Harrod Horticultural Pop-Up Shop: Rebecca Udall Q&A

We are thrilled to collaborate with Rebecca Udall as part of our King’s Road pop-up shop, where her beautifully crafted fine European linens and artisan homeware will be showcased alongside the Harrod Horticultural Southwold Collection. Founded in 2019, Rebecca Udall has quickly become synonymous with timeless quality and exceptional craftsmanship, championing the ethos of “investing well, once.”

Rebecca’s dedication to sourcing from heritage and artisan makers, coupled with her ability to merge historical inspiration with contemporary design, aligns perfectly with our values of longevity and elegance. For this collaboration, she brings her expertise and passion for creating beautiful, meaningful pieces that transform houses into homes.

We’re delighted to explore Rebecca’s story, her creative process, and what excites her most about joining us at our very first pop-up shop.

The Story Behind the Brand

Q. Could you share a little about what inspired you to launch Rebecca Udall, and how your background in luxury retail and procurement shaped your approach to fine linens and homeware?

A. I was inspired to create a brand specialising in contemporary fine European linens and artisan homeware as I felt there was a missing piece in the market – there was a lot of mass produced homeware in the market and a lot at the very top end. Further, I struggled to find high quality linens that were design forward and fun and I felt very passionate, with my background in bed linen buying, about focusing on yarn quality, the European textile industry and not focusing on inflated thread counts. My experience at Burberry taught me a lot about luxury – for me, it’s excellent craftsmanship, longevity, beautiful design and provenance. Instead, I wanted to focus on sourcing the best raw materials and working with the finest craftspeople to create truly special linens and homeware that stand the test of time. That ethos has underpinned everything we do as we continue to grow.

Craftsmanship and Provenance

Q. Your collections are sourced from heritage and artisan makers across Europe and beyond. Why is supporting traditional craftsmanship and family-owned businesses so integral to your brand ethos?

A. Working with manufacturers and craftspeople who have specialist skills that have been passed through the generations is unrivalled by modern mass-production. It is important that we support the family-owned businesses from across the continent to keep those skills relevant in today’s production – the quality of the pieces they create is truly special and it is something we take pride in being able to bring to our customers. The people we work with are really passionate and love what they do – it is really rewarding. Many are family-owned over several generations. I also like working with nice, passionate people – my colleagues but also suppliers.

Q. Can you tell us more about your partnerships with ateliers and how their history and expertise influence your designs?

A. We often work closely with ateliers and small artisans to create new pieces inspired by their archives. By taking inspiration from age-old designs and reworking to fit the brand and how I believe we live today, we create pieces that marry those heritage skills with contemporary elements to fit seamlessly within our homes today, while knowing they will look and feel relevant and beautiful for years to come.

Sustainability and Longevity

Q. At the heart of your ethos is the idea of “investing well, once.” How does this principle resonate with the values of Harrod Horticultural and the pop-up shop’s focus on timeless quality?

A. Both brands centre quality and longevity within its collections, encouraging customers to invest in pieces that last, rather than buying into more fleeting trends.

Q. How do you ensure that sustainability and longevity remain at the forefront of your sourcing and design processes?

A. Firstly, sourcing from small, family-owned artisanal producers within Europe and focusing on heritage inspired designs ensures longevity and sustainability. Further afield, our manufacturers have certificates such as Sedex to ensure they are working with high standards of business ethics and sustainability.

Q. What excites you most about being part of the King’s Road pop-up shop, and how do you feel your pieces complement the Southwold Collection?

A. While we are proud of our online store, there is something very special about being able to see a collection in person and experiencing the tactile element of the finest linens and décor pieces – I am excited to give our customers the opportunity to experience the details of our products in person. Our pieces perfectly complement the timeless elegance of the Southwold Collection so having the two collections on display together will be wonderful.

Q. Are there any specific items from your collection you’re most excited to showcase during this collaboration?

A. The crockery is lovely for summer and vases are a showstopper.

Inspiration and Design

Q. Your designs are often inspired by historical references, vintage textiles, and even architecture. Can you tell us about one particular source of inspiration that has significantly influenced your work?

A. I feel very strongly about having varied references. I like interiors to feel layered and collected. For example, I am inspired by antiques and reference from various centuries and many countries – UK, Italy, France but also further afield such as antique Indian textiles. For example, there are some brilliant Danish designers from the twentieth century which are not our typical reference points for the brand. Antique Italian papers and English embroidery artists from the eighteenth century are other references, or it could be an architectural detail seen on a holiday that inspires a crockery design. I actively seek and want to be inspired by a broad range of references so that the range is varied. Whilst we have signatures, I want pieces to last a long time so I won’t use a particular reference across multiple ranges to avoid it becoming tiresome. Even scallops, we will amend the proportions and exact pattern.

For Our Customers

Q. What advice would you give to someone looking to invest in high-quality homeware for the first time?

A. I would recommend starting with the very best linens your budget allows, whether that be for the table, bed or bath. These are the pieces you will use over and again and they create the backdrop to any scheme. The accessories you add are more interchangeable and you can introduce as much or as little as you like - whether that be crockery, cutlery and glassware for tables, or cushions and throws for beds. If the linens are beautiful and well-made they create a starting point to showcase all your treasured pieces.

Q. What is the one item from your collection that you believe every home should have, and why?

A. There isn’t one item I would particularly highlight; we have designed a collection to suit a variety of tastes. Whether your home is more contemporary classic or if you are drawn to the more whimsical styles, I would encourage anyone to opt for the pieces they love and to use them every day. We don’t believe in saving things for ‘best’ and there is so much joy to be found in using our most treasured pieces on the most mundane of days. Bring out Murano glassware on weekday mornings, fresh Italian linens for a Tuesday night or hand-painted ceramics for an after-work supper! However, I do have a particular soft spot for bed linens and tableware. There is nothing we use more in a day than bed linens and tableware elevates a really important part of the day for many of us – catching up with loved ones around a table.