5 Awesome Insta-Girls to follow NOW!
Inject some colour, cheer and creative brilliance into your squares with this lovely lot. Hover, click, go!
Ditch the dreaded doom-scroll in favour of the BOOM scroll! From dreamy interiors inspo, to beautiful collections of their work, with a hefty dose of humour in the mix, I think these ladies are nailing it in their creative endeavours – have a little look for yourselves and thank me later!
1/ The Dartmoor Artist – Aka Sarah Smith
Sarah, Sarah, Sarah. I first started following this Dartmoor dweller peak-pandemic and quickly wished I could be her friend IRL (if that wasn’t creepy). Spontaneous, impulsive, she brought fun to a dark time (did anyone else catch those Fancy Friday posts back at the beginning of Lockdown?).
But where to even begin on a creative level? Aside from her ability to winkle the fun out of the mundane, with self-deprecating humour as she goes about life on the farm dodging one cowpat at a time, Sarah’s gorgeous work is ever-evolving.
Her art is colourful and clever and she has a serious eye for interiors. Her most recent project is ‘The Book Nook’, the cutest handcrafted artisan cabin, described as ‘a little place, a lot of whimsy’, now available for stays. It’s the stuff of dreams.
And did I mention she’s also a flower farmer, growing organic blooms that she picks and creates yet more covetable pieces from? Case in point: a few months back she crafted a showstopping spring hoop that featured in Country Living. If you’re lucky, you can book in and join her for a workshop and have a go at fashioning one yourself.
So a lot of plates juggling over on Dartmoor and the happy upshot is that we get a sneaky peek at it all on the ‘Gram, swooning at the ridiculously idyllic views along the way.
Always fancied the Dartmoor dream?
Plenty to look at, here. @thedartmoorartist, @the.booknookdartmoor, @thewyldcollective
2/ Emuplops – aka Emily Hadley
I’m not sure how I found Emily, but, I’ll be honest, to begin with, I had The Envy. I mean, the girl’s got style, talent and a beautiful Edwardian home by the sea. NOT FAIR! The green-eyed monster soon did one, though, as I realised how lovely, engaging and useful her posts are.
But since discovering Emily, I’ve been following how the interiors-loving, jewellery-making, culture-seeking, all-round Good Egg has found a genius way to channel all her creative energies. She’s (inspiringly) pivoted away from the day job, into a new art consultancy and private gallery venture, using her own gorgeous home as the backdrop. That’s doing what you love, right there.
Give her a follow and you’ll discover a colour bomb of emerging and established artists (including equally talented husband Kevin), all beautifully exhibited, along with plenty of interiors inspo. Plus, you’ll probably pick up a few ideas on where to shop and travel, along the way. She’s helpful like that.
Sound good? *Beckons*
Come join the fun @emuplops!
3/ Alice in Scandiland – Aka Alice
Unapologetically hopping over to Cornwall for this one. Love Scandi-inspired interiors? Appreciate a thoughtfully curated collection of pieces for the home? Lust after the odd bargain? Go check out the feed for this Lostwithiel-based lifestyle store.
I mean, you could always make a day of it and go visit the real-life store near the River Fowey (highly recommend), but if that’s not an option, online is where you’ll still find plenty of pretty pieces dropping each week, from vintage to contemporary. Am I also allowed to mention the ‘C’ word yet? Because this is the place for beautiful festive decor that’ll end up never being put away.
I love dipping into this grid and catching the stories – they’re inspiring, but you also gain a frank insight into life as an indie business owner which, after the chaos of the past few years (I’m looking at you, Brexit), is enough to make you never think twice about shopping local, again.
4/ Sarah Smalldon
This Plymouth-based artist & illustrator gives our Ocean City a good name. Between her home and her studio, Sarah is bringing some serious cheer and good vibes to the city – and our Instagram feeds.
I’ve really enjoyed seeing her unique perspective on a neighbourhood I thought I knew well, and I also loved meeting Sarah in person at her home recently, thanks to the brilliant Drawn to the Valley Open Studios event. My walls are now all the brighter for it.
If you live here, the chances are you’ve seen her work somewhere on your travels.
Now, you can get to know this awesome artist a little more and follow her very colourful city adventures. @sarahsmalldon_art
5/thishomegrows – Holly and co.
Show me a more fitting visual of someone nailing the concept of laying down roots in Devon, go on, I challenge you! A newer feed that’s, quite literally at times, blossoming before our very eyes.
This one gives you a glimpse into the world of Hols and her little family, who are on the one hand, transforming their beautiful home brick-by-brick, while never losing sight of those moments where you just have to embrace where you live. The clue is in the title - the enduring theme is growth, in the home, in the garden and as people. It’s inspiring, non-shouty and only a teeny bit envy-inducing and the best bit?
Holly has also launched her blog, full of plenty more thoughtful content.
You heard it here first! @thishomegrows
Is there a pretty part of the grid I’ve missed? Don’t keep it to yourself, do share!
The @dwelldevon account is always looking out for who to follow next!
