This weekend sees the opening of the annual Hackwood Art Festival in the grounds of Huish House at Old Basing in Hampshire. The festival promotes contemporary artists and at the same time raises money for charity. I was asked if I would loan a collection of my interior watercolours from past and present projects, as I believe I am almost the last designer who initially visualises an interior with paint and not pixels. One of my closet friends Bryan Ferry very kindly wrote the introduction to the exhibition for the catalogue. Bryan, a keen collector of early 20^th century British artists, has a discerning eye for a painting and over the years has formed a superb art collection.

I am very impressed by the quality of the work that is displayed in the show, particularly Jo Burton and her witty interpretation of interiors through paint mixed with gold lustre and the collages of Darrell Pockett, who used to be a senior designer at the BBC. I would recommend a visit, with temperatures set to soar this weekend escape the hoards and the heat and head to Hackwood.