News

International Rescue: the Dogs Behind the Biggs Collection

 

Transplanted from London to Boulder, CO for a year in my 20’s, I became a volunteer at the Boulder County Humane Society. It turned out to be a wonderful and eye-opening experience. The highlight of my volunteer shifts was walking the dogs – giving them some much-needed exercise and a temporary reprieve from the confines of their kennels. Some were shy at first, while others bounded out of the kennel with excitement. Walking in the dry heat of Colorado, mountains rising toward the vast blue sky, was quite a culture shock a far cry from the cloudy skies and busy streets of London!

These walks were as much a treat for me as they were for the dogs. They were so grateful for the social interaction and playful outdoor exploration, and I was more than happy to spend time with some amazing pups. Bonding with so many dogs over my time there, it was all I could do not to take them all home.

One beautiful young collie in particular stole my heart: Ben. When I heard that he was going to be euthanized, I desperately wanted to adopt him. But as that was impossible (knowing I was returning to England the following year) I was determined to find a home for him, and I did. He became the perfect addition to a family in Boulder. Though I missed him so much, I was content knowing he had found a loving home.

I’ve always been passionate about animal welfare – even as a child I refused to eat anything that looked like an animal. But my experience in Boulder was the start of my particular interest in the plight of rescue dogs and homeless animals worldwide.

Back in London the following year, I finally adopted my own dog from Battersea Dogs Home – a beautiful collie mix with a black and chestnut-colored coat and the sweetest personality. Formerly a stray on the streets of London, she was skinny as a rail. It took months before she stopped scavenging for food on our daily walks in Richmond Park. But with some training and much love, she settled into her new home quickly. Several years passed before I moved to the States, this time to the East coast. She, of course, came with me.

Now, I have two rescues at home, Biggs and Tam. As well as being our beloved family pet, Biggs has now become the namesake of my brand new dog bed and blanket collection. The Biggs Dog Bed features my brand new, mid-century-inspired Charley pattern (available in three colors). And the Biggs Fleece Dog Blankets are designed to perfectly color-coordinate with the beds. Both of our pups are already enjoying their new beds and blankets as I write!

I’m excited to announce that a percentage of profits from every dog bed and blanket sale will go to Humane Society International. HSI is the international branch of one of the foremost animal welfare organizations in the United States. They do excellent work for animals worldwide, including working in South Korea, China, Indonesia, and Vietnam to put an end to cruel dog meat farms. HSI has also developed humane, sustainable solutions to improve the lives of dogs across the globe, with dog and cat welfare programs in 25 countries. I’m thrilled that Lupin Studio will now be supporting this important work.

I hope you’ll check out the new collection, with a pup by your side! 

J xo

 

Jane Dent Grady
Read more

Staying Home

As we are all adapting to a new normal, I thought this a good time to share some things I'm doing to keep my spirits up while staying at home every day, as well as some ways we can help others.

In this time of social distancing, hardship, and loss, I’ve been heartened to see so many acts of kindness and compassion. People working together for the common good, leaving bags of groceries on elderly neighbors’ doorsteps, calling old friends to check in, and supporting the medical professionals on the front lines of this pandemic with donations, thank-you notes, and rounds of applause.

But though these acts are wonderful, there is still so much more we can do to help. Many people are losing their jobs, small businesses are suffering, and all of us are struggling to stay connected while in isolation. Though it can be hard to decide how and where to direct our efforts, I have found that your own back yard can be a good place to start.

Businesses are hurting terribly right now. And none more than the small independent businesses that are such an integral part of our communities. For those businesses to remain in our towns and cities, we need to come to their aid. Here are a few practical ways to help out…

  • Purchase a gift card to your favorite restaurant or café. If you normally grab your morning coffee at a local bakery or eat out every week at a neighborhood bistro, buying a gift card (for yourself or someone else) is a excellent alternative. It will inject much needed cash into the business, helping them to weather their temporary closure.
  • Shop online. Many small shops are still offering online shopping (as well as gift cards). With spring inventory just in, it’s a great time to find something unique while helping the store. (Plus, Mother’s Day is around the corner!)
  • Write positive Google reviews for your favorite businesses. It’s a simple gesture, but one that can have a really positive impact on small businesses. 

Another rewarding way to help out is checking in on your elderly neighbors, friends, and familyWith many of us feeling isolated, a Facetime or Zoom call or a little gift left on a doorstep is so welcome.

And joining a virtual neighborhood group (such as Nextdoor) is a great way to uncover the needs of your local community. I’ve seen posts asking for help with grocery delivery, volunteer groups making masks, and family members of doctors collecting PPE to distribute to hospitals.

We also need to take care of ourselves, physically and mentally. So I thought I’d share some things I’m doing to keep my spirits up during quarantine. 

