Tell us about Palava's new homeware range - is this something you've always wanted to design?
"It’s been a long time in the making! The whole process has taken about two years from when we started, to our launch this week. It’s lovely to explore the prints from a different direction and see them on a bigger scale than we do usually. Our brand comes from a background of stories – we’ve always wanted to combine the bedding with the idea of bed-time stories - a true match for our little storybooks! If the range is popular we want to expand to full-size bedding too!"
When did you first think of designing wallpaper?
"It must have been back at our Budgies photoshoot several years ago - we pinned up a large piece of Budgies fabric as the background. And we all thought it looked so nice I started to dream about Budgies wallpaper! We've even had requests from customers for it over the years, so it just felt right."
"Wallpaper has an amazing ability to transform any room. I can see our wallpaper in children’s rooms but also in a more grown-up context – living rooms, adult bedrooms and hallways!"
For our new wall stickers, you've picked out each of the animals on the Walking Zoo print. We have a tiger, a zebra, three flamingos and a peacock! How do you imagine these in the home?
"One day I had a vision of a full-size tiger printed out at the top of my stairs! They'll be great for those who don't want to commit to full wallpaper but are after a splash of colour, fun and excitement to your room. The Tigers remind me of the Tiger Who Came To Tea - you could even have him peeking out over you in the kitchen if you wanted!
Are there plans to expand the homeware range?
"Yes! There’s no end to possibilities of what we could do! My next step would be to go into double duvet bedding, as long as there’s a demand for it. I’d also love to go into kitchenware – to see our animals parading around the side of a plate. We made some Palava lampshades for out homeware shoot and I'm looking into how we can make these happen!
"Other ideas off the top of my head - more cushions, hot water bottle covers, shoppers and oilcloth bags, phone covers! I'd love to get some feedback from our customers about what they've love to see the most!
What’s your personal favourite piece?
"I'm really enjoying our floral print duvet, which features our Chelsea Flower Show and Flower Garden prints. It’s lovely to use two prints together, the reversible nature of it is very flexible and it’s just lovely to see a border print in use!"
What was your favourite bedtime story as a child?
"Pippi Longstocking! She’s the best. She always inspired me because she's incredibly strong, brave and can do whatever she wants! I was especially inspired as a child by her stripey socks – this has never left me and is why we continue to make stripey socks at Palava to this day! I also love the freedom she demonstrates in the books and the sense of adventure.
As a child, I also loved Milly Molly Mandy, Winne the Pooh and the stories of Enid Blyton. I still return to these books as an adult for inspiration in my drawing and designs."
What are your tips for a good night's sleep?
"I enjoy listening to audio books before going to sleep or reading – depending on how sleepy I am! I think it takes you away from the day to day grind and off into your imagination.
Also a hot bath!"
We hope you enjoying having a look at our new SS18 homeware range. We'd love to hear your feedback on what else you'd like to see us do - be it new items, or bedding and wallpaper in particular prints. Let us know by adding a comment here, emailing us hello@palava.co or dropping us a line on facebook or instagram.
