ART MEETS LIFE

Brush in hand, Sarah Jane Axelby steps inside the homes of leading designers to create her room portraits. Here, we share three paintings from her new book and catch up with the stylish owners

- ANDRÉA CHILDS

Paul O'Leary & Helen Parker

After studying industrial design at university, Paul O'Leary founded de VOL Kitchens with a friend immediately after graduating. In 2016 he created a ceramics studio, Cotes Mill, which creates lighting and accessories to complement his kitchens. Helen Parker had 'some completely inappropriate jobs' after school, before embarking on motherhood. Meeting Paul a few years later led to a career in kitchen design, and she is now creative director of de VOL. I have my own guilty pleasure and it's a de VOL kitchen with wonderful finds from their basement antiques trove near Loughborough. I was desperate to find out a bit more about this creative pair and their own lovely new kitchen in St Ives, featured here.

IN THE KITCHEN WITH PAUL AND HELEN

What’s your favourite colour combination

Paul Today, I think I’ll go for a chocolatey olive green with aubergine.

Helen Pink with a splash of green is always a joy.

Describe your style Paul There are so many beautiful design details to take from traditional buildings and furniture. Georgian, Victorian, Shaker, mid-century, what’s not to love? Antique furniture is all the inspiration I need. 

Helen Make do and mend: vintage mixed with new, a little bit bohemian and plenty of colour.

Places to buy antiques

Paul Newark Antiques Fair, the largest in Europe, is such a great day – frenetic, impulsive, exhausting but so rewarding.

Helen Newark is best, but eBay if you have time and LASSCO in London if you have the money!

Favourite garden