Q & A with Designer Natasha Lawless

Natasha Lawless is a Freelance Print Designer for furnishing fabrics, fashion wear and accessories.
Natasha is featured on the http://www.londonpropertymakeover.com/ website where you can also now buy her work! Here, Natasha answers questions on what inspires her designs.......

Why did you decide to study design at university?

It wasn't so much a decision to study design as a necessity. It's something I've been clear I wanted to do from a very young age.  I've always been drawing and making things ever since I can remember.  I guess what took me down the design route rather than more of a fine art one was that I like the fact that design has an intended purpose for something specific, rather than being a piece of art in its own right.

How do you get inspiration for a new collection?

It's rare that I actively go looking for inspiration as usually it just arises naturally and clicks. It could be from something I see in a book or magazine, a post online, a view out a window or even something someone is wearing on the bus!  There are of course days when I am stuck. Usually I would then go to second hand markets or junk shops as I love objects with history and a story to tell. I might find an old map or car advert that would trigger something.

Travelling has also always been a huge source of inspiration for me as you’re more receptive to pick up on things when in a new or strange environment.  However when I'm really stuck the best thing to do is nothing at all! I try to not even think about work, do something completely different and come back to it later with fresh eyes.

Which part of the design process do you love the most?

As much as I love working, I'd have to say my favourite moment is always at the end when you get to see your final design or product at its intended destination.  I always find it extremely satisfying to see something finished and that works.

Which designer's work inspires you?

Definitely the designer that inspired me to choose a degree in surface design was Linda Florence who I was lucky enough to work with over 6 months. In my eyes she is the queen of print and is always coming up with quirky, clever ideas integrated within her beautiful designs.

Linda Florence

Christopher Pearson has also been an inspiration as like Florence his work is forever questioning the boundaries of surface design and he continues to work to pull it into the moment and make it interesting which is what great design should do.

Christopher Pearson



Other than that there are hundreds of others that have all inspired me in great or less obvious ways, whether it be Julie Verhoeven's perfect illustrative style, it’s like a modern take on Egon Schiele (another favourite of mine), or Lotte Reiniger's pioneering work with silhouette animation in the 1910's.

Julie Verhoeven

Do you regularly visit any particular Design blogs?

I have many friends who seem to spend their life on the net and are forever digging treasures and the next best thing, never failing to blow me away with their findings. I however have to be honest and say I'm not very good at it at all!   I do regularly look at a French blog called 'fubiz' with a subtitle, 'a daily dose of inspiration'. It's quite mainstream and covers many platforms from graphic design to architecture, film to graffiti, advertising to print. It's very good at seeing what's up and coming but is a bit too trendy for me!

The blogs I have looked at I generally came across by complete accident like 'my love for you' which is quite quirky and covers mainly contemporary art. I also look at 'print and pattern' from time to time although a bit twee for my taste.

What are you working on at the moment?

I have just recently moved into a new studio so other than unpacking endless boxes, amongst the mess I am busy finishing off some products for the launch of the London property makeover shop for which I have produced a wallpaper and coordinating cushion and I am busy preparing to screen-print a limited edition print for.

Other than that I have been doing some interior styling assisting work for the Home Retail Group at their studio, as well as hoping to soon start designing on a freelance basis for Laura Ashley's home accessories team. I also have an agent Swatch Loft, so whenever I have the time I roll out a couple of designs to send over to them, alongside continually working on my own projects, on which more information is coming soon!

Where are your secret addresses in London to buy cool, quirky items?

I am a huge fan of junk and flea markets as well as charity shops and car boot sales. I like places where I can rummage and can come away with a bargain.  You can always find something quirky and unusual. Just last week I bought an old painted fire extinguisher in my local charity shop which I plan to turn into a lamp base.  I go regularly to Dalston street market and there is a massive Oxfam just further up Kingsland road which I like to pop into. For fabrics and trimmings my first choice is always Dalston Mill fabrics.
Obviously all around Brick Lane, Columbia Rd and Spitalfields there are some brilliant independent design shops and boutiques but they're no longer very cheap or much of a secret! If you're West then likewise Notting Hill. Columbia Rd market is still good for flowers, but only if you can face the crowds early Sunday morning.

Which famous person would you love to design for and why?

I've just finished reading Keith Richard's autobiography so he is the first that springs to mind. What a character!  I guess the great thing to design for him would be you could go as crazy as you liked and it still wouldn't be crazy enough! I like the idea of having no boundaries, working completely unrestrained, going beyond your wildest dreams. I can't imagine many designers truly get the chance to do it. His kind of budget I'm sure would also help!

To see Natasha's designs and buy her products, go to http://www.londonpropertymakeover.com/