Leslie Williamson
This week for The Edit we are excited to feature photographer and author, Leslie Williamson. Leslie is best known for her unique and personal approach to photographing interiors, seeing the homes she shoots as a portrait of the people who live there. Leslie's first two books, Handcrafted Modern and Modern Originals, are volumes we return to over and over. To celebrate the release of her beautiful new book Interior Portraits, Leslie has kindly shared five of her favourite pieces from the Everyday Needs range.
1.Monmouth Glass handblown rose tumblers
The moment I saw these, my mind was flooded with wonderful memories of my Grandmother and her glass collection. She collected only this particular color of pink. These tumblers, of course, are a bit more modern than anything she owned, and perfectly imperfect as only handblown glass can be. But what a special thing to have a simple object link one’s mind to such a potent and happy trove of memories. Every time I drink out of these I will be sharing a moment with my Grandmother (who passed years ago). I cannot think of anything better.
2. Ruth Castle fruit dish
I first became aware of Ruth Castle’s work, when I saw her Garlic Basket hanging in a friend’s kitchen in London years ago. I have finally started to build my own collection of her work and this fruit dish I see as the next piece to add to my collection. I may even follow her directions and use it as a fruit dish. But then again, it might just need to hang on my wall.
3. Rattan carpet beater
Who wouldn’t want such a beautiful object made for a perfectly mundane task? To be honest, I have always wanted one of these. I am sure my attraction to the carpet beater is in part because I was weaned on BBC costume dramas and Merchant and Ivory films, but there is an undeniable romance to them, isn’t there? It harks to a time before machines “simplified” our lives (vacuum cleaners, washing machines, etc.). I know the reality of beating a carpet clean is a lot of hard work and sweat, but I cannot help but think of how quiet it must have been without all the buzzing of vacuums and the like. It is a beautiful object that speaks of simpler times.
4. Enamel three pint jug in Samphire
I have a soft spot for the common pitcher. I have more than I will ever use, but this one, which I cannot break, will be used more than most - for flowers, for water at dinner parties, and more than likely just to decorate my shelf with a shot of this lovely deep green color.
5. Japanese house slippers
I have a minor obsession with wearing baskets on my feet so these slippers will definitely satisfy that. Plus they are so much more interesting that the usual slip on, no?
