Pillow Talk with.... Florence Sweryda

Pillow Talk... Mads From Studio Bust

March 21, 2026

Welcome back to The Nightstand. As the days grow longer and the air turns softer, we’re embracing the gentle shift into spring - a season of lightness, renewal, and fresh perspective. In this issue, we speak with Mads Montagu Andrews, founder of Studio Bust, a Hampshire-based sculpture studio creating bespoke busts that celebrate the female form at every age and stage. Excitingly, we’ve also collaborated with the studio to design the exclusive Winnie Robe (sold exclusively at studiobust.com) A former pastry chef at Skye Gyngell’s Spring restaurant, Mads has always followed her creative instincts. Studio Bust was born during her second pregnancy from a desire to capture her changing body through an artistic lens that simply didn’t exist in the UK at the time.Each piece starts with a 3D scan and is hand-finished to order, with the Legacy Collection cast in bronze and the Liberty Collection offered in a range of contemporary finishes. She currently lives in Hampshire with her husband Theo and their three daughters. WHAT IS ON YOUR NIGHTSTAND? Too much! but always a glass of water, which mostly remains untouched until whichever child wakes up first comes in for a cuddle and a drink. WHAT IS YOUR ULTIMATE BEDTIME ROUTINE? A piping hot shower, fresh jammies, a slathering of face cream and a sip of ice cold water before bed. WHAT FIRST DREW YOU TO THE IDEA OF CAPTURING THE BODY AS AN OBJECT OF ART? It was my own pregnancies really. As the first of my friends to have children, I really hadn’t anticipated how much my body would change and found myself searching for ways to capture it. Whilst I was pregnant with my first daughter, I was a model for one of Mr Bingo’s yearly advent calendars, then when pregnant with my second daughter, I again wanted to capture my changing form but in a different medium. Inspired by my Mother in Law’s eclectic sculpture collection, I was drawn to Bronze, but wasn’t sure we had the space for a life-size bump cast in our London Flat, or the budget to sit with a traditional sculptor. Thus after much research, Studio Bust was born - combining the best of modern technology with age old casting techniques to create bespoke sculptures, scaled to a size that suited our home and those of our clients. YOUR ONE PEARL OF WISDOM FOR A GOOD NIGHT'S SLEEP? I'm afraid I'm asleep before my head hits the pillow, but if I'm ever in need, Stephen Fry reading Harry Potter will have me asleep in less than 10 words. AND ONE FALLACY? For me, a book! I am a totally addictive reader and will easily stay up until 3am.   WHOSE BEDROOM WOULD YOU MOST LIKE TO SNOOP AROUND? At the time of writing, we are deep in a Parent Trap obsession, I’m definitely not complaining (it too was my favourite film growing up), and the set design is just so good - I'd happily snoop the twin’s camp dorm, Elizabeth James’ London boudoir and Hallie’s American ranch home WHAT'S THE FIRST THING YOU REACH FOR WHEN YOU WAKE UP? In a dream world a freshly made cup of tea, in reality, my phone. Mads wears Pandora Pink   WHAT DO YOU HOPE PEOPLE FEEL WHEN THEY SEE THEIR FINISHED SCULPTURE FOR THE FIRST TIME? Pride WHAT INSPIRES YOU MOST FOR YOUR WORK?  