I met Kathryn, founder of Ilkley London, earlier this year in London on a Sophie Robinson and Fiona Humberstone colour workshop. As I’m based in Ilkley, my ears pricked up when I heard Kathryn talking about her business, Ilkley London; a little reminder that we live in a small world. Having retrained myself, I’m always interested to hear other people’s stories about changing career to do something they are passionate about. What I love about Kathryn’s brand is her bold, colourful curation of a range inspired by the mood and colours of Yorkshire. The fringed Mill cushion is one of my favourites, take a look…
1/ When & why did you set up your business?
I launched Ilkley London earlier this year. It combines my passion for retail (I used to work in buying) and interiors (I re-trained at KLC, graduating in 2015). I also wanted to produce a range which combined the two areas of the world which I love; Yorkshire and London. The range is inspired by the colours and textures of the Yorkshire Moors (in particular Ilkley Moor) but works beautifully in an urban setting. Colour and texture are here to stay and Ilkley London was created to give people easy access to a range that introduces colour into their homes.
2/ What can we buy from you?
Ilkley London has a cleverly curated selection of cushions, throws, lamps and fabrics. Expect to see rich textures and patterns, with a signature moorland bird print which works across the range.
We currently sell online (www.ilkleylondon.co.uk) and via our Instagram account @ilkleylondon. New products are often launched on our Insta feed, so do follow us to see what we’re up to.
3/ Describe your brand style in 3 words.
Bold, sumptuous, unique.
4/ Out of everything you have ever sold, what’s your favourite piece?
The Hebden Cushions in our signature moorland bird print. They have a contrast fringe for a unique twist and the colours are rich and decadent. Watch this space as we’ll be adding more fringe/fabric combinations to the range soon.
5/ What do you love most about running your own business?
It gives me an outlet to explore my own creative passions and do something I truly believe in.
6/ What do you think are going to be the next interior trends in 2018/19?
More colour, colour, colour! We are most definitely leaving the world of grey behind. Consumers have still been a little nervous of colour but it is slowly creeping into more and more homes. I also think more people want to stamp their own individuality onto their home and be bolder with their style.
7/ What are you most proud of?
Definitely launching Ilkley London. It was a long journey! Before I launched, I wanted the products to be just right, the website to reflect the brand and obviously everything needed to stack up commercially. Juggling 3 children at the same time, it took a little while to get everything right, but it was most certainly worth it!
8/ What challenges have you faced while running your business?
There are constant challenges from technology to getting the design right and dealing with suppliers. Every time I hit a problem I try to work through it bit by bit and not get overwhelmed – I just chip away until I get there.
9/ What’s next for your business?
We have just launched wallpapers, artworks and greeting cards all based around our signature bird print and we have seen a fantastic response so I am looking forward to promoting these new lines more. We will be showing at The Country Living Christmas Fair from 7 – 11 November and Spring Top Drawer 13 -15 January. All truly exciting steps in getting the Ilkley London brand out there and known.
10/ Who would be your ideal celebrity customer?
Someone with their own individual flair, strong but down to earth. Paloma Faith sums this up for me and her music is great too!
Check out Kathryn’s full range at www.ilkleylondon.co.uk and take a look at her beautifully bold Insta feed @ilkleylondon
I know I’m all about cosy nooks and reading corners at the moment, but it’s that time of year where I just want to wrap myself in a blanket and watch the leaves falling outside. Or the torrential rain if you’re in Yorkshire.
I’m crushing massively on velvet at the moment. Especially in rich, autumnal colours. It adds a touch of luxury to a space but keeps it warm and inviting. You should always feel like you can curl your feet up on an armchair and with these picks, you certainly can. Assuming I don’t get there before you…
#6 Effortlessly stylish mid-century design, this revival of the classic Fox Easy Chair is one you’ll want to get your hands (or feet) on, £725 from Rose and Grey www.roseandgrey.co.uk/h-lis-fox-easy-chair
Although it seemed like Summer had returned earlier this week, it’s well and truly Autumnal here in Yorkshire today. It’s that time of year where the nights are drawing in (yes, I know, I sound like my Grandma) and its getting rather chilly. Weekends are now all about walks in the crisp Autumnal outdoors (or, if you live in Yorkshire like me, on a beautiful but rainy moor). It’s time to layer up your house; sheepskins, cushions, blankets all add depth, warmth and texture. I promise they’ll help make your home feel cosy and welcoming in the cooler months to come.
