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

I love Pinterest

I know, I know, everyone’s been on it for ages. But I’m what the marketing people call a “late adopter” and so it’s taken me until recently to get into Pinterest.

Now that I have, of course, as everyone predicted, I’m completely hooked. It’s essentially hoarding but without having to buy a bigger house. Perfect!

There are a million reasons why I love Pinterest, not least because it has helped me discover some very talented, creative people. Here’s a selection of those I’d definitely recommend checking out…

First, if you haven’t yet come across Design Seeds, you MUST follow for the most incredible colour palette inspiration. While you’re at it, have a look at founder Jessica Colaluca’s page:

Design Seeds on Pinterest

Blogger Home Girl London is a prolific pinner, with 91 boards and 4,368 pins at last count. She’s got great taste, and shares plenty of room design inspiration as well as current product images:

Home Girl London on Pinterest

Caroline Taylor of Patchwork Harmony and 91 magazine is another one to watch, especially if you like vintage style design, interiors and photography. The blog is awesome too, and you should definitely check out the mag (not least ’cause I write for it!):

Caroline Taylor on Pinterest

Decor8‘s Holly Becker is on Pinterest (obviously) and it’s safe to say that with over 127,000 followers she’s a pretty popular lady:

Decor8’s Holly Becker on Pinterest

A lot of shops only pin their own products but Anthropologie pins like someone who loves great style and design, and is definitely worth a follow:

Anthropologie on Pinterest

And of course, you know, follow me! I like to think I’ve got good taste. I’m particularly proud of my Happy Colours and Urban Beauty boards, but this is my favourite recent pin:

My pictures on Pinterest

Any suggestions for other boards I should start, or people I should follow?

Oh, and did you know that you can pin from this blog? Do feel free, just be sure to credit the images properly. See you on there!

Freesias

This week, my lovely mum gave me a beautiful bunch freesias and baby’s breath. The freesias smell absolutely gorgeous, and I’ve been making a concerted effort to go over to the vase (actually a crystal jug that used to belong to my gran) and smell them at every occasion.

Soon though, they will fade and I will have to throw them away. Which makes me sad. So I thought I’d take a photo to keep them alive forever (even though they’ve yet to invent a camera that can capture smell!)

What do you think?

Freesias by Rin Simpson

I really want to practice styling. I’ve seen so many amazingly talented stylists in magazines like Mollie Makes, The Simple Things and 91 Magazine, and I’ve been collecting some of my favourite examples on my Styling Matters board on Pinterest.

If you have any advice for me, or any comments on my picture, I’d love to hear from you!

91 magazine – issue 4

Cover image by

I can’t believe it’s been three months since I posted about the last issue of 91 magazine. Where has the time gone?

I know I’m biased, what with being one of this fab e-publication’s writers and all, but I really do think issue 4 – the one year anniversary issue – is the best yet.

Well, you don’t have to take my word for it. Check it out for yourself here.

If you need persuading, here’s just a peak at a couple of the fab interiors gems you’ll find…

Photo by Anna Weinreich

Styled by Charlotte Love, photo by Jonathan Gooch

Image from My Cool Shed by Jane Field-Lewis (£14.99, Pavilion Books)

I’d love to know what you think about my feature on sheds. Have a read and then come back and comment, would you? Thanks lovelies.

91 magazine

Photo by James Royall

One thing I love about the internet is the way it allows talented people to share their work with relatively little financial cost.

Would Caroline Taylor (Patchwork Harmony) have been able to successfully launch a paper and ink magazine in today’s climate without serious backing? Probably not. But online? Now that’s a different story.

I discovered 91 magazine earlier this year, and immediately knew I had to be involved. I mean, who wouldn’t want to be part of such a creative team?

Photo by Michelle Young

So I was very pleased when Caroline asked me to write ‘In pursuit of craftiness’, the seller spotlight feature in the summer issue. Check it out on page 14-17.

Photo from Inkkit / Etsy

But don’t stop there. The magazine is packed full of breathtaking images, interesting and entertaining features, and loads of great tips to inspire you in your own home and life in general.

Have a browse and let those creative juices flow.

Photo from Lola’s Room / Etsy

Oh, and don’t forget to take a look at the contributors page and check out their individual blogs and websites. Like I said, there are a lot of talented people out there.