Fleet Foxes
This eponymous album has been on in the studio non-stop for about a year now – the default, anti-pressure listening device. Fleet Foxes are not hippies. Don’t let the floppy hats, Jesus beards and five part vocal harmonies about rivers, trees and sunshine throw you. This is a brilliant album recreated in honour of Dylan, Beach Boys, Neil Young, Pentangle et al.

Herb Lubalin
Herbert Frederick Lubalin 1918-1981 was one of the greats of 20th century graphic design and the greatest influence over the career of this humble observer. Many designers today utilise his ground-breaking, conceptual typographic style without probably even knowing his name, let alone his work. Thank you, thank you, thank you Herb for all the inspiration and beauty – we are not worthy!

The Barcheston Tapestries
As well as being blessed with miles of spectacular countryside, the North Cotswolds is also rich in cultural heritage. Just a short walk from where we work is the little village of Barcheston, the place where the world-famous Sheldon Tapestries were created in the 16th century. This puts the little wool town of Shipston at the heart of England’s tapesty weaving history.

The Dharma Bums
Bhuddism meets booze – Jack Kerouac’s undervalued biographical novel, published in 1958. Jack and his band of haiku-chanting brothers explore the High Sierra mountains in post-war California, living on red wine and peanuts and raisins in that order. Girls are in the mix too, though Ray Smith (Jack) never seems to get lucky. The perfect mix of spirituality and hedonism!