​My name is Claire Carroll and I run Cottage Art & Design, an artist-led studio based in the Kent Downs. My work comes from a long-standing need to live closely with nature and to bring it into our homes and everyday lives through creative work.

 

Pressed flower work, painting and surface design allow me to observe the landscape closely and translate those observations into artwork, interior pieces and pattern designs that can be lived with over time.

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Seasonality and sustainability are central to how I work. Living and working within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty means being closely attuned to the rhythms of the year, what is growing, changing or lying dormant, and I'm drawn to processes that are thoughtful, low-impact and made to last. This sensibility runs through everything I make, from an individual artwork or pressed flower piece to a surface pattern designed for any product or interior that shares this approach.

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Surface pattern design is a natural extension of this way of working. My collections are rooted in close observation of the botanical world, seasonal forms, quiet textures and the particular character of the landscape around me. I work with companies and brands across interiors, lifestyle, stationery and beyond, anywhere that considered, nature-led design has a place. Licensing enquiries are welcome.

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Learning through making is equally important to what I do. I run hands-on workshops and develop creative projects for adults, using observation, drawing and practical making as ways of exploring materials, ideas and the natural world. These sessions are designed to encourage curiosity and confidence, while still working towards clear, meaningful outcomes.

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At the heart of Cottage Art & Design is a simple belief that creative work can help us live more attentively, bring nature into our homes, and reconnect us with slower, more seasonal ways of working and learning. Whether through an original artwork, a pattern in an interior, or a shared creative experience, my aim is always the same - to make work that feels grounded, honest and closely connected to the natural world around us.