Block printing with
annika reed

DATES TBC

We are excited to announce that Annika Reed is tutoring a retreat at
Court House Farm in 2023.

Put technology on pause and experience the joy block printing can bring while staying in a beautiful mediaeval manor. Immerse yourself in the ancient craft with artist and educator Annika Reed and create and carve your own repeat pattern and print a selection of homewares.

Annika is an award winning printmaker and designs limited edition wallpaper and fabrics for those who love a life less ordinary. Having studied her craft at the University of Brighton, Camberwell College of Art and Shanghai University, China she went on to teach at Dulwich College and now is associate lecturer at Bath Spa University. 

Her work has been featured in Homes and Gardens, World of Interiors, Elle Decoration to name a few and is stocked at Glassette. ( Shhhh - Annika is also soon featuring in our favourite retailer “Anthropologie” we hear! )

Yours is a home like no other and in a world craving variety and originality, what better way to bring wonder and joy to your home than by creating something yourself. 

What’s Included?

  • Accommodation in a stunning medieval manor (1300sAD) or adjoining Tudor Manor house (1500sAD) the opportunity to stay in a beautifully renovated country house, steeped in history

  • Fully catered, chef prepared meals: breakfast, ‘elevensies’, lunch, afternoon tea and dinner with selected wines

  • Daily guided mindfulness sessions (optional)

  • Acupressure or massage treatments

  • Inspiring and engaging talks from History of Art professional

  • Flower Picking and Arranging in our beautiful flower garden

  • Fulfilling conversation with likeminded individuals

  • Visit to Brunels suspension bridge and/ or the nearby prettiest pier in England, as well as a nearby market or shopping facility.

  • opportunity to walk to the nearby estuary to see the stunning sunsets

Block Printing Day by Day

Day 1: Arrive, meet, settle in, eat and be entertained! 

Day 2: Soak up and be inspired by the wonderful gardens and History of Court House Farm, spend the day drawing and taking inspiration from the world around us. Experiment with mark-making, photography and different ways of drawing, designed to be enjoyed by beginners and experienced makers alike.

Day 3: AM: Begin looking at repeating patterns - their purpose, how they work and how to make one. Discuss examples from History and Annika’s own collection and begin to create your own unique pattern and experience the rhythm and repetition of pattern making. 

PM: Once you have a pattern you love, we will begin to carve it out of lino and prepare the block for printing. 

Day 4: AM: Experiment with colour and block print the fabric needed to create a lampshade. 

PM: Make up a 30cm drum lampshade for you to adorn your home with.

Day 5: Design a new block and experiment with a different type of repeat than yesterday.

Carve the block and spend the day printing a table runner, set of napkins and anything else you fancy!

A little about Court House Farm…

Which isn’t really a working farm at all! It’s more of a lovely cluster of charming historic buildings, the site originally dating from pre doomsday. The remaining Manor and smaller Manor are medieval and Tudor, dating from 1350, with some characterful outbuildings. (you may be making things in the cowshed- but no cows and clean!) we have 4 acres of land around the buildings with a little flower farm, and we are right in the heart of a small estuary sea-side town of Portishead in Somerset ( with a lovely little high street, Marina and stunning coastal walks and the most fabulous setting suns ). Do look at more information on the website and for photographs of the interiors and exteriors. During your stay, we will have some additional fun interludes and entertainment ( we must show you our neighbouring little seaside town called Clevedon- with the prettiest Pier in England ) and of course plenty of flowers!

FURTHER DETAILS

  • This is a 5-night residential retreat. ( 5 nights accommodation and full board).

  • The price is £2550 for single occupancy, own room with ensuite, £2350 for single occupancy own room sharing a bathroom, £1950 shared room (both attending the retreat booked together. Contact us if you would like a non-participating partner to attend).

  • The booking deposit is £500. ( please get in touch for other currency )

  • The balance will be due 6 weeks prior to the retreat. Payments can be made by Paypal or Bank Transfer( although we do charge for the Pay pal fees).

  • The Course Fees are non-refundable once paid, but of course, if we cancel for any reason all payments will be refunded, or mutually agreeable alternative dates offered.

  • If you are coming from abroad or feel you may want to spend a day on either side of the retreat for rest and relaxation, do, please discuss this with us.

If you have a question or need further details please contact us using the button below. Alternatively, secure your place by paying a deposit at the button below.

Payments are securely taken via Paypal. If you don’t have a Paypal account, just use the same link and checkout via debit/credit card. If possible, add a note on Paypal indicating your preference for room type, otherwise we will follow up once the deposit has been made - thank you.