Without doubt, a visit to the Hastings home of internationally renowned contemporary craft artist Kaffe Fassett and his partner and studio manager Brandon Mably, would bring joy to even the most downhearted of people. Filled with an explosion of colours and textures, each room in the early Victorian property invites the visitor to explore, what is in effect, a living showcase of Kaffe’s and Brandon’s work.

TEST Kaffe and Brandon had originally intended to paper the dining room with hand painted Chinese wallpaper, but Kaffe painted straight over the original paper with Duck Egg Blue and an intricate design of bamboo and peonies

Kaffe and Brandon had originally intended to paper the dining room with hand painted Chinese wallpaper, but Kaffe painted straight over the original paper with Duck Egg Blue and an intricate design of bamboo and peonies

TEST Hanging over the dining table, which is covered by one of Kaffe’s classic patchwork fabrics called Rose Leaf, is the most enchanting flower chandelier

Hanging over the dining table, which is covered by one of Kaffe’s classic patchwork fabrics called Rose Leaf, is the most enchanting flower chandelier

TEST The 500 blue and white tiles that cover the kitchen walls were hand-painted by Kaffe at Highland Stoneware in Lochinver, Sutherland. Kaffe covered the original grey concrete floor in big tumbling blocks in one evening

The 500 blue and white tiles that cover the kitchen walls were hand-painted by Kaffe at Highland Stoneware in Lochinver, Sutherland. Kaffe covered the original grey concrete floor in big tumbling blocks in one evening

TEST In the seating area of the kitchen, the walls are painted in vibrant shades of lime green accentuated by an intricate orange and red rug which sits under the table

In the seating area of the kitchen, the walls are painted in vibrant shades of lime green accentuated by an intricate orange and red rug which sits under the table

TEST A plethora of needlepoint cushions with images of lilies, hibiscus and peonies, all worked by Kaffe, are scattered along the sofa and adjacent chaise longue

A plethora of needlepoint cushions with images of lilies, hibiscus and peonies, all worked by Kaffe, are scattered along the sofa and adjacent chaise longue

TEST Kaffe’s ‘Cabbages and Apples’ needlepoint is perfectly reflected in an ornate gilded mirror above the white marble fireplace

Kaffe’s ‘Cabbages and Apples’ needlepoint is perfectly reflected in an ornate gilded mirror above the white marble fireplace

TEST Two of the four easy chairs in the sitting room have been upholstered in needlepoint by Kaffe, continuing the floral theme. These blend perfectly with the honey-coloured floorboards which were here when Kaffe and Brandon moved in

Two of the four easy chairs in the sitting room have been upholstered in needlepoint by Kaffe, continuing the floral theme. These blend perfectly with the honey-coloured floorboards which were here when Kaffe and Brandon moved in

TEST

TEST In the bathroom, floor tiles in muted earthy tones complement the small square pastel wall tiles that run behind the freestanding bath and basin

In the bathroom, floor tiles in muted earthy tones complement the small square pastel wall tiles that run behind the freestanding bath and basin

TEST

TEST The upstairs sitting room is painted in a vibrant shade of purple. A huge needlepoint rug entitled ‘Shells and Tortoise’ designed for the Erhman Tapestry kit range, rests on the back of a sofa which in turn is covered by a bold geometric patterned patchwork rug

The upstairs sitting room is painted in a vibrant shade of purple. A huge needlepoint rug entitled ‘Shells and Tortoise’ designed for the Erhman Tapestry kit range, rests on the back of a sofa which in turn is covered by a bold geometric patterned patchwork rug

TEST In front of the sofa is an olive green suitcase which acts as a table. The wooden turned bowl on top is filled with balls of coloured wool which perfectly blend with the surrounding furnishings

In front of the sofa is an olive green suitcase which acts as a table. The wooden turned bowl on top is filled with balls of coloured wool which perfectly blend with the surrounding furnishings

TEST On the right of the sofa hangs an antique Chinese robe above a mound of colourful scatter cushions. An ochre mantelpiece above a painted blue fire surround adds yet more colour to the room

On the right of the sofa hangs an antique Chinese robe above a mound of colourful scatter cushions. An ochre mantelpiece above a painted blue fire surround adds yet more colour to the room

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TEST Across the hall and opposite the purple room, Brandon’s room is a rather more muted interior, bringing with it a sense of calm and serenity

Across the hall and opposite the purple room, Brandon’s room is a rather more muted interior, bringing with it a sense of calm and serenity

TEST Hanging over the bed is a quilt given to Kaffe by a German quilt guild made from remnants of the suits worn by men in Auschwitz. In sharp contrast to this incredibly sensitive piece is the profusion of colour exuded by the quilt covering the bed which was created by Brandon using his own fabric designs

Hanging over the bed is a quilt given to Kaffe by a German quilt guild made from remnants of the suits worn by men in Auschwitz. In sharp contrast to this incredibly sensitive piece is the profusion of colour exuded by the quilt covering the bed which was created by Brandon using his own fabric designs

TEST Brandon’s room is filled with a mix of contemporary and antique textiles from an old upholstered screen to a neon ship kite which was bought in Thailand

Brandon’s room is filled with a mix of contemporary and antique textiles from an old upholstered screen to a neon ship kite which was bought in Thailand

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TEST Opposite the bed is a chair from HomeSense with a cover made of scrap pieces of cloth bought by Brandon as it worked so well with an existing Japanese textile wall hanging that is suspended by the window. A magnificent papier mâché stag head bought from an artist in Lewes is mounted high on one wall

Opposite the bed is a chair from HomeSense with a cover made of scrap pieces of cloth bought by Brandon as it worked so well with an existing Japanese textile wall hanging that is suspended by the window. A magnificent papier mâché stag head bought from an artist in Lewes is mounted high on one wall

TEST Behind a door in the vibrant garden room is the downstairs loo, painted a stunning purple and featuring a mosaic mirror. The orange walls are decorated with masks from Bali and South Africa

Behind a door in the vibrant garden room is the downstairs loo, painted a stunning purple and featuring a mosaic mirror. The orange walls are decorated with masks from Bali and South Africa

TEST Coloured yarns are stacked in one corner in contrasting but complementary colours

Coloured yarns are stacked in one corner in contrasting but complementary colours

TEST Fudge enjoys the afternoon sun that pours into the sitting room

Fudge enjoys the afternoon sun that pours into the sitting room

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

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