Kemi Lawson, founder and editor of Cottage Noir @cottagenoir
Color and texture with a splash of Nigerian and Jamaican heritage greatest describe Kemi’s residence type. You possibly can see her attractive remodelled residence full with some Various Flooring on her @cottagenoir Instagram. She can also be a co-founder of the good life-style on-line retailer referred to as The Cornrow, providing inexpensive and vibrant design that places the trendy black aesthetic on the entrance row.
Right here’s our Q&A with Kemi…
Inform us a bit about your self.
Hello I’m a 40 ‘cough-cough’ year-old businesswoman/spouse/slash mom of two little ladies. I stay in a cottage within the suburbs outdoors of London. I’m captivated with creating a contented and galvanizing residence for my household to get pleasure from.
Views of Kemi’s 1750’s cottage with Various’s Margo Selby Stripe Solar Seasalter carpet
Why Cottage Noir and The Cornrow?
Cottage Noir sums up my inside’s id! The Cottage half is as a result of I stay in a 1750s cottage replete with all the unique options I may ask for – beams, working fireplaces, nooks and crannies. The Noir half is as a result of I’m so happy with my id as a Black British lady, with each African and Caribbean heritage. This pleasure and heritage come clearly by in all my interiors selections for the cottage.
The Cornrow is my not too long ago launched on-line retail enterprise. It’s a enterprise that is known as a ardour undertaking come to life because it allows me to share all the attractive residence merchandise that I’ve created or sourced on my interiors journey on Cottage Noir. It options fashionable, inexpensive merchandise, all tailor-made to a fashionable Black aesthetic, for everybody to get pleasure from.
The woman’s rooms with Various’s Wool Milkshake in Marshmallow carpet (picture on the left) and Various’s Wool Milkshake in Raspberry carpet (picture on the correct).
Describe your house and who do you share it with.
My house is a Grade II listed cottage set on the entrance of a nature reserve. It’s an amazing location as you may take these beautiful nature walks nevertheless it’s additionally inside straightforward attain of a tube station!
I share the house with my husband, my two little ladies aged 7 and eight and, pre-lockdown, a revolving host of family and friends members who come and keep in our little visitor room!
The place does your design inspiration come from?
So many various sources!! From inns that I’ve been fortunate sufficient to go to (significantly those designed by Kit Kemp who I’m very impressed by), Instagram, magazines, television exhibits (something with George Clarke!). Nevertheless, I’m most impressed by my heritage, having frolicked in each Nigeria and Jamaica. I’m interested in the colors, textiles, artwork and textures that remind me of those areas.
Layers of color and texture – Kemi’s residence options Various’s Margo Selby Stripe stair carpet and Wool Milkshake in Marshmallow carpet.
How do you place adorning schemes collectively?
One among my mantra’s is to be as joyful as attainable, so if I like a print or a sample I try to make it work with out pondering first, does it go or will it conflict!! It at all times works out!
I accumulate as many samples and journal minimize outs as attainable and put all of it collectively on a temper board. I’ve one temper board per room. I discovered that was one of the best ways to maintain monitor of what I’m impressed by and the way it all matches collectively.
Do you discover Instagram or Pinterest useful?
I discover them extremely useful! You possibly can see “real-life” examples which is at all times extra useful that seeing them in showrooms. It’s also possible to see belongings you wouldn’t have thought-about earlier than however realise you like, like I’ve not too long ago fell in love with @untillemonsaresweet’s yellow kitchen ground!
Nevertheless, I discovered that there’s something lacking on each platforms when it got here to on the lookout for inspiration the trendy Black aesthetic that I used to be aiming for thus I needed to give you it myself! I’m on each platforms, Instagram @cottagenoir and Pinterest @thecornrow.
The ’Naughty Step’ – element from Kemi’s residence with Various’s Margo Selby Stripe stair carpet.
What do you want about Various Flooring?
Various Flooring simply leapt out to me amid all the opposite ground alternative choices. The product was fashionable, nice high quality and the knowledge was so clear, imaginative and nicely designed! Who wouldn’t wish to step on Barefoot Bikram or Wool Milkshake carpets!! The brochure and images have been actually clear, which helped when a lot of my determination course of was on-line.
Inform us concerning the flooring selections in your house.
Because it’s an outdated home, I felt it will be in preserving to make use of pure ground coverings, so the home is a mix of stained picket floorboards, wool and sisal. And I really like all three. We even have two units of staircases (as it’s 2 cottages knocked into one) and after I see staircases, I see stripes, so now we have the Margo Selby Stripes on each staircases and the adjoining hallway which actually lifts the area.
Element from the woman’s room with Various’s Wool Milkshake in Marshmallow carpet.
Favorite room and why?
It modifications on a regular basis however proper now it’s my bed room. It’s bought a blue cloud mural wallpaper, and the flooring is wool milkshake blueberry which actually goes completely with the wallpaper. I bought the most important mattress that we may squeeze into the room and the comfiest mattress we may afford and that’s actually about it within the room, I’ve stored it actually easy and cosy.
Are we now braver with sample and color?
I’m unsure. Folks say they’re however I really feel when it comes all the way down to it individuals take the safer possibility. However I believe steadily as individuals see extra examples on social media it will change. Proper now, I really feel individuals really feel most secure with pops of colors, like on a rug or a cushion. Nevertheless, I hope to alter all that! Color actually lifts the spirits and it’s a missed alternative to not use it as liberally as attainable – for my part!
Various’s Margo Selby Stripe stair carpet
Describe your type in three phrases.
Vibrant, soulful, welcoming
Subsequent huge factor or what are you engaged on?
It’s all about The Cornrow. I’m having probably the most creatively satisfying time ever sourcing great residence equipment and life-style merchandise from superb black owned manufacturers and creating my very own merchandise working with expert artisans and artists. It’s actually an aesthetic that everybody can get pleasure from! Do examine us out on Instagram @thecornrow or on www.thecornrow.com
Watch our video of Kemi at residence in her cottage with Various Flooring!
HERE
See extra of our designs and discover our collections right here
Comply with us on Instagram for inspiration.
Discover extra flooring and inside design inspiration on our Various weblog.