THE SPACEMAKER - INTERIORS BY PETER GRECH
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In conversation with ... Lyndsey Goodger

18/6/2020

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Today we are having a chat with one of the owners of Rose and Grey, the beautiful interiors store tucked away on Altrincham (South Manchester) side streets which is a treasure trove of custom sofas, stylish accessories and decorating inspiration.

​What has your journey into the world of interiors been like?

​The idea for Rose & Grey developed while my husband Guy and I were renovating our home and hunting for beautiful pieces to fill it with.  We really struggled to find the mix of stylish and practical that we were looking for without it costing a fortune, and we spotted the opportunity to create our own brand that would do just that. 
Owner of Rose and Grey Lyndsey and Guy sitting on a mid century sofa

When did you realise your passion for interior design

I’ve always been interested in interiors, even as a child. My dad is an architect and my brother works in property development so a passion for interior design definitely runs in the family. As a child I used to cut up interior magazines to make scrapbooks, so it makes sense that I ended up in this industry! 
rose and grey showroom with a blue velvet sofa and mid century tables.

How would you describe your design aesthetic?

​We like to balance our collection between trend-led pieces and timeless design. We tend to focus on designs with longevity for our larger furniture items, only buying into trends that we know will be around for a significant time, like our best-selling velvet sofas. We always have pieces that reference Scandinavian and Mid-Century design in our collections, as these looks don’t date and really appeal to our customers. We mix in trend-led pieces through new fabrics and smaller accessories. At the moment we’re seeking a lot of inspiration from Byron Bay in Australia and Joshua Tree in California for a fresh take on the boho look. 
velvet sofa with rugs and coffee table and cabinet with grey panelling

Biggest challenges and successes in creating your brand so far?

​The current situation is one of the hardest challenges we have faced as a business, but our head office team has adapted quickly to working remotely and we have stringent social distancing procedures in place in order to keep the delivery side of the business running safely. We launched the brand twelve years ago during the recession, at a time when buying furniture online was relatively unheard of, so we feel the business is rooted in weathering adverse circumstances and that gives us the confidence to know we will emerge from the current challenges intact.
 
In terms of successes, there have been many ‘wins’ we have enjoyed over the years, big and small – but the one that stands out for me is when the business reached a point where my husband was able to leave his job to join the brand full-time.  

Who is the quintessential Rose & Grey customer?​

​Our customer is young at heart with a passion for interiors. They keep up to date with the latest interior trends and like to introduce personality to their homes through accessories, colour and statement pieces of furniture. They also understand the importance of well-made, quality furniture that is made to stand the test of time. They mix timeless designs in classic materials with fun, trend-led pieces to create eclectic homes that feels comfortable and stylish. 

What are your best sellers?

Our velvet sofas have been our best-sellers since we first launched a capsule collection in 2016. We’ve since expanded our range and now have two popular collections with a variety of models, sizes, colours and fabrics. Our Hugo Chesterfield sofa is favourite  – we particularly love it in vintage green velvet but it sells well in all colours of the rainbow. Our Cheeky bum vase is also proving to be incredibly popular, as are our shell-shaped vases and bowls for quick style updates.  
grey velvet button back l shaped sofa against grey panelling

That ‘Aha!’ moment when you were recognised and knew you had created something special?

We definitely felt that ‘aha!’ moment when we moved into our current premises and built our showroom. It was amazing to complete the project and stand back to look at our products styled together in our own space. We’ve since been able to increase the size of the showroom and will be re-opening with a fresh new look and a focus on our beautiful sofas later this year.
 
We will also be launching our first ever exclusive collections in 2020. The first, our own designed range, will be unveiled in late June and the second, an exclusive collaboration with one of our most trusted suppliers, in September. I know that is going to be another huge milestone for our brand. 
rose and grey reception

One design trend you are loving and one you are glad is over?

