Modern Country Loves: China Jack Mosaics

One of my greatest loves is beautiful Modern Country Crafts: traditional rural craftiness given a delicious contemporary twist. And, in my Modern Country world, they don't come better than China Jack mosaics. Take a look at this utterly original splashback:

Do you remember China Jack were featured here on Modern Country Style almost seven years ago? I still get questions about those posts (see here and here).... 

The designer and maker of my gorgeous Union Jack mosaic, Emily Lawlor (do names get any more English than that?!), has expanded her repertoire to include these stunning mosaic birds, so I thought it was about time we caught up with what's been happening since we last connected and, for those of you who are new here, to get to know the lovely Emily a little better....

Emily graduated with a First Class BA Hons from the Public Art and Design degree at Chelsea Art College in 1994.  She specialised in ceramics and mosaics at Chelsea and has worked on public art commissions in hospitals, schools and libraries in London, the South East and Manchester. Emily now works from her Cotswolds studio, creating exquisite China Jack mosaics. 

I had the chance to ask Emily a few questions and this is what she told me...

What has inspired you recently?

I have recently recovered from a stint in hospital and to say thank you to all the staff on the ward, I designed a card with a swallow bearing a ‘Thank you’ message in its beak. When I came out of hospital I started to think about birds carrying messages and started to work on some ideas for mosaic birds that could carry a message - say it with birds. I have a love of words so enjoyed playing with ideas for all the messages that the birds could carry. 

And what are you currently working on?

Birds with Words is a unique gift idea to celebrate life events.  Each mosaic is individually crafted with vintage china and mosaic glass, delivered in a lidded presentation box with a hand stamped label bearing your chosen message. You can choose from 12 messages available including greetings such as ‘Happy Birthday to a Rare Bird’ and “I’m Sorry I Ruffled Your Feathers’.  Each bird measures approx 14 cm in length.

What materials do you use?

The birds are backed with birchwood ply and consist of vintage china sourced from flea markets, car boot sales and auction rooms and porcelain mosaics. The mosaics create beautiful handmade artworks for the home that fuse pattern and colour – each one completely unique. 

It's hard to put into words just how breath-taking Emily's work is. The attention to detail, the quality of each tile cut, the calibre of the china used, all make each and every China Jack piece stand out from anything you've seen, whether its something from her website or something entirely bespoke....

I am the very proud owner of two China Jack pieces and they are some of my favourite things in the world. I never tire of staring at them, taking in every inch of their glory. 

Complete Modern Country heaven!

Enter your email address:

to subscribe to Modern Country Style

Loftcat Home: Modern Country Style Loves

I went to the Ideal Home Show this year, and came home very live-wired indeed about Loftcat Home, a new design company that I stumbled upon {though not literally, thank goodness. Awkward.}. A lot of the exhibits at that type of show can feel a bit samey-samey but when I first saw the Loftcat Home stand my eyes nearly popped out of my excited little head.

They sell a delicious combination of gorgeous Modern Country pieces that they've carefully sourced for their customers, and absolutely stunning pieces of furniture that they design themselves.

One word (but shouted really loudly): stunning.

It's these terrifically thought-out pieces that completely set Loftcat Home apart from other home retailers. Each item perfectly combines both Modern and Country. 

The rustic charm of the responsibly-sourced reclaimed wood is set off perfectly by the pared-back paint palette the designers have chosen for their painted pieces: muted olives, soft whites and dusted charcoals.

Their range of furniture feels very current but yet you somehow know that these are items that will last. The quality is obvious. The design is meticulous. There are no passing fancies here to fade into the mists of time.

There is also a stunning array of products, faultlessly selected by Loftcat Home, to enhance their own designs. And, oh my, I could seriously have bought the whole scrumptious lot. From the squishiest of button-backed linen-covered armchairs...

...to these antique-silver spun iron pendant lights. Just right for injecting a little bit of industrial chic over a kitchen island.

Loftcat Home have a website, and also a pop-up showroom opening shortly in the Old Town in Stevenage, England.

I'm feeling rather pleased with myself for stumbling across such an original and thoroughly Modern Country company...what do you think?

Enter your email address:

to subscribe to Modern Country Style

Modern Country Loves: Smeg Fridges

Those people at Smeg are geniuses. You wouldn't think you could make someone go weak-at-the-knees for a fridge, would you? But yet.....just look at this canary yellow Smeg fridge; boy, oh boy, did they do well! 

