It is said that to be creative one must have an inner life, a kind of storehouse of impressions, ideas and feelings to draw upon and reinterpret. That notion certainly seems appropriate to Laura Oakes an artist and designer who is based in Rye and who seems happily and very productively immersed in the world of her own imagination and creation. 

TEST The bed in the guest room was handmade and decorated with gold leaf by Laura’s friend Ralph Levy. On the tables either side of it, little lamps have shades with Laura’s signature collaged pattern

The bed in the guest room was handmade and decorated with gold leaf by Laura’s friend Ralph Levy. On the tables either side of it, little lamps have shades with Laura’s signature collaged pattern

TEST Laura used fabric that she bought at an auction to create an artwork in the guest bedroom called “What Shall I Wear Today?”

Laura used fabric that she bought at an auction to create an artwork in the guest bedroom called “What Shall I Wear Today?”

TEST In the guest room a Victorian lace bodice hangs alongside a shell pink 1920s gown and a tailor’s mannequin wears a frilly skirt

In the guest room a Victorian lace bodice hangs alongside a shell pink 1920s gown

TEST A birdcage on the top of the wardrobe is adorned with feathered and painted papier mâché birds

A birdcage on the top of the wardrobe is adorned with feathered and painted papier mâché birds

TEST “ I buy a lot of things from Hayley at ‘Little Treasures’ in Hastings Old Town,” says Laura, “she finds some amazing things and I love to go there and try all sorts of things on.”

“I buy a lot of things from Hayley at ‘Little Treasures’ in Hastings Old Town,” says Laura, “she finds some amazing things and I love to go there and try all sorts of things on.”

TEST the guest room, but with so many vintage clothes and accessories on display is really more of a ‘boudoir’

The guest room, with so many vintage clothes and accessories on display is really more of a ‘boudoir’

TEST A tailor’s mannequin wears a frilly skirt

A tailor’s mannequin wears a frilly skirt

TEST The furniture in the sitting room largely belongs to Jamie and Laura. A rococo style sofa is upholstered in claret coloured velvet and dressed with a patchwork quilt and crocheted, appliquéd and printed cushions

The furniture in the sitting room largely belongs to Jamie and Laura. A rococo style sofa is upholstered in claret coloured velvet and dressed with a patchwork quilt and crocheted, appliquéd and printed cushions

TEST Pixie is possibly the most aptly named dog I’ve ever encountered

Pixie is possibly the most aptly named dog I’ve ever encountered

TEST Laura’s ‘Spring Blossom Tree’ is lavishly decorated with a vivid mix of brightly coloured fabric and plastic flowers, strings of costume jewellery and ribbon

Laura’s ‘Spring Blossom Tree’ is lavishly decorated with a vivid mix of brightly coloured fabric and plastic flowers, strings of costume jewellery and ribbon

TEST Bunting, that Laura has made from strips of vintage fabric and assorted travel scarves, hangs across the sitting room window

Bunting, that Laura has made from strips of vintage fabric and assorted travel scarves, hangs across the sitting room window

TEST A huge mirror, propped up against a wall, magnifying the effect of the whole room

A huge mirror, propped up against a wall, magnifying the effect of the whole room

TEST The long dining table is covered with a blue runner and between scented candles, a large white china pot stands in the centre, filled with an arrangement of blue and white flowers from Café des Fleurs in Rye. On the wall behind, a large Indian carved fretwork screen supports a collection of hats and favourite postcards have been pegged to a line of string across it...

The long dining table is covered with a blue runner and between scented candles, a large white china pot stands in the centre, filled with an arrangement of blue and white flowers from Café des Fleurs in Rye. On the wall behind, a large Indian carved fretwork screen supports a collection of hats and favourite postcards have been pegged to a line of string across it...

TEST I don’t like sets of things. In fact I don’t even wear matching earrings. The thought of it makes me feel a bit sick!”

"I don’t like sets of things. In fact I don’t even wear matching earrings. The thought of it makes me feel a bit sick!”

TEST On the opposite wall, the mantelpiece above an old miniature range supports brightly painted kitsch statuettes of Jesus and Mary as well as a collection of handblown bottles and jars and a garland of fuschia and lime green silk flowers

The mantelpiece above an old miniature range supports brightly painted kitsch statuettes of Jesus and Mary as well as a collection of handblown bottles and jars and a garland of fuschia and lime green silk flowers

TEST The walls in the kitchen display both Laura’s designs and several framed pictures of cottages and houses, painted and embroidered. A Lilliputian 1940s enamel miniature cooker, complete with tiny baking sheets and kettle, is tucked into one corner

The walls in the kitchen display both Laura’s designs and several framed pictures of cottages and houses, painted and embroidered

TEST A Lilliputian 1940s enamel miniature cooker, complete with tiny baking sheets and kettle, is tucked into one corner

A Lilliputian 1940s enamel miniature cooker, complete with tiny baking sheets and kettle, is tucked into one corner

TEST The pale and airy studio is situated in the garden. Laura’s vibrant ‘She’s Happy’ cushion perches on top of a chair from Hunter Jones in Rye.

The pale and airy studio is situated in the garden. Laura’s vibrant ‘She’s Happy’ cushion perches on top of a chair from Hunter Jones in Rye.

TEST A workbench with a Perspex top features Laura’s Britain’s Best design on its surface, and handmade lamps, also available from Hunter Jones, stand proudly in one corner

A workbench with a Perspex top features Laura’s Britain’s Best design on its surface, and handmade lamps, also available from Hunter Jones, stand proudly in one corner

TEST A corner of the studio

A corner of the studio

TEST

"Having white walls and the pale limed floor means it’s a really good plain backdrop for me to photograph things and it’s a great space to plan and think.”

  • words:
  • pictures: David Merewether
  • styling: Lucy Fleming

Building Connections

After nearly a decade of planning, Dominic and Eve were finally given permission to convert a pair of derelict barns, linking them together to create one very beautiful dwelling Words: Jo Arnell Photographs: David Merewether The story arc of an...

Change it up

Neil and Sharon Maidment’s reconfigured family home is the result of a very successful partnership with OPEN architecture, who opened their eyes to a new layout they never imagined was possible Words: Fiona Patrick Photographs: David Merewether The green modular...

Cut to Fit

Deborah Harrison downsized to a three bedroom house, which she renovated and reconfigured, reinstating the original Victorian features and editing family heirlooms to suit her new home and lifestyle “As William Morris says, ‘Everything has to be beautiful or useful,’”...