We are spoiled for choice in Bath with the amazing interiors shops and suppliers we have at our disposal. Here, I am letting you into some interior design trade secrets by opening my little black book of favourite suppliers in and around our city. Here .are my first five picks:
Little Greene
Little Greene is one of my favourite paint brands and it has a fascinating history. ‘Little Greene’ was the name of a tiny 18th century hamlet near Manchester and records dating from 1773 show a small company there supplying pigments and dyes to local weaving mills. That company is now Little Greene, an independent paint manufacturer producing high-quality paints and wallpapers. Little Greene is known for its collaboration with the National Trust and research into key periods of interior design.
Much of the production process is done by craftspeople rather than automated machines – right down to their sample pots, which are filled by hand from a glass jug!
I particularly love Little Greene’s Re:mix collection, which sees damaged and unwanted stock expertly blended and reformulated to create new colours. My favourite colours are Bone China Blue – a pale blue shade, based on Wedgwood Jasperware; French Grey – a timeless, neutral that works particularly well in living spaces; and Bath Stone – a natural shade, perfect for creating a sense of sanctuary within the home.
You can buy Little Greene paint at Davies of Bath. www.rabart.co.uk www.littlegreene.com
Sofa.com
I often commission sofas from Sofa.com for my clients. You can choose from hundreds of sofa designs and fabrics, and they make your sofa especially for you. The sofas are built to last by skilled craftsmen who usually get them made for delivery within 4-6 weeks. The sofas are beautifully stylish and made to last too. The classic Bluebell is a popular design. The turned wooden legs give it an elegant look and it works well in both modern and traditional homes. Our love of mid-century design shows no sign of abating, and the Iggy is a perfect 1950s inspired design with clean lines and modern materials.
The sofa.com showroom is situated in The Corridor, which is a lovely little shopping arcade in Bath city centre. You’ll find nearly all their styles on display so and you can sit on them to test how comfortable they are. They also have lots of free fabric samples to try at home which really helps you see how your sofa might look in different lights. www.sofa.com
Mandarin Stone
Mandarin Stone is a family-run business founded over 30 years ago and when it comes to stone and porcelain, there’s little they don’t know.
They have a huge choice, but my favourites are their Dijon Tumbled Limestone, which is not dissimilar to traditional French or English Limestone, but at a fraction of the cost. I like the way the rounded corners and edges create a lived-in feel whilst the soft, neutral colours work well with all interiors. For a more modern look, the simple industrial tones of the Cemento Light Grey Matt Porcelain tile would look super stylish.
Mandarin Stone is based at the top of Broad Steet, where you can browse the most popular ranges in person and look at their latest kitchen and bathroom installations. www.mandarinstone.com
Found
Found is a concept store in Bath owned by Olivia Brewer and Nik Blake, who source unique brands for customers who take pride in being different.
This gorgeous boutique just off Pulteney Bridge is close to my office so I often pop in for gifts and cards. Found showcases hard-to-find designers and celebrates heritage labels in a welcoming environment. The owners love being able to discover new brands and combine them with favourites including Universal Works and YMC as well as Laura Lombardi jewellery, Epice accessories, letterpress stationery and Marimekko home.
It is a great place for really unusual gifts and clothing and a treasure trove of gorgeous things. The shop also has amazing views out of the back to the river and Pulteney Weir. www.foundbath.co.uk
Capitol Carpets
I have worked with Capitol Carpets on many projects; they specialise in helping find the perfect beautiful, quality carpet to fit my client’s budget and requirements. They have a huge range of carpets, rugs and stair runners, from subtle classics to bold and lively contemporary designs.
Capitol Carpets are known particularly for their range of natural carpets, including pure wool, sisal, jute, coir and seagrass as well as traditionally flat-woven stair runners. Plant fibre floor coverings should only be installed by a specialist and the team at Capitol have been fitting them for years, so I know my clients are in safe hands.
I have a dog and a little boy, so I am a big fan of Unnatural Flooring who manufacture amazing carpets that look and feel like natural sisal but are made from easy to clean vinyl. Genius! Capitol also supply wonderful Roger Oates 100% wool runners which come in a myriad of gorgeous colours and designs. They look particularly stunning on stone staircases in Georgian houses.
Capitol Carpets are situated in the heart of Bath’s Artisan Quarter in Walcot Street, where the team are brilliant at sharing their incredible experience. www.thecarpet.co.uk
Haliden Oriental Carpets
You will notice that many stylists and interior designers have beautiful Persian rugs in their homes. A gorgeous antique rug can really elevate a space and pull a room together. They can be expensive, but they are a real heritage investment.
Many of those carpets would have come from Haliden, who have earned an international reputation for offering rare and exciting antique oriental carpets, kilims and old tribal weavings. They offer a large range of modern oriental rugs with an eye towards the unusual and emphasis on quality. They have everything from early antique Persian carpets and rare collectable Turkmen and tribal rugs to super-contemporary, modern and traditional products.
Haliden are based in Walcot Street, but the best place to browse the incredible range is actually online. They were the first website in the UK specialising in traditional and antique carpets and now many of the world’s most distinguished antique dealers and collectors are regular visitors. www.haliden.com
Next week I will reveal five more of my favourite Bath shops.
