Roo Abrook: Queen of Collecting

Roo Abrook is somewhat of a magpie. The British artist loves nothing more than to collect all manner of papery things – vintage and antique books (her favourite), sheet music, and lots of other objects that are in time, inspire her signature natural world collages and prints. We caught up with Roo to find out how she came to doing what she does – read on for more… 

When and why did you decide to be an artist?

I started out with a foundation course at art college, with no particular plans, which led to a degree in fine art printmaking. I then went on to run a fashion company and then work as a graphic designer. I guess I love designing in many different areas.

What are you main creative influences?

All sorts of things; from vintage finds, to Peter Blake, to retro TV shows and annuals, to museum pieces and exhibitions. Everything I grew up with and have seen since all kinda jumbled up and somehow pulled out and pulled together.

Where do you find inspiration for your work?

At the moment I am inspired by antique books and nature.

Who is your favourite designer?  What aspect of their work do you most admire?

I don't really have a favourite – there are so many clever people!

What aspect of your work gives you the most pleasure?

Designing and making.

Where are you most creative?

At home, probably when I'm doing something quite ordinary around the house.

 

What is your studio like? 
A jumble of book, books and more books combined with vintage finds.

How do you describe your style? 
Eclectic.

What are you currently working on?
New designs for next year and a year-long project with Anglepoise lamps called Creating Balance.

What advice do you have for other designers starting out?
Keep at it!

How do you achieve a work/life balance?
I'm really strict... family comes first, though I suppose I'm still working in a way a lot of the time; ideas are always bubbling away.

What are you other passions?  
Music. I absolutely love it, and reading books.

What is your favourite food?
Anyone else's cooking… not mine!

What is your greatest weakness?
Trying to do too much in too little time… my time management is terrible.

Trousers or skirts? 
Black skinnies – they’re so comfy and practical and go with everything.

A selection of Roo Abrook's prints are now available online from £9.00 each. 

What Delilah Did - Interview with Sophie Simpson

Sophie Simpson, a "perpetual dreamer and purveyor of extraordinary things", so she describes herself, is the creative behind the cross stitch label, What Delilah Did.  We had a bit of a chat with her this week to find out all about her and what inspires her designs.

When and why did you decide to be a designer?

Designing and making things is just something I have always done, so it was in the back of my mind from a very early age that I wanted to be a designer of something – it was just a case of deciding what. I tried my hand at lots of different crafts but it wasn’t until I rediscovered hand embroidery about six years ago that I knew I had found my niche. It is the perfect combination of creativity and control, which is perfect for me since I am an absolute control freak! I have been hooked ever since.

What are you main creative influences?

I am very strongly influenced by traditional design and antiques – nothing fancy, just humble country-style craftsmanship. Natural materials, muted colours, handmade things. So many products are mass produced these days that I really appreciate individual, timeless, well made things that people have taken time and care to create. I love the idea of using a traditional craft in a modern way, but still as something that can be an heirloom. It is a joy to do but it also looks beautiful. I try to base my work on this idea.

Where do you find inspiration for your work?

I am inspired by nature and magic and stories of old. Probably my favourite thing to do is to visit old buildings. I am literally obsessed with the National Trust! I could happily spend days doing nothing but wandering around beautiful old houses imagining I was born centuries ago…they are an endless inspiration to me. I also love period dramas and Tim Burton films, both of which never fail to make me want to start stitching. Museums are good too – basically anything old inspires me. It is a constant source of irritation to me that I was born in the wrong century.

Who is your favourite designer?  What aspect of their work do you most admire?

I’m not sure I can pick just one. For quite some time I have been deeply in love with Julianna Swaney’s illustrations – her motifs and inspirations are very similar to mine, and if I had the ability to make paint do as it was told then I would make beautiful images like hers. Another of my obsessions is Herriot Grace, a father and daughter team who sell the most incredible wooden kitchenware . If I had more pennies I would buy everything they make – it is immaculately crafted and beautifully presented.

What aspect of your work gives you the most pleasure?

