There’s a whispering elegance in the way Clare Lewis approaches her craft. Known as The Weavehouse, she doesn’t need to shout to make an impact. Instead, her work pulls you in with the irresistible allure of natural materials, pure colours, and patterns so quietly profound they linger in your mind long after you’ve experienced them. It’s not artifice; it’s an invitation to slow down and pay attention. And frankly, in a world screaming for attention, isn’t that what we all need?

Clare’s journey into the loom’s embrace wasn’t a calculated career move. It was serendipity. As a student of textile design at the Central School of Art, she had a flair for painting and colour, but the looms in the weaving department whispered promises of something more visceral. She took the bait. Three years later, she’d traded brushes for threads, launching herself into a new realm of creativity where design and material meet in a dance of form and function.

Her early works were an explosion of colour—a diary of her inner world. But like all great artists, Clare evolved. Today, her palette leans into the natural and subdued, the kind of tones that don’t demand your gaze but reward it nonetheless. The work is as much about the process as the product. Natural dyes? Of course. Recyclable design? Absolutely. Even her cushions eschew zips for envelope closures because sustainability isn’t just a buzzword for Clare; it’s her modus operandi.

And where does inspiration strike? Everywhere. From the painterly skies and ceaseless rhythm of the sea to the light that dances through her Hampshire studio, Clare absorbs it all. Her influences read like a roll call of artistic royalty: Agnes Martin, Helen Frankenthaler, Georgia O’Keeffe, and Winifred Nicholson. Their fingerprints are subtle but there, in her woven lines and understated elegance.

Then there’s her Scandinavian bent—a love affair with simplicity, functionality, and texture. Wool, linen, recycled cotton; these aren’t just materials, they’re characters in the story she’s telling. Handspun wool, her favourite for rugs, has a particular allure. While Clare doesn’t spin herself (yet), she relies on skilled artisans to create this sumptuous fibre. The process is laborious and adds to the cost, but the results speak for themselves: rugs that feel sublimely warm and cushioned underfoot, the kind of indulgence you don’t just want, but need.

Her ultimate favourite material? Gotland wool. This luxurious fibre comes from a Swedish breed of sheep known for their beautiful, curly, grey fleece—and their friendly disposition.Serendipitously Clare is able to source Gotland wool right from her doorstep, The Hollyhock Flock, in the village of Minstead in the New Forest, is a local farmer keeps a substantial flock. Visiting the farm to collect fleece isn’t just practical; it’s a delight, connecting Clare more deeply to her materials and the landscape that inspires her.

Her studio—The Weavehouse—is a sanctuary. Built by her husband, Stefan, from recycled materials, it’s part workshop, part cocoon. The light is perfect, the atmosphere serene. It’s a place where ideas germinate and threads transform. And while Clare’s resume boasts 20 years teaching adults with learning difficulties, today she’s inviting a broader audience to learn from her. Her workshops are as much about mindfulness as they are about technique. “You have to fully focus on this calm, rhythmic process,” she says. It’s meditative, grounding, and—let’s be honest—a reprieve from our notification-drenched lives.

The magic of Clare’s work is that it doesn’t just sit pretty; it connects. Her textiles are imbued with thoughtfulness, from the environmental impact of her materials to the emotional resonance of her designs. It’s a rare thing in a world of fast fashion and disposable everything. Her pieces endure. They tell stories. They matter.

The ethos Clare brings to weaving aligns seamlessly with the philosophy behind Hildon Natural Mineral Water. Like Clare’s work, Hildon also can’t be rushed. It takes 55 years for the water to filter and purify into the aquifer beneath the Hildon Estate. Protecting this pristine environment is a priority, ensuring that every bottle contains water at its purest. Only water bottled at source with no processing can be called mineral water—a distinction that guarantees its integrity and quality. Just as Clare celebrates natural materials and sustainability, Hildon champions purity and mindful stewardship of the land.

If you’re looking to infuse your home with beauty that lasts, or if you’re tempted to try your hand at the loom, you owe it to yourself to explore The Weavehouse. Clare’s website, theweavehouse.com, is a gateway to her world. You’ll find details about her textiles, exhibitions, and workshops. And let’s not forget the seamless alignment with Hildon Natural Mineral Water—both champions of purity, sustainability, and timeless quality.

So, as we wrap up 2024 and look ahead to 2025, let’s take a leaf from Clare Lewis’ book. Let’s slow down, appreciate the beauty in the details, and celebrate the quiet strength of craftsmanship. The Weavehouse isn’t just about weaving threads; it’s about weaving meaning into our lives. And isn’t that what great design—and great living—is all about?