SEPTEMBER'S COMPETITON

WIN! a Katie Mullally large silver wishbone necklace on a 32 inch silver chain...

Katie Mullally's hallmarked vintage KMM jewellery is not only enjoyable to wear; each piece is sent to the London Assay Office and tested for the level of silver, only then is it stamped with the London Assay Office marks and the KMM mark- Katie's stamp. It is a legal requirement in the UK and Ireland that any silver weighing over 7.78 grams has to be hallmarked. Katie's history working in her grandmother's antique business means she knows that a hallmark is a quality assurance for the customer and therefore all KMM pieces are hallmarked. 


Katie's inspiration for the design comes from her love of antique markets and also her Irish heritage. The designs are vintage inspired with a quirky modern twist and Katie believes they will be collectible heirlooms.

KMM pieces have featured in The New York Times, The Irish Times, Mail, Irish Mail, Vogue, Grazia, OK! and many more publications. The charms have been worn by many bloggers and celebrities including Laura Whitmore, Ellie Goulding, Vogue Williams and Calum Best. Currently the designs are charm based, most of the pieces have large bails and can therefore be stacked together creating your own charm necklace; Katie is soon to be adding a charm bracelet to her collection. They are worn by men and women and appeal to all ages. 

Katie is a local designer and her studio is based in Tunbridge Wells. Her charms are sold in many stockists including Fenwick Tunbridge Wells and Fenwick Bond Street. Katie is also very much looking forward to having a stand again at this November's Wealden Times Midwinter Fair at Bedgebury Pinetum. www.katiemullally.co.uk

For your chance to win a Katie Mullally large silver wishbone necklace on a 32 inch silver chain, just answer this question:

'Which fair at Bedgebury Pinetum will Katie Mullally be attending this November?' 

Enter your answer with your contact details* in the online form at www.wealdentimes.co.uk, post your answer on this blog post, or post to: The Katie Mullally Competition, Wealden Times, 21 Stone Street, Cranbrook, Kent TN17 3HF by18 September 2015. 

There is no cash alternative and the prize must be taken before the end of 2015. *All entrants' details will be passed on to Katie Mullally and Wealden Times Events. Please let us know if you do not wish your details to be passed on. 



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August Interior Inspiration

Maximalism

We've scoured our past interiors features and discovered some Kings and Queens of maximalism. Surrounding themselves with fascinating objects, they create their home as a reflection of their creative minds, utilising the interesting and unusual to enhance the decor and expression of their individualism. Here are a few of our favourites...

House Of Dreams

Laura Oakes, an artists and designer who is based in Rye, surrounds herself with vintage clothing. She has a love for Victorian style in particular and manages to successfully combine many varying textures, colours and prints in a vibrant and exciting space. Together with her partner, they rent the space, so fundamental changes to the decor aren't always possible, but it's a beautiful reflection of a creative mind all the same...

Welcome Aboard

After years of collecting antique china, Eileen and Tony developed a new love for Indian textiles. This is clearly reflected in the cosy cabin they have made for themselves. The boat is moored in the River Medway, in view of a Napoleonic fort, and the open sea beyond. Eileen admits to being a complete hoarder, but buys and sells fabrics and textiles, to support the local women they visited on their trip to India, and ensure their skills of artistry and embroidery are kept alive...

Natural History

This place is truly enchanting. After lots of work Claudine and Robin have transformed what was a bit of a mess, into a stunningly intriguing home. The building is around 300 years old, and the kitchen was once a scullery and shed. This history can be seen all over the house; from the oil lamps and iron game hangers suspended from the ceiling, to the unique prints and organic colour palette, this house has an absolute calm in amongst the chaos...

The Homemade Home

Colour is key here, with an explosion of red, white and blue, with union jack cushions scattered all over the place. This late Victorian semi-detached villa reflects Mandy, Queen of kitsch, and her family through and through. The interior has evolved over time as she can create anything they need from scratch, adding real charm and character...

For more interiors inspiration and features visit our website!

Photos: David Merewether
Words: Helen Barton

Interiors Inspiration

  Shades of Indigo  

Embracing the imperfect is something Mark and Sally of award winning homeware store Baileys Home, have developed impeccably. Their use of vintage fabrics and time worn colours, create beautifully unusual and modern interiors. 

Naturally derived colours also sit well with the hues found in industrial materials: This downstairs cloakroom has an original Victorian basin and taps. The towel warmer hanging on the ultramarine polished plaster walls, is made from old copper plumbing pipes.

Natural dyes are often mistakenly associated with a dull, washed out appearance. But plant derived indigo is a rich opulent shade of blue, that can transform an interior into an inky haze. Old utility and work clothes that have been battered and patched up over the year, make distinguished objects to display in any home. Try tie dying some old throws, or even kitchen cloths.

Stacking throws, and vintage textiles is a beautiful way of displaying pieces collected over the years. Here they have been laid out on an old patisserie stand.

This sofa and antique chair have been reupholstered in 1970s denim and backed with a bold 19th century stripe.

Antiques dealer Katherine Pole specialises in French textiles, a fact that is very clear on a visit to her North London home, which is packed with her fabric finds. Katherine says she was sold on the place the moment she saw the peeling wallpaper upstairs, which was half stripped away to reveal the mottled plaster beneath. The abundance of textiles, many of them patched and frayed, makes a significant contribution to the feeling of a well-lived-in home, adding warmth, colour, pattern and texture all in one go.

'Imperfect Home' by Mark and Sally Bailey is published by Ryland Peters and Small

Photographs: Debi Treloar

Get started at www.wealdenfairs.com for some inspiration!

