Sisters Stella and Isabel Tennant have launched their first bespoke interiors collection – a treasure trove of collectable gilded pleasures inspired by natural history. The collection took 18 months in the making but the skills to make these gessoed, burnished and gilded beauties took a lot longer to learn. Here, Isabel expalins how she and her fashion-model sister, Stella, came to go into business together
Isabel, what drew you to train as a gilder and decorative artist in the first place? And Stella, what drew you to train as a sculptor at Winchester College of Art?
Isabel: Instinct. I came across a decorative arts course at the City & Guilds Art School, London, and spent four years studying gilding and have more or less continued ever since.
Stella: I knew from an early age, around 13 years, that I wanted to go to art school. Our mother was always making things and since childhood I have loved working with my hands.
Isabel, where do you think your passion for nature comes from?
How can you not be inspired by nature? We both grew up and live in the Scottish Borders. We are inspired by nature and use the ancient art of gilding to turn natural objects into precious decorative pieces.
How do you and Stella divide the design and making between you? Do you each have your specialisms?
I have been a decorative artist and gilder for 30 years. My degree in decorative arts means that I was trained to work on flat surfaces, while Stella studied sculpture and designs in 3D. Stella shapes the pieces and gets the proportions just right. The designs are made by both of us exploring water gilding and oil gilding. These traditional techniques have not changed for hundreds of years and are identical to those used by Renaissance artists and craftsmen. The gold leaf is burnished using polished agate to give a high shine. Sometimes it is then rubbed down to reveal the coloured clay or watercolour beneath. Gold leaf comes in many shades, from rose pink ‘Moon Gold’ to pale green ‘Lemon Gold’, as well as classic yellows. Silvery palladium and caplain are also used.
Do you also make bespoke pieces by commission?
Works are made to order, all commissions considered. We can create replicas of our launch collection and also work on different dimensions from that collection, but, yes, we work to commission.
Why do you think there has been a return to the more ‘decorative’ practices within interiors and a marked move away from stark minimalism?
I guess fashion inevitably changes but I believe we all have an innate and instinctive urge to decorate that goes all the way back to the caves. I also think that our Tennant & Tennant pieces make their presence felt and never go out of fashion.
Why have you started your joint venture now?
We both have families but my children are grown-up so I have more time. Stella and I now share a studio in Scotland.
What are your plans for the future for Tennant & Tennant?
We both have a steady flow of new ideas and want the collection to evolve in terms of decorative objects. But we are fascinated by the natural world and we will continue to take inspiration from insects, flowers and plant life. We are also inspired by Japanese geometric pattern.
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