My last post of 2023. This balances out the product showcase post on Sunday 17th.
I went on an interior styling intensive course at Chelsea College of Art and Design. It strangely felt like revisiting my old employer twice. Once because I was previously course director of a MA programme at UAL and second because I worked for the Tate one summer in the membership department at the Tate Britain (Millbank) site in the 1990’s. My work at Tate Britain meant that I then went on to do my arts management dissertation comparing Tate and Art institute of Chicago’s membership strategies. Ahh, those were the days. Sorry I digress.
Anyway, last week, the tutor for my interior styling was the amazing Emma who took us through the practical steps of being one of those people who set up the shots for glossy interiors magazines as well as the communication collateral for big brands.
On the four day course, last week, it was nice to get an insight about the tools and techniques that interior stylists use. New words have come into my vocabulary such as:
- Prop house
- Hug in the picture
- The customer’s eye
- Test shoot
- Carriers
- Shoot location
- Any many more
Below are some in class shots of my efforts.
Above are some of the exercises and activities we did. Apparently I have clear vision. This was very reassuring to hear.
Below are some of the shots I did at home after the course. They still need more work, but I realise now how they are much better than the photos I used to take of my products.
I look forward to sharing more about the performative role that art and colour has on workspaces in our homes and how we can allow these to treat and shape toxic work cultures. It seems that people want to learn more of that from me as it unites what I do for my 9 to 5 and my artistic talents.
I has several epiphanies on the course from learning how close the prop houses were to where I live, to the rules of shelf styling, table scapes and the customers eye. It also reinforced colour psychology and the significance that colour has on emotions, productivity. The trip to Covent Garden meeting the flower experts helped me to connect with the told aromatherapist so that I can make interior decor that has wellbeing elements through clever choice of botanicals (cut flowers).
So please do join me in 2024 when I share more of a consolidation of themes related to how home office decor is related to:
-Productive virtual teams
-Engaged hybrid working
-Detoxifying work cultures
-Worker wellbeing
Here’s wishing you all greetings of the season. Wishing you all the best for 2024. Thank you for following and commenting on the posts.
Home Office Charm 