Emily Readett-Bayley's decorative letters could be said to be truly original. It was her company, Posh Graffiti, that was the first to produce the individual silver and gold letters that graced stylish walls and the pages of glossy interiors magazines back in the early 1990s.
The idea for the business originated after a trip to Bali, where Emily watched local wood craftsmen at work and recognised how they could put her design ideas into production (she still works with three groups of wood carvers and artisans based there). Although you can still buy the classic gold and silver letters, the collection has since expanded to include alphabetical buys in a range of styles. Painted floral, black or white letters, letters made from reclaimed teak or carved from Albizia (a sustainable, fast-growing Balinese timber), or letters and words laser-cut into Indonesian pebbles - it's all here.
You can also get numbers and symbols (handy when you're spelling out sentences), decorative hanging shapes, tableware and kitchenware, teak furniture and unusual driftwood creations. The latest addition features a range of hanging, wooden decorations; a mixture of traditional designs - birds and butterflies - and more off-beat designs such as guitars.
Posh Graffiti is also a business committed to fair trade and ethical practises, as its fancy website explains. While you're on there, click on the brilliant virtual wall where you can play with letter arrangements before you order.
