I met Jennifer Newman at her studios in London’s Clerkenwell and immediately liked her (and not only because she bought me cake!). She’s one of those no nonsense people who says what she thinks, and what she thinks is usually fascinating. I adore her bright, uncompromising furniture and would love some in my garden. Until then, the next best thing is to have some on my blog, so here she is…
What’s your background – how did you end up doing what you do?
My background is in fine art, specialising in colour interaction and life drawing. Designs materialise from sketches, focusing on detail and proportion. This never leaves you.
I started doing what I do because the furniture I wanted didn’t exist.
Your products are gorgeously colourful – where do you get your inspiration from, and why do you think most outdoor furniture is so dull?!
Ha! There is other colourful furniture out there. It’s not all dull, but I have not found any yet that I would want for myself. I can only design for myself. If I wouldn’t have it in my home or garden, I won’t make it.
Inspiration comes from all sorts of odd places; strong shadows, an Elsworth Kelly sculpture, a Donald Judd installation or old hardware stores. Hospital beds… metal skips… even a coffin could do it!
Why is colour important in the garden or in an interior scheme?
I’ll decide against ‘colour’ if the given location has enough going for it already. A really good grey can ground a scheme and provide the eye with a restful place to settle. A well chosen colour can change the entire feeling of a scheme.
Our best selling colour is white!
What advice would you give to someone using bold colours for the first time?
Flick through a colour chart. Choose what excites you. Be brave – mistakes can become pleasant surprises.
What do you do to overcome creative block?
Unfortunately there is not enough ‘design time’ for me to hit blockages – ask me again when my work load lessons!
Walking around the Barbican, where I live, is a constant source of creativity.
What advice on garden design would you give to a first time homeowner who doesn’t know where to start?
Call me!
How do your products make people’s lives better?
They can eat off the tables and sit on the benches. They may also enjoy looking at them.
I’ve seen your work at Clerkenwell Design Week, 100{ff546b69e23b1524d799f96c6ba7a638e1f677053b0a2a1568b05315fd5f8fc7} Design – why are shows like these important to independent designers?
Without a showroom, exhibitions are vital. It’s where we find new customers. And where they find us.
What advice would you give to a new designer just starting out?
Be prepared to eat little for the first three years… and that’s if you’re lucky!
What are you most proud of?
Placing our furniture within beautiful architectural settings.
What’s the best part of your job?
There are so many but if I had to choose just a couple: a well installed job where our furniture has enhanced the site (and the customer is pleased) and exhibiting at CDW. The atmosphere is unique.
What’s your favourite colour?!
Ochre. For me the shade of harmony.
