Emma Duckworth - Stylist: Lifestyle Styling

Vintage Style in Home Beautiful

Take a step into my home as featured in this months Home Beautiful Magazine.

Issue: August 2014

Decorating and Design by Emma Duckworth Stylist

Styling by Bree Oliver

Photography by Sue Stubbs

Styling with West Elm

When West Elm approached me to style one of their clear acrylic trays for their American blog , Front & Main, I jumped at the chance. So I dove wholeheartedly into what I enjoy the most...baking and thought I would style their tray with my Lemon and Thyme Sponge Cake - perfect for afternoon tea. What do I like most about this tray - it's versatility...it seamlessly integrates itself into whatever style you like. Winner in my book.

Lemon and Thyme Sponge Cake

What you need:

For the cake:

175g unsalted butter
175 caster sugar
3 free range eggs
200g self-raising flour (or plain with 1 tsp baking powder)
2-3 tbsp milk
1 lemon (unwaxed)
1 tbsp fresh thyme leaves
1 tbsp honey

For the icing

175g icing sugar
2-3 table spoons of lemon juice

Now to Make It!

The cake:

1. Preheat the oven to 180C / 350F . Grease and line your springform pan.
2. Cream together the butter and sugar until pale and very fluffy.
3. Beat the eggs and pour a third into the butter mix, along with a tablespoon of the flour to stop the mixture from curdling. Stir well. Repeat with the other two thirds.
4. Slowly sift in the rest of the flour and stir lightly until just combined. Add the milk a tablespoon at a time to keep the mixture smooth (it should have a dropping consistency).
5. Zest the lemon into a separate bowl together with the thyme leaves and honey, and pound together into a paste.
6. Stir gently into the cake mixture.
7. Spoon into springform cake tin and smooth the top flat.
8. Bake for around 40 minutes until golden brown and a skewer or toothpick comes out clean. Then let cool completely before adding the icing.

The icing:

9. Sift the icing sugar into a bowl and add just enough lemon juice to make a soft icing with the consistency of thick double cream. (Note: too thick and it won't 'self-spread' , too thin and it will run off the cake and onto the plate)

10. Now decorate with some grated lemon rind and a sprig of thyme. Serve with creme fraiche or double cream.

Best served with a lovely cup of tea- I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.

Styling and Photography by me

Passenger Music Video

Sometimes an incredibly unique project lands in your lap - this was one of them. I was given the opportunity to style the latest music video for British solo musician Passenger's newest single Heart's on Fire.

Here are a few stills of the day and please click through here to watch the whole clip - it's magical...

Directed, Shot and Edited by the uber talented Jarred Seng

Romanticism Captured

Here's a little sneak peek of a full campaign shoot for bridal veils and headpieces for Three Sunbeams. While we were at it we also put together a rustic romantic table set up but that will have to come later when we can release the pics.

Concept, Props and Styling by me.

Veils and head pieces: Three Sunbeam

Photography: Jenny Sun

Hair Styling: Melissa Cauchi Hairdressing

Make up: Mary Lim Make up

Bridal Gowns: Savvy Brides

Flowers: Merci Bouquet

As seen on Hello May and Simply Peachy

Pantry Alchemy with White Magazine

I teamed up with uber talented photographer and friend Lisa Zhu of And A Day fame to style a fun story for White Magazine. Four makeup artists gave their own recommended recipes for creating your very own beauty product right there in your kitchen with items from your pantry. Love the concept.

Published in Issue 23 of White Magazine

Styling by me

Photography by Lisa of And A Day

Moroccan Inspired Engagement Shoot

When I landed the job of styling a Moroccan Inspired Engagement Shoot I got so excited by the ability to play with colour. The natural palette that I am inclined to steer towards on a personal level tends to be neutral and muted .... however having spent some years living in India as a teenager I have an inbuilt appreciation and love of vibrant strong colours.

With items from Bridal Collective and some of my own I set about creating a bright, rich in colour and texture picnic. Think Moroccan lamps, ornate wine glasses, brightly coloured tea lights, brass ornaments and jewelled cushions and you'll start to get the picture. Layer that with glass jars overflowing with macaroons, deep red grapes, turkish delight and chocolate, teamed with flowers in the hottest pinks, deep reds, purples and orange hues and the picnic was brought to life.

Susan dressed more perfectly than I could have asked for in a raspberry lace dress and was beauty personified when styled with the floral crown I'd made for her.

With David's affable character (from Origami Creatives) and his skill at making his subjects relaxed he captured the shoot beautifully which culminated in this magical twilight setting.

Autumn engagement shoot up up on white magazine blog

White Magazine have done it again... they've run an autumn engagement shoot I styled up on their blog but once again they have said the most beautiful and kind words. See it here

22 Nov 2014

Spring bridal shoot up on White Magazine blog

White Magazine have just run my Spring Bridal shoot on their blog and written the loveliest of write ups ... head on over to have a look here

22 Oct 2014

Autumn Picnic Shoot - Part One

Back in May I was lucky enough to be asked to style an engagement photo shoot for Donna and Tim. Both being English they wanted to re-create an Autumn picnic reminiscent of those they used to take in the woods back home...think rustic cheese platter, cozy blankets, fircones, steaming hot chocolate, goey brownies, and of course plenty of love in the air.

Styling, props, fashion styling and catering by Emma Duckworth Stylist

Photographed by Bridget Overell

Autumn Picnic Shoot - Part Two

Part Two of a gorgeous engagement shoot for Donna and Tim. Coming from the UK they wanted to send some lovely photos to their family and friends back home to celebrate their engagement. This is where I stepped in - they asked me to style an Autumn picnic in the woods and through the use of props, their clothing and the location I created their ideal engagement shoot for them. They were thrilled with the end result!