Karen Chapman Interior Stylist

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

Day off 💖

As a freelancer I never know when the next job is going to come in so I can’t complain that I’ve been super busy with work for the past 12 days 🙌🏻 especially because I love what I do!

I find it hard to give myself permission to have a proper day off. As in complete switch off. Mind anywhere else other than work (anyone else?). But today I did just that.

And what a bonus that the sun was shining ☀️

I started the day with the boring need to do tasks, things that keep getting put off but really do need doing (you know, like put air in my tyres) 🚗

But once that was done I treated myself to a trip to Lyonshall Nurseries & Garden Centre I demonstrated restraint today and came away with only two new plants 🪴

I got back into my little potted area to see what had survived the winter and my lack of TLC and necessities like water 🤦‍♀️

I am a visually aesthetic, creative individual and I like things that look pretty but when it comes to keeping something alive other than myself I find this a challenge…actually impossible. I get all enthusiastic and then life gets in the way and the next thing I know a plant has died. So from now on I limit myself to what I buy and I also appreciate the things that do survive despite my inconsistent attention and nurturing 😅

Today I planted up my very first ranunculus (we will see how this goes) alongside some Bellis which I know can survive and endure my low maintenance, hap hazard style of gardening. Also featured are two plants that made it through, I am not good with names but I am trying to learn. Feel free to add them in comments. And finally the calendula, the self seeding wonder that seems to be the one thing I can successfully say I can grow and keep alive✨ plus the slugs don’t eat it (which was the fate of my dahlias).

I may not know all the technicalities when it comes to gardening but I’m learning, slowly and in my own way and above all else I’m enjoying the process when I am in it even if it is sometimes for a fleeting moment and weeks even months pass in between 🪏

How do you like to spend a day off?

Reflecting on such a wonderful shoot with Wayfair UK last week 💫

The house decor was pure dopamine and I couldn’t wish for a better team to be a part of

We were even treated to an Easter Egg hunt!

Thank you and for having me on board, it’s always such a pleasure assisting you 💖

And to and we did it 🙌🏻

Behind the scenes with the styling dream team ✨

I’m assisting the most talented stylists and working with an incredible team of PR, photographers, and set builders, bringing every detail to life. Interiors are very much still my world.

Some highlights from today’s shoot:

1. Lynsey – the legend: the most organised and methodical woman I’ve ever met. She also came to my rescue when the location cats decided to spew 🤢 (this job is not all glamour!)

2. The said cats that spewed (you had to be there…)

3. Breakfast = the best location catering ever! 🥐

4. The rebel, who makes me laugh and is also an inspiring hand model ✋

5. no position is too tricky for the perfect shot and he will definitely get it 📸

6. Multi-talented, multi-skilled, always willing to lend a hand and the one who makes it all happen (as well as handling all the PR)

7. An absolute pleasure assisting these two! I always look forward to their names appearing in my inbox 💛

8. From arranging flowers to washing olives for the perfect martini prop, I love the variety of what I do. The trick is to expect the unexpected ✨

9. And yes… I get to see some weird and wonderful things in location houses! 😄 🐾

Every shoot is a learning experience, a great laugh along with the hard work due to the best people, and a reminder of why interiors will always be my passion.

Final day tomorrow! 💃

Happy International Women’s Day to all the incredible women out there ✨

A little reminder to celebrate yourself and everything you bring to the world

I get to share the day with my birthday each year and this year it’s a big one!

Cheers to 40 🥂 and stepping into a brand new decade in style 💁‍♀️

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