about me

Jamie Portch

2011-11-23T10:30:00.000-08:00

Jamie Portch is an award winning British illustrator and also, I am pleased to say a good friend..

I love his quirky designs and use of humour in his work.

He's just opened his online shop via his website, which I did the styling for.

Definietly worth a look if you want different Christmas present ideas this year and bargain Christmas cards at £1 each! (sadly the cute reindeer isn't included!)

Natasha Lawless...

2011-10-01T01:39:00.000-07:00

I met Natasha earlier this year at New Designers while looking for potential new stylist assitants..her LED light boxes attracted me to her stand initially..absolutely beautiful!

Natasha has been assisting us at HRG this week while we are in the thick of shooting the Argos Spring Summer 2012 catalogue and she has been telling me all about her new ranges soon to be available for purchase on her new online shop..I've got my eye on her wallpaper in particular!

Brights...

2011-09-25T10:21:00.000-07:00

Here's a couple of snaps taken from when I dressed the table for my 30th Birthday Party- I had a Mad Hatter's Tea Party and all of the guests came wearing an array of different hats..I had a lot of fun...I love the colours of these pics..

Weddings Galore...

2011-09-25T10:03:00.000-07:00

It's been a very busy summer including being bridesmaid for my best friend, as well as turning 30 and also travelling to Cyprus for another friend's wedding..

I can't believe the summer is over for another year and we're now in September!

Here's some snap shots from my best friends wedding hipstamatic style...

Hipstamatic Fun

2011-07-12T15:17:00.000-07:00

A lovely sunny day today, great for taking some photos with my hipstamatic app of some flowers from the garden and a few bits and bobs borrowed while staying at my parents house..they have a fabulous collection of 19thC blue medicine bottles they found in a secret compartment in their old house as well as an endless supply of vintage china and glass bottles..perfect for some improvised styling!

Beautiful Wedding..

2011-04-12T11:18:00.000-07:00

Last weekend I went to my lovely friend Nikki's wedding and it was absolutely beautiful..the sun was shining on us as well which was even better..

She is such a talented lady and designed all of the invites herself along with the other numerous surface patterned elements!

Her table centre pieces were styled with old books and tins, as well as flowers in the most gorgeous colours..

Truly a fabulous day..

Here's a few snippets of the best bits, including a washing line and pegs for people to hang up their hats during the reception meal!

A bit of romance..

2010-10-16T02:05:00.000-07:00

If you've not already got your hands on a copy of Selina Lake's new fabulous book then get yourself one asap!

I've had mine for a couple of weeks now and can't stop picking it up and flicking though..

It's even more exciting as I assisted on some of the shoots featured in the book as well as the front cover..

Ikea Love

2010-09-27T12:47:00.000-07:00

We had a Friday night trip to IKEA the other night and picked up a rug and some fabulous fabrics for cushion cover making for our lounge..

The Gislev rug is an absolute bargain at £19.99 and some of the fabrics are as little as £1.99 a metre!

Secret Garden

2010-09-27T12:13:00.000-07:00

On the way home after my friends wedding the other weekend in Chesterfield, we stopped at Hardwick Hall, one of the greatest Elizabethan Houses in the country..It was absolutely fabulous and a great way to enjoy the September sunshine wandering round the grounds after a tour of the house..I spotted this doorway and couldn't resist taking a snap with my hipstamatic app..it made me think about a secret garden and took me back to my childhood! Lovely colour for the door as well..

goodbye Summer...hello Autumn..

2010-09-27T11:57:00.001-07:00

My goodness..where has the summer gone?!

It's gone by in a flash, or at least it seems..

It has been a jam packed summer with all the usual weddings, anniversaries and birthdays as well as a house move thrown in...I've been busy with my house mate furnishing the house and doing D.I.Y and styling which has been great, including taking the lounge window out to get the sofa into the house! It was worth it believe me! :D

All of the Autumn Winter 2010 catalogues are now out and I've been having a lot of fun flicking through them all to see what exciting things are out there in the world of interiors...It's also been doubly exciting seeing shots I've styled for Next, Argos and Homebase in the catalogues as well..