The thing I love the most is the actual embroidery – the calm repetition of stitching a design and watching the image evolve as you stitch – the moment you start to see a picture in the seemingly random crosses. I also love meeting and speaking to my customers. It humbles me to think not only did somebody part with their hard earned money to buy something that I made, but that they then took time out of their day to write to me and let me know how much they liked it – that never fails to make my day.

Where are you most creative?

I am most creative at home. I am a compulsive nester and most of my products are meant for interiors, so home is the perfect setting to create them in.

What is your workspace/studio like? 

I work from home and my tiny flat resembles nothing more than a miniature factory much of the time. That said, I am also a neat freak and feel the most productive when everything is calm and clear, so it can be a bit of a juggling act. I like to be surrounded by my work; that way I can live with things and get a better sense of what works and what doesn’t.

How do you describe your style?

My style an amalgamation of the antique and the modern. Timeless, simple, elegant.

What are you currently working on?

I have a new range of bag kits in the pipeline and plan to expand my pattern range after that. I am also putting the finishing touches to my first book which will be published next year.

When you first started out, what was the best advice you received?

Just keep going. There are days when everything goes wrong and I always have a list as long as my arm of things that should have been done yesterday, but you just have to keep ploughing through it. It can be really difficult sometimes, but when you look back and see how far you have come and know it is all your own work it is absolutely worth it.

What advice do you have for other designers starting out?

Make sure you really love what you do because you will be living and breathing it twenty four seven. And be determined.

How do you achieve a work/life balance?

Um, I don’t! This is my most pressing goal. Because I live on my own and genuinely love what I do it is all too easy to find myself still working on a design or updating my website or packing up orders at 3am. I have decided to impose an 8pm work curfew in the hope that I can put a stop to this...starting next week.

What are you other passions?

I can’t live without music, and now that I am too busy to search for new things myself my little sister has taken up the baton and gives me excellent recommendations every time I see her. I also adore films and have an enduring love for period architecture.

What is your favourite food?

Spaghetti Bolognese, anything from Wagamama, or my lemon drizzle cake.

What is your greatest weakness?

Ryan Gosling. And anything related to Harry Potter – confronted by either I am entirely lost to them.

Trousers or skirts?

Neither! It’s all about the dresses. I wish it was trousers because it would be much more practical, but I look silly in anything but dresses so that is my daily uniform.

A selection of Sophie's Cross Stitch Kits are now available online and start at £22.  They make fabulous gifts for creatives and crafters this Christmas.

Interview with Shan Valla

This week we caught up with designer Shan Valla and found out a little about her creative influences.

When and why did you decide to be a designer?

I never decided to become a designer, it just sort of happened. I never made a conscious decision that I'd work for myself, and make products/objects, I was just always good at art at school and knew I wanted to do something creative. Even though I choose to study ceramics and glass I never really thought about where is was going to take me.

I do however remember at the age of about 13 taking to my best friend in school about what we’d do when we were older. She was really into fashion so we used to dream that we would have a fashion and interiors shop just off Oxford St in London (I grew up in West Wales so I think I’d only been to London once at this time). Now having my studio just up the road from that in Holborn seems bizarrely close to that idea!

What are you main creative influences?

Many of my friends are designer/makers, and my boyfriend and I spend a lot of time talking about interiors and objects.

I’ve got a lot of creative people in my family. My father is a photographer, and my aunt is an artist.

I think that just by being around creative’s make me suddenly feel like creating.

Of course I have studied many artists and designers and other peoples work, which is all stored in my head somewhere and subconsciously it inspires me. There are some pieces of art, or some designs that I just absolutely fall in love with, and they give me a feeling inside. Its this feeling that I want my work to give people….but I don’t quite think I have got there yet.

Where do you find inspiration for your work?

Lots of things really. Mostly my ideas come through actually making something. It might be because of a certain material quality that I come across, and want to keep and emphasise, and I may actually end up with an entirely different object than I had planned to make. Some times when things go wrong it brings a new idea.

I frequently think about things to make when I'm just doing everyday jobs, and its often something everyday that has inspired me.

