In 1822, Charles Lillie published The British Perfumer, a 400-page book he hoped would save the country’s fragrance industry ‘from total annihilation’. He claimed those who ‘style themselves Perfumers, as well as most buyers, are entirely ignorant, the former of what they sell, and the latter of what they purchase’. Chapters were categorised by scent … Read more
“As fast and reliable as express trains, and the greatest fun in the world to drive”. That’s how the famed author, soldier, Arabist, spy and bike nut T. E. Lawrence described his beloved Brough Superiors, the ‘Rolls-Royce of motorcycles’ (in the opinion of contemporary journalist H. D. Teague) that cost as much to buy as … Read more
The build up to Christmas is one of the busiest times of the year for William Barsley. I first noticed his work in the Parliament Shop, of all places. Sandwiched between stuffed toys, rubber ducks in the shape of Big Ben, and other such mass-produced gifts were his delicate, intricately crafted wooden angels. William specialises … Read more
With his Gaelic name and love of board games, 6ft 3in, russet-bearded furniture-maker Eion Gibbs bears more than a passing resemblance to his medieval predecessors, those Norse-Gaels who whiled away the dark northern evenings playing chess and backgammon in their chilly longhouses and castle halls. Based in the Highlands, where he was brought up and … Read more
The Volvo Cross Country has always acknowledged the allure of the country lifestyle, but with the shy authenticity of a moulting labrador. It was always the antithesis of flashy. Until now. When the first Volvo Cross Country, the V70 XC, came into being in 1997, Land Rovers were already going upmarket and the Mercedes ML … Read more