Throws are also a great way to spruce up a room that has been neglected a little over the summer, or to add a pop of colour to an under-used reading space. This week’s Design Edit brings you a selection of fabulously colourful throws, all from local independent retailers. Take a look and let me know your favourite…
A fellow Yorkshire girl, Adriana designs gorgeous woollen fabrics using 100% British wool. The colours are exquisite and the fabrics wonderfully soft. Adriana Homewares is a brand with honesty and integrity. I particularly love the Tadcaster Range, a collection which marries rich blues with deep oranges, and was inspired by the strength of the local community following the collapse of the Tadcaster bridge in 2015. Here Adriana tells me how she grew her business and how she adopts a hands-on approach to design and manufacturing.
1/ How did you get into textiles and set up your business?
After I left university, where I studied constructed textiles, all I wanted to do was carry on weaving and designing fabrics.Like many other students, I didn’t have a lot of money, but after some advice from The Princes Trust, I was awarded a business loan to buy my first loom. I did small runs of soft furnishings – all hand-dyed and woven – and some commissions for some fantastic hotels in the south of England.But in all honesty, I was struggling to scale my business. I felt I didn’t have all the skills required to create a brand, or the money to pay for people to help in the areas I was lacking.
I then teamed up with my brother-in-law Simon, who was an accountant by trade, had a passion for interiors and design and he also had a lot of the business skills that I was lacking. Adriana Homewares was born! It’s taken passion, determination and a lot of learning on our feet about British manufacturing, but we’ve come so far.
2/ What do you love most about your work?
Definitely the design and manufacturing process. I’ve got such a hands-on approach. I love visiting all the mills and making sure I’m 100% happy with the colour and finish before it moves on. I love seeing the process evolve from a little idea, through each stage of spinning, dyeing, weaving and finishing. When you get the fabric back at the end it’s like: “Wow! I’ve created that and it started as a little idea on a rainy day”. It can take months to get your fabric back as a finished item, so when you see the rolls of fabric waiting to be made into our products it’s evidence of all our hard work.
3/ Where do you find your inspiration?
Inspiration usually starts with a colour that I know I want to include in my collection. I also find that Yorkshire destinations have a large impression on my collections. As our fabrics are all made here, why not name and be inspired by the places on your doorstep? At the beginning of a collection I like to pick a few places in Yorkshire and visit them to see which fit my colour inspiration the best. From there I build my palette for the collection around the chosen colour.
4/ Describe your work/style in 3 words?
Contemporary, bold and conscious.
Contemporary and bold because I have a unique and modern style and we want to give wool a new lease of life, showing people it can be contemporary and stylish.
Conscious, because an incredibly long thought process goes into all of our products, and because, as a brand, we are very aware of our carbon footprint. We want to create products that are made from the finest, one hundred per cent, almost entirely recyclable British Wool.
5/ Where’s your favourite place to work?
In our studio. I’m definitely most productive when I’m in there and it has everything I need. Being surrounded by machines, equipment and fabrics is so inspiring. I love what we’ve achieved so far in two and a half years and spending time in my studio reminds me of that.
6/ Do you ever suffer from a “creative block” and, if so, how do you deal with it?
Like any designer I suffer from creative block and my technique of dealing with it is always to go back to the drawing board. Look back at your ideas, thoughts and inspiration. I usually find when you revisit your initial ideas, you discover something new that you may have just glazed over last time. I also like to bring in fresh research to inspire me – that usually sets me off down a different tangent.
7/ What do you think are going to be the next trends in your field?
I feel like we’ve had a lot of muted, pastel colours and tones recently, which I have loved. I think the next trends are going to be a bit brighter and bolder in terms of colour, which I would enjoy equally!
8/ What are you the most proud of?
Probably meeting HRH The Prince of Wales in September 2016.That summer, we were launching our first collections for Adriana Homewares. We were approached by the Campaign for Wool to showcase some of our products at a wool conference they were holding. I was given the opportunity to introduce myself to HRH The Prince of Wales and show him some of our products. It was such an amazing start for Adriana Homewares and also taught me always to say yes to networking events like this.
9/ What’s next for your studio?
We are focusing more on designing fabrics for commercial use and creating a range that’s perfect for upholstery in settings such as hotels and restaurants.
See more of Adriana’s wonderful designs and products at https://www.adrianahomewares.com and follow her lovely Instagram feed @_adrianahome
1. You don’t need an Interior Designer. All you need is Pinterest.
With Houzz and Pinterest, who needs an Interior Designer? Surely all you need to do is get pinning and, within hours, you can have a clearly curated look ready to create your perfect room?
