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Friday 25 July 2014

Hidden treasure



I am often surprised that I can still be surprised in Saltaire, knowing the place as well as I do. Taking my habitual lunch-break walk, I suddenly noticed this... office? shop? gallery?  I wasn't quite sure. It's situated beneath the Information Centre, in the part of Salts Mill that was at one time Sir Titus Salt's private quarters (though he actually lived in a mansion over towards Halifax). It turns out to be the studio headquarters of The Art Rooms, though there is not a lot to give it away.

The Art Rooms is a small company, started in 2007 by Jacky Al-Samarraie. She produces a range of lovely things: bone china mugs, greetings cards, tableware, cushions, notebooks and prints with a range of mostly landscape-inspired scenes. Many are simple, graphic, black and white images married with a distinctive block of rich colour. Some have a more oriental flavour. I have admired them for some time in high end shops and galleries, including our own Salts Mill, though I didn't realise Jacky had found a base in Saltaire.

Some of her most recent designs include a range celebrating the recent Tour De France Yorkshire Grand Départ. Two of the mugs (below) provided a perfect gift for my daughter and son-in-law. She has even done some Saltaire designs.  Take a look at her website, I'm sure you'll be impressed.  She mostly sells to trade (look in the up-market, larger department stores) but also through her website, where you can pick up slight seconds at reasonable prices (if, like me, you can't afford the high end shops very often!)


6 comments:

  1. It is great, when photographing becomes a voyage of discovery, as it should be.

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  2. What a fun discovery! I love the stone work!

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  3. I could never understand why Titus lived over here rather than at Saltaire. There was nothing particularly pleasant or grant about Crow Park and the commute must have been quite a journey. I am almost tempted to hire a horse and cart to see how long it takes!

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  4. What fun to discover something new!

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  5. These mugs are wonderful! And, a timely match for the Tour de France's recent visit to Yorkshire. I hope she sells them all quickly while the spirit of the Tour is still in the air.

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