As the weather cools and the nights draw in, trends such as tablescaping mean many of us are focusing more on the napkins, plates and candlesticks than the food on the table. We want to surround ourselves in our place of refuge and safety with things that give us joy.
Bell Hutley is a British artist and designer selling unique homewares, accessories and artworks that aim to shock. Spotted on the smartest of dining tables are her evil eye-patterned placemats, tumblers scattered with stars.
Always drawn to interior design, charity shops and flea markets, she loved upcycling second hand lampshades, placemats and trays by hand-painting them. In 2018, she founded her business.
Inspired by the likes of Alexander McQueen and Tim Burton, and with a nostalgia for Brothers Grimms' stories, her love of the darker side of things is prevalent in her work. Bell takes her inspiration from weird and wonderful children’s books, myths, folklore, stories and counter cultures.
Bell takes great pride in producing most of her designs locally to help British suppliers and to reduce carbon footprint.
A recent collaboration, the Bell Hutley X Alexandra Tolstoy Collection is characterised by Tolstoy's Russian heritage and adventures. Printed linen tablecloths and napkins, enamel tumblers, and hexagon-shaped placemats in a deep colour palette of greens, reds, creams, aqua and black.
I love these handpainted toadstools which are unfortunately sold out currently.
So instead, I will be ordering the pretty boxes of matches ,the sustainably sourced birch wood Stargazer Tray and the set of 6 mixed napkins.
By Anna Bance
November 2020
