I have something very nice to share with you all. This Friday, November 27th, I’m collaborating with independent brands papermash and Sian Zeng on Bright Friday. As an alternative to Black Friday discounts we’re donating 15% of sales on Friday to Doctors of the World UK, a small charity who offer vital healthcare to vulnerable groups, primarily refugees across Europe, in Calais, Lesbos in Greece and in Germany. In London, they run a clinic in Bethnal Green who serve groups who feel uncomfortable accessing traditional GP surgeries; the homeless, refugees and sex workers. A friend who works at one of the largest aid agencies really recommended them to me as a smaller charity who are doing great work (they’ve been in the Calais camps for a long time) and who would really benefit from our support.

Here’s a comment from the Executive Director of Doctors of the World, Leigh Daynes: “By supporting Bright Friday you are directly helping refugees, who are fleeing conflicts and war zones and are in search of a better life, even more urgent as we move into the winter and conditions deteriorate. To find out more please visit www.doctorsoftheworld.org.uk.”

There are some items from our shops below, and you can visit our Bright Friday website for more info as well as our shops. We’d love it if you could help share the word too, via Twitter and Instagram, (@brightfridayuk). If you don’t want to buy anything, we don’t mind at all but please consider texting DOCTOR to 70660 to donate £3 directly (plus network charge.) The charity has been super supportive of our little idea and we’d love to make it a great fundraiser for them.

Thanks to all for taking the time to read this post and thanks in advance if you decide to take part in this event.

Bright Friday | chocolate creative | papermash | Sian Zeng | Doctors of the World

The Glebe House – a converted Georgian coach house in Clapham

I learned about The Glebe House when I met Alix a while ago. I have always being interested in old houses with plenty of history, so when she said she lived in this beautiful house, I wanted to hear more about it straight away.

Alix Bateman is the owner of The Glebe House London, an atmospheric Grade II listed Georgian converted coach house in the conservation area of Clapham Old Town, that is fast becoming a creative hub for the area. Holding workshops in traditional craftsmanship, such as gilding, woodcarving and stone carving, and hosting talks and mini salons, the interior Alix has created is a cool mix of period features, muted colours and striking contemporary lighting and accessories.

The living room was once a passageway through which horse and carriages travelled into the stable yards beyond, and Alix’s home is used for photo and film shoots, as well as hiring out for intimate parties and pop up events. Their latest supper club event, in collaboration with the Disappearing Dining Club, was said by Time Out to be one of the coolest things to do in London.

My favorite room in the house is the kitchen, it feels as if you were all the sudden transported into the past.

My English Romantic lampshade (above) fits the room scheme and colours so well, as if it has been created for it. Alix has chosen some very nice pieces to decorate the house, including interesting choice of lighting, mixed with some beautiful vintage trasures. The house feels like the ideal B&B to spend a few days if you are visiting London, not very often you get to step into these so chraming houses. 

If you are looking for a class in London, where to learn new skills in a very interesting and unique environment, subscribe to The Glebe House London’s mailing list or find out more on their Facebook page. Classes ranging from origami to taxidermy are set to run throughout 2016 and beyond, and the two double bedrooms have been listed in Alastair Sawdays guide to special places to stay in the UK for the past three years running.

Photos by Rachael Smith and Alix Bateman

{BRIGHT FRIDAY}

{bright Friday} a bright idea, in collaboration with papermashuk and sianzeng. We are working together on something that we will announce soon. In the meantime we are doing a competition over at Instagram. For the following two Fridays I will post a photo of something bright in my Instagram account; if you wish to take part in this brightfriday competition all you have to do is to post a bright photo on your Instagram feed, and tag #brightfridaycompetition @chocolatecreative @brightfridayuk. I will then announce the winner on Monday. The prize would be a product from chocolate creative's shop. Good luck!

 The set of fluro hooks (above) were the first prize to be won this Monday.

  Photos Piero Pierini | Styling Margarita Lorenzo | Copyright @chocolatecreative