Get their look: Memphis-inspired artist’s home

Memphis-inspired artist's home in Manchester city centre

We often choose an artist’s residence as our weekly featured Get their look home. Today, it’s a Memphis-inspired, new-build, city centre flat; a little bit of Italy in the middle of Manchester.

On his Instagram feed, Michael Pybus titles his home like he would a work of modern art; Home (Living room, kitchen, studio, hallway) 2022 – 61m² / 656ft².

His living space is a seamless meld of high-end, vintage Italian design and classic, mass-produced IKEA with a backdrop of bright, primary colours.

Pybus explains his taste in a recent Apartment Therapy interview:

My style is quite plasticky, hard edged and artificial but I also do really appreciate nature and natural forms which is what drew me to setting up and growing a mini coral reef.

Get their look

Some of the links on our blog are affiliate links. We may receive a small commission - at no cost to you - if you click through and make a purchase.
Prices & links correct at time of publication.

Virgil Abloh x IKEA MARKERAD Receipt rug
Virgil Abloh x IKEA MARKERAD Receipt rug
Lilac retro microwave
Lilac retro microwave
Tahiti table lamp by Ettore Sottsass in 1981 for Memphis Milano
Tahiti table lamp by Ettore Sottsass in 1981 for Memphis Milano
Svarva floor lamp designed in 2009 by Front Designers for IKEA
Svarva floor lamp designed in 2009 by Front Designers for IKEA
Orbital floor lamp by Ferruccio Laviani in 1992 for Foscarini
Orbital floor lamp by Ferruccio Laviani in 1992 for Foscarini
Oceanic lamp by Michele de Lucchi designed in 1981 for Memphis Milano
Oceanic lamp by Michele de Lucchi designed in 1981 for Memphis Milano
Red and Blue chair by Gerrit T. Rietveld designed in 1918 for Cassina
Red and Blue chair by Gerrit T. Rietveld designed in 1918 for Cassina
Virgil Abloh x IKEA MARKERAD Receipt rug
Virgil Abloh x IKEA MARKERAD Receipt rug
Lilac retro microwave
Lilac retro microwave
Tahiti table lamp by Ettore Sottsass in 1981 for Memphis Milano
Tahiti table lamp by Ettore Sottsass in 1981 for Memphis Milano
Svarva floor lamp designed in 2009 by Front Designers for IKEA
Svarva floor lamp designed in 2009 by Front Designers for IKEA
Orbital floor lamp by Ferruccio Laviani in 1992 for Foscarini
Orbital floor lamp by Ferruccio Laviani in 1992 for Foscarini
Oceanic lamp by Michele de Lucchi designed in 1981 for Memphis Milano
Oceanic lamp by Michele de Lucchi designed in 1981 for Memphis Milano
Red and Blue chair by Gerrit T. Rietveld designed in 1918 for Cassina
Red and Blue chair by Gerrit T. Rietveld designed in 1918 for Cassina

Designer Desire: Joan Carrillo Romero

Montage of Joan Carrillo ceramics

Joan Carrillo Romero was unknown to us until a couple of weeks ago when a vase of his was available at an auction we featured here on our blog.

Carrillo (b. 1948) is a ceramic artist who creates the most beautiful pottery items, especially vases. He hails from Campillos in Malaga, southern Spain. He studied drawing, painting and engraving at the School of Fine Arts in Olot, Girona. After graduating, his career began with a year working at the workshop of the capuchin Marià Vayreda. The following year – 1969 – he moved on to the workshop of the Serra brothers in Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona.

In 1971, he set up his own workshop in the farmhouse where he lived in Riudaura, Girona. At the end of that decade, he co-founded the Cooperativa de Ceramistas Coure in Olot.

He has exhibited his work across Europe and in Japan, Taiwan and South Korea.

On the odd occasion, vintage Joan Carrillo pieces become available for sale at auction and on eBay and Etsy.

Portrait of ceramicist, Joan Carrillocredit

Additional image credits:
1st Dibs | Incollect | Ledondufel | Pamono

5 ways to personalise your office space

5 ways to personalise your office space

When it comes to the workplace, one size does not fit all. In order to be productive and happy at work, you need an environment that’s tailored to your specific needs. Luckily, there are many ways to personalise your office space so that it feels like home. This post will touch on ways to make your office feel like your own!

1) Choose a colour scheme that suits you

Your office should be a reflection of your personality. Choose a colour scheme that makes you happy and inspires you and helps to concentrate and work hard.

If bright colours energise you, consider painting your walls yellow or green. If you prefer calmer hues, go for blue or purple. You can also use vinyl decals or wallpaper to add some extra pizazz to your space.

2) Bring in plants or flowers

Plants not only add some life to your office, but they can also improve your air quality. If you don’t have a green thumb, opt for low-maintenance succulents or cacti. You can also get creative with vases and planters.

If you want to go the extra mile, hang some fairy lights around your plants for a magical touch.

Pets can also be a great way to personalise your space. If you have an office pet, make sure their bed or cage is in a comfortable spot where they won’t be disturbed by foot traffic.

