On the ninth day of Christmas, we are giving away a Chalk Wovens blanket and cushion, worth £275, to one lucky reader. To enter the competition, please click below.
It was a fortuitous meeting at art school that eventually led to the creation of Chalk Wovens. Kerry Stokes and Richard Bush, who first met in the 1980s, brought together their individual interests and expertise to create a company that is known for producing beautiful contemporary woven products. Kerry designs the products, drawing on her extensive design experience that has previously taken her from Japan to New York to Europe – and now back to the UK. Meanwhile, Richard has a background in ceramics and interior design, as well as representing weave designers in the USA and Europe. All Chalk Wovens products are designed and woven in the UK.
This year, Chalk Wovens has been working with St Fagan’s Museum in Cardiff to produce a fabric suitable for the new café. The Fern design had caught the eye of the St Fagan’s team who had been visiting the mill in Wales, Melin Teifi, where their lambswool throws were being woven. Consequently Chalk Wovens was asked to produce a hardwearing upholstery version of Fern in the new St Fagan’s colour scheme. Liaising with the mill, they managed to create a suitable fabric in Shetland wool.
Meanwhile Kerry continues to produce new designs for throws and cushions. The latest two, Demi and Demifour, have proven very popular. These designs were inspired by the forms and colours of succulent plants and euphorbias and are also an extension of the “Squircles” ideas. They reflect Chalk Woven’s continuing leaning towards a Scandinavian, mid-century feel.