News from L&F

Yesterday was the last of our 2023 Fairs, this time at the magnificently named Grimsthorpe Castle – and it was as jolly cold as it somehow sounds.  From now on it’s all downhill to Christmas, and if the lack of...

Speaking of new traditions, as we were …. here at L&F HQ it has become something of a thing that Isobel and I go and choose the trees for inside the house.  (There’s a huge Wellingtonia in the garden that...

Another day, another two firsts: we’re at Sandringham Christmas Fair this weekend; and the glorious new baubles, which are going like hot cakes.  Christmas music in the background (thank you Michael), cold enough to feel seasonal, full enough for atmosphere...

Who could forget it?  Tomorrow is truly one of L&F’s favourite nights of the year.  Marshmallow covered, singed oven gloves (they melt and gloop, whatever you do to try to avoid it), ‘Oooos’ and ‘Ahhhhhs!’ mixing with the smell of...

Right: don’t tell anyone, but it’s almost November.  Which means it’s nearly December.  Which means we’re in the run up to Christmas (having had our first retail order for Holly Ovengloves as long ago as May!).  The utterly gorgeous new...

You will no doubt have seen that we have a new collaboration under way!  L&F has come up with two new designs for Stamford School (est 1532 – yes, 1532) and the mugs are selling fast, with tea towels soon...

Well, that says it all really. We’re bonkers for conkers here – we’re lucky enough to have two enormous horse chestnut trees at the front gate, and walkers and riders alike keep a beady eye on them year round, it...

There is NOTHING better, on a crunchy brown autumn morning, than a cinnamon bun and a cup of proper coffee.  Believe me: I have done extensive research on this.  Perhaps sitting on the back step, maybe kicking through the leaves...

Free form, hand painting is a serious skill. One of the things that struck me during my time on a narrow boat way back in May was the beautiful decorative work on boats and chandlery alike: from someone who can...

Like it or not, Halloween has become A Thing here in the UK. As if to prove it, last year our delicious Pumpkin candles were an absolute sell out. So they’re back, for an understandably very limited time only! A...

Is it just us, or are the nights really drawing in?  Mr Irvine’s grandmother used to say they were, every year without fail, starting on about 1 August – but here we are a week into September and I’m sure...

All the right people got married, the weather didn’t beat us and even a last minute disaster with my outfit failed to spoil a truly wonderful weekend.  So now it’s back to matters L&F with a spring in our step,...

Yesterday’s traditional Yoruba ceremony was everything we had all hoped it would be.  Loud, colourful, emotional (the groom’s mother in particular, embarrassingly) and full of love, laughter and wonderful Nigerian music and food.  Today will start off as a much...

Two birthdays down, one and a wedding to go.  The bride is British Nigerian, and L&F HQ in this quiet corner of rural Lincolnshire will shortly shake with noise, music, colour, traditional dress and unfeasibly spicy food – we can’t...

Dare we mention the weather?  12 days to go until You Know What, and we’re starting to look up hopefully when we open the curtains in the morning.  I keep telling Isobel that Rainclouds should be her next design but...

August is always a busy month at L&F HQ and in 2023, it’s more so than ever.  Three birthdays (the first of which is today) and this year a giant, two day family wedding!   Forgive then, if a slight preoccupation...

For the last twenty eight or so years, at around this time, I have decamped to Argyll for weeks on end with first one, then two, then three small Irvines.  It still feels strange not to be tied to school...

Is this the very best time of year?  Possibly … although I tend to feel that at pretty much any point on the calendar.  At the moment though, when not toiling in the L&F office, I’m usually bottom up in...

Please welcome … ‘Potted Shrubs’.  Our newest, freshest design springs from the garden and shrubbery at L&F HQ, where gnarly old favourites in beds are surrounded by new youngsters, looking pretty in pots while waiting their turn to shine.  Luscious...

No excuse needed! Every day tends to be cake day here at L&F HQ and if it ends in a y, we think that’s a good enough reason to whip up our absolute all-time favourite, Carrot.  As a special treat for...

… in time to see how our newest collection, ‘Shrubs’, is progressing.  And the news is good: the prototypes are gorgeous, and our manufacturers are doing their usual terrific job, so we hope to have the range available on the...