Freelance Diaries: April ⚡
A month of mural workshops, volunteer days, networking mornings, agency presentations, quick portraits, masquerade balls, team culture shoots and attempting to switch my brain off for at least five minutes.
A few highlights:
🎨 documenting the collaboration between @withingtonwalls , @oskarwitha.k & @mandemmeetup_mcr
🌿 photographing @plant_mcr volunteers growing greener spaces across Manchester
📸 quick headshots and brilliant conversations in my @peoplewithgrit studio and across Manchester
💻 team culture and portraits for studios and agencies wanting to show up more personally online
☕ ongoing storytelling with @venturecafemanchesterand , @sister_manchester and @affinitylivinguk
Also a very proud moment this month… sitting on my first freelance panel with @lwd_manchester 👀
And finally, I attempted a proper holiday.
The laptop still came. Obviously.
But so did the bike. 🚲
Not entirely switched off… but progress nonetheless ⚡
Our pod at @materialsource Studio London is being transformed with our latest high-tech surface innovations for @clerkenwelldesignweek 2026.
We’re unveiling the future of surface technology, featuring our high recycled-content ceramics and the exclusive debut of Grestec Coretone™ porcelain.
After the doors close, join us for our signature Rum & Chocolate tasting sessions. (Booking via Eventbrite is essential).
Visit us at MSS10:
Tuesday 19 May 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Wednesday 20 May 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Thursday 21 May 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
ℹ️ Find out more: /join-grestec-at-cdw-2026/
🎟️ Register for CDW: /visiting-information
🍹 Register for Rum and Chocolate Tasting: /e/rum-chocolate-pairing-evening-part-of-clerkenwell-design-week-2026-tickets-1984563043486?aff=oddtdtcreator&_gl=1*1fbk2xa*_up*MQ..*_ga*MjEwOTIwNjYwMC4xNzc4NzUzNTg3*_ga_TQVES5V6SH*czE3Nzg3NTM1ODYkbzEkZzAkdDE3Nzg3NTM1ODYkajYwJGwwJGgw&keep_tld=true
#Grestec #CDW26 #MaterialSourceStudio #SurfaceDesign #ClerkenwellDesignWeek InteriorInnovation GrestecCoretone Coretone MSS10 LondonDesign
💡 Material Moods: Inspiring Moodboards
We’re incredibly grateful to see Muraspec wallcoverings featured in the latest Material Moods workshop, where design professionals and emerging designers explored the theme of belonging through inspiring interior concepts and palettes.
Each moodboard demonstrates how materials, texture, and surface design can help create spaces that foster connection, individuality, and community.
For architects, designers, and specifiers, projects like this are a reminder of the powerful role materials play in shaping meaningful commercial interiors.
Don’t miss the opportunity to explore the collection for your next project. Order your Muraspec samples today. /
✨ A special thank you to MaterialSource and Emily Bagshaw, Senior Creative at Material Source, for creating such an inspiring project.
We also appreciate the opportunity to collaborate alongside fellow partner brands: @altro_limited , @autexacoustics , @crownpaintsuk , @forboflooringuk , @ilivfabrics , @muraspec , @parksidetilesuk , @sylanwashrooms and @russwooduk .
📸 Photography by Tim Ainsworth.
#Muraspec #Wallcoverings #CommercialInteriors #InteriorDesign #Architects #DesignInspiration #MaterialMoods #InteriorArchitecture #SurfaceDesign #HospitalityDesign #WorkplaceDesign #DesignCommunity #InteriorMaterials #SpecificationDesign #Belonging
Excited to be joining the Future Materials expert panel next week for @materialsource during @clerkenwelldesignweek . You can book your free ticket using the link in my bio. See you there!
🗓️ Wednesday 20th May 2026
⏰ 14:00 - 16:30
📍 Material Source Studio London, 120 Saffron Hill, EC1N 8QS
💥 The panel:
💡 @hannahelisabethjones , Material Inventor, PhD Candidate
💡 James Lawrence, Senior Associate, @gensler_design
💡 Ian Hunter, Material Researcher, @materials.council
💡 @paula.camina , Founder, Co-Obradoiro
🎤 Hosted by David Smalley, Director, Material Source Studio
“In a rapidly shifting landscape of innovation, responsibility and performance demands, the next generation of materials promises extraordinary potential but also unprecedented complexity. In this session to you, an audience of architects and designers at Material Source Studio London, we unpack the realities behind the buzz of “future materials.”
✨ Pilates & Prosecco with @materialsource Glasgow ✨
An evening of movement, collaboration, and connection to kick off May in style. 🥂
This joint event between @skelly111160 from Muraspec and Alex from @karndean_uk brought together interior designers from the A&D community at Material Source Glasgow for a relaxed evening session focused on wellbeing, networking, and collaboration within the design industry.
Guided by Pilates instructor Leigh Garden, guests enjoyed an energising Pilates session followed by prosecco, conversation, and the chance to connect with fellow creatives in an informal setting. A fantastic way to strengthen relationships and celebrate community within commercial interiors.
#PilatesAndProsecco #MaterialSourceGlasgow #KarndeanFlooring #Muraspec #InteriorDesign #ADCommunity #DesignCommunity #NetworkingEvent #WellnessAndDesign #PilatesEvent
It’s just over a week until @clerkenwelldesignweek kicks off again. We’re very excited this year to be showcasing at @materialsource Studio London as part of CDW from 19-21 May, where our full array of fabrics will be shown alongside some new designs. We also have our event taking place on 19 May from 2-4pm at Material Source, so don’t forget to sign up for free tickets ahead of time. For more information and to sign up, contact the team today!
#AguaFabrics #PerformanceFabrics #DesignTogether #CDW #MaterialSource
Are you a designer or architect? 🪴
We will be supporting Parkside’s Terrazzo Plant Pot Making Workshop during Clerkenwell Design Week 2026.
The workshop coincides with the launch of Parkside’s new terrazzo range and will allow guests to mix, cast and finish their own plant pot using terrazzo chips and plants supplied by Benholm.
📍Location: Material Source Studio, London
🗓️Dates & times: 19.05, 11-1pm | 2.05, 2-4pm
We’re excited to be exhibiting at Clerkenwell Design Week @clerkenwelldesignweek this May.
Join us at @materialsource London, where we’ll be launching our new Art Deco Collection, a contemporary take on a timeless style, defined by bold geometry, refined details, and confident character.
Alongside the launch, we’ll be hosting a programme of talks and wellbeing‑focused moments at our stand throughout the week.
Whether you’re coming to explore the collection, join a session, or simply stop by for a chat, we’d love to see you there.
📍 Material Source London, 120 Saffron Hill, EC1N 8QS
📅 19–21 May
🎤 Events:
19 May • 2–4pm — Rework | Rewear with Jan Erika @janerikadesign
20 May • 2–4pm — Future Materials: The Challenges of Specifying Them
21 May • 2–4pm — Recovery Chair Massage
Register now and secure your free ticket on the website.
#Orac #artdeco #clerkenwelldesignweek #interiordesign #exhibition
Thank you to all those who attended the AI seminar at @materialsource Studio Manchester last week.
Focussing on the question of whether AI is a novelty or non-negotiable, experts Dr Phil Tetlow and Jason Taylor helped decipher the ways in which artificial intelligence will impact the interior design community.
It was a thrilling discussion, and we can’t wait to take part in future seminars, both in Manchester and London.
For more info and to register your place at the next event, contact your local Agua sales rep today.
#AguaFabrics #PerformanceFabrics #UpholsteryFabrics
