Having recently renovated her ultra-stylish south-west London townhouse, fashion journalist and interiors influencer Louise Roe knows a thing or two about adding the final magic touches to a home. From the perfect water pitcher to the chicest cushions and candle holders, she’s curated a hit list of standout pieces that add instant personality to any room. Here, Roe opens her little black book and reveals her go-to independent interiors brands and the unique buys to snap up now.
Louise Roe’s favourite Independent interiors brands
‘Column of Strength’ Candle Holders by Minnie Mae Stott Studio at By Alice
These gorgeous candle holders from By Alice are an exclusive collaboration – each ceramic piece is hand-carved by Minnie Mae in Margate. I’m drawn to anything that nods to classic Grecian style and the mustard and deep purple of these candle holders tap into my favourite colour palette right now. By Alice founder Alice Wawrik sources vintage and artisan pieces from independent interior brands around the world for her eponymous label – when I visited her pop-up recently, I literally jumped on an antique marble shell dish.
£84; by-alice.co.uk
Cocktail napkins from Tavola by Skye McAlpine
I’m so proud of my friend Skye for launching Tavola, her new tabletop brand, which was inspired by her childhood spent in Venice. I love these charming cocktail napkins she’s designed in collaboration with Coco & Wolf – another fabulous independent interiors brand. Crafted from Liberty Fabrics’ Archive Lilac print, they’ll add charm to mealtimes.Â
From £56 for a set of two; libertylondon.com
Ruffle cushion from In Casa by Paboy
I have a strong affection for a ruffle, so I adore these cushions by Gambian tailor Paboy Bojang, who is currently seeking asylum in Naples. He sources fabrics from local suppliers in the city’s historic centre and makes each cushion to order. The mix of colours and textures is so unexpected and fun. An easy way to add a bit of joy this season.
£120 each; incasabypaboy.com
Wave Pitcher by Sophie Lou Jacobsen at The Sette
This glass Sophie Lou Jacobsen jug, with its ripple-effect handle, is very high on my wishlist. It’s available on The Sette, an online British kitchen and tabletop brand set up by Cloe Bueso and Sophie Elliott in 2020, that offers a brilliant edit of unusual, handcrafted pieces. There’s such a playfulness to everything they sell – their Instagram account is a constant source of inspiration to me.
From £175; thesette.com
Arrow & Dots vase from Wicklewood
This pretty vase, which has been handmade in South Africa, will brighten any tabletop. The founders of homeware brand Wicklewood, Caroline Downing Nadel and Rosie Axford, pour so much effort and time into finding tiny communities across the world that are largely made up of female artisans and entrepreneurs to create their unique home designs. It’s a great initiative, that highlights independent interior brands and pieces you might not seen before and they have such a great eye.
£85; wicklewood.com
Handwoven placemats from Millie Marketplace
Millie is a social enterprise set up by Chelsea Brown, selling womenswear and lifestyle products, with a portion of the proceeds helping small communities of female artisans. These limited-production hand-woven placemats – made by a basket-weaver using wheat straw grown in her own garden in Jerash, Jordan – are an everyday piece that I’d use all year long.
$40; millie.ca
Classic woven fan from the Colombia Collective
I’m very invested in the provenance of items I buy and actively seek out things that are handmade. The Colombia Collective is brilliant – it makes handbags and decorative pieces using techniques that are passed down in Colombia through generations. This fan is handcrafted by female weavers in Sandoná, Nariño, using the native iraca palm. It’s so beautiful, I’d hang it on a wall.
Cocktail & Nibble sticks by Sandra Alexandra
I’ve recently discovered this kitsch jewellery brand, founded by London-based Spanish designer Sandra Barrio Gonzalez, who has also designed these fabulous fruit-topped Murano glass cocktail stirrers. They jazz up any drink and are individually hand-crafted by artisans in Barcelona, so no two are the same.
£95; sandralexandra.com
Hand-painted lampshade from Hum London
I’m a big lampshade fan – they’re literally dotted all over my house. I have this shade from Hum London in blue – I put it on a vintage wooden lamp stand and it’s perched on a little cocktail bar in my kitchen. The independent interiors brand was founded in lockdown by sisters Hermione and Ellie Gee – all the lampshades are made in the UK and are hand painted by Hermione, meaning each piece is totally unique.
From £60; humlondon.com
