It’s here! And yes that deserves an exclamation mark. My collection of furniture for made.com is now online and available for purchase. Check.Me.Out.
It all started a couple of years ago when I saw that MADE had collaborated with both Living etc and Elle Decoration and, never one to miss an opportunity, I thought worraboutme? So I sent a cheeky email to the press office (who I had met before – it wasn’t totally out of the blue) suggesting I do a collection for them.
To my utter surprise I was invited in for a meeting. I took in my hastily sketched table lamp and an improvised wall light made from a cardboard tube (kitchen not loo) and spoke about my ideas for a luxurious collection that would have a slight edge to it.
I had initially hoped that I would be able to choose a few of my favourite things (cue music) and put them together under a mad about the house banner but by the time I left, we had agreed to make a prototype of the table and to create a capsule collection based around my theme of urban glamour.
The colours were to be navy and brass and initially I was hoping for patterned velvet but it proved (at the time) too tricky so we settled on plain. Then the textile department changed and expanded and it was possible to have my idea for grafitti-style brush strokes added to the velvet cushions.
The rug was to be plain but with a carved texture so that it looks different according to the light – you can see in the picture above that it has two contrasting end panels. The website calls it charcoal – it’s a sort of dark grey navy – it actually is a gorgeous colour and it’s 100 per cent wool by the way.
The chair is very comfortable and exactly right for sitting up with the laptop on the table or sitting back with a book or a magazine. And that was the other point – as well as having an urban glamour look, I also wanted it to be about Saturday afternoon and Sunday morning (to paraphrase a rather gritty novel and film of the 1960s). The idea is that you can sit here if you have a couple of emails to send but don’t need to be at a desk. There is room at the table for a laptop and a cup of coffee.
Two of the cushions are larger than standard so they work on the floor either to rest your feet on or, if you are a lying on the floor sort of person. I was very much in my youth. I’m a bit more chair these days.
I hope you will indulge my photograph above – the year began with the publication of my book and and is ending with the launch of my furniture collection. And, as ever, I owe a big thank you to you, all my readers without whom this really wouldn’t be happening.
Now, if any of you decide to buy any of it do let me know and tag me in instagram – I’d love to see it in your homes. We’re not done with navy blue by a long chalk. I have been looking at the new collections for next year there’s lots of blue and also teal, which you can find in the cushions….#justsaying..
Here it is laid out on the page and there’s a link to it all under the picture.
I hope you like it – here is everything laid out on the page and you can mix and match as you go along. I want to say also that I worked closely with the MADE studio on this. I am not a designer, more a sort of curator with ideas and this is very much a collaboration.
You can read more about the collection by clicking on the individual items and then there is this little video wot we made too.
Let me know what you think……
Wow ! Absolutely love your new collection, Kate. That navy velvet chair has my name on it – gorgeous.
What a fab year you’ve had . Onwards and upwards into 2017. Love your blog, Kate ~ you are a true inspiration.
Happy Christmas to you and your loved ones .
Well done Kate! Love your blog and take some inspiration from there. We seem to be in tune. I am just doing up my kitchen in brass and navy. Your table in there?! We shall see. what a way to (start and) end the year. Here’s to 2017! ATB
ooh that would be exciting! Do send me a picture if you decide to put it in there…. x
Hey Kate! Saw that Steve Busfield had recommended you, so I popped over to say hi! Love the blog and LOVE grey! Just finished up with a decorator a few hours ago slaving to pick out two shades of grey for a huge and hideous room at my offices. Have bookmarked your blog and can’t wait to see what else you’re writing about.
PS Huge fan of the Guardian and the FT!
HI! Thanks for coming over – so glad you like the blog. Let me know what grey you have chosen and make sure he paints the skirting boards (if you have them in an office!) the same colour as the walls….. XK
There are no windows in the room (conference room) and it has 14′ ceilings. We’re doing a light grey, a white chair rail, a dark grey and then black baseboards to coordinate with the marble hall outside the room. It was once a stunning space, but was dumbed down during the 1960’s.
sounds pretty cool! is there any natural wood to warm it up a bit? Or an accent colour – neon orange or pink – how about doing the chair rail in that? or lime green?
Wow, what a gorgeous collection, and what a great way to end the year.
The rug and chair are going on my wish list for the bedroom, and it would be rude not to add a cushion as well.
i think you’ve been practising as this vid is miles better than the one you did for Magnet – i’m serious! you look and sound great in it – true professional and very natural
brilliant xx
Let’s not talk about the magnet one! I think it’s down the editing and the autocue (which they wanted for magnet and which made it all very UNnatural)
The lamp / table is ingenious. And love the navy chair. Good luck with it Kate! x
Wow! Congratulations, live the dream Lady! I love the table lamp – ingenious design! 🙂 Look forward to seeing more in the future…
Fabulous. Well deserved success. Your blog has been so inspirational to us. Thank you for introducing us to NORR11. Got the dining table legs a few months ago and made our own table top, scaffold planks and lime wash. It’s fab. Everyone who comes into the house asks where we got it. The kids love playing at it, dog loves lying under it, and as the top isn’t precious don’t have to worry about mushed in banana or the artistic additions from the kids!
I think there is a bit of you in all the rooms we have decorated since finding your blog.
Have a great Christmas.
Gosh what a lovely message to read, thank you Suzanne. Am feeling quite overcome! x
Top congratulations! Your concept and collaboration is perceptive and accurate – our homes should not reflect a sterile shop window. I’m imagining how your MADE collection comes into its own under seasons of social weathering- its blue velvet pile a little paler due to a general history of lounging, its brass taking on the patina of under-polishing, familiar indents on unshaken cushions, the rug ruffled (well, that’s my house). Crikey, aren’t you clever!!!
Beautiful pieces, gorgeous blues. I love the table lamp.
Congratulations!
xx
Congratulations – how fabulous! I absolutely love the lamp – such a talking point.
Lovely pieces Kate. They work well separately and together and will easily fit into the various decorating schemes trending now. And the chair is to die for. X
Absolutely stunning collection, I love the colours and the table lamp is divine.
Very very nice – massive congrats what a wonderful year it has been for you. Hope 2017 either tops it or is much more of the same. Have a wonderful Christmas round that Norr11 dining table. X
Well done Kate! Great stuff, but really love the Howard style armchair! X
Really beautiful collection Kate! Love the table in particular, brass is just gorgeous! Well done 🙂 X