




Which five words best describe you? Creative, passionate, stylish - I hope! A bit of a worrier and I’d like to say domestic goddess, but it’s debatable!
What was your first job and what path have you taken since then? My first job was working as a Saturday girl with a local interior designer, that’s really where my love of styling began (although I didn’t realise styling existed back then). After graduating from a photography degree I did some work experience at BBC Good Homes Magazine, that’s when I discovered my dream job as an interiors stylist. I began assisting an amazing stylist Lucyina Moodie I worked with Lucyina for a year as well as assisting on shoots for Living Etc, Homes & Gardens, House Beautiful, and Ideal Home. I started working at Ideal Home in 2003 and have worked my way up to Deputy Style Editor, but after almost 6 years I’ve decided it’s time to go it alone and head to Australia and work as a freelance stylist.
What's your proudest achievement? I’m a little bit square so achieving a first class hons degree in photography was pretty cool - but that’s ages ago now! - since then my first cover for Ideal Home back in 2006 was quite a proud moment. I was shooting in Cape Town when it was published so walking into a store and seeing it on sale there was quite huge for me! More recently turning the wreck of a house I bought with my partner Simon into a stylish - if not a little cluttered! - home was quite some achievement. It was a very low budget affair and we did most of the work ourselves whilst holding down full time jobs. I’m a little sad to be leaving it now.
What's been your best decision? Hopefully deciding to leave my job in London and to travel to the other side of the world to work in Sydney - fingers crossed .
Who inspires you? So many people inspire me - far too many to mention. My number one inspiration has to be my mum. She’s so creative - it’s definitely where I get it my creativity from - and has always encouraged me to follow whatever path I decide. She’s eternally self less, always puts everyone else first and gave my brother and I the most fantastic childhood. Work wise it’s my mentor, the fabulous stylist Lucyina Moodie, she taught me all I know. Not only is she an amazing stylist, she’s so organized and is such a "people person", she taught me how to run a shoot like clockwork. I miss my days assisting her. Simon is also a big inspiration; he’s a graphic designer/illustrator/fellow lover of old tat and is so wonderfully talented.
What are you passionate about? I’m passionate about my work; I’m one of those really annoying people who loves what I do. I get ridiculously excited about a new wallpaper or a bargain vase. I’m, also passionate about family and friends, nothing in the world is more important.
What's the best lesson you've learnt? Never paint a ceiling pink: I was only 10 at the time but a valuable lesson learnt!
Which person, living or dead, would you most like to meet? I’d love to meet the photographer Mario Testino, I really admire his work and back in my photography days I wanted to be him!
What dream do you still want to fulfil? So many! To work for some of the gorgeous magazines that have long been of inspiration to me. To “do” a book, something lovely and inspirational that one day I can show my grandchildren and be proud, which leads me to my long-term dream of being a mum and having a family. I’d then like work part time as a stylist/design consultant while running a cute tearooms/boutique, serving home made cakes on pretty mismatched china, where all of the décor is for sale. With 2 children; a cat; a sausage dog and my mum running around in the background; oh and to live happily ever after - what can I say I’m a bit of a dreamer!
What are you reading? It’s so crazy right now what with planning the big shooting for Ideal Home’s Christmas and January issues before I leave, that I haven’t had time to read a book for ages. I love design books though, my current favorites being A Girls Guide To Decorating by Abigail Ahern and Meet Me at Mikes by Pip Lincolne.
images courtesy of marie nichols
11 comments:
OMG I adore that yellow wallpaper. Great inspirations here.
Ah! I couldn't decide to go for the punchy yellow as the first pic or the white. I was having a subdued Monday morning, but, yes, I agree. The yellow is beautiful.
Beautiful shots, loving the white room, simply gorgeous.
beautiful interior designs. we love the architectonic.
those who throw chick peas should not live in falafel houses.
http://www.thepantaloon.com/home
Let me start by saying I'm a massive fan of your Blog after discovering it a few weeks ago, it's got a great mix, and covers a wide spectrum of crafts and mediums, but the one commonality is that everything is so so beautiful, These interviews are great, it's so nice to get a little insight to these talented people and actually see the personalities and drive behind all this fantastic work.
I'm also really adoring the yellow wallpaper, does anyone know where it's from or which online company stock it?
I'm feeling really inspired, fantastic and beautiful work, keep it up.
J. x
Oh I will be on the look out for Marie Nichols now!! lovely picks yes I agree with Simone from Beach vintage great wall paper, the cushions in the first pick are glam too :)
ooo, i love the beautiful white opener, very calm and serene. beautiful inspirations.
So inspiring to hear that there really are 'dream jobs' out there! I've been working as an interior designer but it can be so boring so it's great to hear that there is a dream job out there. Thanks!
okay, this girl is right up my alley! i really love the back of the car shot, that's a beauty. also checked out lucyina's site which is fab eye candy too. marie seems like a great girl, keep on dreamin', i say. and welcome to australia!
Simple, unpretentious, yet stylish.
What in inspirational interview!
Just found your blog and are enjoying reading into your blog post library.
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