3) Display photos and artwork

Your office should be a place that makes you feel happy and motivated. To achieve this, surround yourself with things that make you smile.

Display photos of your pets, friends and family, or hang  prints of your favourite paintings or photographs. You can also get creative with how you display your artwork. Try suspending them from strings or bulldog clips for a unique look.

If you’re short on wall space, try using a noticeboard or magnetic board to create an ever-changing gallery of your favourite things.

Hire a picture artist and canvas art to make your own custom artwork for your office!

4) Organise your desk

A cluttered desk can be a major distraction. Take some time to declutter and organise your workspace so that you can focus on the task at hand.

Invest in some pretty storage solutions, like baskets or boxes, to keep your desk tidy. You can also use mason jars or recycled glass bottles to hold pens, pencils and other office supplies.

If you have a lot of paperwork, consider using a filing system to keep things organised. Colour-coded folders are a great way to categorise your documents.

Most importantly, make sure your chair is comfortable! You’re going to be spending a lot of time sitting at your desk, so you might as well be.

5) Decorate your walls

Your walls are a blank canvas, so use them to your advantage! Hang tapestries, posters or other wall art to add some personality to your space.

If you’re feeling crafty, try making your own artwork or wall hanging. You can also frame things like concert tickets or postcards to create a unique display that’s full of memories of your experiences.

Don’t be afraid to get creative with how you decorate your walls. The sky’s the limit!

Personalising your office space is a great way to make it feel like your own. By following these tips, you can create a workspace that is both stylish and functional.

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Price Points: Plastic-free bowl covers

Plastic-free bowl covers

We’ve slashed our use of clingfilm in the kitchen by relying instead on various sizes of reusable plastic covers. Sometimes, however, we need a breathable cover for a foodstuff that could otherwise become damp or sticky. A clean tea towel would suffice, I suppose, but who wouldn’t prefer to use a set of these pretty, plastic-free bowl covers?

  1. Set of 4 eco gingham bowl covers: £9.99, eBay (For bowls 7cm – 35cm)

    Great for outdoors to keep insects off salads in summer. Perfect for covering food in the fridge all year round. Can go in the microwave when reheating your leftovers.

  2. Single eco food bowl covers – ‘waste not / want not’ – 8 sizes: £6 – £20 each (For bowls 7.5cm – 38cm)

    Bowl covers are made from unbleached calico cotton fabric (non-stretch) that is 100% recycled, with an elastic edge using eco-elastic made from natural rubber and organic cotton, making it entirely biodegradable, and an easy swap for a more sustainable kitchen. Each cover is screen printed by hand using non-toxic inks, heat sealed to help protect the print from fading and making it washing machine friendly, and finished with a hand printed label, and elastic ends covered with a cotton tab.

  3. Set of 5 linen bowl covers: £43.16, Etsy (For bowls 6cm – 30cm)

    These fabric dish covers are made out of 1 layer 100% linen fabric, which is eco-friendly and biodegradable. Only Oeko – Tex Standard 100 (toxic-free products for the body and environment) fabric is used!

shop plastic-free bowl covers

Some of the links on our blog are affiliate links. We may receive a small commission - at no cost to you - if you click through and make a purchase.
Prices & links correct at time of publication.

Single eco food bowl cover – ‘waste not / want not’ – 8 sizes
Single eco food bowl cover – ‘waste not / want not’ – 8 sizes
£6 - £20 each
Set of 5 linen bowl covers
Set of 5 linen bowl covers
£43.16
Set of 4 eco gingham bowl covers
Set of 4 eco gingham bowl covers
£9.99
Single eco food bowl cover – ‘waste not / want not’ – 8 sizes
Single eco food bowl cover – ‘waste not / want not’ – 8 sizes
£6 - £20 each
Set of 5 linen bowl covers
Set of 5 linen bowl covers
£43.16
Set of 4 eco gingham bowl covers
Set of 4 eco gingham bowl covers
£9.99
Single eco food bowl cover – ‘waste not / want not’ – 8 sizes
Single eco food bowl cover – ‘waste not / want not’ – 8 sizes
£6 - £20 each
Set of 5 linen bowl covers
Set of 5 linen bowl covers
£43.16
Set of 4 eco gingham bowl covers
Set of 4 eco gingham bowl covers
£9.99
Single eco food bowl cover – ‘waste not / want not’ – 8 sizes
Single eco food bowl cover – ‘waste not / want not’ – 8 sizes
£6 - £20 each
Set of 5 linen bowl covers
Set of 5 linen bowl covers
£43.16
Set of 4 eco gingham bowl covers
Set of 4 eco gingham bowl covers
£9.99
Single eco food bowl cover – ‘waste not / want not’ – 8 sizes
Single eco food bowl cover – ‘waste not / want not’ – 8 sizes
£6 - £20 each
Set of 5 linen bowl covers
Set of 5 linen bowl covers
£43.16
Set of 4 eco gingham bowl covers
Set of 4 eco gingham bowl covers
£9.99