ROSE RAW-REES IN CONVERSATION
A piece in progress at the Rose Raw-Rees workshop in Grantham.
Working across both traditional and modern upholstery, Rose Raw-Rees rebuilds furniture with a clear sense of structure, longevity and use. Her practice moves between restoration and bespoke work, from reviving older pieces to shaping new ones, each built up in layers and finished with precision. There’s a physicality to it, a process that is as much about understanding what sits beneath as what is seen on the surface.
Her path into the craft began in 2012, working in a renowned traditional upholstery workshop in West London. After moving back to her native Lincolnshire, she went on to train in both traditional and modern upholstery before establishing her own studio in Grantham. What holds her there is the variation, the shift from one piece to the next, and the satisfaction of a well-resolved finish.
Rose discusses the rhythm of her studio, the appeal of transformation, and the instinct that underpins both her work and the homes her pieces go on to inhabit.
What does a typical day in your studio or workshop look like?
It is rare that any two days are the same, as every piece varies so significantly. I switch from rebuilding a pair of armchairs into to recovering a sofa, into making a deep buttoned stool. There is a constant changing of scenery in the studio and I love that.
How did you first get into your craft and what keeps you doing it.
Before I trained, I spent nearly a decade managing a team of upholsterers, and I marvelled at their skill and the tangibility of their work. I loved watching them stitch the stuffing and lash the springs, it looked like wizardry, so I decided to take up a diploma and make a go of it myself. The learning never ends, and the best jobs are those that teach me something new.
What do you love most about your work and why?
There is something incredibly satisfying about creating something from start to finish. I also love a transformation story or makeover piece.
What object in your home or workshop would you never part with, and what’s its story?
My fabric shears, a gift from my husband when I started my diploma, engraved with my initials. Precious.
The best advice you’ve ever got or given?
Trust your instincts. I tell my clients this when they are choosing fabrics, which can be such a difficult decision. If you instinctively love something, not because of a trend or influence, but because it feels right, then it will always be the true choice.
What does good craftsmanship look like?
It’s all in the finish. My work is built in layers, so for the finish to be flawless, every layer under the last needs to be perfect, otherwise the next layer won't be. The attention to detail isn't just for aesthetics, it’s to ensure longevity and sustainability for a piece that can withstand time.
What brought you to the Notswolds and what keeps you here?
We left the City to give the children more space to roam, and the roots seem to have grown really deep.
Where do you live and what do you love about it?
We live in Grantham, in a Georgian town house which was love at first sight. We have always filled it with people, and with that comes endless memories.
Rose’s recomendations for living in the Notswolds
Walk “Tall Trees” as we affectionately call it - behind Belvoir Castle
Pub Chequers at Woolsthorpe
Cafe The Garden Yard, Grantham
Lunch Finch’s Arms in the summer
Dinner Langar Hall
Shop Rutland Nursery. Impossible not to spend money there.
Day out Burghley House. There’s something to meet each member of the family's needs
LAURA E JEKYLL
Laura E Jekyll is a decorative artist working from her studio in the Lincolnshire countryside, creating hand painted furniture and interiors inspired by British folk tradition and the quiet character of rural homes. Her work is rooted in traditional techniques and a belief in objects made slowly, thoughtfully and to last.
She is also the founder of Notswolds, an independent editorial and events platform devoted to the creative life of the English heartland. Through her studio practice, Laura found herself meeting an extraordinary network of craftspeople, restorers and independent businesses across the Midlands. Notswolds grew from those encounters, created to document, celebrate and connect a region rich in skill and culture yet often overlooked.
Together, her painting and publishing work share the same foundation. A commitment to craftsmanship, to place, and to ensuring creative communities are seen, valued and sustained.
Services
Bespoke hand painted furniture
Decorative painting for interiors
Murals and feature walls
Private client and designer commissions
Selected ready to buy pieces
JUSTIN CAPP LEATHERWORK
Justin Capp is a British leather craftsman with over 25 years’ experience making and teaching traditional leatherwork from his rural studio in Thurning, Northamptonshire. He’s known for combining hand carving, tooling and hand-stitching with practical design to make beautifully finished leather accessories that are built to last.