Usually when I'm at my busiest, multitasking, and my mind is racing with everthing that is going on I get about 10 new ideas of things to make.

Who is your favourite designer? What aspect of their work do you most admire?

Lots of people for different reasons.

But if I have to say one…..I love Dutch Design House DEMAKERSVAN.

The simplicity of their designs which are executed exceptionally well. They give a twist to everyday things, making them beautiful. Who would ever have thought a metal fence to be beautiful? It's witty, which I admire.

What aspect of your work give you the most pleasure?

When people fall in love with my work

Where are you most creative?

Anywhere. It depends. Sometimes my studio, but it always takes me a while to settle into a new space….my current studio is only just getting there. Sometimes on the train when I have no distractions. Often when I go home to Wales, and then I may feel creative in my old bedroom. I suppose it used to be my studio as I was growing up. I’d just lock my self in there for hours every evening and draw/paint/make. Mum would never let me have a new carpet as I would always have so much paint and glue all over the place.

What is your workspace/studio like?

I’m based at Cockpit Arts in Holborn, and my studio is in a big room that I share with a jeweller, graphic designer, and ceramicist. I have quite a small space, and seem to keep getting more and more things in it so it is pretty compact. I have 3 work benches, one that I use for ceramics covered in moulds models and porcelain slip, and one for glass that I have my lampworking torch on, and clusters of glass branches all over it, and one for general things. People are always scared of walking into my space with all the glass everywhere, but I sort of forget that its delicate.

I have a desk and big wall for pinning bits on, and loads of shelves for storage. I moved into my studio in October, and it is only just really starting to feel like my space, but week by week it seems to be becoming more me and I start to feel more creative in it.

How do you describe your style?

Fresh, clean, playful, simple, delicate.

What are you currently working on?

I’m working with a several art consultants on multiple glass installations for a new hotel and a new public building, both in London. I’m really excited about these commissions as it enables me to realise some of my far more extravagant and creative ideas, that really need to be in located in large spaces.

I’m currently working with a new ceramic manufacturer, so we are going though the sampling process ready for the first production run. I’m also developing a new glass vase for Hidden Art Select, which I have been prototyping with a glass studio in south London who will be producing it for me.

I'm also starting to work on new ideas for products to be launched in the Autum.

When you first started out, what was the best advice you received?

Have good images. Don’t think too much about an idea, get stuck in.

What advice do you have for other designers starting out?

Learn as much as you can from other people. If you want it, stick at it, its hard work, but when something exciting happens you forget about all of the late nights. Have good images, it makes a product.

How do you achieve a work/life balance?

I don’t think I do at the moment! I think you do have to go with the flow at certain times. There are always points in the year that are busier than others, and so you work more. I’ve just have 5 exhibitions in 6 weeks, which means there hasn’t been much time for the ‘life’ part, but then it should quieten down a little and I’ll take a few long weekends. August usually seems to be quiet in design, so I’ll try and fit in a few holidays….i need the sunshine!

What are you other passions?

I love travelling, and always yearn for my next adventure. I love sporty things, a shot of adrenalin. I love cooking for people, but sadly don’t seem to have time for it at the moment. I love Coffee, so much that last year my boyfriend has even started his own coffee business. Now I love it more.

What is your favourite food?

Ripe Mango. Natural yogurt. Granola.

What is your greatest weakness?

I can never focus on just one thing. I always think the grass is greener.

Trousers or skirts?

Dresses….ask any one who knows me!

Shan Valla's lovely Gold Finch and Milk Bottles are now available online.

Interview with Selina Rose

This week we spoke to designer Selina Rose about what inspires her work.

When and why did you decide to be a designer?

When I was 16 I travelled up from my family home in Cornwall to visit 100% Design. I was just about to go to art college and trying to decide what I wanted to do career-wise, after sessions with the school careers adviser usually ended up at the conclusion of “I just want to make things!”. As I walked around the show and visited designer’s stands I knew that I wanted to be a designer-maker. I was always making and drawing as a child and after hours of messing around in my mum’s sewing room with her vintage sewing machine and fabric remnants, I knew that textiles was my thing.

