We are delighted to be joined for our Meet the Creatives series this month by Daisy Stott. We find that talking to other designers – whether interior designers or people involved in the creative industries – often sparks new ideas in our own work. We hope this series will do the same for you, perhaps inspiring concepts for lighting or ceramics in your interior space, or offering different approaches to thinking creatively about problems and design.
A textile designer and general design enthusiast, Daisy is one of the rising stars of British design. She was recently named by Design Week as one of the talented female designers we should be watching, and received a Sainsbury’s Home New Designers award for a collection of homewares inspired by edible plants and foraging. You can see examples of her work here, but to find out more about her design inspiration and her new-found happy place, read on.
Can you tell us what you do, and how you came to be doing it?
I am an all-round creator – there is no one specific area I enjoy the most as design is broad. Currently I am recharging my creative flare and broadening my horizons having spent the past four months travelling around Greece and Albania. On paper I am a textile designer but this involves more than fabrics alone. I particularly enjoy illustration, pattern development, plenty of sketches and ceramic work.
Where do you draw inspiration from, and what do you do if you ever feel creatively stuck?
I draw inspiration mainly from the natural elements: plants, trees, flowers and organic surroundings. I have always found food to be very inspirational, so when I am stuck in a creative rut I often watch cooking shows or cook something myself. The colours and the textures of the ingredients often spark ideas. Most of my work is also based on food found in nature, home-grown stuff. Spending time in my allotment also inspires me.
What are the most exciting developments in terms of interiors (furniture, product design, sustainability, interior design etc) that you see coming up in the future?
Recently I have loved seeing aspects like hand-raised pots, oak table tops or ones made from old doors – the more rustic aspect of design – with forest/earth colours appearing alongside velvets and brass. Any interior with a handcrafted feel draws my eye and I have been seeing a lot more of this recently.
What do you love most about your job?
Currently I have taken some time out to travel. I plan on setting up my own business when I return but for now the freedom to experience the world with no stress or demands is absolutely perfect.
What are your most treasured household objects?
My mug. Ceramics in general have a very special place in my heart, but there is one particular mug that was bought for me from a small beach hut shop near my home town. I also have a beautiful leather-bound diary with a suede chord; there are some poems and photographs in there too which I really love.
What are the main challenges you face in your professional life, and how do you try to overcome them?
A big challenge for me, and most if not all designers, is the dreaded artist’s block, when your mind is either in a loop of ideas or a complete blank space. I have been very lucky with the reaction to my work from the public and have been given many, many wonderful opportunities because of this. However, it can be tricky to stay in that creative mindspace for too long. Now I give myself time to breathe by doing things I enjoy outside of designing, such as reading and travelling as often as I can.
If you could visit any house/ building in the world, where would you go?
I recently visited a really beautiful home in the centre of Athens. There were green plants covering the walls, old oak tables with Moroccan throws and handcrafted mugs scattered around the house. There was a rooftop terrace too which overlooked the Acropolis – we had a beautiful night here drinking spiced tea looking at the street below us. I would visit here again. And most likely never leave.
Thanks so much for joining us, Daisy. We wish you every success with your creative ventures.
For more in our Meet the Creatives series, in which we explore the work and inspiration of designers and creatives, go here.