Justin also shares his craft through a variety of hands-on workshops held from his studio, where participants learn core skills such as hand cutting, stitching, pattern-making and finishing while making functional items like bags, belts, wallets and more. These sessions are welcoming to beginners and experienced makers alike, and often include supportive, small-group tuition.
In addition to his own teaching programme in Northamptonshire, Justin is a tutor at the Marangoni Institute in London — a fashion and design college where he teaches leather-working techniques to students on accessories and fashion degrees.
His personal work blends traditional leathercraft with practical utility, producing belts, wallets, bags and bespoke accessories shaped by hand, with surface carving and tooling that reflect decades of practice.
Services
Handcrafted leather goods including bags, belts, wallets and boxes
Bespoke commissions
Leather craft workshops from his Northamptonshire studio
One to one and small group tuition
Visiting tutor in London at the Istituto Marangoni
CHLOE JONASON IN CONVERSATION
A lampshade in progress at Chloe Jonason & Co, made by hand in her Lincolnshire studio.
Bringing together vintage textiles and timeless design, Chloe creates bespoke soft furnishings, upholstery and homewares with a focus on sustainability and craftsmanship. Based in the Lincolnshire countryside, her passion for interiors began with her own home and grew into a business dedicated to helping others fill their spaces with character and charm. She believes your home should be as unique as you are and loves nothing more than helping people personalise their space.
Every May, Chloe hosts The Orchards Brocante, a unique shopping experience in the garden of her home, bringing together her favourite vintage sellers and designers. It’s the perfect chance to find one-of-a-kind treasures in a beautiful setting.
Chloe discusses her inspirations, creative process and the direction her work is taking.
How would you describe your work?
I create bespoke, handcrafted interiors that feel personal, lived-in, and full of personality. I love working with vintage textiles and sustainable materials to make unique pieces that stand the test of time. Everything is thoughtfully made, with an emphasis on slow design and craftsmanship.
What inspires you?
I’m constantly drawn to history, whether it’s grand country houses, antique fabrics or traditional craftsmanship. I love the idea of giving old pieces new life and blending past and present to create something truly special.
An eclectic mix of vintage art in Chloe’s home in Lincolnshire.
You work with a lot of vintage textiles—how and where do you source your materials?
Sourcing is one of my favorite parts of the process. I spend a lot of time hunting for beautiful fabrics, whether it’s at antique fairs, textile dealers, or even markets abroad. I love discovering pieces with history - vintage saris, old French linens, handwoven suzanis - each one has a story to tell. I also try to repurpose and reuse as much as possible, giving forgotten fabrics a new lease of life in people’s homes.
What draws you to a particular fabric or piece when sourcing materials?
Sourcing is one of my favourite parts of the process! I spend a lot of time hunting for beautiful fabrics, whether it’s at antique fairs, textile dealers or even markets abroad. Some fabrics just have an irresistible quality - maybe it’s the softness of an aged linen or the intricate embroidery on a vintage textile. I also look for pieces that feel timeless and versatile, so they can work in a variety of interiors. If something makes me stop in my tracks, I know it’s special! It’s usually a mix of colour, texture and history. The colour palettes of vintage fabric are so inspiring they have a faded elegance not seen in mass-produced modern-day materials.
The studio creates custom furnishings using vintage textiles drawn from around the world and selected for their colour, character and artisan quality.
Why do you think your work resonates with people?
I think people love the personal, handmade element. There’s something special about knowing a piece has been thoughtfully crafted rather than mass-produced. It adds warmth and soul to a home.
What projects are you excited about right now?
I’ve been working on a new collection of Chik blinds, crafted with natural dyes to match any Farrow & Ball shade. Our unique display solutions for vintage fabrics are always evolving. Particularly popular right now are our stretched Suzani wall hangings and custom lampshades.
Chloe’s work centres on sourcing and reworking beautiful vintage fabrics, celebrating their patina, texture and story while reimagining them for contemporary homes.
