Wonderfully illustrated city scenes with a playfulness that can be appreciated by little ones, as well as the not-so-little-ones.
mydeco.com in conversation with Julie and Simon, from Famille Summerbelle.
Where do you find your inspiration?
Julie: Before Famille Summerbelle really got going I became very addicted to blogging and the design blog community. It is a fantastic way to find and share great original design. The blog is a great way for me to curate my design interests and to celebrate great talent. Pinterest has become a more recent addiction!
Of course, I also read many magazines, and enjoy traveling when I can. I am most recently back from Japan where we had an exhibition of our work in Tokyo. It was such an inspiring place to be! I like to visit other cities to see how families live and to check out styles and inspiration.
I think I'm more a city girl than a country girl…I love spending time perusing the beautiful boutiques in Paris and the wonderfully creative parts of London.
What is your most prized possession?
Julie: From a creative point of view, I'd have to say my computer and Wacom board, scalpel and cutting board, ink pens and pencils plus plenty of paper. That's more than one possession, but these are the essentials that could keep me happy for a long time!
How would you sum up your personal style in one word?
Julie: Quirky chic (two words I know!)
Can you explain a little more about how you make your products?
Simon: Almost all of our designs are created originally as hand paper cuts by Julie and then developed into a range of product ideas; from wallpaper and wall prints to kitchen products like tea towels, mugs and trays.
We are passionate about interior design, and the impact of having a family (and family space) on home styling. All of our products are to be enjoyed by adults and children alike. Our designs work as well in a living room as in a child's bedroom or play room.
Famille Summerbelle is a family business and we're very conscious about our impact on the environment. Consequently, we're careful about the materials that we use and where our products are made. We try to use local suppliers as often as possible and we use natural or sustainable materials. No plastics or non-recyclables!
What would you say is your hero product?
Simon: I would have to say our World Map. All of our maps are very popular, but the World Map is probably the most popular. I think everybody has a fascination with maps, but the quirky style of our map makes it fun, interactive and hopefully adds some style and colour to a room.