​I am really enjoying the current trend for personality-led accessories – faces, boobs and bums on everything from vases to prints and textiles. Our customers can’t get enough of these items at the moment and the team have also been buying them for our own homes.
I am pleased the shabby chic trend is over; it was definitely a trend that lingered far too long. 
pink velvet sofa against grey panelling wall
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In conversation with... Anna Hayman

5/6/2020

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Chatting with bohemian loving Anna Hayman who describes herself as enduringly obsessed with pattern, crafts, and design. We have a chat about her brand and some of the notable surface pattern prints that she uses on fabrics, wallpapers and lampshades featured all over the interiors world. 
Anna Hayman sat in front of a wall full of her patterned fabrics wearing one of her own designs

When did you realise your passion for interior design?

This makes me think of when I was a little girl, my friend Sarah used to get infuriated with me, as instead of playing with our dolls I would spend all the time setting up the interiors scenes! I was insistent to get the right layout, decor and mood, that the actual playing was always secondary haha. But in adulthood, I suppose my passion for interior design, and the belief and realisation of my own projects, has been evolving over the last four years. Through gaining experience, insight and shaping (and reshaping) my own home, I’ve learned the necessary skills to take it from a dream to a reality. Now I’m on the brink of completing my first two residential projects, I am excited to install and ‘bank’ these into my portfolio.

How would you describe your design aesthetic?

To be honest Peter I’ve deliberately moved away from the blanket term ‘maximalism’, as it now conjures up a vision in my mind of something different to where I am and where the brand is going. And also where the world is heading. My aesthetic is always going to be ‘detailed’ as obviously heavy pattern and intricate design is at the core of my ethos, but an overloaded look I’d say now feels dated. I am interested at the moment in actually pursuing a more daytime look, including heavy cottons into my offering, and thinking into a more provencal, neo-chintz lean. I’ll always have an inkling though I think towards Art Deco, Art Nouveau, and Arts and Crafts style, as the pull and beauty of these eras endures for myself and for my clients.
heavily detailed and patterned fabrics inspired by the Art Deco, Art Nouveau and Arts and crafts eras. By Anna Hayman

What has your journey into the world of interiors been like?

Because of instagram, it has been extremely welcoming. I’ve really been guided by the customer, and have navigated building a brand aided by this rich and rewarding tool. Working with River Island curating a bar area for their flagship store was an emboldening experience, edging my confidence up to curate and design whole spaces rather than purely products. And now through working with Greg Penn, @manwithahammer I have gained experience in working with residential clients, and period properties. Now I’m emerging more as an interior designer, the journey gets even more exciting as new opportunities are arising, even in lockdown!
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Biggest challenges and successes in creating your brand so far?

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I never know what to say re biggest challenges, when I get asked this, which I guess means it’s been a pretty easy ride. The thing is, this isn’t a job for me. I would do what I’m doing whether it made money or not, whether people liked it or not, so that fact that my designs ‘chime’ with lots of people is brilliant, but not necessary to me doing it. I’m an artist, I guess, and feel good that I’ve managed to create a recognised business from my love of pattern and texture. I’d never say I’m lucky, I’ve worked hard and thought hard, and I know I deserve my success. My proudest moment I think was when my design was picked out of over 1500 to grace the cover of Thames and Hudson book ‘Pattern Design’ as many of my heroes are encompassed. It also feels good that Liberty, Harrods and Bergdorf Goodman all came to me for my products, that really means it’s working!

Who is the quintessential Anna Hayman Designs customer?

I truly love my customers, they echo my feelings about the world in a way that is expressed through their homes. This dance between us is what I cherish and celebrate. They are knowledgable, primarily I guess. They are brave, and want their homes to be the ultimate expression of who they are. I recently gained a client who had been looking for the right printed cushions for four years, and both her and her husband fell in love with my designs, and have used my cushions in every room. This discerning customer is my favourite, almost the opposite of an impulse buyer haha. It’s ok to think hard about your home, especially now we are spending soooo much time in them.

