The Women Behind If Only If

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

Pillow Talk with... Charlotte Bell

May 1, 2025

This season, we’re joined by Charlotte Bell of Nourish HQ, a herbal medicine farmer and homesteader from the Yorkshire Dales. Charlotte Bell is a herbal medicine farmer and homesteader living in the Yorkshire Dales. After spending two years in a temple on the other side of the world, working as an āyurvedic healer and yoga teacher, Charlotte returned to her Dales roots to grow food and medicine, tend animals, and host retreats and workshops. Charlotte’s life and work beautifully align with the Wildflowers collection, both inspired by the natural beauty of the British countryside. WHAT IS ON YOUR NIGHTSTAND? About six glasses of water that I continually forget to bring downstairs in the morning. A giant biography of Thoreau that I re-read every year. A stack of novels (historical fiction, always). A handmade wooden cross I was given at my confirmation. A little vase of whatever currently smells the best in the garden - at the moment, the sweetest tête-à-tête narcissi WHAT IS YOUR ULTIMATE BEDTIME ROUTINE? A pot of fresh mint tea, a really good book and a shoulder massage if I can wangle one!  YOUR ONE PEARL OF WISDOM FOR A GOOD NIGHT'S SLEEP? No screens for at least an hour before bed. Magnesium. AND ONE FALLACY? Earplugs. I’m all about quiet and dark rooms, but things stuck to my head while trying to sleep? It’s a no from me.  Charlotte wears Poppy in Meadow IF YOU HAD TO DESCRIBE THE RHYTHM OF YOUR LIFE IN THE YORKSHIRE DALES IN THREE WORDS, WHAT WOULD THEY BE? Routine, chaos, freedom  WHOSE BEDROOM WOULD YOU MOST LIKE TO SNOOP AROUND? Tasha Tudor! I bet it would be packed with Victorian dresses, bowls of flowers and sketches of corgis.  WOODWORKING, GROWING AND CARING FOR ANIMALS ALL REQUIRE PATIENCE - HAS WORKING WITH YOUR HANDS TAUGHT YOU ANYTHING UNEXPECTED? I’ve learnt that we are all so much more capable than we think! You don’t need to know how to do something perfectly before you start. Have a child’s mind - be curious and excited by things and then just give it a go. Don’t take things too seriously. Surrender to the inevitability of getting covered in animal poo. Invest in good hand cream. IF YOU COULD BOTTLE UP ONE SCENT FROM YOUR DAILY LIFE, WHAT WOULD IT BE? There is this absolutely tiny wild thyme that grows high up on the hills. In the summer, when you sit on the ground, you are hit with the scent of warm stone, coarse grass and thyme. It smells like Home. I’d love to bottle it. WHAT'S SOMETHING ABOUT SLOW, SEASONAL LIVING THAT PEOPLE OFTEN MISUNDERSTAND? People often think slow, seasonal living is easy or idyllic - but it’s deeply engaged. It’s not about doing less, but about doing with intention and presence. The pace is set by nature, not the clock. It’s muddy, repetitive, beautiful, and unpredictable. Tending land and animals requires a huge amount of responsibility and difficult decision making. It can be challenging and sometimes isolating, but in return it offers a quiet richness that I wouldn’t exchange for anything! WHAT INSPIRES YOU MOST FOR YOUR WORK? The hill farmers who have been tending these Dales for generations. It’s a very hard life, and one you would only do for the love of it. I’m inspired by how they have become part of the fabric of the land around us. It couldn’t exist without them, nor they without it. I find this coexistence deeply moving and aspire to it myself everyday.  WHAT IS ON YOUR BREAKFAST-IN-BED TRAY? Fresh orange juice, crumpets with homemade raspberry jam, and an espresso.  YOUR FAVOURITE IF ONLY IF NIGHTIE IS... Oh my goodness… it totally depends on my mood. However, Georgie berry bird and blue gingham Jessie do feature quite heavily in the rotation. I have recently fallen for Phoebe from the Wildflowers designs after my time with the collection. WHEN IT COMES TO BED, NOTHING FEELS BETTER THAN... Slightly stiff linen sheets. Buttery soft cotton nighties. A cold bedroom and a hot water bottle. DISCOVER MORE ABOUT CHARLOTTE BELL & NOURISH HQ WEBSITE // INSTAGRAM