Too pretty for the pantry: Interview with home decor designer Caroline Swift

Earlier in the year our guest writer Chauncey Zalkin, founder and creator of ‘women in design’ website What Women Make, savored the delights of the Milan Furniture Fair. She reported on the triangle trend and her favorite design discoveries – from portable hot tubs to tornadoes in a vase. Next, she shared pictures of the hidden places in Barcelona that inspire her and showed you how to recreate the Barcelona ‘Gothica’ look stateside. Her last post offered readers a vision of a design fantasy Fourth of July picnic.

And today she gives mydeco a sneak peak into the world of ultra-feminine tableware designer Caroline Swift:

Image clipped from www.carolineswift.com

What has been your biggest inspiration to create your dainty, beautiful pieces?

Old treasures. I love old trinkets and objects that have been handed down from generation to generation. I am inspired by crumbling decorative decadence.

You used to be the head of knitwear at a prominent design label. How does one go from knitwear to houseware?

I think that it is good practice to become specialised in one field. You can always take that knowledge and discipline and apply it to other areas. It takes time to understand what you want and time to learn and establish new skills.

The design transition is very easy. The technical transition is more challenging but very worthwhile.

What ultimately made you want to quit your day job and create full time?

The need to be creative on my terms and the need to do more than one thing with my creativity. I now have my own evolving handwriting that I use in my work as a stylistic choice, for example, and I have a philosophy that I feel confidant I can apply to different genres of work.

What’s the best part of the work you do? The most fulfilling?

I love working with my hands and I love seeing ideas in my head converted to reality. I love form and detail and I hope to apply that to everything I do with special attention to detail. I would also like to bring artisan touches to more industrial products as well.

Image clipped from www.carolineswift.com

Tell us about growing up in Scotland. Did it influence the shapes or materials that you use?

I have not lived in Scotland for twenty years. It is such a beautiful country but has been usurped by my attraction and total satisfaction of living in a Mediterranean climate. I am, however, still drawn to northern European and Scandinavian design. I do love the English purity of bone china and its distinct snow-whiteness.

What historical icons are particularly befitting a Caroline Swift creation?

Forgotten heirlooms.

Image clipped from www.carolineswift.com

Describe a day in your life in your studio. Is there a routine?

No routine. At the moment I am working furiously on a Christmas collection to photograph next week. I am concentrating on working in phases – intense periods of making followed by intense periods of selling and follow up. Multi-tasking is the order of the day.

I am juggling work for Christmas, work for two forthcoming exhibitions and a new cashmere collection*. The first exhibition is at Merci-Merci (the new hot concept store in Paris, usurping Colette’s primacy) and will be part of their exhibit during Paris Fashion Week and the second will be in November at a beautiful new design gallery called Il-lacions in Barcelona. I am excited about both events.

In addition to these two, I am planning my next cashmere collection for Autumn-Winter 2011-2012. (*Yes, she also does cashmere!)

Which women in design and the arts do you admire?

For fashion, I love Margaret Howell. She works with European makers and manufacturers and is true to herself. Rei Kawakubo is a genius. I also love handbag designer Ally Capellino.

For the arts, my absolute and ultimate inspiration is Louise Bourgeois. I adore her work. Beautiful.

Image clipped from www.allycapellino.co.uk

How would you describe your ideal client?

I have amazing customers who are very inspirational and uplifting. I even get thank you letters and presents from them!

My ideal client would be someone who can appreciate the work and dedication applied to the piece that they order.

You’ve expressed to me a love of certain retailers and their approach. What are your favorite stores?

L’Eclaireur, Paris & De Vera, New York. ( I am yet to go to De Vera but it is top of my wish list!)

We both live in Barcelona and have a lot to be grateful for here, as well as feeling some frustration with the city from time to time. What is your very favorite city?

Tokyo.

Ah Tokyo. One of mine too. Thanks Caroline for your time. You’re definitely my favorite Barcelona-based designer! (And that’s not just because we’re friends.)

For all of you stateside that long for the Med way of life,  look out for more designer interviews, hot picks and sunny delights from American-turned-Barcelonian Chauncey Zalkin next month.

If you just can’t wait, find out more at What Women Make.

Image clipped from www.carolineswift.com