‘I just wanted a name that sounded evocative of the walks I take on the beach, searching for treasures,’ says Next in Design winner Abbie Downey, founder of the pattern-loving Plymouth-based studio Feather and Fossil. ‘A name that spoke of contrasts and stories – the feather being something a little exotic and the fossil having a rich history. Because that mix is what I make sure all my projects have.’
Taking on homes around Devon – and online consultations to help those farther afield who need design advice – Abbie describes her style as ‘curated chaos.’ But don’t mistake her love of collected objects and large-scale repeats for classic maximalism. ‘Although I love to mix new and older pieces and put lots of treasures on display, I always make sure no space ever looks cluttered,’ she says, citing an instinctive knack for the art of display. ‘Instead, I want to make sure that every time you walk into a room, you’re delighted by something different – you spot a story you perhaps haven’t seen before.’
