Few colours carry as much history and cultural weight as indigo blue. Known for its deep, vibrant hue and enduring beauty, indigo dyeing has been practiced for thousands of years across cultures from West Africa to Japan, India, and beyond. Today, it remains both a craft and a cultural symbol. A Brief History The Science… Read More indigo dyeing: the ancient art of blue
Soft Source for Living is a series focused on everyday ways to reduce household costs and live more sustainably. It offers practical, low-cost solutions that can be adapted to different homes, routines, and budgets. The aim is to support long-term savings, reduce waste, and make the most of available resources. Each entry shares simple, repeatable… Read More Soft source for living: practical strategies for a sustainable home
This soup recipe emphasises creative cooking using available ingredients, focusing on warmth and comfort during challenging times. It introduces the series “Soft Source for Living,” highlighting the intersection of cost, care, and nutritional adaptability. The recipe encourages substitutions and reflection, offering a nourishing solution for various lifestyles and budgets.… Read More slow cooker barley & greens soup-part of the soft source for living series
This post emphasises the transformative impact of lighting on both the emotional ambience and practical use of a space. It encourages a shift from harsh lighting to softer, sustainable options that promote calm and well-being. By layering light and maximising daylight, one can enhance comfort while reducing environmental impact.… Read More Episode 1: Lighting for Calm — A Sensory and Sustainable Approach
There’s a particular kind of charm in noticing what doesn’t quite match. In my cottage, the skirting boards tell their own story—three of them in quiet agreement, and one that’s decided to go its own way. The wall with the wallpaper (post-four readers) hosts a skirting board of a different species entirely. Taller, with a… Read More post five: skirting the norm-a tale of nails & mismatched boards
Image Credit: Photo by Nick Fewings on Unsplash “Flags are not just symbols—they are textiles of memory. Woven, stitched, dyed, and flown, they carry the weight of collective identity and the quiet resonance of personal meaning. For nations, flags declare sovereignty. For communities, they signal solidarity. For individuals, they often evoke longing, pride, or protest.”… Read More flags: textiles of memory, Identity & contested meaning
Image credit: Claire Gaffney via Unsplash In Japanese, the word boro (ぼろ) literally means “tattered” or “ragged.” Yet in the world of textiles, boro has become a symbol of endurance, resourcefulness, and beauty born from necessity. What is Boro? Boro refers to cloth that has been patched and re-patched over generations. Traditionally, families in rural… Read More the beauty of boro: japan’s tradition of visible mending
In my studio, textiles tell stories beyond language—they hold memory, offer comfort, and embody quiet resilience. Recently, the keffiyeh has been on my mind—a scarf crafted from more than just fabric. Born from necessity yet rich with meaning, it invites reflection on what it means to wear it—or to decide against it A Garment of… Read More wearing meaning: a gentle reflection on the keffiyeh
Foldable stool tucked into a corner—used for decorating, showering, and quiet adaptation. Not designed as a disability aid, but repurposed with care. In my cottage studio, adaptation often begins with small, practical choices. This folding stool—originally designed for household tasks—has quietly become part of my daily rhythm. I use it for sitting when decorating, showering,… Read More quiet adaptation: a stool that works
This cottage doesn’t always make sense. The wallpaper doesn’t quite meet the ceiling. The cabinet doors don’t fully align. The paint peels below the window, and the light fitting still hangs unfinished—wires exposed—waiting, like a sentence left unfinished. They’re part of the rhythm I live with and they remind me that comfort isn’t about control—it’s… Read More post four: the quirks of the cottage
Rachel Bakewell 