After a Royal Navy career Rob re-trained as a jewellery designer, winning a competition to design and manufacture a piece of jewellery for the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC). The jewellery was a brooch titled ‘All the world’s a stage’. In 2000 he and Marianne opened their first jewellery shop on Hill Street, Corbridge. At that time it was a small shop with workshop upstairs, now 16 years later the shop has undergone two extensions with the addition of a purpose built workshop on ground floor and they employ five staff. Rob’s daily job is mainly occupied with making special pieces of jewellery commissioned by customers.
LUXE PLACES >>
For a weekend > Born and bred in Wales, I always love the opportunity to visit my family and enjoy the beautiful countryside of Snowdonia National Park. Alfie, our whippet loves running along Aberdovey beach.
A long holiday > Probably one of the best trips I’ve been on was to Tuscon, Arizona in early February. Tuscon becomes the largest coloured gem trading centre in the world, For gemstone lovers it is truly amazing. We helicoptered over the Grand Canyon, cycled up Mount Lemmon and explored Sedona and the Sonoran desert.
A treat > You can’t beat heading over to Blanchland and going for a long walk over the moor followed by Sunday lunch at the Lord Crew Arms.
Luxe relax >>
Best food > For my 40th I was lucky enough to eat at Heston Blumenthal’s The Fat Duck in Bray, 10 courses of sheer magic and mastery. I’d love to go back one day.
Best wine > My favourite wine has to be German Riesling. Germany produce stunning world class wine. A particular favourite is from a vineyard calledSt.Urbans-Hof: Ockfener Bockstein Riesling Auslese.
Favourite restaurant > We always have a great night at Il Piccolo, Corbridge.
Perfect weekend > Road cycling plays a big part of my life, travelling over to Brugge, Belgium earlier this year to take part in one of the greatest Spring classic rides called the Ronde Van Vlaanderen was fantastic. It’s 120 miles of hard riding over cobbled roads and famous ‘bergs’ all washed down with some great Belgium beer, frites and mayonnaise.
Downtime means > Sitting back listening to music on Vinyl whilst flicking through cycling magazines with a glass of chilled white wine.
Best telly > I must confess I’m a big Game of Thrones fan, I can’t wait for next season. Watching Harvey Specter in Suits is right up there too.
Luxe shop >>
Favourite shop > I had a great shopping experience in Leeds. I like shops who take pride in what they sell with knowledgable sales staff. I really enjoyed Paul Smith.
Best buy > My home here in Northumberland. I wouldn’t swap it for anything. I love the open countryside together with a great mix of friends I’ve met mainly through cycling.
Luxe party >>
A memorable night out > Whilst on a family holiday in Ibiza we stumbled across a wonderful venue called Las Dalias in San Carlos. It turned out to be a great night of live World Music called Namaste, celebrating the bohemian lifestyle of ibiza.
Perfect party > Having enjoyed the Olympic track cycling so much this year I think getting invited to the after games party at Rio would be pretty cool.
Best suit > Paul Smith ‘Prince of Wales check’.
Dinner date > What can I say, it’s got to be my beautiful wife Marianne.
Your Luxe thingS in life >>
I’ve just completed building up a vintage Colnago ‘Super’ road bike from 1979, it’s a design icon and a thing of beauty. I can’t wait to ride it next year in Italy.
