At the table

At the table is a series of conversation to reflect, share ideas, and engage in conversations about creativity, design, and the art of living a creative life.

Over the past few months, as the studio steps into its next chapter, many questions have arisen — through conversations around the table in the new studio space, during calls with clients, and in exchanges with fellow creative beings.

This series, At the table, is born from those dialogues: a space for expansive, like-minded creatives and inspiring thinkers. It’s an invitation to explore and engage in conversations about the ever-evolving nature of living a creative life, the personal essence behind it and the little stories of our lives that inspire it all.

I am gently beginning this series with an insight into my own personal story and evolving creative practice — I hope you’ll feel as though you’re joining me at my table, a part of this dialogue about creativity, my approach to design, and the essence of the studio.

Atmosphere and sensory experiences are at the centre of the studio’s work — is there a particular sense you are most drawn to right now?

Lately, I’ve been drawn to deeply researching the senses of scent and touch (tactility). These two senses have a profound impact on how we connect with our environment and can transform the way a space or product is experienced and remembered.

‘Scent’ is incredibly powerful because of its ability to evoke emotions and memories almost instantly. As someone who is highly attuned to smells, it’s one of the most important senses for me. A thoughtfully chosen scent can make a space feel comforting, energising, or inspiring, and it creates a lasting impression that goes far beyond the visual. I love exploring how subtle or unexpected scents can add an extra layer to an experience, shaping how people feel in a space and how they remember it.

‘Touch (tactility)’ is equally significant to me, especially in today’s increasingly digital world. People crave tactile experiences, and I’ve always been drawn to natural, textured materials that invite interaction and evoke a sense of warmth and connection. This preference is also why I struggle with online shopping—I need to touch and feel things before I buy them.

Do you have a morning routine? Does this change with the seasons?

I’m trying to create more space, taking more time to myself in the mornings. Early starts, without the rush—wrapped in my favourite jumpers, with music playing and a warm cup of tea in hand. I’ve come to realise that these simple rituals are all part of my creative process, grounding and inspiring me.

And yes, my routine does change with the seasons. In summer, it’s about morning swims and starting work later, since the longer days mean I’m often up later the night before. It’s simple but so important, making time to move in the rhythms of the seasons.

Where do you currently call home?

For me, home is here, there, and nowhere. It’s a complex feeling of belonging (or not belonging) that I think only fellow expats can truly relate to. Once you leave your first home behind, nothing will ever feel quite like home again. Your soul gets split across many places, and each experience and memory you gather along the way makes different places feel like home; if I truly belong and where home is, I don’t know. I see myself as a citizen of the world, currently living in Cornwall, but my sense of home is not tied to a single location anymore.

As a multicultural being, how does your experience of calling different places home shape your creative experience of the world?

Calling different places home has profoundly shaped both me and my creative perspective. Each place I’ve lived in has contributed layers to how I perceive and interact with the world. I’m constantly drawing from the diverse influences of these environments—their colours, textures, sounds, and stories—to inform my creative practice.

Living in different cultural contexts isn’t always easy, but it has made me more adaptable and curious about the world. It has taught me to appreciate contrasts and find beauty in new places. This has translated into my work, where I often blend elements of my own culture with those of other traditions, aesthetics, and ideas, creating unique designs shaped by my personal story and influences.

My multicultural experience has instilled in me a sense of fluidity and an appreciation for change, helping me to continuously evolve as both a person and as a creative. It has given me a richer, more expansive view of the world.

In what ways does home, work and travel intersect for you?

Travel is a thread that weaves through my life, connecting home and work. At home, travel fills my space with memories, objects, and inspirations collected from around the world, shaping how I create and live. It serves as a source of ideas, infusing my personal space with elements that spark creativity even when I’m not travelling.

When it comes to work, travel isn’t just a necessity but a vital to fuel for my creativity. It’s important for my projects to gain new perspectives and fresh ideas from being immersed in different cities, places, cultures, landscapes, and traditions. Exploring diverse environments keeps me constantly inspired, providing resources and references that breathe life and newness into my creations. Being on the lookout for new concepts and sourcing new makers, brands, and innovative ideas while traveling has become very important to me, and I much prefer offline inspiration rather than the sameness of the online world. I see each journey as an extension of my creative workspace and so travelling has become a priority in my work and personal life.

If such thing exists, what does a typical day in the studio look like for you? What does a day off look like?

A typical morning in the studio always starts with herbal tea—it’s a constant, summer or winter. I aim for a slow morning, though it’s not always possible. When I make time for calm, it sets the tone for a more creative and productive day.

After breakfast at home, I head to the studio. The first thing I do is open the windows to let out stagnant air, then switch on my scent diffuser and kettle. This small ritual clears the space and my mind. I usually make a to-do list but often get drawn into the current project or idea that excites me most. My work begins by immersing myself in inspiration and letting creativity guide the day.

On days off, I recharge by stepping away from work. I spend time outdoors, soaking in nature and savouring quiet moments often missed during busy workdays. Reading, cooking, visiting a café, or walking with my husband and dog helps me return to work refreshed and full of new ideas.

How do you keep your work feeling inspired?

Inspiration comes quite naturally to me. Since I can remember I had a deep curiosity and a innate ability to soak up all the little details and stories around me: fleeting colours in nature, an interesting texture, a conversation, or even a feeling in the air, a word, music, or the way something tastes or smells. These seemingly small details often spark new ideas and keep my creativity flowing, my notebooks are full of ideas that need time exploring. I believe that inspiration is everywhere and these little moments inspire my work in subtle yet meaningful ways.

What are you currently exploring in your own creative practice?

I’m in the process of making art again, making more time to create by hand, exploring more traditional methods rather than relying on the computer. There’s something incredibly freeing and grounding about returning to tactile, physical creation. I’m also diving into the world of scent-making, which has become a fascinating area of exploration. I’m enjoying the creative challenge of experimenting with different fragrances and learning how scent can be used as a medium to evoke emotion, create atmosphere, and engage the senses in new ways. This shift back to hands-on creation and sensory exploration feels like an exciting and fulfilling way to expand my personal creative practice.