How did you become a furniture designer?
My grandfather was a forester. He was always carving things out of wood. My dad was into carpentry, too, so I've grown up with wood and I just love it. It's so warm and beautiful - natural grain is always stunning.
After I graduated in 1998, I exhibited some work at New Designers and I won an award which was judged by Tom Dixon. He was working at Habitat at the time and he took me on as a junior designer. I've been working ever since.
What did you do next?
I was at Habitat for nine years, off and on. I loved it there, but it was time to move on. I worked for The Conran Shop, then earlier this year I launched Noah, my latest high-street range of furniture, with the British department store John Lewis. I wanted to design a collection that has real longevity. It oozes understated luxury - solid oak furniture but simple, pared-back designs.
What are you currently working on?
I've just teamed up with buyer Tom Turner to launch a new furniture brand next year. It's called Gray and Turner, or G&T for short. We're launching the first collection with the high-end department store Lane Crawford in Hong Kong and Beijing in early 2012. It's a careful blend of contemporary design, featuring selected craft-based techniques and modern manufacturing methods. We're focusing on high-end quality materials.
What's the first collection like?
It's called Carve and includes side tables with thick marble tops and either solid oak or walnut bases. We're starting with occasional furniture, but it's a long-term project and we plan to expand the range each season. I've loved designing pieces from stunning natural materials such as solid wood, stone and leather. Some of the pieces have leather details that look a bit like brogue shoes. They're really cool.
Where do you find your inspiration?
I'm always really inspired by details: a door frame, a handle - the smaller things always catch my eye. I get a lot of inspiration when I travel but I think it's more to do with a state of mind than a location. When you're on holiday, you're relaxed and ideas flow more easily. I can get inspired by anything - even just walking to the corner shop, I might see something really amazing.
Who do you admire?
Charlotte Perriand. She was so avant garde. She worked with a lot of brilliant people, such as Jean Prouvé and Corbusier, and produced gorgeous furniture with simple, clean lines. I've got a huge amount of respect for her. She was producing work that was very different to what everybody else around her was doing at the time.
How would you describe your signature look?
Contemporary, pared-back, sculptural with a focus on materials.
Where do you live and what's your home like?
I've been in the Notting Hill area of London for a few years. I really like it. It's lively and cosmopolitan. Portobello Road is nearby and there are lots of green spaces. I love London.
I have a very contemporary space encased within a Victorian villa. It has huge windows that let lots of light in and period detailing. It's ornate on the outside but simple on the inside. I love the light and the high ceilings. It's a blank canvas.
Where do you work?
My studio is within my home, in the basement. Sometimes it's hard to switch off, but there are so many benefits to working from home. I love what I do, so I'm very happy to work weekends and do a bit extra. Work isn't really work when it's your passion.
Do you incorporate your designs in to your own home?
I have a few pieces, but I mix them up with vintage items and pieces that I've picked up elsewhere. I've got the Gower sofa I did at Conran and the Hana chest of drawers I designed for Habitat. I tend to buy from individual designer-makers, too - people such as Nikki Jones. I love the cushions she makes.
My husband collects ceramics and art (he has some pieces by Picasso) and we mix them with unusual things we find on our travels.
What item could you not live without?
My dog, Patch. He's a 13-year-old cocker spaniel and I can't imagine life without him. But if it has to be a home item, I'd have to say my gorgeous leather wall panels. They're handcrafted by Genevieve Bennett.
How do you like to relax?
I like to do yoga. I find it really helps me to switch off. A lot of our holidays are yoga retreats combined with travel. We've been to retreats all over the place - Ibiza, Italy, Turkey - and we're just about to go back to India again.
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