Browse through any collection of gorgeous Modern Country kitchens and it won't take long to stumble, excitedly, over a Smeg appliance which positively oozes high-end good looks like this cream fridge-freezer.

There's very good reason for that iconic popularity. Smeg kitchen appliances all combine incredible style with everyday practicality. Definitely worth noting that these are award-winning products for how they work as well as how they look.

The knock-on effect of this powerful fusion of construction and concept-cool is that you can be smiling like a school girl with a big ol' crush every time you reach for the perfectly chilled pint of milk nestling happily in your Smeg fridge.

Smeg FAB appliances have a delightful 50s feel that conjures up idyllic American country houses but they combine that retro vibe with reassuring quality. This isn't your usual fridge, or freezer. No, siree!

Designed in Italy, everything from the smoothly curvaceous fibreglass shells to the pleasing click of the door is developed to satisfy the senses.

And because there is a whole range of FAB retro appliances, you can go all out and match in style. How about creating a side-by-side old-school American feel, with coordinating fridges and freezers...or two matching fridge freezers?

Don't forget the dishwashers...

washing machines...

and even Smeg's range of fires....all with exactly the same must-show-me-off-immediately well-bred elegance...

The look you're going for will be heavily defined by your colour choice: Smeg's kitchen appliances in glossy black can bring a feeling of Cool Country to a minimalist bachelor pad....

...yet the softer looks of the cream Smeg fridge brings an injection of rock-chic cool to a slightly dated rustic kitchen....

And again...

If you're looking for something completely different, then take a look at Smeg's limited editions. Denim, anyone?

The huge array of colours means that you can bring your taste to every aspect of your kitchen....

...no matter which end of the Modern-to-Country spectrum you sit at.

Smeg fridges are striking enough to make a much-needed design statement in beautifully big kitchens....

...but still fit well into pleasingly petite kitchens too, particularly if you're looking to avoid wall cabinets but need storage space; after all this Smeg FAB32 fridge freezer contains an impressive 328 litres (though, if you're really short on space. there is a super-small option at only 120 litres).

The beautiful blend of functionality and head-swivelling style makes the Smeg FAB range a well-deserved Modern Country must-have.

Images via Smeg, Living etc, Plain English, Period Homes, Country Homes and Interiors, Alive and Well, Desire To Inspire, Smeg, Smeg, Panda's Kitchen, The Minimalist, deVol, Poppytalk, Country Homes and Interiors

Enter your email address:

to subscribe to Modern Country Style

Modern Country Loves: Smeg Victoria Range Cooker

If there's one thing a Modern Country kitchen needs, it's an eye-catching cooker. Range cookers have a way of welcoming people into the kitchen, now the heart of every home, like nothing else can.

Just feast your eyes on this baby:

This is the Smeg Victoria Cooker...and I want, want, W:A:N:T one! Can you see me stamping my foot?!

It's the little details that count, that help with making up the bigger picture, and the Victoria range has those little details in abundance...

... the stylish controls, the cast-iron pan stand, the plate rack, as well as optional extras like the pizza stone and grill plate.

The panelled doors, with their pleasingly chunky handles, give more than a nod to the clean, austere lines of Shaker style but somehow manage to convey glamour at the same time.

By choosing the colour of your Smeg Victoria Cooker with thought, you can either add a touch of Modern to a rural kitchen (try the black, silver or red wine options) or, conversely, a touch of the Country to a contemporary kitchen (pick cream, pink or baby blue) 

The Victoria Range is an icon of real beauty, whether in the larger (TR4110) or the slimmer version (TR93). And what's surprising is that the smaller, at only 90 cm wide, has an almost identical oven capacity, meaning spatially-challenged kitchens needn't compromise on cooking space. 

The auxiliary oven on the right of the TR93 has masses of space, Smeg have packed in a whopping four different shelves. Count them...

And most importantly, the Victoria range cooker is not just a pretty face: both sizes of the cooker have now won the coveted Which Best Buy award for their roomy capacity, ability to heat up super-quickly, fuel consumption and exceptional cook and grilling qualities.

Tell me, is it possible to want a cooker too much?

Enter your email address:

to subscribe to Modern Country Style