There’s something special about bringing creative women together ~ especially when it’s done over beautiful food, seasonal flowers, and plenty of good conversation. That’s exactly what happened last week at Cook House, where the Mowlem and Co. Jesmond team hosted their first Women in Design event. The gathering brought together local North East architects, interior designers, and industry voices for a day that was equal parts inspiring and enjoyable, we hope a refreshing take on networking that felt more like a celebration of creativity.
A Place Made for Gathering.
Cook House, with its warm, contemporary interiors and reputation for honest, seasonal food, provided the perfect backdrop. A seasonal spritz greeted guests on arrival, opening the door to a calm, elegant space where conversations sparked effortlessly. Cook House has always been known for creating spaces for people to connect, so for us it felt like the right fit for an event celebrating women in design.
Inspiration in Bloom.
A highlight of the day was a wonderful floral demonstration from Wildflower Florists, known for their naturalistic, free-flowing arrangements. Their display of seasonal stems was absolutely beautiful and Hannah from Wildflower showed how a handful of stems could be turned into something wild and full of character. As buckets of seasonal stems were unpacked, the room filled with colour and fragrance. One guest commented “What I loved most was how calm and welcoming it felt. Usually these sort of events can feel a bit forced, but here it was so easy to relax and just have real conversations.”
Lunch with a Local Touch.
Our guests were then treated to a beautifully curated lunch by the Cook House team. Staying true to the restaurant’s ethos, the menu showcased locally sourced ingredients, crafted into dishes that were as visually elegant as they were delicious, a special note for the super moorish tempura cauliflower and incredible blackberry and fig pavlova! Served at long tables, the meal naturally blended into the conversation, giving everyone a chance to slow down and connect instead of rushing. It was a welcome pause, a moment to recharge, and carry on the conversations sparked earlier in the day.
A New Kind of Networking.
While at its heart the event was about connection, we hope it moved far beyond the traditional networking format. The day was less about quick exchanges and more about sharing experiences, with the hope of building a supportive community of women shaping the design world. “We wanted to create something that felt different,” commented Cassie Walton, Marketing Manager at Mowlem and Co. “Less about pitching, more about sharing. The women in this room are doing incredible things, and giving them the space to connect in a meaningful way was really important to us.”
Looking Forward.
With food, flowers, and plenty of inspiration, the Women in Design event showed that getting together doesn’t have to be formal to be important, in fact sometimes the best ideas are born around a shared table. By bringing together a group of interesting women and good conversation, and with its blend of inspiration and genuine connection, we hope that our Women in Design event will set a new benchmark for how our local industry gathers ~ thoughtful, memorable, and beautifully curated. We are already looking forward to the next event!
Thank you again to our wonderful hosts Cook House and Wildflower for the beautiful flowers. Also a special thanks to We Are The Twins for photographing the day.
If you would like to find out more about our future events do get in touch and email Cassie@mowlemandco.com