This week we explore the exotic garden escape of Jamie and Tom, founders of the interiors brand Divine Savages. We chat with Jamie to see how they have brought their style outside with Cox and Cox and created the perfect summer escape without even leaving their home.
Following their own successful careers in fashion and design, husbands Jamie and Tom founded Divine Savages in 2017 when they started work on their home, determined to do interiors in their own unique way. Following their successful careers in fashion and design, husbands Jamie and Tom founded Divine Savages in 2017 when they started work on their home, determined to do interiors uniquely. Inspired by history, culture, fashion and the natural world, their collection encourages a style that feels brave and full of life - with a range of beautiful, crafted wallpapers, fabrics and accessories.
Jamie, we want to holiday in your garden!
“We’re glad you said that, as that’s exactly the vibe we were going for; we wanted to create a little tropical oasis in the heart of SE London! If the pandemic taught us anything, it’s to embrace any outside space we’re lucky enough to have and make it the very best you can. Our homes and gardens are working extra hard for us now and the garden is the perfect way to extend your living space, for when the great British weather allows. There’s been a huge increase in demand for outside living and for creating gardens that are versatile zoned spaces that can be used for working from home in a garden studio, entertaining and dining with friends and family - as well as that all-important retreat where we can switch off and unwind...”
A “Divine and Savage twist” lends itself to a getaway look.
Tell us more about how you extended your interior style outside.
It’s taken a while to complete! We started with our garden studio, creating a flexible space for our growing brand. We designed the remaining garden space with Sarah at The Garden Creative and worked with Formosa Landscapes for the hard graft. We love travelling, so wanted to bring a slice of the tropical to our garden for an outside space we could use for relaxing together after a hard day’s work, and for partying with friends! We filled the garden with plants like tree ferns, bamboo and palms, natural materials like oak, and a pond with a tranquil water feature.
The Turin is such a versatile set, it looks great in the space - and Newt looks very happy with her Cox & Cox bed! What do you consider the key ingredients for successful outdoor living?
Think about zoning, just as you would inside. We treated our space as if it were an open plan living/dining room; by adding decking off our studio we created a versatile terrace. We loved the Turin day beds as we can use these as loungers when it’s just Tom and myself, but they can be moved to comfortably seat eight when we entertain. The outdoor rug helps to soften the rustic decking under barefoot as well as zoning the ‘lounge’ area, and the beautiful parasol and festoon lights give the whole space that jungle hideaway vibe we wanted.
Your exclusive collection with the Natural History Museum is the perfect collaboration for creating a wild and untamed interior - what’s next for the Divine Savages?
Over the next few months, we’ll conclude the release of our Nana Nostalgia collection that features wallpapers and fabrics influenced by childhoods spent surrounded by bold floral carpets and kitsch patterned walls. We’ll also be adding a new design or two to our Natural History Museum collection (we can’t wait to show you more), plus we have some exciting new products we’ve been working on – stay tuned!
What advice would you give inspiring interior designers starting out in the industry?
Start small but think big! We launched Divine Savages as a side hustle alongside our other jobs which gave us the opportunity to learn on our journey. You’ll never have all the answers so it’s important to make that first leap otherwise you’ll be waiting forever! The amazing interiors community on Instagram have really helped us to grow - so reach out, network, find your tribe and engage with them.
“We’re so grateful we now get to do this every day, bringing a little of the divine and savage to homes all over the world!
You can find us on Instagram @divinesavages and at divinesavages.com - we’d love to say hi.”
Words, photography. styling @divinesavages
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