What inspires your design work?

My first job when I left school was in the art department at The Evening Post, the first of many apprentice-type jobs in the graphic design world. I worked for a photography studio, then for a freelance graphic designer as his assistant. It wasn’t too long, after picking up some valuable skills, that I went freelance myself.

I had some amazing graphic design projects and did a lot of corporate identity work. Business cards and letterheads soon led to some ideas and designs for corporate interiors.

I like the challenge of refreshing interiors on a budget. I focus on environmentally responsible ideas wherever possible. It’s a balance, though. You have to honour the space, and if something is right it’s right, regardless of its environmental status.

I’m not in love with fads; I’d rather think of something more obscure and original, or take an idea and adapt it. I never theme-park an interior. I like a space that is thoroughly artistic but real, honest and liveable.

I think designing is in my blood. I was adopted, but my birth mother was an art teacher, artist and potter. My birth uncle was a well-known potter - Peter Oxborough. His son John is a well-known painter. My adopted family were always interested in architecture and had a love of modern interior design so there is a lovely mix of influences there.

You are a designer, artist and design-store owner – how do you juggle so many activities?

Behind every successful person is an organised person. My husband, Brian, is a photographer. We are lucky to have him on site to take pictures for our daily blog. Hannah Feltham, who now works for us, is one of those amazingly organised creatives. She has Brian and me well organised, which a lot of creative people need. In the past we had a hard job combining our art, running a homeware business and raising two teenage girls. Both girls have left home now and Hannah has saved us, so we’re more productive in the way we want to be.

I started painting 12 years ago and my work was shown at Black Barn Gallery. I had successful shows there and soon became well-known for my totem-style oars and the popular design elements.

I applied my designs on cushions for a company called Esther Diamond, but after realising that it was a business model which would never work well for me, I decided to do my own applied art.

Following that, I took on the steep learning curve of entering the textile industry. I love a challenge and figure there’s nothing like learning something new; so, after five years of perseverance, I’m pretty happy with things.

Who are your favourite New Zealand designers and why?

This is a hard question for me as I think there are too many to name. New Zealand’s art and design has definitely come of age. I love some of the ceramic work of Ann Verdcourt, Gavin Hurley’s art work, and furniture by Nathan Goldsworthy. I like the crisp, clean design aspect of these works. They are refreshingly restrained, something I like but don’t always achieve in my own life.