What are your best sellers?

Bibana ,Siouxsie and Pearl are our bestselling designs. I think Bibana for her arts and crafts historical feel, Siouxsie for her pretty detail and rock n roll soul, and Pearl for that jazz age decadent vibe.
bibana velvet fabric by anna hayman draped over a gorgeous cabinet
Siouxsie wallpaper  by anna hayman in front of a cabinet
Pearl pattern on velvet by anna hayman draped over a cabinet.

That “Aha!” moment when you were recognized and knew you created something special?​

When I exhibited at Top Drawer in January 2016, I took the first parachute lampshade samples which caught the eye of Rockett St. George. When we photographed these on a dark background, and they were picked up by instagrammers such a Nicola Broughton
@the_girl_with_the_green_sofa the business slipped into the dark interiors scene, burgeoned by Abigail Ahern, I then realised really who my market were, and what I needed to make more of. It became a bit of a whirlwind after that, and I’m only just catching up now and really starting to strategise and plan ranges properly. My sister now works alongside me, and is planning to head up retail operations, leaving me free to explore more interior design and product design. This is an exciting plan for the coming year as I really then get to focus on the parts I’m most passionate about.

One design trend you are loving and one that you are glad is over?

I am absolutely loving a self skirted chair right now, and giant loungers. Anywhere you can sink down and dream/read. An item I’d like to see the back of is bar carts, too kitsch for me sorry!
Dark and patterned kitchen with texture and glamour
Anna's kitchen in her 1920's cottage in East Sussex
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In conversation with... Helen Orrock

29/5/2020

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Today we are speaking with Helen Orrock aka @theinteriorslady who has created her ideal home while downsizing into a beautiful monochrome and sleek interior space. ​

​When did you realise you had a passion for interior design?

Helen Orrock in a white linen top on her sleek modern sofa
It probably all stems back to when I was a child. I remember around GCSE time I was making my own curtains, bedspreads and cushion covers. I then kind of bypassed it entirely until I started investing in property that I got back into it. I had cancer a while back, and it made me stop and re-assess what I wanted to do and that was to open a little interior shop which is what kept me driven and motivated through treatment. I ran my own store for 5 years until re relocated to the city. I did an interiors course at the national design academy, fortunate enough that it was in my hometown of Nottingham. It gave me enough skills to pursue the career I wanted to do . I love seeing the potential in any space and helping people finding their own style.

​
Clients don't always realize that an interior designer can help you gain value in your home, not just with a big extension or full remodel but also in smaller elements that are crucial to the good function of an interior space such as proper layout planning and creating lovely areas within the home. This gives both me and my clients great pleasure, when we can find new life in a client’s current possessions.

What is your process with your clients?

I normally ask for a scope of work, this would detail what level of work are they prepared to do, what is not working for them, what is, what they are hoping to achieve and what is the end goal. I then book my inspiration visit and talk them through their options after I've seen their space.  I put forward a proposal of works, weather is be recommendations on window dressings, soft furnishings, lighting, layout plans, using furniture pieces from elsewhere in the home etc. I let clients have this and after talking them through it, I leave it up to them to get back to me if they want me to help them further with the project and usually it always progresses onto either more styling work or shopping trips etc. 
monochrome living space with log burner

What if a client picks something you don't like during one of your shopping visits?

I've got one of those faces where I can’t hide my emotions so I will be very honest with them and tell them that I don't think it would work in the space. I am brutal, but it’s for their own good. The issue with shopping trips is that you sometimes don't find exactly what you are looking for, so it might take multiple trips or going to various stores to find the item that is just right! You need to be happy to walk out with nothing if you just don't find what you want. Overall, we always end up becoming friends as it’s such a close way to work with someone.
Textural monochrome scandinavian interior

How would you describe your design aesthetic?

