A converted former shambles in Dorset

Stained glass artist Flora Jamieson has painted her home white to provide a simple backdrop for her thoughtful collections and colourful textiles. Feature Naomi Jones. Photographs Alun Callender / Narratives

By kirstylyons

Published: Sunday, 16 April 2023 at 12:00 am

Working as a stained glass artist, Flora Jamieson grasps the incredible transformative power of light: it allows her beautiful creations to truly shine, making their bold colours and painted details come to life.

It’s no surprise, then, to discover that Flora has chosen to paint her family home – which she shares with her partner, fellow artist Mike Wade, and their two daughters, Nelly (15) and Isla (11) – a light-enhancing and mood-lifting white. It allows their textiles, artwork, natural collections and warm wooden furniture to play the starring roles.

Flora admits, however, that the decision wasn’t made until after the family had actually lived in their home for a while: ‘When we first moved in, 15 years ago, Mike and I were keen to try some darker shades, to cover up the grubby white paintwork that remained from when the vendors had converted it two decades before. We thought this colour palette would create a more country feel. But, over time, we realised that this place needed the exact opposite: we were gradually furnishing our new, larger home with auction and junk shop treasures that needed light and space around them to be fully appreciated.’

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So, inspired by the whitewashed interiors of the Greek architecture they loved, Flora and Mike transformed the house once again. At the same time, they knocked back the crisp edges, popular in 1980s conversions, to reveal the true character in the old building, with its rough stone walls and chunky timbers; the couple also laid white painted wooden boards on the ground floor. ‘This bounces even more light around while adding another texture and subtle linear pattern,’ says Flora.

Beautiful rugs from Turkey and Morocco lie on these floors, which, along with all the other vibrant textiles from Mexico and India, give this house the feel of belonging to a globe-trotting family. In fact, Flora and Mike managed to furnish it with pieces sourced much closer to home. ‘Here in Bridport we’re incredibly lucky to have some really good independent shops, markets and auctions where we’ve found almost everything for the house. I think it’s terribly important, now more than ever, to support our local businesses.’

As well as colour and light, Flora is clearly inspired by nature, both in her work – which often features birds, flowers and foliage – and in her home. ‘Dorset has the most beautiful countryside, as well as the rugged Jurassic coastline. There’s nothing more invigorating than taking an early morning dip in the sea, or hiking across the rolling hills – and it’s wonderful to share our passion for the natural world with our daughters. When they were younger, they loved bringing back little ‘treasures’ – from broken pottery, rocks and shells, to feathers, sticks and seaweed – which we’ve grouped together to create a display under one of my favourite vintage botanical prints. This little table of curiosities is packed with so many happy memories, and can instantly transport you right back to the moments when and where each piece was found.’

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Living this simple way of life has always been very important to Flora. ‘When my parents separated, my mother worked hard to give my sister and me a life that would be comfortable and fun, yet teach us important values,’ she says. ‘Despite having a full-time career as a French teacher, my mother somehow managed to renovate several properties, which she would fill with inexpensive yet wonderful pre-loved pieces sourced at auctions – scrubbed pine dressers, antique rugs and old pictures.

This desire to live economically, surrounded by items that have character, is definitely in my blood. I remember going with her after school to collect whatever she’d bought that day, and I’d ponder where it had come from, who had loved it before us. It’s the same for me today, and it’s incredibly satisfying to think that Mike and I are raising our daughters in a home with those same ideals, and hopefully appreciating the fascinating objects around us.’

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Wooden tones and a vibrant rug give the living room warmth and personality. The rug was sourced at The Alleyways Antiques Centre, Bridport. The pair of chairs belonged to Flora’s mother and the console is one of Mike’s London junk shop purchases, bought some years ago.
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The sofa in the double-height living room is covered with a Mexican blanket bought at Glastonbury Festival. The rug is from Malabar Trading and the shutters were bought at auction. The artwork above the stove is an exhibition poster by Jeroen Krabbé.
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The display of bugs set in resin belongs to Mike.
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Flora Jamieson, a stained glass artist (florajamieson.co.uk), and her partner Michael (Mike) Wade, a waxwork artist (wadewaxworks.com), live here with their two daughters Nelly and Isla. The old table was one of the few pieces to come from the couple’s London home. The statue is by Mike, while the painting is from a Bridport street market stall.
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The Anglepoise is from Lilliput’s of Bridport and the poster from Bonnie&Bell. The filing cabinets were bought at auction.
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The table and benches in the kitchen are from eBay, while the wall shelf is from Bridport street market.
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One of Flora’s stained-glass designs is the focal point of Nelly’s room. The chest of drawers is from a junk shop and the basket is from an auction.
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The bed frame in Flora and Mike’s bedroom is from eBay, while the blanket is from Urban Outfitters. The red chair was bought from a local junk shop that has since closed.

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