Independent Interiors Show

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Overhead projection of designer/makers at the Independent Interiors Show, 2022NQ, Manchester

We went along to the inaugural Independent Interiors Show this Saturday and judging by this event, it certainly won’t be the last. Rachel and Victoria of The Social Butterfly who organised the event will be very pleased with the huge success of the day.

Entranceway to 2022NQ, Manchester

It was held at 2022NQ in Manchester’s Northern Quarter. The choice of venue and quality of exhibitors were excellent.

view of the Independent Interiors Show, 2022NQ, Manchester

A wide variety of independent designer/makers & shops were present. Their stands looked great set against the industrial fabric of the building and Justin really enjoyed photographing them. Here’s a run-down of those present.

Eclectic Chair at the Independent Interiors Show, Manchester

Eclectic Chair – upholstery & cushions using vintage fabrics.

Scandi Nord at the Independent Interiors Show, Manchester

ScandiNord – Scandinavian lighting and neon installations.

Jamie B Edwards at the Independent Interiors Show, Manchester

Jamie B. Edwards – distinctive contemporary artwork.

Caslon & Co at the Independent Interiors Show, Manchester

Caslon & Co – vintage inspired textiles using antique wooden printing blocks.

Jorja Wilkinson at the Independent Interiors Show, Manchester

Jorja Wilkinson Design – contemporary and quirky fabrics and interior products.

Elisabeth Jane Winstanley at the Independent Interiors Show, Manchester

Elizabeth Jane Winstanley – acrylic, wood and metal sculpture & design.

Liz Foster at the Independent Interiors Show, Manchester

Liz Foster Design – handmade appliqué cushions.

Helaina Sharpley at the Independent Interiors Show, Manchester

Helaina Sharpley – exquisite sculptural wire work.

Northern Letters at the Independent Interiors Show, Manchester

Northern Letters – prints, posters & tiles using vintage fonts sourced from Northern quarter signage.

Lisa Watson at the Independent Interiors Show, Manchester

Lisa Watson – sumptuous quilts & throws.

Hannah Nunn at the Independent Interiors Show, Manchester

Hannah Nunn – paper cut lighting and a brand new wallpaper range.

Amanda McCrann at the Independent Interiors Show, Manchester

Amanda McCrann – contemporary mosaicist & artist.

Annabel Perrin at the Independent Interiors Show, Manchester

Annabel Perrin – surface pattern design & homewares.

Lisa Southern at the Independent Interiors Show, Manchester

Lisa Southern – contemporary furniture.

Flitty Bird at the Independent Interiors Show, Manchester

Flitty Bird – decorative homewares & furniture.

Memo Illustration at the Independent Interiors Show, Manchester

Memo – hand printed products including stationery, coasters, tote bags etc.

Claire Murray at the Independent Interiors Show, Manchester

Claire Murray Designs – hand crafted surface pattern for wallpaper & textiles.

Lomas and Lomas at the Independent Interiors Show, Manchester

Lomas & Lomas – handmade light shades, cushions & artwork.

May Wild at the Independent Interiors Show, Manchester

May Wild – ceramics.

Inspirit at the Independent Interiors Show, Manchester

Inspirit – bespoke industrial furniture & shelving.

Demonstration by Sian Astley of Morgeous

There was also an up-cycling demo run by Sian Astley of Morgeous and a big screen situated in the atmospheric café/bar area showcasing each of the exhibitors. Nice coffee there too!

We highly recommend this show – it’s already in our diary for next year! Justin took tons of photographs, so here’s a slide show of further shots if you fancy a leisurely browse.

