As the nights draw in, it is the ideal time to slow breath, slow time and find joy in our homes. What better way to seek out those cocooning moments than with friend of Wildsmith, exquisite designer, author and retailer:
Abigail Ahern.
Abigail Ahern is an independent luxury homeware brand led by one of the UK’s most exciting interior designers. Founded in 2003, AA celebrates the art of living and is committed to creating impeccable pieces that stand the test of time, transcending trends.
Like Wildsmith, Abigail believes in creating moments that restore and nourish the mind and body, reconnecting and recalibrating with the beauty around us. A shared love of botanicals; Abigail’s ‘faux botanicals’ are deeply inspired by the landscape and the arc of the seasons, just as our Wildsmith collection looks to the meadows, gardens and trees of the Heckfield estate.
Abigail’s collection of real, foraged and dried botanicals, including exquisite grasses, trailing branches and dried seed heads, take centre stage with their reel feel touch and hand-finished details.
YOUR DESIGNS OFTEN CREATE IMMERSIVE, SENSORY-RICH SPACES. HOW DO YOU THINK THOUGHTFUL DESIGN CAN HELP PEOPLE FIND MOMENTS OF STILLNESS IN THEIR OWN HOMES?
ABIGAIL AHERN: I think it’s finding those precious moments everyday. Creating mini rituals within our regular routines, say taking some time for reflection with our morning coffee. Savouring mindful moments by being present in our surroundings, so for me it’s homeware that not only looks good but feels good too. A shaggy armchair that entices you to hunker or handcrafted mugs with natural imperfections and organic shapes that make anything you pop in them feel a little more special.
IS THERE A PARTICULAR ELEMENT IN YOUR DESIGNS, LIKE LIGHTING, COLOUR, OR TEXTURE, THAT YOU FIND MOST ESSENTIAL FOR CULTIVATING CALM?
AA: All of those elements are essential in creating a living space that supports not only our physical needs but our mental wellbeing too. I love spaces that ooze calm with pockets of lighting that create cosy glows. I always advise to have at least eight light sources within a room, which I know sounds a lot but it creates intriguing highlights, sets a moody tone and ramps up the ambience. I incorporate a ton of texture, for contrasting layers throughout your space. It’s pretty impossible to overdose on texture so I always just advise to add more and then some. Texture enlivens and enhances spaces, making them feel more magical and inviting. I’m also a huge advocate of colour drenching too, painting out walls, ceilings, skirting boards and window frames all the same colour, this creates a soothing background and blurs any boundaries, disguising any stark lines and making your room feel more cohesive and cocooning.
DO YOU FIND WAYS TO BRING THE NATURAL WORLD INTO YOUR HOME DECOR OR ENCOURAGE CLIENTS TO DO THE SAME?
AA: I love to incorporate a nod to the natural world in my home and would encourage everyone to do the same. Nature soothes the soul and I love to use natural materials whenever I can in my home and in my collections. In my own home I’ve created my own little sanctuary spa-like spaces in my bathroom and bedroom by using natural materials primarily on the walls. My bedroom has a large wall clad in reclaimed wood sourced from the river stour and it’s so beautiful and textural and creates real warmth. My bathroom walls are Tadelakt, a beautiful Moroccan plaster finish, composed of lime plaster and black soap made from olives. It's made entirely from natural materials and it's so cool. Perfect for relaxing after a long bonkers day with the biz.
WITH THE HOLIDAYS BEING SUCH A BUSTLING TIME, HOW WOULD YOU SUGGEST PEOPLE APPROACH DECORATING THEIR HOMES TO MAINTAIN A SENSE OF CALM AMIDST THE FESTIVITIES?
AA: Consider all the senses when preparing your home for the holidays. Touch, sound and scent are so important. I love to light a beautiful seasonal candle, pop up a wreath on my door, (my sister Gem has made me a fabulous oversized one made from faux botanicals so it gets used year after year), I then layer shelves and consoles with trailing pine stems and extend my holiday decorating into the garden with tea lights in the trees. Top Tip: Try to make sure there is a common thread that ties your holiday decorating altogether, like a colour on repeat, this gives a more curated harmonious vibe and creates a calming backdrop amidst the hustle and bustle.
