AU Edit | Heavenly Onyx

As a gemstone, onyx is thought to bring strength and stamina, enhancing both durability and self-control.  It is also said to protect against bad luck arising from jealousy, deflecting negativity whether the source is internal or external.

Whether or not this is true, what can certainly be said is that an object hand carved from onyx – with its smooth patina and diaphanous quality – is an asset to any space. 

The objects we place in our interiors aren’t just decorative; they can also teach us much about humankind.  Antique tables or vintage lamps might be selected because of their aesthetic, but such finds come to us already possessing a story of their own and taking a closer look at the provenance of an object teaches us much about the place from which it originated. 

Such is the case with tribal pieces.  Hand made by indigenous communities with expertise passed down through generations, each unique piece is infused with history and culture. Tribal art and crafts not only provide inspiration for our interior spaces, they are also a tangible reminder of ancestry and heritage.

Hand dyed batik, bold geometric fabric patterns, woven baskets, hand carved stools and seats; these are just a few items that can bring tribal elements to an interior.  Raw and organic with a focus on a connection with nature, tribal art and craft can include decorative elements such as shells, feathers, leather and bone inlay. Beading, fringe work and hand stitching is common, as are exuberant flashes of colour, although warm, tones and natural textures remain fundamental.

Thought provoking therefore and beautiful, a tribal home offers the scope to remain minimalist and pared back or more colourful and dramatic.  To see AU’s collection of vintage tribal pieces - including Kuba cloth cushions and hand carved tribal seats - visit www.annaunwin.com 

A bathroom – that most personal of spaces - is an extension of our home: a private refuge where we can ease life’s stresses and restore our equilibrium.  No interior space works harder so we can slow down and take care of ourselves, physically and mentally.

And regardless of its size or layout, a bathroom should also be a place that inspires optimism and energy as well as somewhere to recapture feelings of wellbeing and tranquillity.  It certainly doesn’t have to be purely functional.

Soft tones and muted colours can help a bathroom remain clean and minimal without being stark.  Organic sculptural forms and textures will create a soothing layering effect, evoking the natural world yet not compromising a preference for minimalism.  

Create calm, restorative spaces.  Visit www.annaunwin.com to find unique, sustainable pieces with design credentials and a natural aesthetic.

Recycle Reduce Repurpose |

The intersection of functionality and aesthetics creates an interior that is carefully curated, elegant and restful. But now, more than ever, good design must also take sustainability into account. There are many different ways, both large and small, to be more environmentally friendly and nowhere is this more important than in our homes where our well-being is paramount.

Lending our interiors resonance and depth, exceptional ethnic pieces are handcrafted using natural materials and unique processes which value ancestral know-how above all else.

Most often made with raw materials and natural colours, the addition of an ethnic piece to an interior helps create a warm and serene space.  But such pieces do so much more than that. 

The result of generations of skill and practice, ethnic objects are rich in character and truly unique. Hand fashioned using techniques that both reflect the natural environment as well as being respectful of it, each has its own story to tell. 

Displaying culturally significant pieces in our homes offers us a way in which we can consider the layers of our own history and heritage.  But it can also be a conduit through which we gain insight into other countries and their peoples, other practices and beliefs. We are thus granted access to the lives of others whilst being permitted to honour our own roots.   

An expression of our own national character - that is, a continuation and a safe guarding of meaningful traditions and rituals – ethnic pieces are also a reminder to open our eyes to new experiences: an invitation, as it were, to learn more, travel more and in doing so, gain insight those different from us. 

Ethnic pieces allow us to be custodians of the past and to decide who we really want to be in the present.

Vintage Leather |

The length of time a material has been used and reused throughout history is a measure of how sustainable it truly is.

Take leather.  What was perfect for the task thousands of years ago continues to be perfect for the task today and the ancient skills and craftsmanship still relied upon to produce this material enable it to retain its centuries’ long, earthy appeal.  Today, manufacturing processes are far more environmentally sound than they once were and production is much more efficient. Leather’s longevity and worth are even more alluring.

Breaking Bread |

A hundred years ago, homes in all parts of the world would possess a dough bowl; a vessel in which dough was mixed, it then also provided a warm place in which it could rise before being baked.  Bowls could be made from any wood as long as it was free from knots and other defects and were commonly handed down through generations.

Healing and Restorative | Crystal

Healing and restorative, crystals bring affirming energy and unmatched beauty to any interior. 

Clustering together deep in the earth’s crust, they are formed by deposits of minerals.  This layering is symbolic undeniably sculptural and decorative, crystals are also said to have healing properties.

Among AU’s carefully sourced collection of vintage tables are those hand carved from travertine.

The beauty and versatility of this sedimentary stone has long been appreciated; thousands of years ago it was used in general construction and it can still be admired in many famous monuments today.

Wool durable, warm and aesthetically pleasing, what makes it exceptional is its organic, biodegradable nature.

Even when it has been used, reused and recycled, and finally comes to the end of its life it simply returns to the earth, releasing its valuable nutrients back into the soil with no detrimental effects.