Now onto the Spring Summer 2011 Argos catalogue!

Calling all Stylist Assistants!

2010-07-10T02:55:00.000-07:00

Are you a budding interior stylist or existing stylist assistant?

The Home Retail Group (Argos and Homebase) are looking for enthusiastic freelance stylist assistants to assist their team of stylists at their extensive photographic studio based in Milton Keynes.

Experience is a bonus but not necessary as they are looking for hard working, keen individuals with an interest in interior styling. This could be the perfect starting point for a career in styling!

Please email your CV and cover letter to Head Stylist Hannah Wilman: hannah.wilman@argos.co.uk

Lovely weather for a picnic!

2010-07-10T02:41:00.000-07:00

It's been fabulous sunny weather recently and what better accessory to have than a funky picnic blanket!

Check out Anorak's super range of picnice blankets as well as numberous other lovely things!

Period Living- June 2010

2010-05-16T10:56:00.000-07:00

Here's a couple of images from a lovely feature I assisted stylist Alison Davidson on for the June issue of Period Living..

Photographs by Tim Young

Well done also to Anne Marie at the urban bakery whose gorgeous tutti fruity cupcakes feature on the front page, styled by Carolyn Bailey

Liberty Fabrics

2010-05-12T12:31:00.000-07:00

A while ago I took my lovely Granny out shopping to Stratford-upon-Avon which is a biannual trip we do..Every time we visit we pop to Fred Winters for her to look at the fabrics and to buy some sewing bits and bobs..It's always a great opportunity for me to check out some of the Liberty fabrics they stock..

Last time I went, they were selling off lots of end of roll pieces and I was in my element..I ended up spending a fortune on about 25 samples (which was whittled down from about 40!)..

Here's some of the best ones..Going to make them into cushion covers and use them in some shots..

Lazy blogger

2010-05-12T12:16:00.000-07:00

Well, I've been a very lazy blogger indeed over the past few weeks as it has been very hectic to say the least. March started with work on the AW10 Next Catalogue and then onto styling for the Home Retail Group (Argos and Homebase)

It's been extremely busy but great at the same time working with a big team of talented photographers, set bulilders and art directors and using a range of sets and products..

Watch this space for images once the catalogues are out...

BBC Homes and Antiques, March 2010- Recent Assisting Work

2010-02-14T04:26:00.000-08:00

Here's a few images from the 'New Romance' feature in March's edition of BBC Homes and Antiques Magazine styled by Selina Lake. It was a fabulous shoot to assist on-the location was great and the cakes were yummy to much on afterwards!

Particularly love the beautiful quilt by Plumo made from Indian Sari's..the colours and detailing are amazing..

You might recognise the wallpaper from one of my shots from my recent shoot with Sussie Bell..I was lucky to get a bit that was leftover from this shoot so I made good use of it! Love the colours and the large scale floral design. It's from Designer's Guild and is £42 per roll..

Photgraphy by Debi Treloar..

Prima, March 2010- Recent Assisting Work

2010-02-12T03:58:00.000-08:00

Spring is in the air in this feature I assisted on in March's Prima magazine.

Lovely fresh colours!

Styling by Selina Lake and Photography by Debi Treloar.

Hurry Up Spring!

2010-02-05T07:50:00.000-08:00

I don't know about you but I am desperate for the grey, miserable weather to pass and for the bluebells and snowdrops to start springing through and the fields to be full of lambs and greenery again..It feels so long since we had nice weather..

A lot of the Spring/Summer 2010 Home Catalogues are now out and I have been spending a lot of time perusing them this week..

Here's a lovely new range of kitchen tableware and textiles from Marks and Spencer to brighten up your day!

Cakestands by Anneka Sandher

2010-02-05T07:01:00.000-08:00

Here's some more of the lovely handmade cakestands by Anneka Sandher that I used in my shoot last week..Absolutely gorgeous colours and styles of vintage plates used..

They retail at £40 each and are available from 'Kitsch' on Pelham Street in Nottingham, or from Anneka directly.

Perfect for an alternative Valentine's or Mother's Day gift!

