like a hummingbird...

 

                                                                      simply san-juan 

To the frequent flyers of my blog: you may have noticed, a certain quiet around this part of the woods. I took a break from blogging, whilst I spent time completing projects, traveling abroad and meeting new friends. And now, I'm back, with a new face. I hope you like it...

With 2012 landing nicely on its feet. I am so thrilled to share with you that, in the next few months, we're going to be launching my first boutique range of furniture - all handmade, in London, using 200 year upholstery techniques. This is a long-held dream of mine, and I cannot wait to share more with you - and it's going to be launched in a surprising way...

What is your news? Please, tell me, how have you been and what are you looking forward to?

a thought for the New Year: 2013

 

Heather Loves...     

I love this quote. I wish I'd read it when I first started out in this business because it is so true. Happy New Year, everyone, may your 2013 be light and breezy. x  

“Nobody tells this to people who are beginners, I wish someone told me. All of us who do creative work, we get into it because we have good taste. But there is this gap. For the first couple years you make stuff, it’s just not that good. It’s trying to be good, it has potential, but it’s not. But your taste, the thing that got you into the game, is still killer. And your taste is why your work disappoints you. A lot of people never get past this phase, they quit. Most people I know who do interesting, creative work went through years of this. We know our work doesn’t have this special thing that we want it to have. We all go through this. And if you are just starting out or you are still in this phase, you gotta know its normal and the most important thing you can do is do a lot of work. Put yourself on a deadline so that every week you will finish one story. It is only by going through a volume of work that you will close that gap, and your work will be as good as your ambitions. And I took longer to figure out how to do this than anyone I’ve ever met. It’s gonna take awhile. It’s normal to take awhile. You’ve just gotta fight your way through.”

― Ira Glass

a design assistant's point of view

             Heather Jenkinson Interiors

Hi everyone - I’m Kathryn, Heather’s assistant. I started working for Heather last October, and apart from the fact that we share the same taste in tea ('strong but milky and no sugar, thank you'), what I’ve found most fascinating is seeing how closely Heather works with her clients.

It’s all about collaboration. Remember that classic 90s programme Changing Rooms? Good design works in exactly the opposite way. Giving Laurence Llewelyn Bowen free reign to go mad with MDF may have made for entertaining TV, but back in the real world an interior designer won’t try and impose their aesthetic on your space.

Instead, Heather works hard getting to know her clients. What do they love about their home, and what do they hate? Which pieces of furniture are non-negotiable, and which are they dying to get rid of? Is their home a place to entertain or a relaxing retreat from the world? How do they want their living space to make them feel?

All this information is gathered up before the design work starts. Heather can then add a fresh perspective and some lateral thinking, as well as the experience and ability to see innovative design solutions. That dark poky room can be transformed into a sophisticated reading area. Outdated heirloom furniture can be re-contextualised with the right colour palette and surroundings.

The result is an environment that feels both natural and comfortable to live in. It reflects the clients and their personalities, but in a way they couldn’t have visualised at the beginning of the journey. That’s where the skills lies, and why you might want to hire an interior designer.

Of course, a lot of work goes into interpretation of the client’s ideas. For some practical tips on what to do with two clients that just can’t agree, see Heather’s 2011 interview with the Independent. Or you can read interviews with Heather on Arianna Interiors, and MyDeco for more background.

 

We’d love to know what you think – what’s the best way for designers and clients to work together successfully? 

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(Kathryn used to help run Hidden Art and now, aside from helping keep me sane, she is also the author of a very charming blog called 'Yes, I like that'. I love this post, particularly - isn't she clever?)

UPDATED: Current interior design projects...

 

1. Project Primrose: Completion date: December 2011 (8 weeks!) 

 

 all furniture was made bespoke - and designed by us. This 5 drawer console is made out of walnut, leather and brass handles.

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2. Project: Kent:18 months.  Completion date: Jan 2012 (this is a huge project, so much more to come...)

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3. Project Barnes: £private Ongoing

(Wall to wall (ceiling, too!) Penny Black wallpaper in the cloakroom - such a hit!)

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4. Project: Islington:6 months. Completion date: Dec 2011

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5. Project: Middleton Completion: 6 months (and ongoing)

(OK, not such a new one but this project has not been seen yet - brand spanking new website coming in the New Year!)

Hello! We're a little too busy to blog, right now, but how a few project previews? This a tiny collection of the various plates we have spinning but thought you might like to see what we're currently working on... (Who knew that one day Lavender would the hero?!)