DO YOUR OWN HOME OR STUDIO SPACES INCORPORATE CERTAIN DESIGN ELEMENTS TO HELP YOU FIND THAT SENSE OF CALM AMIDST RUNNING A BUSY BUSINESS?
AA: I’m lucky enough to have a double height wall of glass that looks onto my garden from my studio which instantly gives me a calm feeling and helps me to decompress when everything starts to feel a little bonkers. I’ve also removed all of my internal doors, I know this may seem a little radical but it really helps to create a harmonious flow between each room, as does my colour palette. Although each room has its own distinct vibe, the colours throughout complement and work seamlessly together.
ARE THERE ANY PERSONAL RITUALS OR SMALL PRACTICES YOU RECOMMEND THAT ALIGN WITH YOUR DESIGN PHILOSOPHY AND HELP CREATE BALANCE IN THE HOME?
AA: I am a huge advocate for carving out some me-time to recalibrate, for our own self care and wellbeing. Running a bath with muscle relaxing Epsom salts customised with a few drops of essential oils is a must. I also drop a few essential oils around the base of the shower so when the hot water hits it releases its scent. As does adding elements of nature to your decorating schemes like wood, stone and clay.
CAN YOU SHARE A PERSONAL MOMENT WHERE FINDING STILLNESS HELPED YOU OVERCOME A CHALLENGE, EITHER PERSONALLY OR IN YOUR BUSINESS?
AA: When you run a business it's constantly full on and always completely chaotic so finding stillness is so important. I would go further to say stillness is like a super power. I find it by being outside with a walk around the garden early every morning and late every evening no matter the weather. I take big lungfuls of air, settle my mind which in turn makes me feel calmer. That calmness helps me balance my mind which in turn makes me better at decision making. It's so underestimated the power of stillness and carving out a little bit into each is fundamental.
IN A FAST-PACED WORLD, HOW DO YOU ENCOURAGE YOUR TEAM TO PAUSE AND EMBRACE MOMENTS OF STILLNESS?
AA: Having a very small close working team, I encourage an open working environment where we can all safely discuss everything and anything, I am always available to chat and my door is always open. We all seem to share a similar mindset regarding wellbeing and regularly share our daily rituals, nourishing recipes and encouragement for each other. I couldn’t do what I do without my team so I support them in whichever ways I can.
WHICH OF OUR WILDSMITH SKIN STILLNESS COLLECTION RESONATES WITH YOU THE MOST AND WHY?
AA: I love anything oil based for my body and skin-care routine so the Stillness Shower Oil and Stillness Body Oil would be 2 of my absolute faves, especially with the calming and intoxicating scents. I also struggle with sleep so the Stillness Pillow Mist would be a must to get me into a calm mode.
IS THERE A PIECE FROM YOUR OWN COLLECTION THAT YOU FEEL PARTICULARLY EMBODIES THE IDEA OF STILLNESS?
AA: Apart from our squishy armchairs and cosy soft furnishings, I am really loving our little portable lamps. They give such soft pockets of light, perfect for illuminating a cosy reading nook or at the side of the bath, anywhere you want to create an extra pop of ambience or a moment of stillness. Having the right kind of lighting will instantly change up the feel of any space, and not having to consider plug points means you get those glowy feels anywhere and everywhere.
Wildsmith x Abigail Ahern Giveaway
Win The Gift of Stillness with Wildsmith Skin AND a £250 Abigail Ahern Homeware Voucher.
Set the scene for a restorative winter with a relaxing Wildsmith Skin Facial, and take home their luxurious Stillness collection to your very own bathroom sanctuary. Indulge the senses with the rejuvenating scents of Rose Geranium, Lavender and Chamomile Essence and exquisite body oils that foster feelings of stillness and calm. Enhance the mind body connection and elevate your wellbeing rituals with tantalising textures, soft rugs underfoot and an ambient glow that encourages your circadian rhythm to soften and regulate. Unwind and restore with the Wildsmith gift of Stillness and Abigail Ahern cosy homeware.
For more information and how to enter the competition click here.
