Nicholas Engert | Inspiration

Many years ago I arrived early one morning in St Mark’s Square, Venice, before the crowds had started to gather. The air was fresh and cool and the sky a clear blue.

It may be mid September but there has been a distinct chill in the early morning air and dusk arrives earlier with every passing day.

Blankets or duvet? At the end of the day, however, it is my bed and I must lie in it!

I have always been fascinated by reflections in both the natural world and the built environment. Reflections are an opportunity to see things differently albeit distorted, rippled or exaggerated.

Back in May the hawthorn was prolific. I do not remember a time when it was so abundant and it was a magnificent sight along the Kennet & Avon canal.

The front door - that which stands between our inner, private world and the outside world. The front door alone is a statement - it, perhaps more than any other element, declares the status of the building and in many cases the status of the occupants.

Shapeless, styleless and completely lacking in elegance, most cars today are dull beyond belief. To level this criticism at the designers, and them alone, would be unfair as we must assume they are meeting the requirements of the market they serve.

Suffolk has a rich history of rush basket weaving, with artisans using locally harvested bulrush to create durable and beautiful woven goods. This craft dates back centuries, with hand-cut rushes from East Anglia’s waterways prized for their strength and flexibility.

As part of a layered approach to a lighting scheme, picture lights serve a useful role to play.  Picture lights not only illuminate the artwork but also increase the sense of space and add to the mood and atmosphere within a room.