Karen Chapman Interior Stylist

I am ready for the heatwave ☀️

I’ve also found the perfect spot for your special moment photoshoot at The Rodd, Nr. Presteigne.

Family portraits, engagements,and maternity shoots can be arranged with Laura Shepherd's Lens Photography

For branding and lifestyle shoots or product launches contact Ali Ali Curzon | Freelance Photographer

If you are looking for somewhere to go to keep cool then visit The Rodd Sidney Nolan Trust with its traditional orchard, wooded areas and a short walk to the river. Perfect for a hot day. Plus it’s dog friendly.

How are you planning on keeping cool? 😎

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📷 Ali Curzon for The Sidney Nolan Trust

I had the opportunity to work with the incredibly talented Ali Curzon again the other week and here are the results (well just some of them for now) ☺️

A total team effort to style and shoot this beautiful holiday cottage on the England-Wales border. A true hidden gem.

It’s always such a pleasure to work alongside Ali. She fills me with such confidence and puts me at ease when I have no models and have to jump behind the camera myself 🫣😬

Oh and she’s not only great with people but pets too! She handled our other model Byron superbly 🐾

As a photographer to my styling she knows just when to get that shot without me overthinking every single detail and the clock is ticking.

Hardly any words need to be spoken between us. We just know instinctively what needs to be done, teamwork at its best. This is especially important when budgets and timing are super tight, as was the case here. But it just goes to show it can be done.

I am also super grateful to local printmaker and designer h a n n a h m a d d e n for the product loans.

For more information on this very special holiday cottage that sleeps up to 4, is self-catering and dog friendly visit: https://www.sidneynolantrust.org/your-visit/staying-here/

The accommodation sits amongst the tranquil site of a rural arts centre and extensive grounds as part of Sidney Nolan Trust and all rental income from the cottage supports the Trust’s creative and learning programmes and work with young people and artists. It is ideal to escape the hustle and bustle of city living. If you would like to slow down, immerse yourself in nature and unwind, this is the place for you.

If you would like to find out more about how styling and the right shots by the right photographer can help your business then feel free to drop me a message.

Thank you 📷Ali Curzon for being you ✨

📍 Location: Orchard Cottage, The Rodd, Nr. Presteigne

One of the things I love most about my work is meeting talented, creative people and hearing the stories behind what they do.

Last week I had the absolute pleasure of spending some time with h a n n a h m a d d e n and seeing her beautiful work up close. I also got a preview of her new tote bags which will be launching soon.

Hannah very kindly loaned some of her handmade pieces for a recent photoshoot at a local cottage getaway (more on that to come!), and I was delighted to finally visit her workspace and learn more about her creative process.

Inspired by the landscapes of the English and Welsh borders, Hannah hand sketches and carves her own printing blocks before creating her gorgeous textiles and paper goods using traditional block printing and screen-printing methods. She also produces one-of-a-kind botanically dyed pieces using plants foraged from the fields and woodlands surrounding her South Shropshire studio.

In a world of mass production, there is something incredibly special about holding something that has been thoughtfully designed and made by hand. The care, craftsmanship and attention to detail in Hannah’s work is evident in every piece.

I was also very touched by Hannah’s kindness and generosity, and was lucky enough to come home with a beautiful cushion and a lavender eye pillow that Hannah gifted me, swipe to the last slide to see them.

In today’s current climate it is so important to support and celebrate small businesses and fellow creatives. If you don’t already follow Hannah, I highly recommend taking a look at her beautiful work.

Thank you, Hannah, for your warm welcome, your generosity and for sharing a little glimpse into your creative world.

It may be raining outside but it’s a great excuse to close the laptop and snuggle up with a good book at long last.

Looking forward to this one!

Thank you

What is everyone else reading at the moment?

Peonies…just peonies.

They make me smile when they finally bloom.

My Peonies in the garden plus my Nan’s 💖

A little burst of summer 🌸☀️

I’ve been a bit quiet on here lately because freelance life has been wonderfully busy and I’m absolutely loving it.

From design consultancy and marketing to interior styling, I feel so grateful to be able to bring together all of the experience I’ve gathered over the years and do something I truly love for a living.

Creativity has always been at the heart of everything I do. Whether I’m styling interiors, creating floral displays, or pulling together visually beautiful spaces, I love helping businesses tell their story through design.

These photos by the wonderful Ali capture me in my happy place, flowers, sunshine, and all things summery 🌿

I’ll share a few more recent projects and behind-the-scenes moments in my stories soon.

One of the best parts of this work is all the wonderful people I meet along the way and I’m looking forward to working with Ali again soon.

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Working in such a special location today

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On days like these work doesn’t feel like work. I really do love my job and all the people I get to meet along the way 💖

Thank you Ellie of for having me on board to assist in styling this venue for a couples magical day 👰🏼🤵🏼

It was great to add more experience and skills to my existing styling portfolio, thank you Ellie for the opportunity.

Tell me you’re an interior styling assistant without telling me you’re an interior styling assistant 😆

Opens washing machine…

…finds a black Sharpie that’s just been through a full cycle 🤦‍♀️🤭

If you know, you know.

Where’s the strangest place you’ve left or found yours