What are your main creative influences?

Vintage Scandinavian textile and ceramic prints, modern architecture, nature and the great outdoors and the talented people around me.

Where do you find inspiration for your work?

Most of my patterns are inspired by nature. I do a lot of photography and draw motifs from these images, simplifying shapes to create bold repeat patterns. For example my Botanica range featuring birds, leaves and butterflies was inspired by a trip back home in Cornwall to the Eden project and the geometric repeat cut-outs on my latest range Oli were inspired by the helicopter-like seed pods that fall from sycamore trees.

Who is your favourite designer? What aspect of their work do you most admire?

There are so many, Lucienne Day, Tracy Kendall, Susan Bradley but at the moment I am loving furniture designer Russell Pinch’s work. I really admire his attention to detail, use of natural materials and pure craftsmanship.

What aspect of your work gives you the most pleasure?

Working with felt. Since I fell in love with it 6 years ago at University I have been hooked ever since. I love the way you can manipulate it, cut, punch, perforate it, without it fraying. It’s natural tactility, robustness, sturdiness and durability makes it a joy to work with. The felt I use is 100% wool and coloured in my signature colour palette using environmentally friendly dyes. It’s also sustainable and biodegradable.

Where are you most creative?

In my new studio with the radio on and a cuppa!

What is your workspace/studio like? (perhaps send a picture if you have one?)

I moved into my new studio at the end of last year. It’s a great space. All the walls and furniture are white and quite uniform to create a blank canvas for all the brightly coloured felt that surrounds me. I have moodboards, tear sheets, doodles, photos and other inspiration in front of my desk on a shelf to help keep the creative juices flowing.

How do you describe your style?

Bold, colourful, tactile, simple yet sophisticated.

What are you currently working on?

I am launching my new 2010 collection at the moment which will be on show at 100% Design in September. The collection features new products such as the Oli rug with coordinating throw and coasters, the Scale stool and Flutterby cushions. I’ve introduced new colours to the palette and the new Oli pattern has a more unisex feel where as some of my prettier cut-outs such as Botanica and Bloom are more feminine.

When you first started out, what was the best advice you received?

A tutor once told me that in the real world as a designer you need to spend 30% of your time designing and 70% of your time telling people about what you’ve designed. How true.

What advice do you have for other designers starting out?

Exhibit, exhibit, exhibit!! No one will ever know about your work if you don’t show them.

How do you achieve a work/life balance?

When I first started out I used to work into the night but now 5 years on I think I have managed to get my evenings and weekends back. I have work experience students in on placement that help to run the studio and share the work load at busy times. I find if I don’t do ‘normal things’ like cook, garden, visit galleries in my spare time then I can’t be creative in the studio, so it’s so important to have a good balance.

What are you other passions?

Cooking and growing fruit and veggies! I noticed my first red strawberry this morning on my way down to the studio and I can’t tell you how excited I was! (must get out more!)

What is your favourite food?

Goat’s cheese

What is your greatest weakness?

Green and Blacks Organic 70% cocoa chocolate, oh and stripey tops!

Trousers or skirts?

Out of the two I’d have to say trousers but at the moment I’m loving summer dresses, there are so many lovely prints out there at the moment.

Selina Rose's Bloom Rug and Coasters now available online at Roost Living.

Interview with Fliff

Roost Living designers are all so wonderfully passionate about their craft. It has been such a joy getting to know them. Being the nosey creature that I am, I love to delve in and really understand the inspiration behind their creations as well as getting to know a little about their day to day lives.

This week I spoke to ceramicist Fliff about her craft, her passions and how she started out.

When and why did you decide to be an artist?

I always enjoyed Art at school and my mother is a painter so it has been in my life one way or another as a way of living and being rather than a formalised decision. I did decide i suppose to try and make a living from ceramics after my first child was born 17 years ago.

What are you main creative influences?

I am inspired by textiles, found objects, cranes, towers, old cutlery. keys, anything tall and spindly, detail in the buildings of London, 17th century art......

What aspect of your work gives you the most pleasure?

