What Caught Their Eye: Brian Van Zyl, Artist and Interior Designer
Over the last few months on this newsletter, you have seen me share a variety of things I love, what I’m buying, and more. Well, I’m happy to be handing the reins over to someone else from time to time!
This is “What Caught Their Eye”, a guest edit section of my Substack to introduce my readers to executives, artists, creatives, and everyone in between.
Keep reading to find out more about my next guest, Bryan Van Zyl.
Introducing Brian Van Zyl, Artist and Interior Designer
Brian is a budding artist and interior designer based between London and Tetbury, in the Cotswolds. He recently left his job in tech to pursue art and design full-time. Inspired by queer art history and heritage, Brian works across multiple media - prints, fabrics and wallpapers, digital art, and interiors - to create nostalgic yet contemporary pieces.
His main focus at present is re-designing a newly-acquired little cottage in the Cotswolds, where he spends most of his time with his fiancé, Nick, and their spaniel, Cleo.
Follow Brian: Here
What Caught Brian’s Eye
Alexandre Bergeron Jewelry
I fell in love with the jewellery of Montreal-based Alexandre Bergeron last year when I saw one of his rings on my tattoo artist. I immediately commissioned him to make one of his 'fruit salad' rings for my upcoming wedding in September. I am - of course - enamoured by how colourful the rings are, but I also love the playfulness of their design. As written on his website, jewellery is for him “an art form intended to be worn, a personal coat of arms, a form of beauty in all its imperfect, fragile and astonishing aspects.”
Buy: Here
Tess Newall’s Bespoke Murals
I am so inspired by everything that Tess Newall does; she is just so so talented. This ween in particular, though, I have been doing some detailed, decorative painting of furniture and frames for my little cottage in Tetbury. Drawing on a mixture of motifs, both those of the Bloomsbury Group, as well as some folk and/or Greco-Roman patterns, I found myself going back to Tess's work often for ideas.
Learn More: Here
Stissing House
Later this month, I'm going to a wedding in upstate New York, part of which will be held at Stissing House — a new-ish restaurant by up-and-coming star: Clare De Boer. I've been to Clare's first restaurant in New York City, King, and loved it, but have been particularly drawn to the elegant and unpretentious aesthetics of Stissing House. I love the rustic, curated feel of the place, and the beautiful branding it uses. Can't wait to visit!
Buy: Here
Odd Limited
I spend a lot of my time at the moment browsing online to find beautiful things to fill our house — and, for the first time, our very little garden! — with. These garden swings aren't the most practical, nor can I really afford them, but I am obsessed with them. They are so whimsical and attractive. One day they may grace a garden of mine!
Buy: Here
Close
I watched Close last week and totally loved it. I was hesitant to watch at first, as I knew it was a sad film that in large part focuses on grief. However, I could not recommend this more highly, especially to other queer men who, like me, had very close friendships growing up. I did not find it to be at all laboured or cliched, but instead found it to be very refined and well-judged. It was nominated for the Palme D'Or at Cannes, and won the second-most prestigious Grand Prix prize. It was also nominated for Best International Feature Film at the Oscars.
Find Out More: Here