Each month, The Handbook brings you the very best in what’s new, trending or simply catching our eye in the interiors world. This July there’s plenty to take in to inspire your next home purchase, from an exclusive Lucy Mahon and Frankie Thorp art exhibition to the fashion designer who’s turned her hand to some of the best statement cushions we’ve ever seen. There’s also a tableware collection that will thrill those who love to host courtesy of our favourite Instagram cook and an exciting new Zara Home edit created by one of the world’s leading architects.
Scroll on to find out what’s happening in the world of homes and interiors…
Atelier Raff Soft Furnishings
When a top London design studio launches their own line of products, we listen. Studio Raff, a full-service interior design studio that was launched by Sophia Ayrton-Grime, has made a foray into pieces for the home.
Think candy cane striped tablecloths in hues of rhubarb and custard that are sure to smarten up your next dinner party with little effort; Humbug cushions printed in the most joyful black and white print and finished with our favourite frilly edges; and cafe curtains trimmed with a ruby red finish to really make your window area feel like a chic Parisian bistro.
They’ve also just launched a collaboration with Sukun x Atelier Raff to create a stunning bed linen range. Think hotel-worthy 400 thread count, 100% fine cotton bedding finished with a vibrant, colour-pop of a scarlet border.
Shop our favourites below…
Lucy Mahon & Frankie Thorp Summer Exhibition
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Two of our favourite contemporary artists have teamed up to put on an exclusive summer show this July and August as Lucy Mahon and Frankie Thorp debut their joint exhibition, Common People, from July 21st until August 12th.
Taking place at the FRMD gallery in East London’s Clapton, the exhibition will showcase the two artists’ works, both of which love depicting a trolly full of summer tipples – think Mahon’s iconic “Salty Margs” print and Thorp’s signature Negroni paintings.
For this joint showcase, the two London-based artists have drawn from a shared love of the commonplace and rituals built over time. Infused with waves of nostalgia from their coming of age in the suburbs, the pieces are a conversation between childhood and adulthood, memory and growing up.
Expect never-before-seen pieces on paper and canvas as well as some exciting collaborative pieces and a limited edition selection of merchandise designed by the duo.
Add it to your summer exhibition list and you may even come home with some new art for your walls.
Lucy Mahon & Franknie Thorp’s Common People runs from 21st July – 12th August
House of Hackney Outdoor Fabrics
If you love the vintage feel of House of Hackney’s soft furnishings you’re going to love their new outdoor linens range that will turn your garden or balcony into a Cotswold-worthy secret garden.
The British brand has reworked some of their most iconic prints, from Artemis to Wild Hard to create a range that is both soft to touch and shower-resistant so whether you choose to cover a tired deckchair, customise a vintage garden parasol or add some new cushions to your outdoor furniture, you know you pieces won’t be ruined by any summer downpours.
Prices start from £120
House Of Hackney
Maison Lisette
Fashion print and textile designer Elizabeth Morling’s CV runs like a who’s who of the fashion world, with clients ranging from Tom Ford to Topshop, McQueen to Marcus Lupfter. When Elizabeth recently moved house, she turned her way with fabric to interiors, to create a small but stunning edit of statement cushions.
All of the prints are designed in-house by Elizabeth and brought together in a beautiful mismatching, clashing harmony in her big plump cushions with on-trend frilly edges. Each unique design is printed onto 100% cotton drill in Britain, and filled with ethically sourced duck feathers for a luxurious plumpness.
Our favourite has to be the Frilly Fancy print in Peony – an unexpected clash of pretty florals and sugary pink marble frills. Add it to a bed, reading nook or tired sofa to breathe new life into a space.
Skye McAlpine Launches Tableware
If you follow food writer and chef Skye McAlpine on Instagram, you’ll know that everything she touches is pure class, from her aesthetically pleasing but unfussy recipes to her tablescapes she designs for dinner parties with friends in her enviable lemon sherbet kitchen.
Tableware for parties, celebrations and those deliciously long lazy lunches with friends
Well, now you can have a slice of the Skye aesthetic in your own home, with the launch of her tableware brand, TAVOLA. The collection comprises everything you’d need to lay the table at your best dinner party yet – think beautiful pastel hued Murano tumblers or pretty bud vases to pepper the table with flowers, tapered candlesticks to add atmosphere and plates trimmed with coquettish daisies.
The whole collection feels very much in keeping with Skye’s own style, which sits somewhere between old English country kitchen and the Italian dolce vita, and would make perfect gifts for anyone who loves to host.
Prices start from £26
Zara Home + Vincent Van Duysen
High street behemoth Zara has seriously upped its interiors game this season with a high-end collaboration with world-renowned architect Vincent Van Duysen. The Antwerp-based designer is more accustomed to calling the A list his clients and has won countless industry awards, but this partnership with Zara takes his signature style to the masses at a far more reasonable price point.
That’s not to say the collection is that cheap, especially for the high street 0 chairs are close to the £3K mark. But the tastemaker has managed to create stunning, conversation starter pieces that will stand the test of time and fit seamlessly into many an interiors look.
The collection has a strong focus on dining and entertaining, with pieces that encourage shared connections and meaningful moments with loved ones. Think sprawling tables made for having friends over, sweet loveseats and beautiful linens to dress your next dinner party with.
Collection Vincent Van Duysen Home | ZARA United Kingdom
Amanda Wells Bespoke Lighting
We all know that lighting has the power to transform a room and this is a name that’s firmly at the top of our interiors wish list. Scottish designer Amanda Wells creates stunning lampshades and lamp bases – designed with colour and contrast – with beautiful prints and details such as handcrafted raffia.
Top of the list has to be the Tiffany lamshade – a riff on the iconic lighting hero but reworked in raffia and trimmed with beautiful contrast colours like pale pink braiding and mint fringes, or baby blue against a fiery scarlet.
We also love the sweet 1930’s inspired reading lamps that would make the perfect addition to a bedside table or nestled into a large open bookcase.
And if you’re after something truly unique or that will match seamlessly into an existing interiors look, Amanda works closely with clients to take commissions to dream up your ideal lighting situation.
prices start from £50
The products on this page have been selected by our editorial team, however, The Handbook may make a small commission on some products purchased through affiliate links.
