In the interior world, it can feel as though modern design is leaning more and more towards white-washed, empty spaces. And sure, there’s an argument to be made that minimalism guarantees a sense of calm, but if we’re being honest, some of these spaces can feel a little, well, lacklustre.
A home is place to be yourself. It’s an opportunity to showcase all the things you love; be that trinkets from your travels, colours that you can’t get enough of, or simply your favourite wall prints from Etsy. It’s all about identity. And in truth, there’s no better way of injecting a pop of personality into your living space than with a little bit of pattern.
But if we’re going to speak to anyone about print, it has to be Ellen Merchant. The British textile designer and decorative artist first set up her own studio in response to the throwaway culture she witnessed working in womenswear. “I left my job to study an MA at the Royal College of Art in Textiles with a plan to start my own business creating original, quality interior textiles with purpose and longevity.”
Now, from the colourful cocoon of her barn studio in West Sussex, where moodboards line the walls and the ocean peeks through the windows, Ellen Merchant spends her days drawing and printing patterned pieces for your home to be loved and on display today, tomorrow and always…with non-toxic water based inks, of course.
With a shop soon-to-open, a new collection looming and collabs with the likes of Anthropologie on the go, we caught up with the creative to get to grips on pattern for beginners, what she’s currently coveting and just who her dream collaborator would be…
A conversation with Ellen Merchant…
What does a day in the life of Ellen Merchant look like?
“At the moment it’s a very early start with our 13 week old puppy, which sometimes means a walk on the beach at sunrise and then home for a cup of tea before the alarm has even gone off. I try to get all my emails and admin done in the morning (which there is a lot of, even with a creative business!). It’s lovely weather at the moment so I usually stop to have lunch on our balcony, then spend the afternoon in the studio working on creative projects that vary between drawing, printing and sewing while my husband works on the upholstery projects. As a treat we might walk the pup to our local pub for a pint in the evening.”
How would you describe your style?
“A channeling of traditional decorative ideas with a modern and playful approach. My textiles can be used to express different personal styles (it’s all about what you put them with!), but I suppose the bolder prints and colours probably appeal most to the maximalists out there. I love to use pattern in my own home paired with vintage furniture and unexpected colours combinations.”
Why do you think so many people are scared of pattern and print?
“Patterns can be a scary commitment for the indecisive! I believe it’s important to go with your gut when you love a print. If you really like something, you will get that enjoyment out of seeing it everyday in your home. There is something lovely about a pattern becoming familiar and being a backdrop to daily life.”
Do you have any tips for people who want to introduce more colour and pattern into their homes?
“Starting with something you can move around like patterned cushions is great, you can try them in different locations and with different colours around them to see what you really like. A wallpaper with a smaller print in one or two colours is a really lovely backdrop to hang pictures on and creates a starting point for designing a room around if you are stuck for ideas.”
What are you currently designing?
“I am currently producing my new collection that will launch in October, so I am working on finalising colours, fabrics and details for that. As soon as that is done I will begin to work on my new collection for Spring next year, I already have all the ideas drawn out in my sketchbook!”
You’ve also just collaborated with Anthropologie, congrats! Do you like working with other brands?
“Collaborating with Anthropologie is such a wonderful opportunity, as someone who has been visiting the stores for as long as I can remember. It is great fun to create a collab with another brand as it enables me to create something totally new and different from my own offering.”
What would be your dream collaboration?
“It would be a dream to work with Liberty London, it has always been one of my favourite stores.”
What was your path to textile design?
“I started experimenting with traditional printmaking while studying Illustration at Camberwell College of Art and found that my drawings naturally lend themselves to pattern. I’ve always been particularly interested in decoration and interiors, so when I began printing my designs onto fabric and wallpaper something definitively clicked into place for me!”
What has been the hardest part of setting up your own brand?
“I suppose constantly feeling a bit like you’re winging it, and never really knowing what is going to happen next!”
And your favourite part?
“Feeling really motivated, and being excited to go to work everyday.”
What does your studio look like?
“My studio is now in a lovely old barn. When we moved it had been empty and untouched for years so we did quite a lot doing it up to make it ready to work in, which was worth it! It has a lovely high ceiling with sky lights, my printing press in down one end with a large cutting table and print table in the middle. My mood boards are on the walls full of colour samples, drawings and anything that inspires me.”
What craft techniques do you use in your work?
“Everything starts with lots of pencil drawings, which I will then translate either to a linocut, block print or screen print to play around with. Creating artwork using traditional methods rather than digitally is vital for me to achieve texture and that imperfect tactile feel that only comes from printing by hand.”
“My favourite method is creating a linocut tile for wallpaper and trialing it on my vintage offset litho press in different colours – I can print full wallpapers widths on it and it is the best for seeing a design really come to life.”
Quickfire questions…
Your go-to outfit?
A dress, chunky shoe, big gold earrings (day to day: a chore jacket, old Levis and Birkenstocks!)
A pair of shoes that never fail you?
My in-laws in Australia bought me some RM Williams boots that are so comfortable, go with everything and will last a lifetime
Your drinks order?
Negroni Sbagliato
What are you currently reading?
Still Life by Sarah Winman
A skincare product that’s really worked for you?
I use tonnes of Weleda Skin Food (the thick one)
Favourite hotel?
The George in Rye
Favourite restaurant?
Trattoria Da Emilia in Sorrento
A podcast we must listen to?
Titting About by French and Saunders
Your go-to fragrance?
Scherzo by Miller Harris
Something from Ellen Merchant on your wishlist?
I can never have enough cushions, I will be releasing some really fun fringed ones featuring my new collection fabrics in the Autumn!
Fallen in love with Ellen Merchant? Us too. For her full collection click here
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