fbpx
Sophie Robinson
  • Home
  • Workshops
    • Marrakech Retreat
    • Ban the beige
  • Online Courses
  • Collaboration
  • Podcasts
  • Blog
  • About
    • About me
    • Work with me
    • Press
  • FAQs
  • Contact
  • Lifestyle
  • Travel
28 May 14

Handmade House

It’s been a very exciting and vibrant time for all things artistic, creative and fantastical as the May Festival has been celebrated in my hometown of Brighton.

One of my favorite things to do is go and have a nosey around the Artists Open Houses. You get to look and even purchase some sensational art and design but also get to hang out in some wonderful houses for the day.

However I’d like to share with you my favourite house this year, the Handmade House in Ditchling, owned and run by renowned potter Ralph Levy. Ralph is a very special man and curates and excellent collection of paintings, prints, pots along with jewelry and cushions. On top of all this he runs a mouthwatering café with pizzas prepared in his garden pizza oven- what’s not to love!

Bedroom with cushions by Sue Milner
The Shed
The pottery studio where Ralph holds his classes
The path through the woods with Sculpture trial
The enchanted hut
The infamous garden wood fired pizza oven
Children playing in the trees
Everyone dancing to the band
My Mum with Arthur outside The Hut

The house is a quintessential Sussex farmhouse with tile hung exterior and Crittall windows. Inside the rooms are freshly whitewashed with powdery hues on the stairs and floors- the perfect backdrop to show off the collection of artists work inside. Ralph has a metalwork studio (he is regularly commissioned to make furniture for Designers Guild) and a ceramics studio where I have been for his evening pottery classes. Many of his designs are in the house; I particularly love his metals beds and occasional tables.

Breathtaking still life paintings by Susan Ashworth
Vintage cushions by Sue Milner
Table decoartions at the garden cafe
Ceramic vases painted by Sophie Abbott, thrown by Ralph Levy
Love this sculpture by David Price
Jewelry by Katie Weiner
Ceramics by Gary Goodman and Ralph Levy
Porcelain vessel thrown by Ralph Levy and decorated by Beth Partridge
Painting by Becky Blair

Ralph loves artistic collaborations and so has worked with some renowned local Sussex artists on some pottery pieces.

Along with Beth Partridge he has thrown a breathtaking series of porcelain vessels for Beth’s ethereal mark making using a rare combination of slips and glazes that support Beths work with inks on paper.

Ralph worked in terracotta with artist Sophie Abbott supplying her bold sense of colour and brush strokes on these statement vases (two of which are now on my sideboard!).

Supplying the colour on the walls were fine artists Becky Blair, Susan Ashworth and Kate Shearman.

The house is nestled in a coppice of woodland, and an enchanting pathway leads you through the undergrowth, over bridges and under branches until you reach the enchanted Hut.

This really is a place of magic, where the children run around for hours while you enjoy the art. I just had to take home a Maria Tilyard greyhound cushion, and explain to my son Arthur that this was mummies special cushion- not a childs toy!

My shopping trip wouldn’t have been complete without a show stopping pair of tassel earings from bespoke jeweler Katie Weiner.  I’ve no doubt they’re about to make an appearance on TV anytime soon!

More information

Check out the Handmade House for adult evening pottery classes (tried and tested!), children’s pottery parties and fabulous catered dinner parties. You can even book a nights accommodation in The Hut in the woods.

Ralph Levy, The Handmade House, Beards Place Farm, 98 Lewes Road, Ditchling, BN6 8TZ. Phone: 01273 845355 email: ralphlevy@onetel.com

Ralph-at-the-handmade-house

For more information on next years Brighton May festival check out http://brightonfestival.org

 

  • Lifestyle
  • Travel
Decorating on the dark side Ibiza

comments

higildy on 28.05.14

Really enjoyed this, Sophie! Thanks for sharing xx

Reply
Sophie Robinson on 28.05.14

If you ever get the chance to visit Brighton- May is the month to do it! Perhaps you could visit the house?

Reply
Emma Harris on 28.05.14

Hi Sophie, I’m really pleased to find you on bloglovin. I never tend to make it out to the Ditchling houses, but you have inspired me to go in December, Ralph’s house looks amazing! I am a friend of Katie’s, having met her when I posted in my previous blog about her, I love her current collection of tassley (not sure that’s a word!) jewellery, I bet the earrings are gorgeous!