Contact Anneka at her email address for more information..

Eclectic Style Photoshoot

2010-01-29T06:48:00.000-08:00

Another great day was had yesterday doing a photoshoot with Sussie Bell.

Cupcakes provided by the lovely Anne Marie from The Urban Bakery and the gorgeous cake stand is handmade by Anneka Sandher.

ID Textile: Textiles for the fashion and interior industries

2010-01-21T07:33:00.000-08:00

I love this printed poster called 'Pile and Patch Rabbit' by ID Textile and also these lovely textile rabbits of theirs as well.

ID Textile is a French company who design textiles for the fashion and interior industries. Check out their website here.

The poster is 100x50cm and is available from Easy Art for £22.95.

Recent Stylist Assisting Work- Retreat Home S/S 2010 Catalogue

2010-01-21T06:46:00.000-08:00

Here's 3 shots I assisted Selina Lake to style for the new Retreat Home S/S 2010 catalogue.

Photography by Sussie Bell.

Recent Stylist Assistant Work- Prima Feb 2010

2010-01-21T06:30:00.000-08:00

I recently assisted on a photoshoot for a romance feature in the February issue of Prima...Here's one of the shots.

Styled by Selina Lake and photographed by Debi Treloar

Lots of gorgeous pastel tone products in this feature and lovely textiles. Always love working with Selina and Debi! Prima is out now to buy..

the urban bakery

2010-01-21T06:11:00.000-08:00

the urban bakery is a fabulous supplier of yummy handmade cupcakes and cookies of all shapes, sizes, flavours and colours..I used some of their scrumptious cupcakes on my 'Pretty Things' photoshoot with Sussie Bell and am very pleased that this shot is going to be in the March issue of Vogue featuring in an article about the urban bakery!

Based in Leamington Spa, they not only deliver to the local area but do cupcakes by post all over the UK..I can say from experience that they are the yummiest cupcakes so why not order some and see for yourself!

More wallpaper love..

2010-01-12T13:03:00.000-08:00

I've been helping some friends choose some wallpaper for a feature wall in their bedroom and have used the opportunity to have a catch up on all of the fabulous wallpapers there are on offer at the moment..

wallpaperdirect is a great place to look as they stock a huge variety of brands..

Loving 'Perroquet' by Nina Campbell and 'Peonie' by Cole and Son

Not On The High Street

2010-01-12T12:51:00.000-08:00

The fabulous Not On The High Street has a sale on at the moment..I spent a few minutes browsing through to see what they've got on offer and while looking, came across a couple of lovely things..

One being the 'LOVE' print by 'Bodie and Fou' and the other a limited edition 'Lemon' cookery print by 'Paper Alligator'..Check out Not On The High Street for some alternative gift options..

Happy New Year!

2010-01-05T02:21:00.001-08:00

Well, 2009 was certainly a year for changes and I am very excited about what 2010 has got in store.

I am very much looking forward to working with more talented stylists and photographers, styling my own work and launching my online shop Jolly Peachy..

Thankyou for following my blog on it's very short journey so far! :D

Tea and Cake...

2009-12-22T04:06:00.000-08:00

I had a lovely day a couple of weeks ago when my friend Heather Attwood came over and we did a mini photoshoot. Here's a few of the shots..

Heather is a photographer based in Leamington Spa and mainly does portraits and wedding photos, so it was nice for her to shoot something different for the day! My Gran's lovely lemon and pink teaset featured again in the shoot. I just adore it! Always good to have cakes on a shoot as you get to munch them at the end of the day! :D

Paintings

2009-12-22T01:33:00.000-08:00

I'm having a day of painting today as I've been asked to do 4 large canvases for a good friend in the style of Paul Klee.. It has been some time since I have painted anything so I am looking forward to getting stuck in and covered in paint! I am a big fan of Paul Klee's work, especially the pieces where he has used gorgeous soft pastel colours like 'Villa Florentine' and 'Highways and Byways'...lovely!

Pretty Things Photoshoot

2009-12-19T01:36:00.001-08:00

Photographer: Sussie Bell

I had a great day the other day styling a photoshoot with the fabulous Sussie Bell using lots of our pretty things!

