Homegirl London pays homage to Lorna Syson. Maker of beautiful illustrative and quirky printed cushions, lampshades, wallpapers and fabrics plus amazing bespoke three-dimensional cushions, wallflowers and installations.
Since receiving help from the Princes Trust back in 2009, Lorna’s been busy creating her collections which are inspired by the British outdoors – both the countryside where she lived as a child and the city where she resides as an adult. Her work reflects the nature which surrounds our everyday lives; birds, flowers, hedgerows and the coast. I caught up with Lorna to find out more …
Q: Tell me about your design background.
A: I set up Lorna Syson after graduating from Loughborough University with a first degree in Multi-Media Textiles. During my time at University I took a year out to work in industry where I had the opportunity to learn so much. My most exciting placement was with Diane Von Furstenberg, a fashion label in New York working in the print department but after a year my work extended to retail shops; Asda, Next, Top Shop, River Island and Diane Von Furstenberg.
Q: Why set up your business?
A: I didn’t set out to become a business owner. I left University wanting a job but didn’t seem to have enough experience to secure one. So I decided to carry on showing and selling my University project to gain the extra experience needed. It actually ended up being more successful than I imagined so I applied for a loan via the Prince’s Trust and have never looked back. In 2010 I won the Shell Live Wire Grand Ideas Award.
Hedgerow Cushions
Q: Where are you based and why?
A: I have a studio at Cockpit Arts Deptford. I love it here; there are so many inspirational and exciting businesses and a great network of support. I’m lucky that I live close by and can walk to work; those 30 minutes at the beginning and end of each day gives me fantastic thinking time. Even around South East London you can get inspired by flowers and nature, like wild flocks of parakeets.
Cushions and Lampshades
Q: How many people work at your company?
A: I’m getting to the stage where I am starting to expand. Tiz comes in a couple of times a week to help me and the printing is now out sourced. The wallflowers and bespoke installations are still made in the studio and always will be. I check every piece before it leaves the studio to make sure it’s perfect!
Wallflower
Q: Describe your design style.
A: My Spanish friend says my style and use of colour is very English, I would say it also has a Scandinavian feel to the prints, which are also illustrative and quirky.
Q: Where do you draw your creative inspiration from?
A: I’m inspired by the natural world around me, be it in the countryside or urban parks and gardens. The wallflowers were inspired by a trip to the Eden project in Cornwall late summer 2008 where I saw a whole garden full of Dahlia’s. The Songbird collection is inspired by birds visiting my childhood garden and the memories these brought back when I saw them again in London. The most recent coast and countryside collection is inspired from a trip visiting relatives in Cornwall.
Wallpapers
Q: Tell me about your collections.
A: Wallflower Collection: Consists of three different oversized flower shapes as well the three-dimensional hearts.
Wallflower Collection
Song Bird Collection: Four British song birds are printed on lampshades, cushions, wallpapers and fabrics.
Song Bird Collection
Coast and Countryside Collection: Cushions, lampshades wallpaper and fabrics inspired by shapes and colours found in the British Coastline and Countryside.
Coast and Countryside Collection
Hedgerow Collection: Combination of cushions and lampshades based on the three-dimensional spaces found in British hedgerows. The cushions are eco-friendly and made from a combination of wool and stinging nettles.
Hedgerow Collection
Q: What’s your fascination with nature?
A: I grew up on the edge of a city in the Warwickshire countryside and was surrounded by fields so was lucky enough to be able to walk the neighbour’s dog and go for bike rides with my dad. He used to take me down to the river Avon to catch sticklebacks and frogs. Even though I now live in London, I’m surprised how much time I get to spend in parks and gardens. We’ve now got blue tits, bees and butterflies as well as the odd pigeon visiting our roof garden as well as an array of flowers and vegetables. I’ve always been inspired by nature and I can’t see this ever changing.
Q: Tell me about your bespoke service.
A: There is a huge range of colours to choose from for the wallflowers and manipulated leaf lampshades. These are really fun to make and always made in the studio. When people want a blue colour I can post samples of around 5 different shades to make sure it will fit perfectly with their interior scheme. If someone wants something extra unique such as the installations, be it a commercial client or a member of the public, they get drawings, sketches, a site visit and a colour matching meeting to make sure they are completely happy. I love the challenge and satisfaction created when making bespoke pieces.
Q: Which designer do you admire and why?
A: I love Lucienne Day, her work is really inspiring, I feel she pioneered the use of abstract patterns in fabrics and helped pave the way for women in the design industry.
Q: What’s the best thing about owning your own business?
A: I have a huge sense of pride and satisfaction when I talk about my work. I think it’s because it takes so much time and effort to stand out in such a crowded market place. I love getting up in the morning and enjoy coming to work. That is something I definitely do not take for granted!
Q: What one piece of advice would you pass on to someone wanting to set up their own business?
A: Spend as much time working on the things you don’t enjoy as the things you do.
Q: What’s coming up for the rest of 2013?
A: I will also be at 100% Design again this year (18-21st September at Earls Court), showing the large installation pieces and the new wallpapers.
In terms of prices; Wall Flowers and hearts start at £79, cushions start at £42, lampshades start at £42, wallpapers are £140 per roll and fabrics are £79.99 per linear meter. The bespoke items are quoted after consultation or worked to budget. You can buy Lorna’s products from Lorna Syson.
Credits: text by Homegirl London, images courtesy of Lorna Syson, special thanks to Lorna.