Reply
Sophie Robinson on 28.05.14

Hi Emma! The Handmade House is indeed a total gem worth knowing about. I went twice! Lovely to hear we have mutual friends. Katie is a long tern friend of mine and I have quite a few precious pieces of hers- they are just so special. She made me a necklace from an old broach of my grandmothers- but that’s a whole other post! What a clever lady. The Brighton posse are doing well!

Reply
Emma Harris on 29.05.14

How funny, I find that Brighton is like that, everyone you meet knows someone you know, it is a small City indeed. Katie is so clever, I must confess I have a few pieces of hers too, her work is impossible to resist!

Reply

Leave a Comment

Cancel Reply

Your email address will not be published.

  • Interiors
    • colour crush
    • DIY
    • Home Tours
    • Interior Design
    • Interior Styling
    • podcast
    • trends
  • Lifestyle
    • Business
    • Fashion/Beauty
    • Life
    • My House
    • Nosh
    • Travel
  • Rooms
    • Bathrooms
    • Bedrooms
    • Kids rooms
    • Kitchens
    • Living rooms
    • Outside
  • Videos

mailing
list

Videos

Listen

Listen Here

Bedlinen range

Shop

Colour Psychology for professionals

book your place!

Catch Sophie In All Her Colourful Glory On Instagram

We are back, it’s PODCAST DAY! After a little l We are back, it’s PODCAST DAY! After a little  lie down over Christmas Kate and I are rebooted and cuddled up inside our ‘duvet dens’ for remote recording Lockdown 3.0. . We have so much to catch up on including more ‘home office’ makeovers. Stop the press, Tom has finally been installed in his new green office that was previewed last series , pictured, and @mad_about_the_house is also having a complete reshuffle now that she has two large teenage sons living at home full time taking up all the space , and fridge contents by the sounds of it. 🍔. We discuss our exciting plans for the year ahead and share our thoughts on the trends for 2021. So for all this and more head on over to the podcast app and find us in The Great Indoors! 
CREDITS walls painted Sage and onion and windows in Lamp black @littlegreenepaintcompany . Blind made by @willowbertinteriors in Textile under Ekvatorn by Joseph Frank’s @svenskttenn . Table is old IKEA. Vintage Eames chair @vinestreetvintage Cushion @fannyshorter Seagrass flooring @alternativeflooring 
#thegreatindoors #podcast #interiorspodcast #wfh #homeoffice #greenroom #threemugs #desksetup #homestudio
How you doing? Just a reminder that while it might How you doing? Just a reminder that while it might appear like we are living the perfectly curated life  in these squares it’s a short swipe to reveal the reality! Lockdown has its unique stresses and I’m making a pact to be gentle on myself and everyone around me. Let me know what your coping strategies are right now. Mine today is makeup and big earrings. 
Thanks to @franklybold for this insanely fabulous pair . When times gets tough, the earrings just get bigger! #gift 

#colourlover #banthebeige #earrings #bigjwellery #bigearrings #lockdown #lockdownlife #lockdown2021
Friday! 🤩 It’s all about the small wins and Friday! 🤩 
It’s all about the small wins and I made it to the end of the week. But already 2021 has me feeling weary. I had such a lovely relaxing  Christmas break and this week has been full steam ahead with all kinds of 💩 thrown at me and I haven’t even started home schooling yet! 😫 But one thing that gave me a mood boost was dressing up in this magnificent gown from @las_ninas_textiles . I met fellow colour lover Nina on these squares and just adore her brand, her ethos and her fringe. Thank you Nina for your beautiful gift of colour joy! It really has shone a Latin rainbow on a dismal grey British week. This stunning indigo and huipil dress even has little threads of glitter running through it. 🌈 I’m pairing it with cosy leggings and my trusty @grensonshoes boots so I might never take it off! 
What do you do to cheer yourself out of the doldrums?

