Paula ponders the combination of classic, eccentric and innovative that makes for great British design
As fits the theme of this issue, I’ve been considering what makes good British design. To me, it is eclectic and should encompass authentic materials, mixing old and new, tradition with quirky modernity, and reflecting British architecture and the beauty of our landscapes.
It’s about combining casual elegance with comfort and a pinch of humour. And contrary to the staid stereotype, for me, British design is synonymous with the freedom to be a rule breaker while maintaining a timeless and reassuringly classic beauty.
British design has always pulled from a wealth of influences. It’s what makes our design so interesting and often daring, and why so many people have such a strong image of what British style looks like – including me as a black British woman born of West Indian parents.
It often surprises people to see my take on British country house style. But I’m a child of immigrants who were brought up in a Commonwealth country in the 1950s – their sense of ‘British’ style was ingrained into their subconscious before they arrived on these shores.
My mother had a love of old country houses, antique crockery and beautifully made furniture before she could afford the ‘good stuff’.
My parents took pride in using handcrafted and artisanal products, and my mother always told me about the gentleman who made tables out of mahogany trees in Grenada.
She pointed out his workshop when we ret
