Story of My Home

Alice Palmer

The founder of artisanal homeware brand Alice Palmer & Co on everything from feasting to crafting at home

Workspace: I am so lucky to have found a studio space right at the end of my road (it was a stroke of luck, a friend was moving out of it at the same time I was looking for somewhere). We have now turned it into a shop that’s byappointment-only as well, which is such an exciting step. Dinner party game: I’m more ‘have a dance after dinner’, with some good music and friends. But I also love a game of Oh Hell or Perudo.

Dinner party guest list: Édith Piaf, to sing to us; Jaime Parladé, a Spanish interior designer whose work I am obsessed with; Quentin Blake, a favourite illustrator of mine; Frida Kahlo, I would love to see what outfit she would turn up in; Paul Newman, for a swoon; Joni Mitchell, a true female icon who, I think, would have some amazing stories; and Moira from Schitt's Creek – just for a laugh.

Ice breaker: Laughter is definitely the best ice breaker.

Fakeaway: I love to make my signature slow-cooked pulled pork with tacos, guacamole, salsa, spicy sweetcorn with Mexican cheese and black beans. Building your own tacos makes for such a relaxed (and delicious) meal.

Way to greet guests: A drink on arrival. I always have olives and antipasti laid out, and light scented candles. Night in alone: I am quite a doer, so if there was anything that needed to be fixed around the house, this would be when it gets done. I love a late-night painting session or some pottery at my kitchen table.

Binge-watch TV series: The Handmaid’s Tale. Praise be. Reading nook: The day bed in my kitchen. I designed it with my builder, mainly to store my children’s toys inside, but it makes for the perfect spot to relax and read.

Welcome home: It's always a joy for me to come home to a spotless house, but the best welcome is my children running to me for a hug.

Dance-around-the-kitchen song: ‘Emmylou’ by First Aid Kit. I can’t not sway along.

Framed photograph: I have a black-and-white posed family portrait up in our studio, which was taken at a Ralph Lauren event on a staged set. I see it every day at work. It’s very 80s and makes me laugh.

House plant: I have lots of house plants (I would like to have more!). My favourites are geraniums, pelargoniums, money plants and blue star ferns. I love bunches of eucalyptus around the house, too.

Colour palette: For my interiors I gravitate towards terracotta and greens. I’m also a sucker for a stripe and think that there should always be something red in every room. For clothes, I love navy and red; navy is always flattering and red funks it up.

On your nightstand: My Alice Palmer & Co Moroccan Lamp Base with the Calico Box Pleat Lampshade, an Alice Palmer & Co Red Striped Tissue Box, and a small ceramic bowl I made.

TodiscovermoreofPalmer’sworld, visitalicepalmer.coorfollowheron Instagram@alicepalmerco

Tom Griffiths

Our collection of unbelievably lifelike faux flower stems and ready-styled bunches add the perfect finishing touch to every home. oka.com/bunched