Interiors Little Black Book: Gabby Deeming
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If I could only buy homeware from one place, it would be… The New Craftsmen. Its makers are masters of modern craft – their work is very inspiring. If you get a chance to go to the Mayfair showroom, you’ll see how they organise their collections – it’s a masterclass in how you can do this at home. You know that by buying something here you are investing in a future heirloom.
The most interesting interiors shop is… John Derian – he’s drawn to obscure objects and his New York store is full of products that are anything but bland. He has a strong signature style which I love. Top of my list are his candles that look like patisserie, all of the Astier de Villatte ceramics and, of course, his signature decoupage collection.
The coolest interiors shop I’ve found on my travels is… Casa Gusto – I discovered it on a trip to Palm Beach. It’s a beautifully decorated space and a real lesson in how to set a scene. A family business, it curates a selection of antique furniture, ceramics and textiles from around the world, and also makes its own accessories – I love how original the incredible papier-mâché designs are.
The best department store in the world for homeware is… The Conran Shop. It’s so iconic – I love the flower-filled entrance to the Michelin Building in Fulham. The product edit is spot on. I remember going there as a teenager, and fantasy shopping for my dream house. Amazingly, many of the classic pieces that were for sale then are still there now, mixed in with a bit more contemporary design.
The coolest independent interiors brand is… Atelier Vime. French couple Benoit and Antoine really have built something special. Their Instagram looks like it’s full of stills from a beautiful French film – rustic, elegant and romantic interiors built around the antiques they have collected and, most importantly, their fabulous woven wicker furniture, lights and accessories. They grow their own wicker – if you haven’t seen their amazing urn and pedestal, I recommend you do.
The best destination for independent designers and makers is… Etsy. Working at House & Garden, I discovered a lot of fledgling designers using Etsy as a platform. If you have the patience to search, your diligence can pay off. If you’re not a fan of endless scrolling, try Glassette for a more curated edit. It has a really cool selection of independent designers and all the pieces are exclusives.
The coolest under-the-radar brand is… Susie Atkinson. Susie is a brilliant interior designer and her online store is relatively undiscovered. She has steadily been producing her own designs for years – perfect for anyone who loves contemporary, colourful interiors. I love her simple lacquered cube tables, colourful bobbin mirrors and new wallpaper collaboration with Ellen Merchant.
My perfect shopping day would include… A sweep round my favourite London stores. The morning would start at Christine Vanderhurd in Notting Hill then I’d pop up to Camden to Adam Bray (by appointment only) to admire his very well-chosen antiques. Then it would be over to Fulham for the ultimate lesson in choosing wall colours at Papers & Paints followed by a mooch down the Golborne Road for more antiques. I’d also make sure to stop off at Trove by Studio Duggan and Warris Vianni.
@GABOUSH
The best vintage store in the world is… Tat London – not only does Charlie Porter find amazing treasures so you can shop them on her website, but you can also while away the day reading all the brilliant interviews and looking at the houses featured by Charlie.
For something really special I go to… Viola Lanari – she works in plaster and creates sculptural table lamps and furniture. Everything is handmade in her Wandsworth studio, which is full of her creations. She really has mastered the material, which she elevates to something quite extraordinary.
The best interiors gift I’ve ever received was… From my friend Susan Deliss. For my birthday she commissioned a beautiful ceramic platter from Poterie Squire, hand painted with my initials in the middle. It lives on the dining table, playing host to different arrangements of flowers or candlesticks.
The most recent item I bought for my home was… A large-scale, wood-turned lamp from Pentreath & Hall painted in a chalky white. It’s very classic and has good height to it, which is exactly what I needed.
The most expensive investment I’ve made in my home was… About ten years ago when I bought a trio of big antique framed textiles designs from Wilson Stephens & Jones Gallery in Notting Hill. At the time, it was a pretty big investment, but I knew I had to have them. I’ve always found it’s much easier for me to justify spending money on art, ceramics or mirrors rather than functional items like sofas – they bring me so much inspiration and joy when I look at them.
For tableware, I buy from… Wonki Ware – it’s wonderfully simple and doesn’t date. I’ve also been a huge fan of Brickett Davda for years. She creates beautifully coloured, restful ceramics and an entire set of her tableware might be my next big purchase. I also think what Henry Holland Studio has been doing is so clever, working with clay in a colour palette that reminds me of the classic Wedgwood porcelain colours but to create really contemporary tableware.
All my bedlinen is from… Cologne & Cotton – an independent company that’s been around for over 30 years. It sells the best cotton stripes and checks, and the embroidery only gets better with age.
For glassware… I tend to shop around. Bias Editions is my favourite for coloured tumblers and I’ll get short-stemmed wine glasses from Canvas Homestore. For cheap and cheerful, I go to Zara Home.
Partnership Editions
@GABOUSHK
For art I will always take a look at… 8 Holland Street for contemporary and 20th-century artworks. The store in Kensington is full of inspiration. It also has framed textile pieces and wall hangings, which are very much my thing. For more affordable artworks and prints, Partnership Editions is always a good place to look.
For soft furnishings I go to… Susan Deliss – she has a great collection of unusual Turkish and Middle Eastern embroidered cushions. The Trove also sells soft-coloured velvet cushions and if you haven’t seen the latest textiles at Caravane then make sure to have a look. Finally, I always check out Tinsmiths to find something really interesting.
I never buy furniture from… The same place – otherwise a space can start to look like a showroom. I love vintage and antique furniture, so I often rely on Adam Bray’s collections and Lorfords Antiques. It’s also worth looking at Lorfords Contemporary for comfortable sofas.
For lighting I love… Honor Deco – its raffia and metal lamps and pendants bring real charm to a space. At the other end of the scale are Michael Anastassiades and Apparatus Studio, both of which design elegant and sometimes challenging lighting. Both have been responsible for moving the world of lighting design forward and I’ve always admired their innovation.
The item I regret not buying is… A very cool big jade green ceramic bowl with an edge that looked like twisted rope from a brocante in France. A friend bought it instead and every time I see it, I think I should have been quicker off the mark!
Next on my shopping list is… A fuchsia lamp shade from Marianna Kennedy which will work perfectly with the lamp base from Pentreath & Hall and my tobacco brown walls.
Gabby Deeming’s new online course ‘How to Style with Pattern & Colour’ is available via CreateAcademy.com.
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