  • When it comes to work, I need a schedule. So working in my home studio on all things Lupin, Monday through Friday, is a given. Having said that, there has been the occasional variance over to another activity!
  • Do one or two of those little things that make you happy every day. For me that’s enjoying a cappuccino on a chilly morning, sipping a glass of wine while cooking dinner, arranging leafy branches and little flowers from the garden, and cuddling up with my dogs to watch a movie.
  • Do things you don’t normally have time to do. Spring Cleaning in the garden is a great way to get outdoors. And if you’re inside, I find there are always areas of the home in need of de-cluttering or organizing. From what I’m seeing, I think this spring we’ll see some of the tidiest homes and gardens that we’ve seen in decades!
  • To make a treat out of staying in, Saturday evenings are our ‘Dinner In’ nights. We’ve been concocting new cocktails, baking desserts, and getting dressed up to make a little more of our evening. My daughter has even designed the menu. Tip: prepare the main course several days in advance and freeze until Saturday – because you don’t cook when you go out to a restaurant!
  • Seek out nature. Taking a walk can lift the spirits, and there’s no better time than spring to feel the sunshine on our skin and watch the buds turn into leaves. If you’re really missing the great outdoors, you can take a virtual tour of five national parks including Kenai Fjords National Park in Alaska and New Mexico’s Carlsbad Caverns National Park, courtesy of Google Arts & Culture and the National Park Service.
  • Enjoy Afternoon Tea. Of course, being British this is a natural and favorite pastime of mine! My parents in England joined us virtually for tea recently. My Mum and I made scones on opposite sides of the pond, and enjoyed tea and conversation together. It’s not only fun, but helps us all feel more connected.
  • If you’re missing out on culture, there’s a wealth of virtual options to fill that gap. London’s British Museum, Amsterdam’s Rijksmuseum and the Guggenheim in New York are just a few of the many museums now offering virtual tours. So you can experience their beautiful buildings and art from your armchair! And if you’re a ballet or opera fan, The Royal Opera House in London and New York’s Metropolitan Opera are both offering digital performances. 

I hope you’ve enjoyed reading! Stay home, stay safe.

J x

Jane Dent Grady
Read more

Streamline


I’m excited to announce the launch of my brand new collection for Spring 2020! The Streamline collection encompasses a modern take on 1930’s culture, when the Art Deco movement flourished amid both tumultuous and progressive global events.

In the early years of the decade, following the excesses of the roaring 20’s and the 1929 Wall Street crash, one quarter of wage-earning Americans were unemployed. Drought and dust storms plagued the Great Plains, and much of the western industrialized world experienced severe economic adversity.

However, despite the enormous impact of the Great Depression, popular culture thrived, and the decade saw both artistic and technological triumphs. These included the extravagant epic movies of the Golden Age of Hollywood, Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers dancing across the silver screen, and the emergence of the big band era. The Waltz remained a popular dance and Swing became hugely popular. And the two dance styles merged as swinging to Strauss’ famous waltz, the Blue Danube, caught on. This was also the decade when Amelia Earhart became the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean, five years to the day after Charles Lindbergh became the first man to fly solo across the same body of water.

Architecturally, it was the height of the Art Deco movement (also referred to as style moderne in Europe). The decorative arts movement of the 1920’s had fully developed into Art Deco style in western Europe and the United States by the 1930’s. Art Deco moved away from traditional decorative themes, and instead reflected the industrialization of the time. Art Deco objects conveyed wealth and sophistication and often featured a ‘streamlined’ look. Symmetry, clean lines, motif repetition and industrial materials such as chrome and stainless steel were in common usage.

The 1930’s also brought the construction of the tallest skyscrapers the world had ever seen, built in the Art Deco style. In New York City alone, iconic landmarks of the 30’s include the Chrysler Building, the Empire State building and Rockefeller Center.

For those who withstood the financial ravages of the Great Depression, luxury train travel was at its peak. First class carriages were a home away from home with overstuffed lounge chairs, velvet curtains, crystal goblets and fine cuisine. The Orient Express, originally running from Paris to Constantinople (now Istanbul) was considered the height of luxury. It was also the setting for Agatha Christie’s novel Murder on the Orient Express, which features her fastidious Belgian detective, Hercule Poirot.

Our Streamline collection embraces the cultural icons of this era in three new patterns  – Orient, Hercule and Waltz. Our Streamline patterns are available across a brand new collection of linen cotton throw pillows and tea towels, in a variety of color combinations. And we’re looking forward to bringing you more brand new items in the coming months!

J x

Photography: Jane Dent Grady

Clockwise from top: The Cincinnati Museum Center at Union Terminal  I  1930s Red Teapot by Hall China  I  Chrysler Building & Empire State Building in New York City I  New England Power Building in Boston.

