Top Drawer 2020 at Olympia London this week was a feast for the senses; with over 1500 global brands and new designers. From homewares to gifts to fashion, craft and food, there was something for everyone. I came away with a notebook full of scribbles and a pile of postcards and business cards from my… Continue reading Top Drawer 2020 – Homewares
Author: Julie Gardner
gilhoolie loves… botanical prints
I'm really loving all the botanical print wallpapers and fabrics available at the moment and I'm thinking about using some to freshen up our living room curtains. Coincidentally, I have also been working on some floral illustrations to liven up my website so look out for those soon. Here are my favourites. You can see… Continue reading gilhoolie loves… botanical prints
Handmade Chelsea 2019
Last weekend I took time out to visit Handmade Chelsea with a friend. Great excuse to get into London on a rainy Saturday afternoon, and the perfect opportunity to take a mooch in the shops on the King's Road afterwards. Time was limited but we managed to stop off at The Conran Shop, Anthropologie, Designers… Continue reading Handmade Chelsea 2019
Everyone loves a tapered drum…
Tapered drum lampshades have been very popular at gilhoolie lately. Either restoration of an existing lampshade (as it's hard to find a replacement of the same dimensions) or made from scratch using a template. I particularly like restoring a client's tapered drum lampshade - it's always a happy feeling when I roll it along the… Continue reading Everyone loves a tapered drum…
Harris Tweed lampshades…
I have always loved Harris Tweed so was delighted when a client in Birmingham asked me to use some to make two very big and two small lampshades to fit bases they had purchased from Loaf.com. The fabric is about as thick as you'd want to go for a lampshade (you really need to consider… Continue reading Harris Tweed lampshades…
Map lampshades…
I'm at home with Arthur puppy today (just a bit poorly after a minor op). So I have finished off some lampshades for clients, but otherwise I plan to generally take it easy myself too (which is very rare!) I feel very lucky that I have the flexibility to be able to do what I… Continue reading Map lampshades…
Arthur puppy is one!
It's Arthur puppy's first birthday this week, I can't believe how fast the last year has flown! Life has definitely changed and to anyone thinking about getting a dog, (well a miniature schnauzer at least as I don't have experience of any others) I would definitely say go for it. I can't think of any… Continue reading Arthur puppy is one!
Arthur Titch Gardner!
Well, I'm home alone for the first day with our new little addition - Arthur the miniature schnauzer puppy! Otherwise known as Arthur Daley, King Arthur, Arf a cucumber!!! He came home with us on Saturday and had the best bank holiday weekend ever. Such an intelligent cheeky little chap, we love him to bits… Continue reading Arthur Titch Gardner!
1960s vintage lampshade restoration…
Restoring a treasured lampshade for a client has to be one of the best things I get to do at gilhoolie. Jules from Flackwell Heath had two 1960s, very unusual shaped lampshades that her mum had bought many years ago. They were looking very sorry for themselves but still in use by Jules. The lampshades… Continue reading 1960s vintage lampshade restoration…
Henley-on-Thames School of Art…
I discovered The Henley on Thames School of Art last year - when I was looking for something creative to do that fits around working and making lampshades.
Thank goodness I discovered it! What a lovely place it is! It's a warm, welcoming, sunlit studio at the back of Hart Street, with a little courtyard. You'd never know it was there, unless you spot the little sign at the entrance to the alleyway...