Very neural and monochrome, with layers of texture. I have a very restricted colour palate, with a strong emphasis on the black tone. I introduce texture with wools, sheep skins, and textiles. Another extra element is green from plants and foliage. ​

If you had to pick one design trend that you are loving at the moment and one that you are glad is over?

I think the breath of Scandinavian design really alights itself as a "trend" to my design aesthetic. I like it mostly from rustic, to minimalist or Japandi but not really the super traditional Scandinavian design. I find it timeless and adaptable. I'm glad that the palm leaf print and the gold pineapple trend is over as it doesn't fit at all within my aesthetic. ​
Sleek monochrome kitchen with marble countertop with a waterfall edge

Biggest design no-no

Following an immediate trend that doesn't work for you or trying to copy an interior you see without thinking how it adapts to your personality or lifestyle.  Also, I think that compromising on quality is another big no-no.  Things like bedding, or hardware or upholstery need to be investments as you interact with them so closely. I'd rather have less but better quality. ​
monochrome kitchen island

What is your top pet peeve in your home?

We are lucky not to have any things that annoy us in our home. This happened as we did a lot of planning and predicted the issues before we completed this project. The biggest hurdle was to create the spaces that we needed due to downsizing but it allowed us to get exactly what we wanted. If I were to re-do this home, I would make all the same decisions. But I'm not sure if this is our forever home, by embracing a more minimal life, it has made me realise that I can live with a lot less. So, my next step is to build my own affordable, sustainable, minimal Scandinavian hut, it’s something for me to look forward to.
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In conversation with ... Pandora Maxton

22/5/2020

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Today we speak to one of our tastemakers - Pandora Maxton (@pandora.maxton). On a lovely sunny afternoon, we join Pandora by the terrace doors in her living room looking out onto her gorgeous garden. With nearly 50k followers on Instagram, she is well known for her eclectic and maximalist style and is focusing on celebrating country living and lifestyle. We delve into some of her tips on maximalist décor and she reveals the top three things that her space must have!
headshot of Pandora Maxton

When did you realise your passion for interior design?

I studied fine arts and printmaking and initially I used to make abstract art for office spaces. Then did a degree in Interior design and worked with Nobilis (the high-end fabric and wall coverings company) as a sales rep in the North of the UK. I would see Interior designers working and thought I would love to get creative but I never really wanted to work as an interior designer for others. I guess it was when I started using Instagram that it really started expressing my creativity. I love doing styling work and working on building more of a lifestyle brand including outdoor living and food.
Outdoor sofa swing made of scrap wood.

​How would you describe your aesthetic?

​I would describe it as eclectic and maximalist with a homely vibe. Everything inside my home has a personal sentiment. I'm not afraid to use colour boldly and to mix styles. No-one would be able to re-create my home space exactly the same as it is so personal to me.

What are your tips on creating a maximalist space?

​There is definitely a knack to maximalist interiors. My first tip would be to keep an eye on the colours that you use and make sure they are cohesive and work well together, but also that things aren't TOO matchy-matchy as it quickly becomes boring. I usually have a warmer element within my spaces even if it is just the glow of a lamp or some fairy lights. A second tip would be to use a dark colour as a base colour to tie all the other colours together, something like Downpipe from Farrow and Ball works really well instead of having a white/off white. Lastly, I would also suggest that you mix different styles together including mid-century, antiques and rustic elements. Try to overcome the fear and risk making a mistake - but this always something you can learn and improve on. I am constantly turning spaces within my home around, it keeps things fresh and interesting. Just before speaking to you, I moved my dining table around and it just gives the space a new perspective.
Maximalist eclecitc bedroom with reclaimed bed and black wall.

​Have you ever heard or given any advice that you think is golden?

​Give your space a soul. Make sure there is something within the space that really sings. Even if you are a fan of minimalist interiors, it could be something as simple as a massive fireplace with a gorgeous armchair and one sprig of eucalyptus. The space just has personality and reflects the people within it.  Try not to copy other spaces that you see online or in magazines piece for piece, but try and adapt it to your own space and make it unique to you.

