Last week I left the boys with their daddy for the day. I toddled off down to London for a little adventure; to the Laura Ashley press show 2015.
I am big fan of Laura Ashley products — there are always such beautiful things to see each season.
Often the brand is associated with more traditional home furnishings.
But these days they’ve got a real mix, that would suit a contemporary style; just as well as a more classic one.
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Laura Ashley: A Modern Woman
I’m quite fascinated by Laura Ashley — she was such a modern gal for her day.
Born in Wales in 1925, she was a pioneering businesswoman.
Something that was a bit of an anomaly in those days. She began her career producing upholstery and furnishing fabrics but in the 1960s started designing and manufacturing clothes.
I once read an interview with one of her children.
The thing I most remember — and something that has stayed with me — is that Laura once said her priorities were her husband, her children and then her business.
In that order.
Her children didn’t seem to mind at all that they came second only to their father. I think they must have loved what a loving relationship their parents had.
I absolutely love the fact that she was so in love with her husband too. She even turned down the offer an OBE because she was upset that he hadn’t been offered one too.
Her little cottage industry was a real family affair. All of the Ashley children were involved in the business in some way or another.
She sadly died in 1985 — due to a tragic accident. But her legacy still lives on and the Laura Ashley brand is absolutely thriving.
What I Saw at The Press Show
Anyway (got a bit sidetracked by history, sorry) back to the present day and the press show!
I’ve used Laura Ashley wallpaper in our guest room.
And their lights, paint and cushions in our dining room.
But the new ranges are FAB.
There were so many lovely things — from amazing lighting to beautiful fabrics. Cushions, sofas, kitchen equipment — to be honest I felt like I’d gone to ‘home-heaven’.
I’ve put together a little round-up of some of the things I saw.
Have a look and see what you think.
Christmas in June
They also had a display of their Christmas product.
Some absolutely beautiful things and although we’ve barely got into the swing of summer, it made me get just a *little* bit excited about this year’s festivities.
Through a berry red front door into a glittery wonderland of opulent gold, silver and red themed decorations.
Handmade Heaven
One of the highlights of the show, for me, was a brand new offering. One that will be hitting the stores in September.
Inspired by ‘all things homespun’, they have produced an amazing collection of craft kits. —
Knitting, candle-making, sewing — PLUS packs of their delicious trademark fabrics sold in ‘fat-quarters’ for quilters and crafters alike.
As the nation is hooked on programmes like ‘Sewing Bee‘ and ‘Kirstie’s Homemade Home’; I predict that this new range will do really well.
Needless to say, I came home with my head buzzing with colour and pattern.
I’m very much looking forward to seeing this lovely stuff hit the shops in a few months time.
Caro Davies is a former art-director turned writer and content-creator, and editor behind UK lifestyle blog The Listed Home. She writes about home-related topics, from interiors and DIY to food and craft. The Listed Home has been featured in various publications, including Ideal Home, Grazia, and Homes & Antiques magazines.
I’m so jealous, I love Laura Ashley and I would have loved to go to something like this. I was a little sad not to see many prints this season though. One of my favourite ever dresses is a Laura Ashley print. I really liked the feather handled cheese knife set and the slate with the victoria sponge recipe on it. Thanks for sharing, I might go to our local shop at the weekend just for a look around.
There were LOTS of prints Morna :) And some of them they’ve recovered from the archive and have recoloured too! I took so many pictures — although I wasn’t able to show them all on the blog sadly. So many lovely things to look at — I can’t wait to see it all in the shops! :)
Did I just see a large cupbord that is basically a fold out kitchen? I want that for my garden. It looks amazing!
The feather-handles are beautiful too.
You did indeed!! ;) I think it’s a pantry but it would be an AMAZING garden cupboard. Why don’t you get ‘The Bavarian’ to make something similar for you?! ;) xx
I may just do that Caro! I’ve had a bit of an outdoor kitchen on the go for the last few years and swore that this year I would really make a go of it. (Lightbulb moment! Perhaps that’ll be next week’s post).
It could be GORGEOUS!! Or you could buy one of those bike shed thingys with opening doors and make it look pretty — it could be amazing!!! :)
wow you lucky thing getting invited to that! I admit, Laura Ashley is a brand that I was never too keen on as my mum used to drag us in there all the time as children, and I always got the impression it was quite dated,but I think I may have to revisit! Some lovely pieces there! x
Yes — I used to be the same. My mum used to be obsessed with Laura Ashley curtains when I was a child — SO boring when you’re 8!! They’ve got some gorgeous buts and pieces nowadays! x
So many just gorgeous things – and that Christmas theme door – amazing!!! Hope you had a fab day. My mother in law is a big Laura Ashley fan so I’ll show her this
I love the history bit & she really was so modern to be such a fabulous business woman in a very male dominated place!
