To enter an artist’s residence is to enter another’s creative mind. Experiencing day-to-day life in the home of a creator lends a feeling that transcends viewing their work on a wall. We delve inside dwellings that act as galleries, studios and inspiration for the artisans who call them home.
There was never any question that Paul Massey would be anything other than a photographer. Taking and developing photographs by five years old, at sixteen Paul was the youngest employee to be hired by The London Evening Standard and later went on to work as a freelancer, now regularly featured in Living Etc, House and Garden, Elle Decoration, GQ, The Times and Vogue. From being commissioned by fashion designers such as Vivienne Westwood to being charged at by wild elephants, Paul’s calming Cornwall retreats on Mousehole harbour provide refuge and balance to a colourful career.
“My work as a photographer has afforded me the opportunity to have travelled all over the world for close to forty years. I’ve been fortunate to have seen some of the most beautiful locations, and been in close contact with a huge range of extraordinary and talented people. These experiences have undoubtedly influenced and informed the way I have set up and curated my home. I return to a warm and comfortable space, surrounding myself with items of character, well designed, functional and full of memories.” - Paul Massey, Photographer
With a name like Mouse Martin, you would only expect that she would live in a cottage worthy of its own children’s storybook. Mouse has exhibited photography worldwide, but in more recent years has returned to her roots and now resides in the heart of the picturesque Cotswolds countryside, specialising in unusual handmade ceramics under the guise ‘Made by Hands’.
"There is a saying, home is where the heart is, but I believe when something has been up-cycled from a past life or made by hands then it adds a precious amount of love that weaves into the creativity of a home, and it becomes a unique place where your soul is at peace." - Mouse Martin, Ceramicist
According to Atlanta and her husband David, owners of interiors boutique Pale and Interesting, our homes present a key opportunity to express our personality. This is a quote from The Relaxed Home; one of several best-selling books that have positioned Atlanta as an icon in the modern-rustic beach house style movement.
"For us, inspiration is a never-ending journey of exploration and discovery, and it comes in many shapes and forms: poems, films, walks on the beach, postcards, holidays, books, history, a chair leg or a scrap of fabric. The changing planet also plays a huge part in our motivations; minimising our carbon footprint using sustainable materials, recycling and repairing wherever possible. We prefer a holistic approach to decorating and believe that a home should first and foremost be a place for living that reflects your lifestyle, interests and passions, but above all it should also be somewhere that soothes your emotions; a place where you can relax and recharge your batteries." - Atlanta Bartlett, Interior Stylist
London-based painter, Henry John, splits his time between his Chelsea studio and Charity, a sprawling converted farmhouse on the borders of The Black Mountains. The farmhouse, which once belonged to his father, features in a series of recent paintings by Henry who takes much inspiration from his secluded retreat in the Herefordshire hills.
"I love being at Charity. Approaching the valley and turning onto the winding Mountain Road begins the transition for me, a journey into another world. It is a truly magical landscape. On arrival there is always the wow factor of the larger than life windows that look out from the kitchen. The house is poised to look out across the valley and this connection with the changing landscape I find very inspiring. The house has its own rhythm and after a couple of days staying there my relationship with time and nature completely changes. It’s a very beautiful and soulful experience, I highly recommend it." - Henry John, Artist
The courtyard through the kitchen window at Charity.
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