Hi,
I have been bursting to tell you about where I spent my Monday. You may have already spotted what I’m going to share over on my Instagram stories because I couldn’t hold back.
I spent Monday in a house that I genuinely haven’t stopped thinking about all week. The artist Emily Powell invited me down to her home in Devon, and walking through her front door felt like stepping straight into her mind. Every surface, walls, ceilings, even the floor, has been painted by her over the last ten years as one continuous artwork. There’s this beautiful sense that you’re not just looking at art, you’re actually living inside it. Before I started filming, she handed me a pair of hand‑painted slippers so I wouldn’t damage the floor, and that tiny, thoughtful detail summed her up completely: playful, generous, and utterly devoted to colour.
Emily Powell’s home
I’ve adored Emily’s work for years. Long before I knew I was going to have Zac, I bought one of her pieces, a polar bear dropping jam sandwiches out of a hot air balloon. It was so full of joy and whimsy that I couldn’t stop thinking about it. I hung onto that painting, and then a year later Zac arrived and I ended up designing his entire bedroom around it. The colours, the sense of fun, the little story it told, that one piece became the anchor for the whole room. That’s the thing about art: when you feel a real emotional connection to it, it naturally starts to lead the design.
Being in Emily’s house reminded me just how powerful art is in a home. It changes the energy of a room in an instant; the moment you walk in, you either feel soothed, uplifted, curious, or completely energised.
Watching the Clouds by Emily Powell
It doesn’t need to be expensive or important or “approved” by anyone else, it just has to mean something to you. I always think art is one of the easiest ways to bring your humour, your memories, your stories into a space. It’s like leaving little clues about who you are on the walls.
A lot of people assume art has to match the cushions or the rug, and that’s when it starts to feel flat. Art doesn’t need to “go”, it needs to feel. You might fall for something wildly off‑scheme but if it makes your heart jump a bit, that’s the piece you’ll never get bored of. And if you find something you love that feels a bit dated, a new frame can transform it. I’m forever picking up old oils and pairing them with really clean, modern frames; suddenly they feel fresh, relevant and completely at home in a contemporary space.
In my own home, I treat art as a starting point as often as a finishing touch. Sometimes a single piece will dictate a whole palette; other times, I’ll layer it in once the room is nearly there to add contrast or a bit of mischief. I love mixing styles, playful, colourful pieces next to softer landscapes, a bold abstract above something more traditional. It stops a room feeling too “done” and keeps your eye moving. Some rooms I keep to one big, confident artwork; others I want to absolutely cram with pieces so every glance lands on something different.
Shepherd’s Delight by Emily Powell
Where to buy art
If you’re wondering where to actually find art, here are a few places I go back to again and again.
Partnership Editions is brilliant for colourful, contemporary pieces that still feel personal and special. Print Sisters have this gorgeous, nostalgic quality, lots of vintage‑inspired prints that bring warmth and a sense of history. The Poster Club is great for modern, graphic work if you like things a little more Scandi and clean.
I’m also a huge fan of students and graduates from local art schools. There is so much talent coming through and it’s a wonderful way to support someone right at the beginning of their journey, plus you often get something completely unique.
And then there’s Kempton Antiques Market, which I adore for rummaging. You can pick up old paintings that might look a bit sad in their current frame, but once you reframe them, they suddenly become these incredible, one‑of‑a‑kind treasures.
A Gaiad
Where to Start
Because we all connect with art so differently, it can help to think about it in terms of feeling:
If you’re drawn to colourful, playful work, start with artists like Emily Powell, A.Gaiad, HC Cholmley and Studio Lawrence. Their pieces are full of personality, the kind of art makes you smile.
If you prefer something more abstract and contemporary, have a look at places like The Discerning Palette, Form Works Studio and Camburn Fine Art. Think cleaner lines, softer shapes and pieces that sit beautifully in modern, curated rooms.
For soft landscapes and calm, nature‑inspired work, artists like Nina Brooke, Martha Holmes and Gabriella Papa (on Etsy) are perfect. They’re especially lovely in bedrooms and living spaces where you want that gentle, soothing backdrop.
And for more high‑end, investment‑style inspiration, Joe Henry Baker and Studio Lenca create incredibly striking, expressive pieces, even if you’re just browsing for ideas, they’re amazing for pushing you to be a bit braver.
Martha Homes
Martha Holmes
If you’re stuck on where to start, walk slowly around your home and notice where your eye pauses. Is there a wall that feels a bit flat, a corner that needs a moment of joy or softness or calm? Start with that one spot. Find a piece that makes you feel something, even if it’s a tiny print or a sketch, and let the rest of the room build out from there. That’s the real magic of art at home: it doesn’t just decorate the space, it tells your story back to you every time you walk through the door.
Tash x
PS. Looking to decorate your home? I’ve just launched the first in a series of courses here.