WIN A SPECIAL LUXURY PRIZE FROM THE EXCLUSIVE ANTIQUE COLLECTION AT CANDLE DE FLEUR WORTH £200

To celebrate the launch of the stunning new Oval Rose Candle, Wealdenfairs.com exhibitor Candle De Fleur is excited to offer to Wealden Times Surrey readers the opportunity to win a specially chosen selection of candles which have been hand finished in the stunning Antique colour, part of their luxury designer candle collection. Candle De Fleur was created from a spiritual journey in life, driven by a passion to bring something unique and special to the marketplace, enjoying sole exclusivity to the UK. Each Candle De Fleur holds a special secret, simply burning straight through the center to create a soft glow. But most importantly, they do not drip unsightly wax on the outside of the candle therefore preserving the beautiful hand-finished rose sculpture. Founder Deborah Elise says, “Most of our customers will say they are just too beautiful to burn and actually choose not to!”

A Candle De Fleur luxury candle is the perfect gift for any occasion whether it be a birthday, anniversary, the birth of a baby, for Valentine’s or Mothers’ Day and so many more. The candles also bring the ‘WOW’ factor to a table centre at a special event, ceremony, wedding, summer ball or any other excuse to party. To find out more about Candle De Fleur, and to buy online, visit www.candledefleur.co.uk or Wealdenfairs.com or call 01923 839000.

For your chance to win our special collection just in time for Valentine’s and Mothers’ Day to the value of £200 from Candle De Fleur, just answer this question: ‘What is the Candle De Fleur secret?’ Post your answer to: The Candle De Fleur Competition, Wealden Times, 21 Stone Street, Cranbrook, Kent TN17 3HF, use the competition link below or email it to info@wealdentimes.co.uk by 23 January 2015. *Prize must be chosen before 31 March 2015. There is no cash alternative. All entrants’ details will be passed on to Candle De Fleur and Wealden Times Events. Please let us know if you do not wish your details to be passed on.

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WIN An Annie Sloan Chalk Paint Workshop Package Worth £250 Compliments Of Lilypie Cafe

Lilypie Café is an Annie Sloan Paint Stockist and Vintage Café in Chart Sutton, near Maidstone. Join the upcycling revolution by taking part in one of their Annie Sloan Workshops – an ideal opportunity to get creative and learn new skills. Four di erent workshops are on o er, either full or half days, hosted by trained Annie Sloan experts and including all materials required, plus a delicious lunch in the quirky café. You can also buy readymade upcycled, antiques and French-style furniture in the fabulous furniture showroom upstairs. From rich reds to soft greys, there’s a piece to suit every palette, along with a selection of Annie Sloan fabrics. Set within a beautiful Georgian house, Lilypie is bursting with style, and it’s not only furniture and paints that are on o er, you can also

browse a vast collection of pre-loved clothing and accessories. Make a day of your visit by booking a treatment at e Annexe hair, nail and beauty salon where the therapists use the latest products and

techniques to leave you looking and feeling a million dollars. Serving a wide selection of homemade sandwiches, salads and soups as well as daily specials board, Lilypie Café is well renowned for their divine Vintage Teas (booking essential) with beautifully presented cake stands brimming with finger sandwiches, scones, homemade cakes and clotted cream! Fizz is optional as they are fully licensed. 

Find out more at www.lilypiecafe.com or call 01622 844590.

For your chance to win 1 Full Day ‘Paint A Chair’ Workshop (including all materials plus chair), 1 Annie Sloan Starter Pack (1 paint, 1 clear wax, 1 tester, 1 small bristle brush) and 5 tins of Annie Sloan Chalk Paint, valued at £250, from Lilypie Café in Chart Sutton, just answer this question:

‘What architectural style of house is Lilypie Café set within?’ Enter your answer with your contact details in the online form at www.wealdentimes. co.uk/competition, post to: Lilypie Café Competition, Wealden Times, 21 Stone Street, Cranbrook, Kent TN17 3HF by 16 January 2015, or comment on this blog post and use the link below!

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December's Interior Inspiration

  Simple Paper Christmas Decorations  

Christmas is a busy and expensive time of year. We all want the perfectly decorated house, perfect food, perfect gifts, but it can be tricky to keep up with it all whilst staying level headed. So here are 3 simple, affordable and beautiful decoration tutorials to give you a helping hand...

1. Two Tone Origami Bauble

Start with two squares of paper, plain, patterned, coloured, whatever takes your fancy. We used pearled for a subtle festive feel. Fold the paper diagonally both ways and top to bottom both ways. Bring the corners into the centre. 

Fold the corners up to be in line with the centre crease. Do this to all the corners  and cut off the tops.

With the opening facing you, unfold one corner, open it up and flatten it out. Repeat this on the other sides.

With the opening still facing you, making sure there are an even amount of folds on either side of the triangle shape, fold up these little corners and repeat this all the way round, ensuring each fold is crisp.

Unfold it carefully and crease the corners so they end up facing inside. Repeat the whole process for your other piece of paper and glue them together.

2. Easy Peasy Pompom

Start with a few sheets of tissue paper. This can be as big or as small as you like. Go wild! Fold them together alternately, length ways to create a concertina, tie round the middle and trim off the edges into points or curves. 

Gently pull apart the layers of tissue paper and pop them on the tree!

3. Spiral Snowflake

With a square of card, a pencil and ruler, mark out lines, working towards the centre, about 1 cm apart. Using a craft knife, cut along your lines, leaving a gap at two opposing corners.

 

Gently curl the other two opposing corners to meet each other and fix with glue or tape. Repeat this process for each of the corners, alternating which side they meet. 

Voila!