CLAIRE LANGLEY IN CONVERSATION
Based in Hallidays Yard in Stamford, Claire Langley works from a 3,500 square foot warehouse and adjoining shop where antique character and modern refinement sit comfortably together. With nearly four decades of experience in restoration, reupholstery and bespoke design, she brings a deeply informed understanding of furniture, proportion and form.
Rooted in traditional British craftsmanship and sustained by long standing relationships with skilled makers, her workshop is defined by exacting standards and lasting quality.
On restoration, refinement and the enduring value of traditional craftsmanship, we speak with Claire Langley.
How would you describe your work?
Our work is a blend of sourcing, restoring, and creating. From antique furniture and decorative garden pieces to bespoke commissions, at the heart of what we do is a commitment to well-made, characterful furniture.
Claire Langley Antiques footstool No 1 in oak. The inspiration for this footstool was taken from a tightly turned bobbin Regency stool, which Claire has hung onto for years.
What’s your signature product?
Our bespoke footstool collection is front and centre right now. We’ve just launched 12 new designs, all built with solid beech frames, a variety of hand-turned leg styles, and brass castors. Upholstered using traditional techniques they reflect a deep respect for craftsmanship. Every footstool is fully customisable and made to any size you like. The options are endless and the result completely personal.
How did it all begin?
I trained as a restorer in Brighton and London before setting up my own restoration business in Cambridge. In 1993, I moved to Stamford and opened my first of three shops a year later. I still get excited by a beautiful old piece or a new commission.
Master upholsterer Alan Watson at work in the Claire Langley workshop, restoring an antique chair by hand.
What’s your favourite part of the process… and the biggest challenge?
The thrill of sourcing. I love setting off in my van, not knowing what I’ll come home with. The biggest challenge is finding skilled craftspeople to carry out the restoration, especially traditional upholsterers, with too few young people entering the profession.
Where do you work from?
Just across the courtyard from the shop, our 3,500-square-foot warehouse houses both our restoration workshop and a trove of period and decorative antiques. Open to the public and trade, it’s a very eclectic space. The shop itself is more curated, showcasing antiques, bespoke seating, lighting, planters, and pieces from local makers.
The Claire Langley Antiques showroom and shop in Stamford.
What inspires you?
Good design. I take a lot of inspiration from period interiors, particularly the pared-back elegance of Georgian style, which is reflected in the simplicity of our bespoke work. I’m also inspired by peers in the industry who’ve shaped my approach over the years.
How do you hope people use your pieces?
My wish is for our furniture is used and enjoyed every day, not kept for best. These are pieces designed to be lived with, well-loved, and eventually passed on.
What’s next?
We’re expanding our bespoke seating and collaborating with local craftspeople. Everything we make is available to order or adapt, and we’re always happy to talk about new ideas. Our new garden room brings together our love for outdoor living and decorative antiques. It’s exciting to keep exploring how the shop can grow while staying true to what we do best.
Claire’s eye for antiques and decorative pieces has been honed over a thirty year career, shaped by decades of handling, restoring and living with exceptional furniture.
Contact
T. +44 (0)1780 769333 | +44 (0)7752 919172
Follow. @clairelangley_
Shop
Claire Langley Hallidays Yard, Radcliffe Road Stamford, Lincolnshire, PE9 1ED
Monday & Tuesday: by appointment
Wednesday-Saturday: 10am - 4pm
LE BLANC FINE ART
Set within old farm buildings in a quiet corner of Leicestershire, Le Blanc Fine Art brings together the sculptural work of Judith Holmes Drewry and Lloyd Le Blanc, whose bronze pieces are held in private, corporate and public collections around the world. Working from their own foundry built more than fifty years ago, the studio has remained deeply rooted in the traditions of British sculpture, producing small limited editions that carry a strong sense of hand and place.
Their work reflects a lifelong commitment to form, movement and material, shaped through decades of casting and experimentation within the workshop they created together. The next generation of family and craftspeople who have been with the family for decades, continue their work to keep the foundry and the Le Blanc legacy alive.
