We've rekindled our friendship and built a brand using both our skills

JANE MCCALL AND JANE HOWARD OF BLOOMSBURY REVISITED

- ALI HEATH

Jane Howard and Jane McCall preparing shades for a forthcoming fair

There is an air of infectious energy that surrounds business partners Jane McCall and Jane Howard, the talented team behind fastgrowing design business Bloomsbury Revisited. McCall, an artist with a degree in art history and visual studies, is the creative talent behind this eccentric range of lighting and hand-painted furniture, inspired by the original Bloomsbury Set who lived at Charleston Farmhouse in East Sussex. Howard, who ran a successful PR agency before selling up 20 years ago to begin a new life farming cattle, sheep and pigs on an East Sussex farm, is the business brains. ‘Our children went to school together and when Jane moved back to East Sussex, I attended a lampshade painting course that she was running,’ says Howard. ‘It sparked the idea for a business and an opportunity to combine our talents.’

Their lampshade collection includes nine collectable designs, reminiscent of Charleston in both name and palette: Peas and Lilies, Birds, Cyclamen, Angelica, Vanessa, Muse, Duncan, Hounds and Violet – one-offs, each with a touch of whimsy. ‘Bespoke sizes can be ordered too, along with hand-painted lamp bases. Customers love to tailor our designs to their interiors, often sending swatches for us to colour match,’ says Howard. Indeed they have just created a range of bespoke lampshades for Olga Polizzi’s new hotel, The Star in Alfriston – one of many high profile supporters of the business. Candle shades and a new pen and ink design on parchment are also currently in development.