Morning from a very snowy London. Am kind of glad I don’t commute a simple 2-second walk from the bedroom into the studio and wham bam I’m at my desk. So I spent the last few days in Paris, which I hate to say was very disappointing. Not the city itself which is extraordinary but the show I went too. To safe, to boring, every supplier doing the same thing – if I see anymore rustic, country or beachy looking interiors I think I might slit my wrists.
What’s going on?
I mean I know the economy is tough and suppliers desperately want to showcase what sells but dear God just because its the spring summer collection it doesn’t have to be beachy or rustic right? Where were the leaders of the pack pushing boundaries (there were a few, amazing ones) but only a few? We found things but boy was it tough a bit like looking for a needle in a haystack. On the plus side we found beautiful modern wall lights with the internal part of the shade in gold which cast the most magical light (some of those are coming home), a phenomenal leather sofa, some super cool vases, throws and objects but tough going.
It’s a lesson, as I was saying to Gem (my sister who came with me) I have to get off my ass and design more then I don’t have to worry about not finding stuff simple as that. So baring all that in mind its no wonder that most people’s pads are so conventional because retailers have very little choice when it comes to diversity. Not that that is a good enough excuse for retailers by the way. For us it means I have to go on more buying trips, Morocco, Turkey, France and dig out and find small artisans, but its an expense that many stores don’t want to have in tough trading times. Regrettably if I wouldn’t have it in my home I can’t buy it no matter if it means that the next few months are now crazier than ever pencilling in more trips, no matter if I think some rustic looking pot for 2 euro will sell like hot cakes and buy me a chateau in the Dordogne. Just can’t do it!
Shall I get to the point? I could just sit here all day and yabber to you guys but then I would be putting off the problem and not dealing with it face on and booking more trips. So my point – don’t let the homogenisation of the high street put you off creating a super cool interior. If it means on your part it might take a little more work, a little more digging around to seek out the unusual, so be it, it will pay off. So what if the look is beachy rustic, throw in some Hollywood glamour, some tribal lux, a bit of boho and then magic will happen. The Internet is one big source book; vintage markets and stores another source book. Mass markety things are fine, hell I’ve got lots of Ikea lacquer consoles and shelves all around this place its the odd little bit of stuff that goes on them that takes them to the next level.
A good example of how the odd worn chair or slightly thread bare rug, vintage pieces basically elevate a space.
Enough from me, sure you are bored to death by now. Onwards and upwards as they say!
I couldn’t agree more. Went to Home/ Top Drawer last weekend and was unbelievably disappointed. What is the point in putting so much effort in your products if the end result is that they look like everyone elses? Suppliers seemed content with showcasing the same safe products they’ve had for years. It’s a tough market I agree, but it’s even more difficult if you can’t stand out from the crowd. Let me know if you need a traveling buddy for picking out awesome products
otherwise Abi, I would suggest you go on holiday and instead of looking for products, design your own!
Went there as well and couldn’t agree more, oh and designing more products certainly on the agenda.
Hi Abi, another great post, but sorry to hear your trip was disappointing. This is the reason I started Nordic Black because I couldn’t find so much as a decent black candle on the High St let alone black home accessories. All I do is design products, hold Style School’s decoding dark Nordic interiors (The Killing, Borgen, Broen) and maximise the PR generated by home (can’t believe I’m being interviewed by the Wall St journal later today), but I can’t help panicking about who will have the nerve to buy black stuff when as you say everything else is ‘beachy’. I loved your retail masterclass, but as I’m not London based I’m thinking mail order catalogue with beautiful photography is more the way to go than a full on bricks and mortar store. Don’t think I’ll ever forget your line “Where are the queues?” when you opened your first store in Islington which by your own admission was a bit ‘Scandi’. Hopefully us Nordics have evolved a bit since then.
I enjoy reading about your daily life,it’s nice to read about a person and get to know you other than just talking interior,you did make me laugh about the milk frother and buying new boots,that’s the sort of thing I’d do and blame my husband for me buying them.”if you hadn’t broke I wouldn’t have had to go to town”
Exactly!
Hi Abigail!
I really loved hearing you discuss the issue of availability of good items when i attended your retail masterclass. I really hope you’ll give a masterclass on product design some day – i would jump at the chance to attend that!
-Selina
Thanks Selina
Hi Abigail, shame about Maison, I didn’t go in the end as couldn’t take time out so this makes me feel I didn’t miss out too much!!
I just rang the store but got through to answer phone, sorry to ask you via your blog but you mentioned about the 15% discount for the retail master class if we book 2 places, do I need a promotional code to do this via the website??
Regards
David
Oh, and I totally agree with your comments about the rustic look, also I’m bored with the industrial look as well as it’s now been done to death. x
Not bored and so true! The beachy interiors start in the magazines in May with a few rustic mountain cabins thrown in for good measure and go right through August! Makes me want to cancel my subscriptions! All sand colored interiors with some blue thrown in for good measure. Now THAT is boring.
Agreed x
Ignore my first message, shop called me back and all booked in for the 15th Feb, see you then!
