Chapter 2, Bridge Farm Dairy
A little corner of Bridge Farm that has become very dear to me… Helen Archer’s award winning organic dairy has gone from strength to strength over the years. Producing “Borsetshire Blue” and “Sterling Gold” cheeses, yoghurt and inventively flavoured ice creams. Helen herself is thoughtful, meticulous and quietly ambitious, so I felt her dairy table needed to reflect that care. Nestled alongside the beautiful edible forest, its laden with Bridge Farm Dairy produce, ready for visitors to discover.
To bring the idea to life I went to the team behind Crumble & Core, I arrived with little sketched ideas. mood boards and far too many ideas. Thankfully they embraced every single one of them and were in complete agreement about how to approach the task. Jilly illustrated a beautiful bridge especially for us, alongside gentle drawings of goats, cows and milk churns. Lou transformed everything into a bespoke collection of packaging, deli wrap labels and even a linen tea towel, patiently indulging in every conversation about fonts. spacing, the perfect blue…tiny little details that we both adored.
Standing nearby, overhearing devoted Archers fans recognise the cheeses, smile at the packaging and chat about Helen’s daiiry plans has been such a lovely reward. I was worried about the vagaries of the British weather, visions of cheese boxes and wrappers whirling around the Badminton Estate., In a gorgeous moment of srendipity I spotted some antique cow models in Lewes. Gorgeous and time worn, I snaffled them knowing they woold look perfect and anchor the dair pieces to the table.
Arriving on site it was the first area I tackled. The old wooden trestle table was tucked amongst the nut trees and fruiting bushes. Ganny’s lace tablcloth draped and a beautiful blue and cream cheese palte took centre billing. As i started to layer up the table with cheese moulds, milk bottles, enamel jug a great swell of joy washed over me, it was looking just as I hoped.it would..
I adored this special quiet corner of the Bridge Farm garden. My heartfelt thanks to Lou and Jilly at Crumble & Core for turning a bundle of sketches into something far lovelier than I could have imagined. The team work wth some incredible locations and Brands, they produce bespoke artwork and surface pattern designs so do check them out if you are looking for something to be created just for you.