Housed in a reimagined Georgian townhouse, Meadow is a new venture from entrepreneurial trio Laura Reynolds, Carrie Dunlop and Kate Anniss.

The beautifully designed, minimalist cafe is also home to dynamic gallery, Mylo Art, showcasing works from emerging and established artists, and a curated programme of workshops and events.

Inclusivity is at the heart of the trio’s approach, “Meadow has its doors wide open to the bustling high street and we want to share our passion for food, art and creativity with everyone,” says founder Kate Anniss. “We want to the space uplift and invigorate all who pass through our doors, whether they’re getting stuck into our programme of creative events or grabbing a takeaway coffee.”

The space itself is a lesson in considered design, with natural wood finishes, gentle hues, chrome and brass fittings and beautiful detailing, resulting in a relaxed and contemporary feel. Calm and spacious, downstairs you can sit on benches upholstered in vibrant stripes or climb the wide staircase to the moody-toned rooms and event space upstairs or take a seat on the balcony overlooking a charming courtyard and the River Test.

Designed to be an innovative and inspiring meeting place, Meadow’s ethos is one of collaboration and creativity. In its curation of exhibitions, talks and pop-ups it seeks to bridge the gap between fine art and artisan craft and provide a setting to learn and explore with some of the best creatives in their field. The roster of events includes drawing classes, weaving workshops, botanical applique, and seasonal supper clubs.

NOTES ON THE FOUNDERS

Laura Reynolds has spent her career working in the hospitality industry formally in sales and marketing for luxury global hotels. She has run her own catering business in Hampshire for the past 10 years and describes herself as a wellbeing cook with a passion for seasonal, local ingredients to create nourishing and delicious dishes. She runs the day to day operations and designs the seasonal changing menu.

Carrie Dunlop is the founder of Carrie Dunlop Design and co-owner of Meadow. She is the creative force behind the much-loved, characterful, and colourful interiors of the celebrated Stockbridge café. Based between London and Hampshire, Carrie is passionate about creating sustainable spaces using natural, recyclable materials and is known for her intuitive approach to styling. Having been brought up in France, India and southern Africa, her aesthetic draws on the cultures that shaped her childhood as well as her love of well-made, craftmanship.

Kate Anniss founded art consultancy Mylo Art & Design in 2014 with the aim of bringing beautiful art to interior and exterior spaces. She has a background in Art History and comes from a family of designers and artists. Mylo Art has long established connections to an extensive network of artists who work in many different styles and media. She has been championed by House and Garden magazine for her curation of contemporary art.