Anything and everything! It could be something I've talked to a client about, a colour combination I see someone wearing, or a piece of architecture. MOST ROMANTIC PIECE OF MUSIC TO RELAX TO? Happy Birthday You by Jay Jay Pistolet. My now- husband used to make me mix-CDs in our early days of dating and it transports me straight back to the younger version of us.   IS THERE A MOMENT IN THE MAKING PROCESS THAT YOU STILL FIND PARTICULARLY MAGICAL? I still love watching the patination process, which is when a careful mix of heat and mineral pigments are used to layer and fuse the colour onto each Bust. It brings them to life and I love seeing which colour combinations our client’s choose. MANY PEOPLE CHOOSE TO CAPTURE A PARTICULAR MOMENT IN THEIR LIVES — PREGNANCY, A MILESTONE BIRTHDAY, OR SIMPLY A MOMENT OF CONFIDENCE. WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNED FROM WITNESSING THOSE MOMENTS? That there is power in vulnerability. I love seeing the extra pep in our client’s step when they walk out of an appointment, feeling emboldened and empowered having chosen to celebrate a moment for themselves. WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO YOU TO CREATE SOMETHING THAT MIGHT BE KEPT FOR GENERATIONS? It’s a huge honour. Our pieces are modern heirlooms and we prioritise quality at every stage to ensure they are made to last. IS THERE A DREAM PROJECT FOR STUDIO BUST THAT YOU’D LOVE TO REALISE ONE DAY? So many! but for starters, a London store of our own. BEDTIME READING: PAPER BOOK OR KINDLE? Always a paper book - I love the physicality of turning the page, and being able to lend them out once I've finished them. YOUR FAVOURITE IF ONLY IF NIGHTIE? I get a little envious every time I see my daughters in their Buttercup Gingham Alexas, but I was eyeing up the Georgie in store last week - my granny was the most loyal nightie wearer, and it reminds me of her. WHEN YOU’RE NOT IN THE STUDIO, WHAT KINDS OF THINGS BRING YOU JOY, CALM OR REST? I love having a creative project on the go - I'm most definitely always winging it, but I love the satisfaction of making something from scratch. Most recently I've been inspired by Pierce and Ward and Cote de Folk and have used left over fabric scraps to make scrunchie covers for all the bare wires I can find! WHEN IT COMES TO BED, NOTHING FEELS BETTER THAN… clean hair, clean sheets and the cold side of the pillow. FINALLY, IF YOU COULD DESCRIBE YOUR PERFECT EVENING AT THE END OF A CREATIVE DAY, WHAT WOULD IT LOOK LIKE? if it’s been busy and I've been surrounded by people, I love having a shower and getting into a fresh nightie at the same time as my children. There’s no better feeling than coming downstairs once they are in bed and eating supper (sometimes a takeaway I'll have brought home from London) in my jammies and knowing I'm one step closer to an early night. DISCOVER MORE ABOUT MADS AND HER WORK: WEBSITE // INSTAGRAM

