Chateau Dumas, week-long workshop, prices from €2,025

Selvedge is delighted to host all-inclusive residential craft workshops at Chateau Dumas, a private estate with 18th century interiors, a pool and glorious panoramic views - set amongst rolling hills in the peaceful, scenic countryside just north of Toulouse international airport. The Chateau is a place where you can relax, unwind and be creative.

The price shown includes your catered accommodation for the duration of your stay as well as the workshop itself.

Hosted by Clarissa Hulse

Clarissa Hulse designs beautiful and luxurious homeware from her studio in North London, with an emphasis on botanical imagery and bold colour.

As the child of a diplomat Clarissa was Born in Prague, and lived a nomadic childhood, spending time in Thailand, Spain, Italy and Greece. This eclectic background has had a huge influence on her approach to colour and design.

“I have an obsession with colour – it is definitely the hallmark of my work. Also the beauty of nature completely fascinates me – I draw most of my inspiration from the countryside. Perhaps this enthusiasm stems from my childhood – my Greek mother was a keen gardener – she used to let me roam in flower beds while she was gardening and taught me the names of all the species.”

After graduating in textiles from Brighton Art College, Clarissa began to produce hand-printed scarves which became highly sought after on both sides of the Atlantic. This evolved into a line of home accessories, and over the course of twenty years Clarissa has built the business to become one of the most respected textile brands in the UK. From a small collection of silk cushions, the range now includes bed linen, lampshades, towels, ceramics, an array of gift items, and two multiple award-winning fabric and wallpaper collections produced in collaboration with Harlequin.

Clarissa’s designs are based on her nature photography, which is just as likely to originate from a tropical rainforest as it is to feature leaves from a local London park. Grasses, seed heads, ferns and trailing vines feature heavily in the modern, silhouetted designs, often printed onto natural fabrics such as silk and linen which have been dyed with a trademark ombre effect.

Available to buy from www.clarissahulse.com, the studio shop in Highbury and independent boutiques and department stores across the UK and worldwide.

Outline of the workshop
You will start the design process walking around the extensive grounds of Chateau Dumas and collecting and photographing plants. Clarissa’s work is based around her botanical finds in nature and she will explain her process and share what she looks for when collecting plants.

You will then work on some ideas for textile designs, and create artwork that will be put onto screens using stencils and photographic techniques. Clarissa will work with you putting colour palettes together and show you how to mix up coloured pigments for printing. She will then teach you screen printing techniques, including how to print ombre hues, how to use metallics, and how to layer up prints to best effect. You will have plenty of opportunity to print lots of fabrics which can then me used for whatever project you wish, including cushions, textile art, and even clothing.

Chateau Dumas, Lieu dit Dumas, 82220 Auty, France

Before you pay your deposit you must have confirmation that there is a place available for you on this workshop. Please email bookings@chateaudumas.net to check there is availability. Once your place is confirmed the team at Chateau Dumas will instruct you how to pay your non-refundable £350 deposit. You will be able to purchase multiple deposits if you are booking for more than 1 person. The balance is payable in Euros in two instalments.

For more information please contact Catherine Harris, foundation@selvedge.org.

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