Yay see you then, look forward to it
Hi Abigail I would just like to say that I love to receive your posts and look forward everyday to reading it. I go on your web site and dream about being able to afford just one of the items you have for sale, your book ‘A Girl’s Guide to Decorating’ or better still to attend one of your courses. Unfortunately, however I cannot currently afford any of them but do get my ‘fix’ from your blog and I still use your ideas in a much cheaper way. For all of that I want to thank you, but if you don’t mind I just find it necessary to mention that on the many of these posts I have noticed that you frequently use to wrong version of ‘to(as in go to) & too’(as in too much). I hope you don’t mind me mentioning this I do not mean to cause you any offence, maybe until I can find a job I could take up proof reading! LOL Amanda O’Halloran Keep on Blogging!
Don’t mind you mentioning at all. Hope you don’t mind me saying its unlikely to change regrettably, the blog gets done the minute I wake, as I can’t afford to let it encroach in my day so often times its at the earliest hour, shot straight from the hip, with spelling mistakes and grammar mistakes peppered throughout.
I’m a total grammar nazi (and an Editor so proofreader is in there) but I actually kinda like your stream of consciousness style. It makes you human. And your content is so good, it doesn’t matter.
Thank you, that makes me feel much better
Love that image particularly the rug, can almost smell the leather of the chair..
p.s came across this and thought of you and the M’s….
http://www.etsy.com/listing/117401113/welsh-terrier-and-miniature-schnauzer?ref=sr_gallery_20&ga_search_query=welsh+terrier+&ga_order=most_relevant&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_ship_to=GB&ga_search_type=all&ga_facet=welsh+terrier
Very sweet indeed thank you for thinking of me x
I live in Lafayette, Louisiana, and believe me, there is very little choice here. Everyone does “French country”, whatever that is. Kind of shocking that you had the similar “white, rusticy, beachy experience” in Paris. In Lafayette it’s understandable, but Paris?!?!! Yes, please design more, Abigail, and I will pray it trickles down to Louisiana in about two decades. Thank god for the Internet.
Lucky you living in Louisiana – and couldn’t agree more thank goodness for the internet hey
Schöner Job !
So sad that the boundaries are not being pushed at M&O, was quite upset that I was too busy to go but now feeling like I didn’t miss too much! Look forward to your masterclass Saturday- its our team Christmas treat! X
See you Saturday and you really didn’t miss much at M&O this time x
Yes please please design some of your own product!!! It’s the simplist chicest things that are SO hard to find!! Would you conside doing a post on good online interior traders? Most of what i love is from overseas and either they don’t ship internationally or shipping cost the same price as the item!
Also can’t wait to see all the cool things you’ve been sourcing recently in your store (SOON)
Hi Cristiana know what you mean about transport costs racking up the price, from experience though I’ve found unless you go further afield and somehow stomach the cost you just get to look like every other some gift store around the country so as much as it annoys me too its kind of inevitable for us regrettably
Hi Abigail,
I know what you mean, about same old stuff from everywhere. What about house of hackney, they are amazing!
Regards
Angela
They are indeed amazing, not quite right for the store but totally love what they do x
So true! You’re way ahead of me in this game, Abigail, but as I started sourcing for my (future) shop, I realized that I was having a really hard time finding things I like. What I came down to was, hell, I’ve got to start finding artisans who can make the things I’m looking for! Why go to a wholesaler, who goes to some third world country, with markup upon markup, when I could likely make a great product locally, and give work to the local community to boot! This is the direction I’m taking–wish me luck!
Very best wishes on your venture and a very good plan x
Not at all bored! Please continue! Iris
Here here! Another distressed terracotta pot with some gingham thrown on for country charm could just tip me over the edge where I live.
Oh god, I just read this article this morning: http://www.alisonathome.com/get-inspired/design-trends-for-home-decor-in-2013/
I had to have a little rant on Facebook this morning about why UK doesn’t push the trends in home interiors as they do in fashion when they are offering people ‘florals, stainless steel and striped fabrics’ as their TRENDS? Dear god, shoot me now.
Sorry to hear it was no better in Paris. You’ve got a one-woman fight on your hands but obviously, there’s lots of your followers who will back ya up
x
Like you am not so sure why we’re not pushing trends more, the economy I guess, not that thats a good excuse
People think what’s in ‘fashion’ is what’s on the High Street and if the retailers were more ballsy, they would showcase beautiful affordable design that wasn’t just bland neutrals. But if they are only showing bland neutrals, people will buy bland neutrals because that’s what’s on offer. The US do it, why can’t we? Oooh it frustrates me no end! lol x
Do know what you mean, things might be changing on the highstreet though – will keep you posted!
Hi Abigail, sorry to hear the show in Paris was disappointing, Your post was definitely inspiring and certainly not boring,Keep on striving for the best! Regards from Paris. Liz (ps. hope you found good coffee this time!)
Thank you – found great coffee this time x
Abigail, I am really surprised to hear about the show…I would have thought that there would be some exciting and innovative ideas being showcased there….how disappointing for you!
I can totally relate to the retailers selling cookie cutter design…it is incredibly frustrating to try and decorate in Dubai with any kind of individuality, because the retailers sell one predominant look and that is all…everything is new and shiny and nothing has the patina of age because vintage here is almost non-existent…the only items with any kind of history are items from India and often clients do not want that look so we are very restricted by what is in the stores, or by what one can have made up by carpenters and upholsterers!!
The stores who are doing something “different”are prohibitively expensive, excluding almost everyone except the super wealthy from being able to purchase their products….if only we could blame the economy here!! I suspect it may be just apathy and a lack of understanding on the part of the buyers here….very annoying to say the least!
Great post!!
Jules
Sounds very frustrating indeed x