As we launch our refreshed Their Nibs brand and new website, it felt like the perfect time to invite you into the place that has inspired so much of the business over the years: my family home.
Many people ask where the inspiration for Their Nibs comes from, and the truth is that it can be found in almost every corner of this house. From vintage paintings and collected treasures to floral prints, meaningful family heirlooms and colourful interiors, our home has become woven into the DNA of the brand and our pyjama sets.
A Home Filled with Stories
Our living room is a wonderful mix of old and new. I have always loved rich colours, particularly soft pinks, blues and greens, and you'll see those combinations throughout the house.
Many of the pictures on our walls have been collected over the years from car boot sales, antique shops and unexpected discoveries. Floral paintings have always been a favourite of mine, and some have even inspired Their Nibs prints. One peacock painting, despite its cracked frame, became the starting point for a design used in a previous collection.
I have always believed that homes should evolve over time and reflect the people who live in them. Ours is certainly eclectic, but every piece has a story.
A Dressing Table with Meaning
One of my favourite pieces in the house is a kidney-shaped dressing table in our bedroom.
Many years ago, during the early days of running Their Nibs, my husband found it abandoned on the street near our home in north west London. He brought it home, painted it and surprised me with it for my birthday.
It remains one of the most thoughtful gifts I've ever received. As with so many things in life and business, it reminds me that something overlooked by one person can become incredibly special to someone else.
The Bedroom: Comfort, Colour and Family Memories
Our bedroom is one of my favourite spaces in the house.
The wallpaper from Timorous Beasties has been here for years and still brings me joy every day. We are also lucky enough to have a small wood burner, and during winter I love rolling out my yoga mat and spending a quiet evening by the fire.
The mantelpiece is filled with meaningful objects collected throughout my life: childhood treasures, family photographs, Mother's Day cards and little keepsakes gathered along the way.
One of the most precious pieces is a floral artwork created by my mum using flowers I picked when we learned we would be successfully adopting our daughter, Maggie. It is a beautiful reminder of an incredibly important moment in our family's story.
Above the bed hang portraits of our children, painted by friends from favourite photographs. They perfectly capture their personalities and are among my most treasured possessions. Our wonderful bed and bedding is from French Bedroom.
Inspired by Beautiful Design
Throughout the house you'll find examples of work by designers and makers whose creativity I admire.
One quote that has always stayed with me comes from William Morris:
"Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful."
I think that's a wonderful philosophy and one that has influenced both our home and the way we approach design at Their Nibs.
The Family Kitchen
Our kitchen is probably the room that best reflects our family.
Nothing matches perfectly, and that's exactly how we like it. Shelves made from trees cut down by my husband and son sit alongside reclaimed wood, vintage finds and handmade chopping boards created by my son Finn.
It's a room that has grown organically over time, just like the business itself.
Most importantly, it is home to the table where Their Nibs began.
Over 23 years ago, I sat at this French table planning collections, developing ideas and dreaming about what the business could become. Looking back now, those early days were both exciting and daunting, but they laid the foundations for everything that followed.
Our Blue House and Wisteria
Outside, our much-loved wisteria has become something of a local landmark.
We bought it from Columbia Road around 15 years ago and have carefully nurtured it ever since. Every spring it transforms the front of the house into something magical.
Combined with our bright blue exterior, it creates a sight that regularly stops passers-by in their tracks. We often see people pausing to take photographs, which always makes us smile.
Looking Back, Looking Forward
As Their Nibs enters a new chapter with a refreshed look and website, it has been lovely to reflect on the spaces, memories and people that have shaped the brand over the years.
While many things have changed since I first sat at that kitchen table in 2003, the heart of Their Nibs remains the same: colour, comfort, creativity and a home filled with stories.
Thank you for joining me on this tour.