#gift #colourlover #banthebeige #lasninastextiles #haulternativefashion #sustainablefashion #colourlover #lasninastextiles #whomadeyourclothes #dresslikeyoudecorate #dresslikeyourhome #ihavethisthingwithcolour
Who’s back at their desk this week with big plan Who’s back at their desk this week with big plans for their home in 2021! I’m thrilled and excited that my online course Colour Psychology for interiors is open for enrolment TODAY! 🛎🛎🛎 By far the most popular course to date this is a deep dive into how colour works on a deeper more emotional level. Discover how to blend colour harmoniously in your schemes and understand which palettes are perfect for you. Because we all have very different connections to colour and design and finding out what your authentic palette and style is is fundamental to creating a home you love. I’ve spent years honing my own style but with this course you can nail it in a matter of weeks! And it’s a beautiful deep dive into self discovery and creativity while  helping you gain clarity, confidence and cut through the overwhelm. Because there is enough of that going around already! 🤪 I’ll be back here at 6pm tonight on an Instagram live to tell you more about the transformational power of Colour Psychology for interiors so please join me and ask any questions! Bring on the colour joy! 🌈🌈🌈

📷 @aluncallenderphoto #colourpsychology #colourpsychologyforinteriors #colourlover #banthebeige #backtowork #interiordesign #interiordesigner #interiorsesignschool #interiorsesignonline #houseofhackney #newyearnewhome #homegoals #colourmyhome #mycolourfulinterior #colourfulhomevibe #mycreativeinterior #nesttoimpress #stylishhomevibes #atmine
The year we stayed at home. 2020 has taught me to The year we stayed at home. 2020 has taught me to care and love the simple things. And in many ways I’m blessed that being at home is often just where I want to be. The year ahead still holds so many unknowns and managing fears, expectations and anxieties will continue to be part of the battle.  But making a house a home can really help us feel safe and grounded. So here are some beautiful flowers, and rainbow baubles that go towards making my home feel the best it can. How do you make your home feel extra special and bring a smile to your face 😊? 

📷 @aluncallenderphoto flowers @sageandco.floraldesign baubles @rockettstgeorge.co.uk lamp @pookylights walls in lazuli @zoffanyfw artwork @alexmayhughes 

#houseahome #colourlover #banthebeige #marchtothebeatofyourowndrum #homesweethome
This is becoming a habit! All dressed up and no wh This is becoming a habit! All dressed up and no where to go, AGAIN! Ha! Fairwell 2020! It’s been....an experience! Big love to all of you! I’ve LOVED hanging out with you all on these squares!🥰 

📷 @aluncallenderphoto  #colourlover #banthebeige #newyearseve #bye2020 #greatindoors #bbbinteriors 
Dress is @stinegoyastudio at @sirene.boutique ( bought last year)
Hello!!! How ARE you?! I’m loving this twixmas t Hello!!! How ARE you?! I’m loving this twixmas time, having long lie ins, reading loads, and on that subject currently ‘Think like a monk’ by @jayshetty is PERFECT right now for a mental reset. I’m resisting thoughts of 2021, of work or ‘real life’, for just a couple more days. I see lots of people clearing down the decorations and getting the house feeling fresh, but I’m keeping the twinkle a little longer. But I can feel the batteries are recharging and boy they needed too! I meant to do my yearly vision board today but couldn’t get motivated to do that either! . How are you all doing. Anyone feeling ready to take on the new year yet?  #tapfordetails 
.
.
.
#twixmas #newyear2021 #colourfulhomevibe #colourlover #banthebeige #bbbinteriors #gidc #sodomino #credenza
All dressed up and no where to go! Ha ha! In reali All dressed up and no where to go! Ha ha! In reality I’m in my joggers peeling a mountain of root vegetables but living the dream on the grid just for you! Thanks so much for all of you who have spread the joy and magic of Christmas on these squares. I’ve loved the colour, the creativity and the joy it’s bought. Wishing you all a special Christmas however you are making it work for you, which probably wasn’t  what you’d ever have expected. A special heartfelt virtual hug going out to all of you struggling at this time. See you on the other side! 

📷 @aluncallenderphoto . Garland by @sageandco.floraldesign . Dress @roksandailincic ( not an ad obvs but I know your gonna ask!) 

#christmasdecor #colourfulhomevibe #colourfulchristmas #banthebeige #colourlover #fireside #christmasgarland #christmasgarlanddecor #woodburner #countryliving #countrylife #countryinteriors
Load More… Follow on Instagram
Sophie Robinson
  • © 2017 Sophie Robinson

    /
  • Contact/
  • About/
  • Design by MW

Don't forget to join!