Sop ~ Scents of place.

Sop ~ Scents of place is a Norfolk-made bodycare brand, inspired by our local landscape and language. Vegan and cruelty-free and made in Norfolk.

Beauty, The Nor–FolkApril 29, 2020Biodegradable, CFBeauty, Cruelty Free, Ecofriendly, Norfolk, Norfolk Broads, Vegan

In conversation with... Richard Bainbridge, Benedicts.

The first in a series of conversations with inspiring creative people living and working in Norfolk. Richard is the owner and Chef Patron of award-winning restaurant Benedicts.

Business, The Nor–Folk, NorfolkSeptember 5, 2019Artisan, Benedicts, Norfolk, Norwich, St Benedicts Street

The Renovation.

This short film visually documents our renovation of the Water Cabin, between June and November 2018.

Interiors, Travel, The Nor–FolkJanuary 22, 2019Cabin, Norfolk, Norfolk Broads, Renovation, Staycation

Love at first sight.

I was sat in the car, checking my emails on a shoot at Winterton beach, when the property particulars came through on my phone.

The Nor–FolkJune 13, 2018Cabin, Cedar, National Park, Norfolk, Norfolk Broads, Repps with Bastwick, Staycation, Tiny House

Mood enhancers – light and sound.

We’d coveted our apartment for several years before it came on the market and we finally had the chance to buy it. We fell in love with the light. Our apartment is one of seven penthouses in a converted factory – our space, specifically, was the drawing rooms.

When IKEA popped round.

One of the things I love most about my ‘job’ is opening new enquiry emails.

Interiors, The Nor–FolkDecember 14, 2017Ikea, Interior Design, Interiors, Minimialist, Norfolk, Norwich, Scandinavian Design, Simplicity

King of the (Norwich) Castle.

From our living room window we often observe the Norwich skyline and the iconic landmark, Norwich Castle. Each year in July it is back-lit and beautifully illuminated by the Lord Mayor’s spectacular firework display.

Nor–Folk Basics 2017.

This year's shoot took on a more industrial feel and was shot by me on the River Wensum in Norwich, Norfolk.

Fashion, The Nor–FolkMay 7, 2017Brand, Ethical Fashion, Monochrome, Norfolk, Norwich, Photo shoot

Staycation.

Eight years ago today, Bobby and I officially became an ‘item’. Traditionally, we’d celebrate our anniversary by exploring a new city (Barcelona, Amsterdam and Oslo to name a few). Enter into the frame Stanley (in 2013) and our anniversaries took on an entirely different look and feel. For the first few years, we stayed in Norwich and celebrated with a meal out. So, sticking to my new year’s resolution – to embrace life and enjoy more time as a family, we decided we’d opt for a staycation. So, when Bobby mentioned a friend had an Eco Barn in Winterton (our favourite Norfolk beach), our minds were made up.

Interiors, Travel, The Nor–FolkFebruary 13, 2017Barn, Eco, Family, Holiday, Norfolk, Staycation

Only you.

Five years ago today, I married my best friend in front of our friends and family in a beautiful church in Thurne, Norfolk. The church held extra-special significance for Bobby as his grandparents and parents wed there too.

Visual Stories, The Nor–FolkDecember 16, 2016Anniversary, Marriage, Norfolk, Photography, Wedding

Global Entrepreneurship Week, 16th November.

On Wednesday 16 November, our co-founder, Bobby Burrage, will be speaking about how we created Nor–Folk – taking it from an idea to a global business. Bobby will be sharing stories of our journey so far and plans for the future. This event is part of Global Entrepreneurship Week, in collaboration with Norfolk and Norwich Millennium Library.

Minimalist family living.

Last month, Made.com interviewed me in my home to discuss my love of Scandinavian design, minimalism and how these principles integrate with our family.

Fashion, Interiors, Visual Stories, The Nor–FolkOctober 25, 2016Architecture, Family, made-com, Minimalist, Norfolk, Slow living

Standing out.

Your brand isn’t just your logo – it’s every touch point that a person has with your business. Branding goes deeper than just a (visual) identity and its application – it’s ‘you’. And, even if you don’t run a business, you can still establish your own brand. Your appearance and how you dress says a lot about you and your character and is (perhaps unfortunately) just another way people will make judgments (even before they’ve met you).

Business, Fashion, Visual Stories, The Nor–FolkOctober 23, 2016Brand, Branding, Creative, Graphic Design, Minimalist, Norfolk

The people behind the scenes.

Whilst I have co-run our other business (a design consultancy called The Click) for eight years, this is a professional services business. I had a limited amount of retail experience from my university days but I’d never run an e-commerce business, let alone exported or managed production.

Business, The Nor–FolkSeptember 19, 2016Eastern Screen Printing, Hyper Pixel, Norfolk, Out source, Studio

Roof terrace to roof garden.

Writing our own rules.

One of things I’ve loved most about launching and growing Nor-Folk is the ability to write my own rules. I’m not anti-conformity but I am anti-design for the sake of it. I prefer to design with consideration and crafting. Creating something that has the ability to stand the test of time and I think this approach is routed in our graphic design education.

Business, Visual Stories, The Nor–FolkAugust 1, 2016Anti-conformity, Jungle, Norfolk, Norwich, Photo shoot, Photography

Pop Up Shop.

With the imminent launch of our new children’s collection, we decided to open a pop up shop to sell our current lines in our fine home city of Norwich.We set up residence for a week at womenswear shop Finch from Tuesday 23rd to Saturday 28th February.

Business, The Nor–FolkMarch 2, 2016Children's Collection, Graphic Design, Norfolk, Norwich, Pop Up Shop, Store

Visual Story: Textile conservation.

This month Hal observes a dedicated team of women working at the National Trust Conservation Studio, near Blickling Hall, Norfolk.

Visual StoriesDecember 9, 2015Blickling Hall, Conservation, National Trust, Norfolk, Photography

Our friend and video artist Will Reyes looks back on 2015.

Earlier this year we worked with the amazingly talented video artist, Will Reyes, to make a video for Nor–Folk. Will has just posted a ‘recap of 2015’ and we’re honoured to have made the cut.

The Nor–FolkDecember 9, 2015Canary Islands, Norfolk, Norwich, Video Artist, Videographer

Recipe: Purple cauliflower & macaroni cheese with nutmeg & bay.

She’s back – our resident foodie, Laura Godfrey, has cooked up a beautiful autumnal treat for us. As always, our mouths are watering just reading this post! Do remember that you can check out Laura’s Instagram for more inspiration.

FoodNovember 5, 2015Autumn, Ethical, Homemade, Locally Sourced, Norfolk, Nutmeg