mydeco boutique Friday favourite: Introducing the lovely Lisa Stickley

mydeco are thrilled to announce a quirky new addition to our boutique family: Lisa Stickley, the brilliant British designer-du-jour who is threatening to oust Cath Kidston as the nation’s favourite purveyor of nostalgic, witty homeware.

Image credit: Lisa Stickley

Being part of our gang – and in honour of her arrival – I had a chat with the lovely Lisa (apparently a favourite adjective of hers!) and quizzed her on her vintage prints, why her designs are best served with jammy dodgers, and her unhealthy passion for chairs…

What inspired you to start your line?

I have always been extremely driven and never really saw myself working for anyone else; I just kept my head down and worked extremely hard.  My final project at college was based around the English tearoom, and my brand just evolved from that really. I feel very privileged that I am doing something I love every day.

Your designs are wonderfully British, irreverently witty and a little playful…why do you think people are responding to your brand so well?

I think with the current economic climate people are searching for a slice of nostalgia. It’s always comforting to go back to basics and indulge in a little home comfort – but also to have something chic and elegant that also makes you smile, cheering you up as you have a cup of tea (and a jammy dodger!). It’s lovely to see people embracing the traditional values of Britishness.

Image credit: Lisa Stickley

We love your ‘party’ cushion from the England Collection – can you tell us who does its childlike writing?

I do! I have a secret way of writing to make it look naive and innocent and hark back to the untainted and cheekily refreshing view of a child.

You also use a lot of vintage prints… where does your love of vintage stem from?

I’ve always been infatuated with vintage fabrics – the print, the colour and the texture; I’ve been collecting pieces from all over the world since I was a teenager. I love the history behind them and the journey they have taken – I get extremely excited to find a pile of wonderful fabrics that I can spend time rummaging through!

Some of your collections are very colourful – what colour do you think will be hot for summer?

I am seeing green all over the place, but I think zesty mustard will be a big hit.

What’s next in your designing pipeline?

We’ve actually been extremely busy working on a whole new collection of slightly more ‘grown up’ ceramics, with elegant shapes and quirky text – and it’s been very well received. I also have a new stationary range launching in the autumn, with notebooks, dotty pencils and wondrous boxes of note cards!

What message do you want your collections to send?

Glorious utilitarian chic, with a quirky, simple British twist!

Image credit: Lisa Stickley

Do your designs reflect your personality? Do you live your brand?

Yes!!! I very much am the brand and I design from the heart. Idiosyncratic is the perfect word to describe the Lisa Stickley brand.

What are your favourite things – from your collections and in general?

The ‘considerably large bowl’ from the ceramic collection is delicious to eat Thai curry out of, and I’m thrilled to bits with the bespoke curtains that I have hung in my newly decorated lounge. From the world in general, I have a pretty unhealthy passion for chairs – I promise I won’t buy anymore this week!! I’ve recently had my parents 1960s armchairs re-upholstered in Lisa Stickley fabric.

Any tips for budding designers?

If you are not prepared to put your absolute all into it, then it’s probably not for you.

Image credit: Lisa Stickley

What do you do to relax?

I love to bake scones! (and the editorial team loves to eat them, Lisa…)

What do you like about the mydeco boutique?

I think it’s a fantastic concept and it’s great to see a huge spectrum of talented and established designers all under ‘one roof’ or whatever the cyber equivalent is! The boutique does very well at staying ahead of the game, and offering a really unique destination for those who want something a little original or inspiring. It’s great to be a part of one of the new hot spots on the web!