Jane Dent Grady
Read more

Exploring the English Lake District

The English Lake District has a very special place in my heart. A national park in the northwest of England, the Lake District is known for its stunning glacial ribbon lakes and rugged fells (the namesake of our Lakes & Fells collection). Growing up in England, I visited the area with my family numerous times. And now, as an expat, I endeavor to return whenever I visit home. 


Dotted with picturesque towns, beautiful bodies of water and majestic mountains, you can’t go wrong. And if you’re ever lucky enough to visit, I thought I’d share my two cents (or two pence) worth:

  • Don’t venture out without your cagoule! The British term for a weatherproof raincoat, your cagoule will keep you dry in all that Cumbrian rain. It rains in the Lakes – a lot – but don’t worry; it only adds to the charm and drama of the natural landscape.

  • Have your camera at the ready. Dramatic skies and breathtaking vistas are guaranteed no matter what the weather brings.

  • Hike in the hills amongst the purple heathers and stone walls.

  • Feel the cool water lapping against your feet as you stroll along the shoreline of Derwentwater (my favorite lake).

  • A boat ride on one of the lakes is a wonderful way to see the changeable and expressive hues of the water. Varying depths and ever-changing skies can make the water appear dark and threatening or light and playful. Whatever its mood, it’s beautiful.

  • The little pubs dotting the countryside are not to be missed. With window boxes full of flowers in season, original timbers, pub food, and English beer, they’ll give you a generous dose of local life and old-world charm.

  • If you see Queen of Puddings on a menu, order it! A traditional British dessert involving cake, jam and meringue, it’s a scrumptious way to complete your visit.

Each of these experiences have helped to shape my Lakes & Fells collection. But most notably, it’s the natural beauty and character of the Lake District itself that has influenced each pattern and colorway. If you’re curious about the complete story behind each design, take a glance through our product pages!

J x

 

Jane Dent Grady
Read more

Summer Dining in Stockholm: Woodstockholm Bistro

Not sure whether it’s the unseasonably mild autumn we’re having here in Boston, but my thoughts have been straying to this past summer and my first visit to Sweden – in particular to an evening spent at a wonderfully unique eatery in Stockholm, so special I thought it worth sharing with you.

Found quite by accident while exploring the island of Södermalm, Woodstockholm Bistro sits on the corner of one of the prettiest squares in Stockholm, Mosebacke Square. With a classical fountain, stone terrace, and wooden tubs overflowing with pink flowers, it’s the perfect spot to while away a warm summer’s evening.

Owned by Chef Elias, the bistro is a neighborhood haunt frequented largely by Stockholmers, and it has the feel of an incredibly stylish farmhouse kitchen with a magnificent chef! Featuring classic Scandinavian light wood furniture and lighting fixtures, a large painting on one wall, and snug seating that includes a communal table and L-shaped bar, it’s a truly intimate gathering place.

Using local and sustainably sourced ingredients, Woodstockholm plans its menu around a theme, changing it up every couple of months. The night we were there, famous Swedish chef Tore Wretman had furnished the inspiration behind the cuisine, and a hardbound book with his recipes sat on the bar next to us for customers to browse. A small chalkboard, shared amongst the patrons, featured the menu – one meat entrée, one fish, and one vegetarian option, along with an array of side dishes, and unique and decadent desserts. Needless to say, all of the dishes, presented to us personally by the chef, were phenomenal – each morsel a medley of distinctive and wonderful flavors.

Last, but by no means least, the staff were wonderful. Informal, friendly, and welcoming, they had an easy rapport with one another, and they took time to talk with us at length about food, Stockholm, and Swedish culture. They even enquired about our favorite places in Stockholm so they could inform future patrons.

Stockholm is such a delight. I could extol the beauty of the architecture, the warm and welcoming residents, and my personal recommendations of places to see and things to do. But we’ll have to save that for another time :)

Jane Dent Grady
Read more

‘Spotted’ at Top Drawer AW 2017, London

We were thrilled to participate in Spotted at the Top Drawer trade fair in London last month! The Spotted sector of the show is curated by design writer and author Charlotte Abrahams and showcases a selection of emerging design-led brands. 

...
Over the three-day event, it was so much fun sharing stories with our fellow designer/makers, getting to know new customers, and seeing all the other cool fashion, home, and craft brands at the show. It sure was a lot of work–from getting all of our products across the pond to building our stand–but well worth all the effort. And lucky for us, my London family was not far away – a huge thank you to them for all of their help! First trade show done, where will the next one be? Stay tuned!
...
Jane Dent Grady
Read more
Left Continue shopping
Your Order

You have no items in your cart