Holiday '24
Meet the Maker: Tess Newall
This year, we designed our annual holiday gift wrap in collaboration with Tess Newall, who hand-painted the beautiful floral motifs in three distinct palettes. Working from her home studio in Sussex, Tess creates bespoke murals, furniture, and her own line of decorative homewares, informed by historic archival references and her passion for the Arts and Crafts movement. Read on to learn more about Tess's process, inspiration, and gift-giving philosophies.
On Medium
"I think the time and thought that goes into hand-painting makes it special. Seeing brushstrokes, and the hand of an artist, gives soul and personality to a piece of furniture or a room. It should also hopefully inspire creativity in those who live with it, which is a lovely thing to think of when painting.
"I often think about William Morris and the principles of the Arts & Crafts movement; the idea that people should be surrounded by well-made, beautiful pieces which last a lifetime. And that objects can be both useful and decorative, bringing a little joy to the everyday."
On Inspiration
"Inspiration comes in such varied forms and from so many different places. I have built up a large collection of reference books and antique textiles, and museums are an endless source of inspiration. I could spend hours looking at the Delft tiles and Majolicaware in the V&A Museum. I would also encourage people to visit regional decorative arts museums when travelling. I adore traditional 'folk' painting, and small museums around Sweden and Norway have exceptional examples.
"If I ever need to refresh my mind I go for a long walk. There is so much inspiration to be discovered all around us, and looking rather than seeing is key; noticing how a pattern is made up, whether it is how a leaf is formed in nature, or how a border has been embroidered onto the sleeve of an antique blouse. And when something inspires you, pin it up on your wall — you never know what idea it might spark."
On Collaboration
"I love collaborating with people, as it makes me look at my work from the outside in a way that I don't when I'm at my desk, deep in painting. It's good to look at what you do through a different lens.
"A collaboration usually begins by being given a brief, and I enjoy having parameters to work within — thinking how the product will be used, and what my design needs to achieve. It's been a delight working with Loeffler Randall, and very collaborative, sending over sketched motifs and discussing how these would work most effectively as a gift wrap. I also often work in a recognisable palette — peaches and pinks, dusty blues and greens, warm yellows. Seeing my designs reimagined in colour combinations I might not have thought to try has been very refreshing. I think a successful collaboration needs to feel true to each brand, with the influences of both coming through."
On Favorite Traditions
"I love the build-up to Christmas. The first frost, the gathering of logs and lighting fires. A favourite tradition is choosing our Christmas tree from a woodland near us. There is a hill covered in all varieties of fir trees, which grow throughout the year so it is more sustainable. On the family weekend, children will choose their tree and sometimes even decorate it or tie a handkerchief to its top, marking it as theirs. You then go back in December to cut it down yourself. We usually take our Morris Minor car, and the tree looks very sweet strapped to the roof of it. Decorating the tree is always complete chaos with the children but also very fun!
"Seeing Christmas through our children's eyes has brought a renewed wonder to the festive time, and I love remembering how magic it used to feel. Their funny letters to Father Christmas, and squabbling over what snacks Rudolph will want to eat after he's been flying for such a long time.
"I try to bring the magic, leaving a trail of icing sugar footprints from the fireplace on Christmas Eve to look like marks from snowy boots, things like that. My favourite time of the day is when they open their stockings at the end of our bed, even if it is at the crack of dawn..."
On Gift-Giving
"I usually say give gifts that you would like to be given yourself, but really you need to try and think like the person and find something they would like to buy for themselves, but perhaps wouldn't treat themselves to. Thoughtfulness is key I think, which is why handmade presents are always a winner.
"My husband (furniture maker Alfred Newall) once made me an A1 wooden flower press, with huge wing nuts along the edges. He had seen me struggle to press flowers using atlases and other heavy books, and surprised me with it. It's large enough to press whole wildflowers like poppies and cornflowers — I love it."
On Her Wish List
"I would love to unwrap the Idris Intarsia Floral Cardigan, which reminds me of an embroidery pattern. The Marina Gold Puffy Headband and Rayne Gold Bow Clutch would also be fun for adding some sparkle to a Christmas party!"