Favourite Wallpaper

2009-12-06T10:56:00.001-08:00

I am totally in love with this wallpaper from Osborne and Little, designed by Suzy Hoodless.

I can't wait to get some and make a feature wall! :D

Cockpit Open Studios

2009-12-01T10:11:00.000-08:00

I had a great time last Saturday when I visited the Cockpit Open Studios. Not only did I spend some time with my lovely friend Abigail Brown, but it was a pleasure to meet so many of the very talented creators of some of my favourite things... and to purchase them there and then..

I met Mary Fellows of Pintuck, the ladies from Lush Designs, who I bought the fabulous 'LOVE' pillowcases and a 'DISHY' teatowel from, and the fabulous Petra Boase, from who I bought a lovely mug, teatowel and badges.

It was fabulous to be surrounded by such creative and talented people and to be introduced to some new talents as well..

Busy week..

2009-11-24T14:27:00.000-08:00

Abigail Brown,

Peacock

It's a busy week this week..I've been doing lots of work for Jolly Peachy, meeting some fabulously creative people to brainstorm some exciting new work ideas and I'm assisting on a BBC Homes and Antiques shoot with Selina Lake and Debi Treloar on Thursday and Friday..the weekend will start with a trip to the Cockpit Open Studios to see some wonderful work by bird maker extraordinaire Abigail Brown and lots of other very talented artists and makers..I'm very much looking forward to seeing what is on offer and buying some lovely Christmas presents!

Cockpit Yard, Northington St, London, WC1N 2NP

Fri 27 November: 11.00 am - 9.00 pm

Sat 28 November - Sun 29 November: 11.00 am - 6.00 pm

Tubes: Holborn, Chancery Lane & Russell Square

Teatowel love x

2009-11-17T03:01:00.001-08:00

Ros Shiers

Rob Ryan

I have to confess, I have a bit of a teatowel obsession! I love how they can be used for so much more than drying up..framed as wall art, made into cushion covers or just to make a kitchen that little bit more special.

I am currently setting up my own label called Jolly Peachy which will be launched in the new year selling teatowels, cotton bags, aprons and prints to frame..watch this space!

In the meantime, I have treated myself to a fab Rob Ryan and pretty Ros Shiers teatowel, both available from todryfor.com- a great place to get some lovely teatowels..

BBC Homes and Antiques Dec '09

2009-11-06T01:17:00.001-08:00

Christmas came early a few weeks ago when I assisted on a Christmas cover shoot for the December issue of BBC Homes and Antiques. Styled by Selina Lake and shot by Debi Treloar, it was a great shoot to work on- lots of fabulous decorations and gorgeous things to inspire you for a colourful Christmas!

More plates...

2009-11-03T08:31:00.000-08:00

I went to Columbia Road a few Sundays ago when I had a lovely London weekend with Abbie, Beth and Nik.. It was my first time there and it certainly won't be my last! I loved it- the hussle and bustle of it all and the lovely shops and flowers everywhere..I managed to find these pretty plates to add to my ever growing collection..

Plates, glorious plates

2009-11-03T07:34:00.000-08:00

A couple of weeks ago I assisted on the Spring Summer 2010 catalogue shoot for Retreat Home, styled by Selina Lake and shot by Sussie Bell. It was at the fabulous Foster House in Kent which is one of my favourite locations for a shoot.

Whenever I am down that way, I always pop to Hastings and have a wander around old town. I love the quirky little shops and like roaming around and seeing what I can find- Robert's Rummage is one of my absolute faves- an aladdin's cave of goodies! I managed to have a good find of some lovely glass candle sticks, old tins and a lace table cloth as well as these fab old plates..very pleased indeed with them :D

My Desk

2009-10-20T08:58:00.000-07:00

I'm a blogger at last! :D

2009-10-20T07:13:00.000-07:00

Well I have finally got round to starting a blog and it has certainly been a long time coming..I am very excited about it and have a feeling it may be a bit addictive! Just need to figure it all out first..hmmm..