Well, Houzz and Pinterest certainly provide plenty of inspiration. And it’s absolutely a great way to start the design process. It helps clarify what you like and, importantly, what you dislike.
But too many inspirational images can be a bad thing too. Overwhelming perhaps. And, just because you like a combination of colours and textures on a styled Pinterest shot, doesn’t mean that trying to replicate it will work in your home. I know you all know it, but those images you see are all highly styled, curated lifestyle shots and, unfortunately, don’t always translate quite so easily into real life.
A good designer will take your inspiration and make it your own. Create something for you and your space. Something unique. They’ll also consider your natural lighting, the practicalities of your space and lifestyle and really get to understand how you want a room to feel.
Even creative, interior folks can benefit from the services of an interior designer. Perhaps help on layout, on the specification of windows and architectural features, or maybe to help nudge you out of your comfort zone to achieve a look that really makes you feel wow, and which you’d never have achieved yourself.
2. It’s all about cushions & curtains
Now I like a cushion (or two) as much as the next interior-obsessed person but we do so much more than just plump cushions and specify fabrics. Interior Designers can work alongside architects at a really early stage of a project; ensuring that the layout and flow of a space works internally, considering how you will use the space and how you want it to feel.
Then there’s the electrical specifications, layout and spatial planning, flooring, fabrics, finishes and furniture. So styling and cushions do play a part but there’s so much more to interior design. A good designer will work with you to identify which elements you need help with, and structure a service to suit you.
3. My house isn’t big enough for an interior designer
Forget size, it doesn’t matter 😉 Honestly. As long as you have walls to paint and space for at least one piece of furniture then you have something a designer can work with. In fact, the challenge of making a smaller space work hard both practically and aesthetically can be a very exciting proposition for a designer.
Nor should you ever think that your home isn’t grand enough, traditional enough, or uber-modern enough to warrant a designer. So you live in a fairly standard 3-bed semi? No original features? So what?!! If you want a design-led interior; a space beautifully orchestrated that works for you and your family then hire that interior designer. Interior design is about creating a home, regardless of architectural features. Homes come in all shapes and sizes.
4. Designers just impose their own style
It’s true that all designers will have a certain style, perhaps even a particular look; a way that they tend to use colour, or a particular way of styling their portfolio shots. You’ll be drawn to designers whose work you’ve seen and like. But that doesn’t mean you’ll end up with a style imposed on you. Or you shouldn’t. A good designer will help you find your style, to find a look that works for you. It shouldn’t replicate what they’ve done before, and it certainly shouldn’t be an imposition of their own taste.
5. Designers are expensive
Some are. Some aren’t. You’re paying for a professional service; for expertise and creativity. But in return for that design fee you’re getting someone to lead you through the design process; the vision, the look, the practicalities. You should end up with a space you love, that tells your story.
They key is to make sure you’re paying for the service that you need. If you just want design advice, then approach designers who offer consultation or design-only services. If you need a full turn-key service then ask how the implementation fees are structured. Sometimes designers can pass on their trade savings, so you can actually end up saving money. Interior designers should be upfront and transparent with their fees, but if you’re in any doubt, just ask.
When it comes to project costs, having a beautifully designed space doesn’t need to cost the earth. The high street and online retailers offer so many budget-friendly options. A good interior designer will work to your budget and specify items accordingly. You may well want to splurge on a couple of items but take a more economical approach to others. Be accurate and honest about your budget; don’t feel pressurised to spend more than you can or want to. Good interior design is possible whatever your budget.
I’m on a bit of a mission to bring the outside in. It may have something to do with the long, glorious summer we’ve had, or that I’m a little obsessed with my garden right now (it under went a revamp in the summer). Or maybe just that botanicals increasingly find their way into my styling. Whatever the reason, I can’t get enough of the humble house plant. I’ve previously written about my love affair with faux, but I’m talking about the real-deal now. Faux still has its place but I want some real, air-cleaning, vibrant greenery inside too. But enough of that for now, there’s a blog post or two on it’s way about that. For this week’s Design Edit, I bring you indoor planters! So many out there at the moment, and such an easy way to style up a space. Go crazy-botanical if you like and layer them up, or keep it simple and add a little pop of greenery on your shelf. Let me know what you think, and whether your filling them with faux or the real-deal…