​What do you find the most inspiring?

​I am not impressed by expensive interiors. I think if we all had the money we could all go and spend 15K on a sofa. But what really impresses me is people who are innovative with their interiors and come up with solutions to their design dilemmas that really push the boat out. Someone making a beautiful piece of furniture with some scrap wood or upcycled furniture - that really inspires me.
Cherry blossom with suspended outdoor sofa.

My ideal space has to have these three things:

I would say a massive fireplace cos I love fire! It's so cosy and warm regardless of the time of year. I love lamps - again these really help create that atmosphere when the sunlight fades. Finally, plants, they just give life to a space. Overall obviously light is the most important element in a space.

What is your pet peeve inside your home?

​Must there only be one?? I am so frustrated with the lack of natural light inside our kitchen. I would love to have the opportunity to re-do it and glaze a whole side. We spend so much time in the kitchen and its quite gloomy but I appreciate that we are lucky to have an already beautiful kitchen, so it is not a priority but will get to it eventually.
Dark blue country kitchen with slate flooring and a red aga stove

​What is your favourite space in your home?

I love our pergola! It's such a great outside space that we use all the time from Spring till Early Autumn. I wish we could glaze it and use it more throughout the year. But currently, we're loving having all our meals out there and I'm making my kids sit outside in their coats cos I just love using that space.
Outdoor sofa made from palettes. Monochrome and mustard tones with a firepit

​One design trend that you love and one that you hate.

I love anything boho and eclectic with a layered look. I don't really hate any specific trends, I don't think I'm a fan of French faux rustic look that is a bit too perfect, it just can seem a bit try-hard.

How do you think social media has changed the way people interact with or delve into interiors?

​I think platforms such as Instagram has been great at providing people with an outlet for something they are interested in such as interiors and also, its lovely receiving feedback from people, other than my family, saying how much they loved a revamped space I worked on. But it can be quite noisy, sometimes all you see are massive accounts which don't necessarily have what you are looking for, and miss some incredible small accounts who are really inspiring. The other thing that can frustrate is seeing people playing the game and it seems very strategized. But I guess it's about finding people that really inspire you and trying to give them as much support as possible.
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In conversation with...Rohan Blacker

15/5/2020

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​Today we have the privilege of speaking with Rohan Blacker, the founder of Pooky Lighting. He gives us a sneak peek into his journey into the world of lighting, the values of Pooky and what is next in the pipeline.
brass and fluted glass chandelier by pooky lighting
Pooky lighting logo
Rohan blacker, founder of pooky lighting

Tell me a little bit about your journey into Pooky lighting

​It has a been a relatively tortuous journey but incredibly fun! I initially qualified as a lawyer, but soon realised it wasn’t the thing for me. So, I jumped ship and went into catering for the best part of 20 years operating a variety of different businesses from restaurants, soup wholesale, commercial catering and eventually to high end food delivery services. That was amazingly fun and challenging. My business partner and I then decided to go into sofas and focus mainly online. At the time it was pretty revolutionary and despite lots of discouragement we slowly built the business of sofa.com up over 7-8 years. I started to live and breathe the shapes, fabrics, colours and spring systems. After selling up I decided to go into lighting, because lights are the number 1 thing that one should think about in their house. They make such a profound impact to the interior and the mood of any space. Equally I love the fact that you can turn anything into a light, you can be as creative or as wacko as you like and have a lot of fun with lighting.

It is clear how passionate you are about the importance of beauty and form and despite not specifically having come from a design background you have a definite understanding and appreciation of it, be it in sofa design or lighting.  Did you self-teach along your journey?

