Q&A: Caroline Taylor

Caroline Taylor

I love finding out more about the creative people I meet, so I thought I’d start a regular Q&A slot. This month, I’m speaking to Caroline Taylor, editor of 91 magazine (which I blogged about last year) and winner of the Women in Publishing ‘New Venture’ award.

Hi Caroline, thanks for joining us. Can you tell us a bit about who you are you and what you do?

The SS13 issue is out now

I am the founder and owner of Patchwork Harmony, a creative hub for all things interiors, vintage and crafts. This includes the blog I have written since 2008 and the online magazine I launched in 2011; 91 Magazine. I am the editor and art director on the magazine, which focuses on featuring unique homes which have been created on a budget using thrifty finds and handmade items. We also run articles on independent sellers and craftspeople as well as sharing ideas to create a stylish home on a budget yourself. As well as these projects, I also offer editorial services; from writing, picture research, design and consultancy.

Where do you live, and what’s your home like?

I live in Kingston Upon Thames with my fiancé Simon and our cat Claude. Our house is a ground floor Edwardian maisonette, with two bedrooms (one of which is my office), two reception rooms and a small garden. We’ve done a little bit of decorating since we bought it, although we are saving to do some renovations after our wedding this year. It has wooden floors throughout and mainly a pale colour scheme with lots of vintage and thrifty finds scattered around!

If you could buy three things for your home today, what would they be?

A Smeg fridge…

via Citrus & Orange

…a reindeer hide rug…

Natural hide rug £175, Cox & Cox

…and a vintage leather chair…

Vintage leather club chair £750, Rose & Grey

What interiors / design shop could you not live without?

Well I generally shop at markets and vintage fairs, but I also love TK Maxx! You can pick up some great finds for the home there – from Le Crueset kettles, to great storage solutions, like the vintage style wire basket I picked up last week.

What is your top decorating tip?

Don’t try to ‘match’ your interior too much. The most interesting homes are those that are eclectic and full of objects that the owner clearly loves. But to avoid it looking like a jumble sale, select an item or colour in a room and build the rest of your items around it. Colours should complement each other, but don’t be afraid to experiment and change things around often to keep it fresh.

Keep in touch with Caroline…

Twitter: @91magazine / @patchworkhrmy

Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/patchworkhrmy/

Facebook: www.facebook.com/patchworkharmony

Website: www.91magazine.co.uk / www.patchworkharmony.co.uk

Meet the maker: Suzanne King

Today, I’m handing over to my very talented friend Suzanne, the creator of such beautiful porcelain and clay products as this…

Porcelain stripy handleless jugs £36, Suzanne’s Pottery

Aren’t they gorgeous? Read on to find out what inspires Suzanne and what’s on her home interiors shopping list…

Hi Suzanne, welcome to Glass Jars & Photographs. Can you tell us a bit more about yourself?

Hi, my name is Suzanne King and I make pottery at my husbands farm in Stratton on the Fosse which is close to Bath. I hand throw pots on the wheel in red clay and white porcelain. I have been doing this since I was 20 years old, and learned in America. My work is designed to use. I have visions of lots of family and friends making memories with my pottery, living with them.

What does your work life look like?

I am self employed and I only work one day a week on my pottery and lots of evenings and weekends. I have been running my business off and on for 15 years and love the freedom of making things I love. I do kids parties and teach sometimes too. The rest of the time I work with the homeless as an outreach worker in Mendip, based in Wells.

White large porcelain matte bottle £30, Suzanne’s Pottery

Where do you get your inspiration?

I love making things that people like using or putting in their home. I am also a fine artist and paint and make sculpture, but for pots it’s a very intuitive thing. Pots are made very physically and I love this – I used to be a dancer so I think a lot of my inspiration comes from letting the clay tell it’s own story.

Retro terracotta mug with cream and brown stripes £12.50, Suzanne’s Pottery

What does your own home look like?

My home is quite functional. I don’t think my creativity is best displayed there! I realise that most of my creativity goes into making things and I find it harder to make my home one of these places. It’s funny, but it makes me nervous! My home is more of a collective of many different styles. I like it, but it’s definitly not my best work!

What would your ultimate home buy be?

A big slab coffee table in raw wood, or a huge kitchen with a massive table in the centre.

For more information, visit Suzanne’s website, or have a look at her online shop on Etsy.