Jane Rockett and Lucy St George share their vision for imaginative, inviting interiors with Gabrielle Fagan.
Interiors emporium Rockett St George, is renowned for its quirky eye and distinctive, glamorous look – and capturing these vibes in your own home has never been easier, as brand founder Jane Rockett and Lucy St George have shared their secrets in a new book, Extraordinary Interiors.
Here, Jane and Lucy talk to us about how it all began, staying inspired, and how to recreate their style in your own home…
How did you two meet?
“We met at a fancy-dress party. I was wearing a red sequin dress, a blonde wig and a sash saying ‘Miss Leading’, while Lucy was a beautiful funky fairy in a white mini-dress,” recalls Jane.
“Our friendship was sealed when we discovered we not only shared a passion for black clothes, but for flea markets, Manchego cheese, travel, actor Tom Hardy and, of course, interiors.
“Ten years ago, we joined forces to make a career out of our passion and Rockett St George was born. Our mantra is: Make it personal, be brave, style one step at a time, and enjoy every minute.”
How do you create a really unique interior?
“Our answer is always the same – you are completely individual in every way, so the secret to creating a unique look is simply to express your personality in your home,” says Jane.
“Perhaps the easiest way to achieve this is by displaying carefully curated favourites in a creative way. Whether it’s objects you have made yourself, family pieces, vintage kitchenware or precious children’s art, it can all look fabulous when displayed well.”
TIP: Always curate (sort the wheat from the chaff) and display your chosen pieces well, and remember, less is more. Feel free to change collections to reflect different seasons, or just because you want to shake things up.
How do you decide on a decor theme?
“We love white rooms with beautiful monochrome accessories – they are stylish, calm and timeless. But nothing gets us more excited than gorgeous dark walls, which conjure a brooding, inky colour palette.
“Historically, dark paints were at their most popular during Victorian times, but they look fabulous in modern, traditional, rustic and urban interiors,” says Lucy.
“A lovely dark wall will make all your favourite accessories pop – wood looks gorgeous against a strong backdrop, bright colours sing and plants simply glow.”
TIP: Wood-clad walls add warmth and texture, but wood-effect wallpaper or wallpaper is also an option. Always consider the direction of your room before choosing a paint colour, as the light will affect the look. South-facing rooms enjoy warm, natural light and can take most colours, while north-facing rooms need a warm-based colour with underlying brown and yellow tones, rather than cool, blue-based hues.
How do you choose a focal point for a room?
“We talk a lot about ‘style spots’ – a focal point that grabs the eye. It’s a grouping of furniture, artwork and lighting that fits beautifully together and creates impact,” explains Jane.
“When planning a room, we encourage people to split the space up into sections, such as the fireplace, the seating area, the entrance and so on, then to consider each one as an individual style spot.
“This is much easier and less daunting than designing a whole room. Bear in mind, the flow of a space is important. It’s always worth shifting furniture around and trying out different combinations for a week or so, to see if a new arrangement works better. It’s amazing how this can change the energy in a space and create a fresh, positive atmosphere.”
TIP: Display a collection of pictures, photos, album covers or even handbags on a wall. Before hanging framed pieces, lay them out on the floor to devise a layout and make sure they work well together. Space artworks at least 4cm apart to give each one room to breathe, and put your favourite (or largest) in the middle at eye level, then build outwards from there.
Rockett St George Extraordinary Interiors: Show-stopping Looks For Beautiful Rooms by Jane Rockett and Lucy St George, photography by Debi Treloar, is published by Ryland Peters & Small, priced £19.99. Available to readers for the special price of £14.99 (inc p&p). Call Macmillan Direct on 01256 302 699 and quote ref: LZ9
