We caught up with Louise Graham of Graham and Green.
Louise is Head of Marketing and sales at stylish furniture and gift emporium Graham & Green. Mother to Max and wife to Jamie Graham, Director of Graham & Green, Louise lives in fashionable Kensal Green in NW London.
We chatted to Louise about her top interior style tips and most importantly how she juggles working full time for such a successful company and being mum to little Max.
We’re big fans of Graham and Green at StyleNest. You must be so busy juggling your career with motherhood. Can you describe your average day?
Like most mums, I find it hard. Some days are messy.
What and where influences Graham and Green’s gorgeous style?
All sorts. French flea markets, Indian handicrafts and mid-century design.
Can you name three women who inspire you more than most?
Antonia Graham – for setting up G & G as a single mother in 1979, when women didn’t even get child care vouchers – how did she do it? Siobhan Benita and my Mum.
Any top storage tips for kids toys?
We love the Jeyo sidebord for storing books, cars and cuddly toys, Max can locate items easily and it looks fun but tidy. It’s also not babyish & can be styled with more grown up accessories as the kids grow older.
Any particular brands you love for children’s rooms, nurseries and playrooms?
Kartell is perfect as it’s durable and wipes clean , we’re also big fans of Belle & Boo prints, they do a wide range for boys and girls and Anorak for animal travel accessories. Of course we love our own Emily Chandelier too, it’s fun to play with scale in kids rooms.
What interiors trends can you tell us about for 2012? Any pieces we should be investing in?
The trend for ’50s modernism continues with our Jeyo range in sleek shisham wood. The good thing about the Jeyo range is you can go all out with a big piece, like the sleek sideboard (it makes me go all Samantha & Darrin Stephens from that American TV show Bewitched). Or you can invest in something smaller. The Jeyo tray table is a small, cool & versatile piece that will bring your decor bang up to date.
Have you any top beauty tips for busy mums? Have you a favourite skincare brand and a ‘can’t live without’ product?
Sleep is the best thing so lavender on my pillow for a perfect nights beauty sleep.
Where do you love holiday as a family?
Featherdown Farms around the UK. We love the fact it’s just you, your family and the great outdoors – totally wholesome. Provence, because it’s just beautiful.
Who is your style icon?
Don’t have one but love to people watch and get style inspiration from all around.
Which children’s clothes brands or shops do you love?
It has to be Alex & Alexa. The mini net-a-porter.
Stylenest is always on the look out for delicious new recipes. Have you any fail-safe recipes you would like to share with us?
No, they’re all family secrets!
Finding time to sit down with a good book can be a real challenge for a busy working mum. But we think a great way to unwind. What are you reading just now?
Guide books to Northern Spain, we’re going on from Provence this summer. Can’t wait.
How do you like to spend family time together? Can you describe your perfect Sunday?
Sitting around the kitchen table eating the croissants that Jamie gets from our local bakery with the Sunday papers and Max drawing.