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Blog

Derwent’s postings on ideas, advice, news and views from our partners and makers.

WELCOMING MELLOW SEASONAL CHANGE INTO OUR HOMES

December 7, 2023

  As the season changes to cooler days and longer nights there is a palpable shift in our energies, with attention turning to spending more time inside and creating a warm welcoming home. Cosy or cosiness is the closest English word to the concept of Hygge, a Danish term which expresses the idea of cr…

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WELCOMING MELLOW SEASONAL CHANGE INTO OUR HOMES

December 7, 2023

  As the season changes to cooler days and longer nights there is a palpable shift in our energies, with attention turning to spending more time inside and creating a warm welcoming home. Cosy or cosine…

Read more

Inspired by Biophilia

May 25, 2023

The ethos of biophilia is concerned with the human tendency to seek connection with nature. Recently is has been accelerated with a great awareness of environmental concerns and our experience of the pandemic lockdowns. Biophilia can guide our appreciation of colour, textures and botanical influences which relate…

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Inspired by Biophilia

May 25, 2023

The ethos of biophilia is concerned with the human tendency to seek connection with nature. Recently is has been accelerated with a great awareness of environmental concerns and our experience of the pandemic lockd…

Read more

Buy Less, Buy Well, Buy Handcrafted

March 28, 2023

How can we shop more sustainably, reduce waste, and buy long-lasting pieces for the home? Digital connectivity has been one of the defining features of contemporary life this century. Whilst conferring huge practical benefits, what we explore to buy is increas…

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Buy Less, Buy Well, Buy Handcrafted

March 28, 2023

How can we shop more sustainably, reduce waste, and buy long-lasting pieces for the home? Digital connectivity has been one of the defining features of contempo…

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Choosing Art & Craft for your home

May 2, 2022

To coincide with the participation by Derwent House in Oxfordshire Artweeks, we take a look at how to go about choosing pieces of art and craft for our homes to enhance our interiors whilst ensuring a cohesive yet personal living space. Combining new or well-loved pieces of art or craf…

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Choosing Art & Craft for your home

May 2, 2022

To coincide with the participation by Derwent House in Oxfordshire Artweeks, we take a look at how to go about choosing pieces of art and craft for our homes to enhance our interiors whil…

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Table Manners

October 13, 2021

‘Around a table with family, friends and good food – we never grow old’   …

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Table Manners

October 13, 2021

‘Around a table with family, friends and good food – we never grow old’  

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Creating a mood board

February 12, 2021

‘Mood boards are an arrangement of images, materials and pieces of text intended to evoke or project a particular style or concept’. If you are thinking of creating your own mood board you will no doubt have a specific room in mind that needs a refresh or a complet…

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Creating a mood board

February 12, 2021

‘Mood boards are an arrangement of images, materials and pieces of text intended to evoke or project a particular style or concept’. If you are thinking of creating …

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Buying bespoke craft

February 2, 2021

Historically engaging a designer-maker to utilise their design talent, specialist craft skills and knowledge of materials to make exactly what you need, was commonplace. Nowadays the idea of commissioning a bespoke piece of furniture, length of fabric or handcrafted piece for your home can seem a bit daunting.

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Buying bespoke craft

February 2, 2021

Historically engaging a designer-maker to utilise their design talent, specialist craft skills and knowledge of materials to make exactly what you need, was commonplace. Nowadays the idea of commissioning a bespoke…

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Choosing Fabrics for your home

January 19, 2021

Taking the decision to focus on a new decorating project at home can appear overwhelming – too many choices or the risk of making costly mistakes can result in indecision and delay.  In order to remove the doubts and enable you to move forward and enjoy the process, here are a few things to consider and he…

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Choosing Fabrics for your home

January 19, 2021

Taking the decision to focus on a new decorating project at home can appear overwhelming – too many choices or the risk of making costly mistakes can result in indecision and delay.  In order to remove the d…

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Key interior looks for 2021

January 12, 2021

In an uncertain world our need for sanctuary and comfort has never been more important. Whilst trends can appear transient, they come about as a response to our perception of the world we live in. The tumultuous events of 2020 and our hopes for a brighter future will play a key role in determining how we choose t…

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Key interior looks for 2021

January 12, 2021

In an uncertain world our need for sanctuary and comfort has never been more important. Whilst trends can appear transient, they come about as a response to our perception of the world we live in. The tumultuous ev…

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Sofa Buying Checklist

December 29, 2020

A sofa or armchair is probably one of the most important investments you will make when creating a living room scheme. Whilst you can ring the changes with paint, curtains and finishing touches, a good sofa should last for many years.  Aside from considerations such as style, colour and pattern there are also hi…

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Sofa Buying Checklist

December 29, 2020

A sofa or armchair is probably one of the most important investments you will make when creating a living room scheme. Whilst you can ring the changes with paint, curtains and finishing touches, a good sofa should …

Read more

Hygge – An antidote to lockdown

December 7, 2020

Cosy or cosiness is the closest English word to the concept of Hygge. A Danish term which expresses the idea of creating cosy and convivial atmospheres that promote a sense of wellbeing. As we hunker down for the slower season of winter we look at simple ways to promote a sense of cosiness, comfort and wellbeing …

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Hygge – An antidote to lockdown

December 7, 2020

Cosy or cosiness is the closest English word to the concept of Hygge. A Danish term which expresses the idea of creating cosy and convivial atmospheres that promote a sense of wellbeing. As we hunker down for the s…

Read more

Nostalgic rural style

September 23, 2020

Taylor Swift and Derwent House are not two names you would expect to be mentioned in the same sentence.  However, Taylor Swift, who’s most recent album Folklore with a dreamy, woodsy themed narrative, is credited by many as instrumental in creating the new ‘Cottagecore’ trend that has emerged ov…

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Nostalgic rural style

September 23, 2020

Taylor Swift and Derwent House are not two names you would expect to be mentioned in the same sentence.  However, Taylor Swift, who’s most recent album Folklore with a dreamy, woodsy themed narrative,…

Read more

Rethinking Life at Home

August 7, 2020

We explore the impact on how we imagine and design our interior spaces as we emerge from the sanctuary of our homes post lock-down. As life ‘as normal’ has changed, so too will our homes need to adapt to changing lifestyles as many of us will be spending much more time at home. Before the pandemic 70% …

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Rethinking Life at Home

August 7, 2020

We explore the impact on how we imagine and design our interior spaces as we emerge from the sanctuary of our homes post lock-down. As life ‘as normal’ has changed, so too will our homes need to adapt to…

Read more

Marks and Traces of the Maker

March 4, 2020

In the first of our series of blogposts we explore the characteristics of a crafted piece and what it reveals about its maker and the process of making. It’s always a privilege to receive and handle a new piece from one of our makers. It reaffirms our belief that Derwent House as a home for British Craft and Ma…

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Marks and Traces of the Maker

March 4, 2020

In the first of our series of blogposts we explore the characteristics of a crafted piece and what it reveals about its maker and the process of making. It’s always a privilege to receive and handle a new piece f…

Read more