The Women Behind If Only If

March 7, 2026

Pillow Talk with... Iefke de Roos

February 3, 2026

  Iefke de Roos founded her ceramic studio The English Boys in the Netherlands in 2020. Embracing the inherent wonkiness of handmade ceramics has become a signature of her work—no two pieces are ever the same. Delicate drawings on hand-shaped plates and vases quickly caught the attention of interior designers near and far. Each ceramic keepsake is created to mark a special moment, crafted to last a lifetime and beyond. WHAT IS ON YOUR NIGHTSTAND? A small mountain of books—usually I start in three at once—until one completely takes over and I end up staying up far too late because I can’t put it down. A couple of ceramic trinket dishes, some made by me and some by friends, holding a slowly-growing collection of jewellery—mostly by my best friend, Fox Pomona. Anything she makes (or wears), I immediately want; she’s my number-one friendfluencer. There’s also a ceramic lamp I made, covered in an all-over floral print with a mismatched floral lampshade that makes me smile every time I turn it on. A few ceramic dinosaurs my kids made... I could keep going.. WHAT IS YOUR ULTIMATE BEDTIME ROUTINE? I'd love to take a long and very hot bath and actually enjoy it. I'm more into the idea of a bath than the actual experience. Then I'd like my bed to be made with new bedsheets, preferably the soft, slightly shiny ones they had on the bed at Hotel Amour in Paris last time I went.  WHAT DREW YOU TO CERAMICS IN THE FIRST PLACE, ESPECIALLY ALONGSIDE OTHER CREATIVE EXPLORATIONS LIKE FABRIC AND PRINT? I worked as a fashion designer for over 10 years and ceramics was just something I started for fun. I did a course at night with my friend. I wanted to do something with my hands again and actually make something instead of thinking of something and having others make the actual product. The thing I really like about ceramics is that you actually make an item from start to finish that - with a bit of luck - will last forever. YOUR ONE PEARL OF WISDOM FOR A GOOD NIGHT'S SLEEP? An open window, always. My husband disagrees. AND ONE FALLACY? Earplugs Our Elizabeth Street Exclusive - A Bedside Trinket Dish WHOSE BEDROOM WOULD YOU MOST LIKE TO SNOOP AROUND? In Jeanne Damas her French country house bedroom. WHAT'S THE FIRST THING YOU REACH FOR WHEN YOU WAKE UP? I can lie.. but it's my phone. THE NAME THE ENGLISH BOYS IS WONDERFULLY EVOCATIVE — COULD YOU SHARE THE STORY BEHIND IT AND WHAT IT MEANS TO YOU? The name came to me one night on the sofa without even thinking. It's an homage to my 3 English Boys (my husband & our 2 boys) but it's also very much my love for English music - mostly made by boys. I love the contrast between my feminine ceramics and the more gritty rock aesthetic. To me it feels like it makes no sense and all the sense in the world all at once. WHAT INSPIRES YOU MOST FOR YOUR WORK?  Probably nature. Flowers, colours and uneven shapes. I'm a flower obsessive. And also the Sixties and Seventies - music and films - although that's more a general vibe I like to operate in than something you actually see in the pieces I make. MOST ROMANTIC PIECE OF MUSIC TO RELAX TO? 'Into my Arms' by Nick Cave on repeat. And can I have a second one? I love 'I Remember' by Molly Drake, such beautiful lyrics. Both pretty sad songs actually. Then I'm adding a third: ‘Babies’ by Pulp. WHEN YOU SIT DOWN TO MAKE A PIECE, WHAT TENDS TO GUIDE YOU FIRST — A SHAPE, A COLOUR, A MOOD, OR SOMETHING ELSE ENTIRELY? The best and worst part of ceramics is that you usually don't know the outcome until you open the kiln after a glaze fire. It can be really hard waiting for the kiln to cool down when you've tried something new. This week I burned my fingers because I was too impatient and had to see if the gold I added to some plates worked out before I could go to bed. ARE THERE LITTLE RITUALS OR HABITS — MUSIC, DRINK, ENVIRONMENT — THAT HELP YOU GET INTO YOUR MAKER MINDSET? I don't think so. I always feel like making ceramics and don't feel like I need to do anything for that - I kind of live and breathe it at the moment. Whether it's designing new items or making lots of orders which can sometimes be the same plate over and over. I also really enjoy making little videos and photos for my instagram, I like it all. WHAT DO YOU HOPE SOMEONE FEELS WHEN THEY BRING A PIECE OF THE ENGLISH BOYS INTO THEIR HOME? I hope they feel joy. BEDTIME READING: PAPER BOOK OR KINDLE? Paper books always and forever. YOUR FAVOURITE IF ONLY IF NIGHTIE? I love the Pandora in the midnight blue with the celestial embroidery, it’s so special. WHEN YOU’RE NOT IN THE STUDIO, WHAT KINDS OF THINGS BRING YOU JOY, CALM OR REST?  I love going to see movies at the cinema. My husband recently described my taste as: 'it doesn't really matter as long as she can cry.' And I think he's right. Nothing better than being in a story and feeling all the feels. Happy and sad. Both make me cry so it's true: it doesn't really matter. WHEN IT COMES TO BED, NOTHING FEELS BETTER THAN…  Wool socks. FINALLY, IF YOU COULD DESCRIBE YOUR PERFECT EVENING AT THE END OF A CREATIVE DAY, WHAT WOULD IT LOOK LIKE?  After a long day working at home I love it when my family starts coming home and the house fills up with voices again. Eating together and playing a game or watching a movie everyone likes - and then early to bed. I'm addicted to my bed. This must sound so boring.. DISCOVER MORE ABOUT IEFKE DE ROOS AND HER WORK: WEBSITE // INSTAGRAM

Pillow Talk with... Lonika Chande

October 11, 2025

In this issue, we visit Lonika Chande, designer and owner of an Interior design studio based in South West London. Since launching her award-winning practice in 2017, Lonika has made waves with her bold, joyful use of colour and pattern.

The Story Behind Valerie

September 9, 2025

The Artist's Studio

September 1, 2025