I love the moment when I discover something completely new that excites me - a shape, a design, in the process of making something else. An unexpected moment usually born out of a mistake that may lead to a whole collection.

What is your workspace/studio like?

My studio is at home in a small room at the back of the house with plenty of light, a lock on the door and a CD player!

What is your greatest triumph so far?

I think that every time a piece comes out of the kiln and is close to my intention then that is a triumph. I have also completed some private commissions of which I am proud.

What are you currently working on?

I am currently working on new ideas for the end of this year and an installation based on my findings along the river Thames and Memory.

When you first started out, what was the best advice you received?

Don’t make work to please the tastes of others or follow to a current trend. Stay true to your own ideas.

What advice do you have for other artists/designers starting out?

As above! And try not to spend too much before you've sold anything!

How do you achieve a work/life balance?

By being well organised and willing to compromise.

What are you other passions?

My family, family history, old photos, archaeology, craft, vintage fabric, cushions, cycling, singing ,crisps

What is your favourite food?

Avocado and tomatoes

Trousers or skirts?

Trousers

Are you a dog or cat person?

Both, but cat in London

Fliff's products are now available online.

Interview with Preeti Gilani

Roost Living designers are all so wonderfully passionate about their craft. It has been such a joy getting to know them and I wanted to share this with you. Being the nosey creature that I am, I love to delve in and really understand the inspiration behind their creations as well as getting to know a little about their day to day lives.

This week I spoke to Preeti Gilani, textile designer who joins Roost Living later this month. We spoke not only about her craft and lovely products, but also about what she loves, dreams of, and how she started out.

When and why did you decide to be a designer?

I always knew I wanted to work in art and design. I did a foundation course after my A levels which helped me make the decision to specialise in textiles. I then went to Winchester School of Art to do a BA in Fashion and textiles. It was there that I discovered woven textiles and went on further to do an MA in Woven textiles at the Royal College of Art.

What are you main creative influences?

I think new technology always lead to new design because it increases the possibilities. I create my design work on my mac which is my most valued tool at the moment.

Where do you find inspiration for your work?

I always take inspiration from several areas. This I think helps me produce something new, rather than putting a slant on something I have already seen. I love pattern and colour. My colour is often inspired by nature.

Who is your favourite designer? What aspect of their work do you most admire?

I love Dries Van Noten and Kenzo. Both these design houses use colour and pattern in such a delicious but wearable way.

What aspect of your work gives you the most pleasure?

I reach a satisfaction point when the designs get the fine tuning touches and the collection starts coming together.

What is your workspace/studio like?

I work from a purpose built design studio in the garden. Both my husband and I work from here on our individual businesses. I also have a separate workroom where I put together all the products.

How do you describe your style?

Sophisticated with a bit of fun.

What is your greatest triumph so far?

Finding my life soulmate and having two amazing children.

What are you currently working on?

I have just put together a collection inflluenced by cross-stich, folk art and flowers. I am also introducing an official menswear range of scarves and ties. I am hoping to launch this in October 2008.

When you first started out, what was the best advice you received?

I was told by a friend to decide on a style rather than doing a bit of everything. People like to see you have a signature way of working.

What advice do you have for other designers starting out?

As above. Also only make things that you feel passionate about as this is the best selling tool.

How do you achieve a work/life balance?

Still working on it. I think this is probably the best way as life is constantly changing, especially when you have children. The balance has to be constantly addressed.

What are you other passions?

Design is my biggest passion, whether it be my own work to the design of a car, I just love attention to detail. I am also a film lover.

What is your favourite food?

Favourite meal:

Roast dinner followed by fruit crumble and custard.

Favourite food: krispy kremes

Trousers or skirts?

Skirts for the look, trousers for comfort.

Are you a dog or cat person?

Cat

What is your creative motto?

I always take inspiration from several areas in order to produce something new rather than putting a slant on something you have already seen.

Preeti Gilani's cushions, handbags, purses and ties will be available from Roost Living from 29 September.

Preeti Gilani's cushions will be sold EXCLUSIVELY by Roost Living.