Thanks for hosting. See you Friday!! xxx
She was amazing wasn’t she? I think people forget that there was a real woman behind the name. She was so ahead of her time. Can’t wait to see you again on Friday Beth!! x
How amazing! I love Laura Ashley but never think to go there for some reason but they have some really beautiful items in the new collection! #HomeEtc
Aaah they really do. There are some very traditional looking pieces but loads of quirky, modern bits too. I was like a kid in a sweetshop!! x
I especially like the kitchen stuff, the look just gives that “home” feling to me. #HomeEtc
It’s really lovely isn’t it? So lovely and homely :) xx
That pineapple though!! Would never expect that from Laura Ashley, I am going to have to hunt that down! I enjoyed reading the background about Laura and the business, it’s really nice to hear a bit more about how the brand started, I don’t think I’d ever realised that Laura Ashley was a real person! xx #HomeEtc
I KNOW!!! That was my favourite thing!! I loved that pineapple candle holder! That’s definitely the new trend! Move over flamingoes — hello pineapples!
What gorgeous stuff! I really love the Victoria Sponge Recipe Board, this would be so handy and would save me having to get my recipe book out every time I make one! And how fab that you were invited to this, I’m very jealous! xx
Thanks so much Jemma! I was so happy to be asked! I was like a kid in a sweetshop — it was a lovely treat to go and look around! x
Wow lucky you being invited to a press day!! You certainly took lots of pics. Thanks for the little bit of history too on Laura Ashley herself – things I didn’t know.
I’m a lover of Laura Ashley and have been for many years and my home is dotted with Laura Ashley pieces, from wallpapers, to lights, to accessories and bedding. Always good quality from LA and they are definitely moving with the times which is good to see.
Thanks for hosting this lovely linky #HomeEtc.
Sammy xxx
Aaah Sammy, I took LOADS of pics — far more than I could even fit in my blog post!!! I LOVE the history of the brand — she was SUCH a pioneer for women in business. I absolutely love her — for her creativity and especially for how much she adored her husband. I feel as though she was a kindred spirit.
What a fab day!! Look at all these pretty things! WANT! I am so lucky as I have a few pieces from them for the twins rooms for our new house. Eeeeeek – I cannot wait :) Lovely photographs and what a fab trip for you! Thanks for being a co-host to our very special linky :) Love ya and see you on Friday! xxxx #HomeEtc
SO pretty. I was light a moth round a flame!!! :) Such lovely things!! Can’t wait to see you Friday — big kiss to my blogging besty xxx
I love Laura Ashley and hearing that they will be selling fat quarters now could prove to be very damaging to my bank balance. xxx
Aaah me too!! I love their stuff — it was such a treat to have a look at the product before it’s hit the shelves too :)
Oh how interesting, I never knew about the history of Laura Ashley – fascinating! I’m noticing a pineapple trend here, had spotted it sneaking into the high street. I’ve got a feeling they are the new flamingoes! And letters in lights. I think I want some! #homeetc Sabrina xx
She was SO interesting — I think people forget that there was a real woman behind the brand name. You’re so right about the pineapples — they are DEFINITELY the new flamingoes!! LOL! They’re everywhere!!
Okay, since I can’t afford any of it I’m now going to make an imaginary order! I’ll have that sweet mini white sofa, a wicker hamper and one of those floral mugs please. Thank you! I used to have a book all about interior decorating by Laura Ashley, written in the 70’s. It was certainly of its time! But I remember pouring over it and planning which rooms I would have in my house. Thanks for the memories!
They really do have some lovely stuff don’t they?! I could furnish my whole house with it all!! :) x
I love the look of the red retro kitchen things. They remind me of the 1980s Laura Ashley decorating book that I bought in a charity shop a while back! Lucky you to have a lovely trip to London – I need to do this more often… x #HomeEtc
The kitchen stuff was am-AY-zing!! Absolutely gorgeous! We have a red AGA so I was eyeing it all up for myself :)
God I love ALL of this, it’s so gorgeous! I’d be quite happy for my house to look like a Laura Ashley shop :) #HomeEtc
Ah me too!! It was all just gorgeous!! So nice to see it all before it hits the stores — I’ll be keeping my eyes open for some of those lovely bits and bobs. SO lovely to see you on the weekend pet :) Fab to meet you finally xx