Services
Limited edition bronze sculpture by Judith Holmes Drewry and Lloyd Le Blanc
Artist led bronze casting from their Leicestershire foundry
Commissions for private collectors, estates and public spaces
Sculpture supply for galleries, corporate collections and interior projects
Foundry casting and finishing rooted in traditional bronze techniques
Artist led exhibitions, collaborative showcases and creative events hosted within the foundry
CLAIRE LANGLEY ANTIQUES
Claire Langley Antiques is one of the region’s finest makers and dealers in traditionally upholstered seating, bespoke furniture and carefully restored antiques. With over 30 years’ experience gained from training and restoration work in Brighton, London and Cambridge, Claire’s deep understanding of design and craftsmanship informs everything the business does.
Working from workshops and a warehouse in Stamford, alongside a large shop curated with decorative pieces chosen by Claire’s exceptional eye, Claire Langley Antiques brings together practical craftsmanship and a deep understanding of proportion, fabric and finish. Each commission, whether a careful restoration or a custom made design, is rooted in traditional methods and made to be lived with and loved for generations.
At the heart of the operation are longstanding relationships with some of England’s most skilled craftspeople, from upholsterers and wood turners to finishers and restorers, each selected by Claire for their rare expertise and consistently high standard of work.
Services
Traditionally upholstered and restored antique furniture
Bespoke chairs, sofas and footstools made to order
Commissioned pieces upholstered to specification
A Stamford shop curating antiques, lighting and decorative pieces for home and garden
MAXWELL BARLOW LIGHTING
Maxwell Barlow is one of the UK’s most respected lighting designers, delivering residential and commercial projects across the UK and internationally, including Spain, Mallorca, the Bahamas and Jamaica.
Max began his career in events lighting at Starlight Design before training at award-winning architectural studio, John Cullen Lighting, then co founded the renowned Barlow & Barlow with his sister, interior designer, Lucy Barlow in 2013. In 2018, Maxwell Barlow established his own independent studio to collaborate more widely with designers and architects and is now one of the Notswolds’ leading contemporary designers, based in Leicestershire.
Maxwell Barlow Lighting’s approach is rooted in heritage and proportion, with a clear focus on atmosphere, longevity and sustainability. His work spans boutique hotels, listed townhouses, Caribbean villas and large country estates, with lighting schemes that are entirely tailored to the building, its architecture and interior character.
Services
Unique decorative lighting collections designed with a deep understanding of layered interior lighting
Bespoke lighting design and fabrication for interior designers, architects and private clients
Handcrafted metal lighting including lanterns, pendants and architectural fixtures
Heritage informed lighting schemes for country houses and historic interiors
Consultation and collaborative commissions across residential, hospitality and commercial projects
MATTHEW COX
Matthew Cox designs and makes furniture and lighting intended to be as essential and beautiful in one hundred years as it is today. Guided by a belief in materially and aesthetically sustainable design, the studio encourages thoughtful buying through pieces created with longevity, sensitive manufacture and careful aftercare at their core. Drawing on Matthew’s experience with antique furniture, each design reflects a deep understanding of materials, surfaces and how objects evolve over time.
Every piece is handmade, learning from the past to shape the future. Central to the studio’s thinking is a “100 Year Plan”, a commitment to support every piece well into the future. The framework supports a long lasting future for every piece, shaping how it is designed, made, maintained and ultimately repurposed, with the aim of extending its life for at least one hundred years. Matthew Cox became a certified B Corporation in 2024, achieving one of the highest B Corp scores for a furniture and lighting company in the UK and reinforcing a commitment to reducing demand on the planet’s resources through considered design and production.
Services
Furniture collections including tables, seating and storage
Lighting and mirrors
Bespoke furniture and lighting commissions
Re MC aftercare service
Antiques selected by Matthew Cox
JESS ELLIS CERAMICS
Jess Ellis creates vessels for flowers and plants, defined by soft feminine silhouettes and nuanced glazes. Each piece is wheel thrown and finished by hand, refined through a slow process of shaping, trimming and glazing to create objects that feel calm, purposeful and enduring.
Originally trained in architecture, her practice grew from a deep appreciation for the tactile nature of clay and the quiet rhythm of making by hand. She now works from her small studio in Leicestershire, developing a body of ceramics shaped by restraint, balance and a considered approach to form.