Bookmarks: Illuminate – Contemporary Craft Lighting

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cover of Hannah Nunn's Illuminate: Contemporary Craft Lighting book beside one of her Allium paper cut lamps

Today’s Bookmarks review, of Illuminate – Contemporary Craft Lighting, is the debut publication by someone we’ve blogged about in the past.

dandelion lamp handmade by Hannah Nunn

The book’s author, Hannah Nunn, is a designer/maker – specialising in beautiful & delicate paper-cut lamps.

cylindrical, handmade paper cut lamp by Hannah Nunn

She also owns and runs Radiance – a lighting & craft boutique – in Hebden Bridge where she’s based. All in all, a very busy lady!

glass feather chandelier

Illuminate’s chapters are broken down via materials – paper, glass, ceramics, wood etc…

large, rectangular ceiling light with multi-coloured glass drops in the shapes of leaves

…with sections within those chapters given over to individual designer/makers – a summary of their background & practice accompanied by lush photographs of their creations.

handmade floor lamps and floor-standing wooden cube lamps by Jane Blease

Creations that are fun, colourful, wacky, delicate, whimsical and works of art – you’ll never make do with a bare bulb ever again!

sewing paper hanging wall lightshade above a vintage wooden chair

It’s lovely to see makers we know personally and admire including people like Manchester-based Jane Blease.

drum lampshades handmade by Helen Rawlinson from her silk-screened designs

And others who we’ve not had the pleasure of meeting in person, but with whose work we’re already familiar, such as Helen Rawlinson and Greypants.

trio of cardboard ceiling lampshades by Greypants

Equally, it’s great to be introduced by this book to talents such as Scabetti, Penelope Batley and Aline Johnson.

long pendant ceiling light with four different coloured glass shades

The lighting showcased represents an international pool of artistry. As well as the UK, makers hail from as far afield as Japan, the USA, New Zealand, Serbia and The Netherlands.

the beginning of the Paper chapter showing organic pottery vases with poppy heads inside next to a paper cut lamp by Hannah Nunn

In all, there are 43 individual lighting designers featured in the book – but owing to space restrictions Hannah has included an additional image gallery of work by other makers that she recommends you seek out.

selection of drum lampshades by House of Chintz on an antique Windsor chair

Perhaps this is a sign that there’s a demand for Illuminate II!

selection of lights

Illuminate is available from Bloomsbury the publishers, Amazon and Hive.

long neck light resembling a huge string of silver beads on a necklace hung over the back of a white chair

[Many thanks to Bloomsbury for the review copy]

Northern Lights

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Radiance lighting shop on Market Street in Hebden Bridge, West Yorkshire

One of our favourite shops has moved.

strings of colourful bauble fairy lights in the window of Radiance lighting shop on Hebden Bridge

detail of handmade patchwork lampshade available at Radiance lighting shop in Hebden Bridge

Radiance, owned & run by Hannah Nunn re-opened in new premises at the weekend.

people at the 'shop-warming' of the new Radiance lighting shop in Hebden Bridge

We went to the ‘shop-warming’ on Saturday afternoon.

strings of colourful bauble fairy lights in the window of Radiance lighting shop in Hebden Bridge

She’s not moved far… about 200 yards in fact… but whether it’s 200 yards or 200 miles, moving a shop is a big job.

selection of items from various designer/makers available at Radiance lighting shop in Hebden Bridge

The new shop’s a bit closer to Hebden Bridge town centre – next door to Mooch café-bar on Market Street.

Exterior view of Radience lighting shop in Hebden Bridge next door to Mooch cafe

A few stone steps lead up to the enticing shop space – filled with her trademark handmade lighting…

Collection of Hannah Nunn's lamps at the 2009 Great Northern Contemporary Craft Fair at Spinningfields, Manchester

…along with a fabulous selection of household goodies by other designer/makers.

collection of hanging lampshades available at Radiance in Hebden Bridge

collection of items by various designer/makers available from Radiance lighting shop in Hebden Bridge

collection of items by various designer/makers available at Radiance lighting shop in Hebden Bridge

To the rear of the shop is an improved workspace for Hannah, with a wood-burning stove for chilly days.  She even has a loo and somewhere to make a cup of tea – something she had to cope without in the last shop!

Blossom Bill homewares available from Radiance in Hebden Bridge

fairy lights wrapped around willow and butterfly decorated pebbles

Detail of a colourful tissue paper bird, one of six along a string of fairy lights

For those of you unfamiliar with Hebden Bridge – and within reach – it’s well worth a visit. It’s one of our next-door neighbours town-wise, about 4 miles from Todmorden. It’s a pretty place, full of small independent shops and cafés – perfect for a day trip.

BLOG UPDATE: For more great pix and info about the new launch check out Hannah’s own blog!