​I've always been an appreciator of beautiful things, I guess one can say I have an interest in beauty. Despite never going to interior school, I can tell you what I like and don't like and what works within a given space. I am very careful that I am not designing for myself, but for my clientele. I want to design stuff that lasts, I do not want to be making tomorrows landfill. One of my frustrations with the interiors market is that is has become like the fast fashion industry. People shouldn't be changing their interiors with the seasons as much as they do. When you buy something for your home, assume you will hold onto it forever and pass it down to your children. There are huge numbers of companies that make gimmicky lighting - they are quirky but are going to go totally out of fashion in a few months’ time. Not only because their design is fleeting and ephemeral but also the quality isn't necessarily great. Which is why most of our lights are made of solid brass, which doesn't rust and will last! 
mushroom shaped lamp with domed cap

How would you describe the Pooky aesthetic?

the longford lamp with brass and green resin base.
​I would describe it as above all decorative with a love of colour and shape. At the same time, our designs have longevity and classical roots. We have a lot of lights that are based on a very classic column, but we tweak, such as making a brass base, a green resin shaft and a brass pediment. An example of such is our Longford light, it’s a twist on classicism, not in a silly or quirky way but in a fresh way that will stand the test of time.

Who would you say is your quintessential customer?

​ I am trying to sell, beautifully well made, long lasting, decorative lights that are mid-market.  We start off trying to design for interior designers, who have responded well to our designs. We also sell directly to retail customers of course. We aren't low end at all, but as I said before, lights for a tenner are next year’s landfill. Our lights range from £40-£250, in contrast, at some high-end lighting stores one could easily spend £1000 on a lamp base.
mixed metals lamp by pooky

What have been your biggest challenges with setting up Pooky lighting?​

​Our biggest challenge was getting brand recognition and awareness as well as taking a big financial risk. Because we wanted to sell pieces at an affordable price, we had to invest and buy lights in bulk. So, I had a warehouse full of thousands of lights, of which we didnt know would sell. I was there holding my breath, looking at my website, hoping that someone would come on and buy. Design is a risky business - you have as many flops as hits, you get better over time obviously, but no one has any certainty.

​What are your best sellers and which styles are less popular?

​(Chuckling slightly) Well now, the Metro light - is a beautiful slightly industrial, solid brass light in various finishes with a very strong design, but surprisingly not many people buy it! On the other hand, our best seller is the light called Trafalgar - it has a very simple design, a solid brass obelisk. It is very elegant but contemporary. It came from an offcut of brass on the floor that I saw in a foundry in Portugal which we put a very flat base on and kept it very minimal in design. Another light that is doing very well is the Stucco, we spent a long time agonizing over how big those petals would be, the shape of the light, how far apart the rows of petals should be.
textured ceramic lamp with multiple petals in an off white by pooky lighting.

When did you have that big "AHA!" moment when you realized that you were creating something special? 

​I don't like to be complacent about what we do, because the moment you start thinking that you have cracked it that is when the edifice starts to collapse, but it is great to read the feedback on our site. We have recently hit 10k reviews and virtually all of them are 5star reviews. Some of them are really quite moving as some people are really grateful of what we do.

What are one of the interior trends that you are loving right now and one that you are glad is over?

​Wall lights, despite quite a traditional vibe, have really come back and we love that. Also, people are much braver with colour than they have been, so even though someone might still not be brave enough to paint their full room in orange, they might slowly introduce bright colours in their light shades. Introducing pops of colour can create eye-catching punctuations. The trend that I am glad is over is gimmicky lighting. I think that quirky can be a good thing, it eludes to a sense of eccentricity and fun but if it is pushed too far it becomes contrived. Quirky for the sake of quirky will create short lived designs. 
black and white stripy lamp base with a black and gold marbleized paper shade against a palm print backdrop

What is the next thing that you are working on?

​We are launching our outdoor lighting which is exciting. People tend to be less brave with outdoor lighting as they see them as functional lights. We are trying to create a range of swan necks and lanterns that add that extra decorative edge to outdoor spaces. 
outdoor lighting range in brushed brass
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