Jun 12, 2018

Susi Bellamy Featured in the Observer Magazine

Susi Bellamy was honoured to be featured in the Observer Magazine last weekend. With copy written by globetrotter and interiors journalist extraordinaire Serena Fokschaner and equally stunning imagery by Alex Telfer to accompany it.

Our guestroom marries sunshine yellow walls (Babouche by Farrow & Ball) with black accents to create a feel that is playful yet elegant. My pebbles bench at the end of the bed is a practical addition to the room which perfectly complements the cushions. Rug by Christopher Farr Editions.

The article tracked my journey - from my early career as a fashion editor, to motherhood, through to my current endeavour as a creator of luxury interior design products. It references my strongest influences: Florence and the world of fine art, that mingle to create my designs and seek to capture some of the emotion and vibrancy that these two worlds connote.

My two abstract paintings (Copper Glow I & II) flank a Khaki Fantasy lampshade, with the apple green tones of the painting lifting the deeper shade.

The rich purple walls of my living room highlighted the gold accents that lift the room, and provide the perfect backdrop to some of my newer designs that embrace a somewhat more contemporary feel. The photographs zone in on the detail (Fornasetti plates, coral ornaments, fresh flowers) that not only round off the interior of the home but also make it the warm and welcoming place that one wants to spend time in.

I chose to wear a skirt made from my own fabric for the piece, to show the versatility of my designs, but also as a tongue in cheek reference to how the world of fashion still follows me around! I am always making sure I keep an eye on trends on the catwalk, as these indicators of colour, texture, print, reflect the wider mood of the market. Although I design my pieces very intuitively, I make sure that I create in parallel with the design feel of the moment and always have something to offer that is new and exciting.

A variety of different paintings arranged above the bed gives the room an eclectic vibe - inviting the gaze to take in morsels of print and colour all at once.

Not only was the article a privilege for Susi Bellamy as a company, but the opportunity to shout about some of our friends in the industry was also fantastic. The Stencil Library, also based in Stocksfield, is a wealth of stencil designs that stock stylish stencils inspired by everything from Art deco to chinoiserie. Forwood designs, whose shagreen lamps complement my lampshades fantastically well. Reloved MCR who upcycled a set of drawers in my Orange Feathered wallpaper, and local hotspot for new and unusual interiors goodness, REFound Objects were all mentioned in the piece.