The Interior Designer Behind Rixo's Flagship Store Shares Her Little Black Book
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If I could only buy homeware from one place, it would be Alfie’s Antique Market. It’s a treasure trove of the best vintage furniture, lighting and accessories – including amazing vintage jewellery. I went there to look for inspiration when designing my engagement ring and bought a beautiful pendant from one of the dealers. I also recommend stopping for a coffee at the rooftop café.
The most interesting interiors store is The Conran Shop. I love the curation – from the furniture through to lifestyle products. When I decorated my flat a few years ago, I was on the website every day – there’s also a great sale twice a year, so I normally have a long wish list ready to go.
For online shopping, nothing comes close to Glassette. The buying team has introduced so many off-the-beaten-track makers and suppliers. It feels like you are discovering something no one else knows about.
The coolest independent interiors brand is Orior. The furniture is made in Northern Ireland where I’m from, so it’s close to my heart. The design and materials are so original, with a mid-century nod but contemporary feel. I’d love to invest in one of the pieces for my next home. The wavy credenza is high on my wish list.
Gemma McCloskey
You’ll find the best independent designers and makers in Italy – particularly the Veneto region. Italy also has some of the best vintage furniture and lighting. I normally fly into Verona for a sourcing trip and stay in The Colomba Hotel. It has such an amazing old school feel to it and the bar is cool.
I’ve recently discovered Tina Vaia. She’s based in Valencia and makes incredible ceramic pots, vases and home accessories. I collaborated with her for the Rixo Store, making bespoke pots and cocktail tables for the bar which have a gorgeous cobalt blue glaze to them.
The last dedicated shopping day I had was with my twin sister Orlagh in Marylebone. That neighbourhood has a great laidback vibe to it – the perfect mix of boutique shops and restaurants. We stopped for lunch, enjoying tapas and a bottle of champagne. I love the intimate atmosphere despite it being only a stone’s throw from Oxford Street.
My favourite sustainable brand is Kooji. It’s a Dutch brand that makes the coolest tables, chairs and lighting from recycled plastic. I have one of the melting pot tables and chubby chairs at home. Colours of Arley is another great brand that I worked with on the Rixo store.
For something special, I go to The Row – it is my favourite fashion brand. It’s pricey but I wear those pieces all year round. I would rather invest in one thing I love than lots of things I like.
The best interiors gift I’ve ever given someone else was a Murano glass photo frame. It was a picture of my sister and her husband. The best interiors gift I’ve ever received was a painting by one of my favourite artists, Peter Keil.
The most recent item I bought for my home was some fabric to reupholster the ottoman in my living room. The new fabric collection by Sister (Studio Ashby) is so beautiful and I knew instantly that the Afua in walnut was exactly what I’d been looking for.
The most expensive investment I’ve made in my home was a bespoke rug and runner by Galerie Diurne. Rugs can give spaces such definition and comfort. They’re just as important as the artwork in my opinion.
I love London brand KC Hossack Pottery for tableware. My cutlery tends to come from Cutipol, but H&M and Zara do great tableware at amazing prices – the best part is you don’t need to be too precious with them. That said, I am particular about cocktail glasses. They need to be clear with a thin edge. Richard Brendon does the perfect wine, cocktail and whisky glassware – all the pieces are handblown and I take so much care not to break them. As for water glasses, Edition 94 has beautiful Murano glasses. I recently when to Rye for a few days and the restaurant we ate in had these lovely cobalt blue water glasses from Duralex – such a classic brand. I bought them online as soon as I got home.
For bedlinen, The White Company is my go-to. I also love the coloured linen from The Conran Shop, in particular the cobalt blue – I have the bed throw and large cushion covers. Bronte by Moon also has a great selection of mohair bed throws; I have the seafoam colour in bedroom. For towels I have the sage and chalk set from Baina.
For soft furnishings, I like Lindell & Co. It’s a Paris-based brand making gorgeous hand-crewel cushions. West Elm has some great pieces at really good prices – I bought some lovely side tables and outdoor furniture for a project recently and was really impressed by the quality.
The item I regret not buying is a vintage tapestry I saw in the window of Fiona MacDonald’s antiques shop during one of the lockdowns. I was waiting to see it in person but it was already sold when I finally went to get it.
If my house was burning down, I would save the commissioned portrait by Studio Lenca of my husband and me. I fell in love with Jose’s work a few years ago and asked to him to recreate a fun, tongue-in-cheek version of a family portrait. It’s our take on an heirloom and reminds me of when we got engaged.
Next on my shopping list is a champagne bucket. I’ve been trying to find the perfect vintage one for years but never quite found what I’m looking for: a simple shape with no frills or engravings with a beautiful brass patina. That said, I do have my eye on this one from Soho Home.
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