time you spend there.

Welcome to the latest episode in the Start Series. Today, Start A Creative Life Outside London.

It seems to me that creatives, creative endeavour, creative projects and workspaces have shifted to the length and breadth of the nation thanks, I presume, to the pandemic. Whilst London is a world famous centre for the full range of creative industries, it has been refreshing to see those outside London thriving.

And thriving is exactly the word to describe our guests today. Jeremy and Cath Brown are the founders of Feldspar. Based in the wilds of Dartmoor, they make ceramic pieces, made properly, to last and with an elegant and simple aesthetic to weather the trends of time. Cobalt blue, geranium red and gold flashes adorn their pieces which are admired and sold across the globe.

More than a creative triumph, it is also seems to be a triumph of living well. A family life of fresh air, tangible contentment and creative exploration and flair. That and a tree house that wouldn't look out of place on The Modern House.

We hear about life in Devon, how the business began, the joys, frustrations and potential of life outside the Big Smoke, what tempts them back (occasionally) and a glimpse into the future of Feldspar.

Welcome to the second part of our special two-part series looking at the Museum of the Home. Twig Hutchinson is back to co-host and we recorded the episode overlooking the beautiful gardens of the museum. On the day of the Yard Sale they were teeming with stalls, treasures and conversation.

Twig and I are acutely aware of all that is going on in the world, of the precarious and precious nature of home. If Covid has us counting our blessings, the situation in Ukraine has us cherishing our freedom and our safety. Our freedom to gather, to create, to speak freely. And in this episode we do just that.

We hope to give a flavour of the event by conversing with a wonderful collection of guests asking them about their relationship with the museum, their own creative practices and their homes. Our trio of guests are architect William Smalley, co-founder of Collagerie and Colville Lucinda Chambers and perfumer Maya Njie.

Museum of the Home: www.museumofthehome.org.uk
Wiliam Smalley: www.williamsmalley.com
Lucinda Chambers: www.instagram.com/lucindachambers
Collagerie: www.collagerie.com
Maya Njie: www.mayanjie.com

Producer: Charles Tomlinson

Home means something, something significant, to all of us.

This episode is different and a bit special. It is the first of a two part series focusing on the Museum of the Home. You will hear all about the Museum itself, the Behind the Door campaign supporting London's homeless women and families and the Yard Sale that the Museum is holding on 12 March to raise both funds and awareness.

The episode was recorded in the beautiful Plain English kitchen at the Museum in amongst the hustle and bustle of London life which was really wonderful. And as if that wasn’t enough, I co-hosted the episode with Twig Hutchinson. Twig is an art director and brand consultant and, importantly for this episode, a committee member of this great event. She was once a guest on the podcast and we had a great chat so I am very excited to have her back on ‘this’ side of the mic.

Twig and I interview a creative and insightful cluster of guests on the topic of home and homelessness. We have Lucy Littlewood from the Museum of the Home who shares her role at the museum and more about the Behind the Doors campaign. We are then joined by Viv Askeland who generously shares her own story of homelessness, explains the issue of hidden homelessness and her involvement with the project. And finally, Jermaine Gallacher who is a design dealer, interior designer, designer and columnist. He is going to be one of the stallholders on the day and he has some excellent advice and a refreshing outlook when it comes to design and to the hunt for treasures at the Yard Sale.

The Museum and its Behind the Door campaign are such great causes so I do hope that you will come to the Yard Sale, bid in the auction and please do share this with your friends.

Find Out More:
Museum of the Home: www.museumofthehome.org.uk/whats-on/events/yard-sale/
Twig Hutchinson: www.twighutchinson.com
Jermaine Gallacher: www.jermainegallacher.com

Production: Charles Tomlinson
Branding: Ben Prescott

As we find ourselves heading into another strange Christmas, I wanted to find someone with a bit of festive cheer for you. And so, a festive tipple is on the agenda! I have, by good luck, managed to combine it with one of my favourite topics: the family business. It’s been on my list for a long time and I am delighted to have the founders of Kuda Cocktails join me to discuss it.

Kuda Cocktails was founded by a Trinidadian mother-daughters team last year. We are lucky enough to have two out of three of the team join us for this episode - Alexandra and Deirdre Marshall. Their story hits more good notes than Mariah Carey and Michael Buble combined - a family rum punch recipe, a mother and daughters team, a business started during the pandemic and one that has started small and simply.

I won’t tell you too much more now as I want them to share their story with you in their own words. Safe to say that there is much to recommend these lovely ladies and what they have built.

If you are considering going into business with someone in your family, if you have an idea for something that you can’t see in the market place, if you want their to be joy and fun in your business, if you like the idea of bright and fresh rum punch, then this is for you.

www.kudacocktails.com

Welcome to the latest episode in the START series. Today we have Rowena Morgan-Cox founder of Palefire. We are going to consider 'Start Something New'.
Over the last few years, the number of people registering new business has increased dramatically In March 2021, more new businesses were created that month than any other month since HMRC records began in 1989. Or put another way, in the first half of 2021, nearly 80 new businesses were registered each hour according to Companies House. This wave of entrepreneurialism is likely the result of various factors - necessity for those who have lost jobs or work, altered ambitions, a desire to make a change in one's life, having more time to devote to a passion project or perhaps just an infectious sense of possibility.
I felt that it was really important to incorporate an episode on the idea of starting something new so I could explore how you know whether an idea is a good one, how to develop a new product or brand, how to keep going when its tough and how you know that you are ready to go full time.
I have found an absolute treat for you - someone right at the very beginning. To share her start up story, we have Rowena Morgan-Cox founder of Palefire.
Palefire is a design studio which takes a flamboyant approach drawing on art nouveau, the Omega Workshops, Abstract Expressionism and mid-century Murano glass making to name just a few. The debut collection comprises eight decorative light designs using recycled paper pulp manufactured in small batches in Barcelona and then assembled and hand-painted in the London studio. Rowena has an extraordinary eye for design, detail and colour and I am quite sure that we have caught her just as her star is on the rise.

Welcome to the latest episode in our series Start. Today is Start Your Own Approach and to explore that topic, both in style and substance, we have Georgia Dant founder of Marfa Stance.

Marfa Stance is a clothing brand with a distinctive aesthetic that creates timeless designs providing not just life long quality but versatility too. They invite their customers into the design process by offering variety, layering and potential. Frankly, it's worth ushering in winter to be able to envelope yourself in a Marfa Stance. It seems to me that it is a brand determined to tread it's own path, in its own way and wearing its own bespoke jacket of course!
As ever, I want to go right back to the start with Georgia and hear about her early years, the beginnings of her career in fashion, the influence of Donald Judd and Dan Flavin amongst others, I hear all about the vision, principles and purpose of the brand, the 'pinch me' moments when it all comes together and the challenges and obstacles that can threaten that. Whether you are starting out or world weary, my hope is that something will capture your imagination to spur you on to start or recommit to your own approach.

Marfa Stance: https://www.marfastance.com

Producer: Charles Tomlinson