Here at Restoration Yard, we love to collaborate with talented Scottish producers. It therefore brings us great joy to introduce you to our most recent collaboration with the oh-so-skilled Sadie Smith. If you are one of our regular visitors you will have seen (and possibly purchased) RY’s brand new alphabet mugs – aren’t they amazing!?
Our stunning alphabet range has been designed in collaboration with Sadie, who took inspiration from the Madame du Barry porcelain found in the Buccleuch art collection. The monograms and floral motifs were reinterpreted to create a more contemporary and playful alphabet which our team just adore.
Sadie Smith, Textiles, Homeware & Accessories Designer
About Sadie
Sadie gained a First-Class honours degree in knitted textiles from Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art & Design in Dundee. She went on to design print and embroidery as well as accessories and homeware for premium UK brands for a decade before launching her eponymous range in 2020. All of her fabrics are printed in the UK and pieces hand made in Scotland.
So, let’s hear from the artist herself…
What inspired your creations for Restoration Yard?
“My inspiration for the lettering came from the Madame du Barry porcelain pieces from the family’s art collection. I referenced photos of the pieces from which I selected a colour palette and reinterpreted the monograms and floral motifs to be slightly more contemporary and playful.”
What was the process like to create the alphabet?
“Each letter was hand painted individually on watercolour paper in highly concentrated watercolour inks. I work like this in my own practice, so it was really enjoyable to work in a similar process but with motifs and lettering from gorgeous historical pieces. I usually use bigger brushes and mark making but it was really satisfying to tighten my strokes in very delicate and fine brushes to add detail.”
Were each of the letters individually hand painted?
“Ensuring consistency across the alphabet was a little daunting at first. Whilst mapping out each design, I kept the dimensions of the letters equal by carefully measuring and lightly marking the page. I then worked on the hand lettering before entwining motifs into the layout. Fortunately, watercolour ink retains its colour when reactivated with water, so I was able to use my palette time and time again to keep the colours even across hours of painting!”
Do you always use watercolours to paint?
“Watercolour pigments and ink are the perfect mediums to create joyful, expressive pieces. I love the translucency and layering that can be incorporated into a design. I predominately paint flowers and foliage and watercolours and ink allow me to capture their wild nature and beautiful, intense tones.”
What was the most challenging part of the process?
“The most challenging aspect of the process was to capture the essence of the historical porcelain and reinterpret it in a manner that wasn’t simply a reproduction. Instead, I feel we have created a range that nods to the past but is contemporary and vibrant and most importantly makes you smile! I can’t wait to see the collection in store alongside the rest of the RY range.”
Aside from this project what do you enjoy creating most?
“I love to work with botanical elements and references from artisanal textiles archives to create my own homeware and stationery. I hand paint each of my printed designs from my home studio. After painting motifs on to paper, I digitally engineer seamless repeat patterns which are then digitally printed to fabric. This process allows the mark making and texture of hand painting to be reproduced, which I am really passionate about. There is something really beautiful about seeing each stroke, even the accidental ones!”
Shop Sadie’s Designs at Restoration Yard