Services
Handmade ceramic vessels for flowers and plants
Decorative bowls and sculptural homeware
Limited batch studio releases
Made to order commissions
LAURA E JEKYLL IN CONVERSATION
From her studio in South Lincolnshire, painter Laura E Jekyll creates bespoke hand-painted art, furniture and homewares. Laura shares with us her inspirations, creative process and favourite local spots.
How would you describe your work?
Our homes tell our stories. We can use our homes to craft a lifestyle that’s aspirational, calming, convivial. My work is really decorative storytelling. Every piece is one-of-a-kind. It might be a commission for a mural or updating a piece of furniture they’ve had forever, but with each project I help my clients bring personality into their homes.
A dining set painted by Laura for clients in Stamford.
What are your main influences and inspirations?
Oh so many things! I collect little sparks of ideas from all sorts of places. Textiles and costume and antiques from across the globe. British style is quite eccentric really and I think you can see this in my work. I’m drawn to the wonderfully fluid style of the Bloomsbury aesthetic, the naivety of folk art and the wabi-sabi philosophy of appreciating nature’s simplicity and imperfections. I spend a lot of time experimenting with colour and texture, playing with smudges and brushstrokes—things that make the work human.
Do clients come to you with ideas, or do you guide the vision?
It’s usually a mix. Some have a clear vision, while others just have a vibe. I love collaborating—getting to know their style, space, and story. Every piece is a partnership, which makes it deeply personal.
What’s the one thing you can’t work without?
Music. It really helps me to get into the zone. The right playlist can instantly put me into that calm, creative state from which the work just flows.
Laura at work in her home studio in South Lincolnshire.
ROSE RAW-REES
In her spacious studio tucked away down an old lane in Grantham, Rose Raw Rees restores, reupholsters and creates bespoke seating using time honoured techniques to make furniture built to last.
After beginning her career in a respected London workshop and completing formal training in both traditional and modern upholstery, she returned to Lincolnshire to establish her own practice. Today she works with private clients and interior designers, known for careful craftsmanship, reliability and a considered approach to each piece.
Working across traditional upholstery, antique restoration and bespoke seating, her work reflects a long standing commitment to making things properly.
Services
Bespoke seating and soft furnishings including chairs, benches, stools and headboards
Full structural rebuilds and repairs using time honoured methods
Traditional reupholstery of antique and contemporary furniture
Custom cushions made to size
Fabric sourcing and material guidance
Commissioned work for private clients and interior designers
SEDERE & CO
Sedere & Co crafts bespoke fireside club fenders by hand in England, combining functionality with thoughtful design to elevate hearth spaces. Each piece is made to order in Lincolnshire, tailored in style, finish and colour to suit a client’s interior, and entirely unique to its setting. The work reflects a commitment to craftsmanship and conviviality, bringing a handcrafted touch to an everyday home focal point.
Available in a wide range of rich colourways and elegant brass finishes, every design is carefully proportioned and built to last, blending comfort, beauty and practical use in a piece made specifically for its home.
Services
Bespoke fireside club fenders made to order
Custom sizing, upholstery and finish options
Brass and painted metal frameworks
Commissioned designs tailored to individual interiors
Pieces for private homes and interior projects
CHLOE JONASON & CO
Chloe Jonason & Co is a British interiors and textile studio based in the Lincolnshire countryside. The studio creates considered, custom furnishings and curated vintage textiles — drawn from around the world and selected for their colour, character and artisan quality. Chloe’s work is rooted in a respect for time-honoured craft and a belief in pieces that feel personal, refined and enduring.
Much of Chloe’s work centres on sourcing and reworking beautiful vintage fabrics, celebrating their patina, texture and story while reimagining them for contemporary homes. These heirloom textiles are used as standalone pieces or reinterpreted into bespoke soft furnishings and lighting, elevating rooms with both global heritage and contemporary sensibility.
Services
Bespoke soft furnishings including curtains, blinds and cushions
Handcrafted gathered and tailored lampshades
Upholstery and re-upholstery projects
Made-to-order Chik blinds and window treatments
Sourcing and use of antique and vintage textiles
Interior textile consultation and project support
The Orchard’s Brocante is held every May at their home studio in Lincolnshire
