A Master Class in Telling Your Own Story
April 19, 2016Last week I was invited by Get Living London to host a masterclass in my new store Olive Loves Alfie East. The masterclass was part of their campaign to Make Yourself At Home. The landlords of East Village encourage residents to embrace their own style by allowing them to paint walls, hang pictures and generally make themselves at home. Having lived in over 30 rental flats and bedsits in my 30 years plus in London I raise a glass to the idea of ownership (even if it is just in spirit) of a space you are renting.
The masterclass was made up of an intimate group of interior and style bloggers who travelled from as far away as Devon. I shared the floor with colour expert Karen Haller. We met left field where we would encourage anyone else to be. We both stood firmly in an authentic space that isn’t about being a follower of trends. It is about creating a home that resonates with your own story.
It gave me lots of food for thought - I haven’t been able to stop scribbling notes down since. Quite apart from having to rationalise what it is that i do as a stylist it was a great opportunity to connect and to make new friendships. I am planning to run a series of workshops at Olive Loves Alfie East about my approach to interior styling.
What became clear was that I love drawing out stories and encouraging people to work them into their own spaces. I have just launched an interior design service and can’t wait to get cracking on my first project in Margate this summer. I will be asking my client the same questions that I put to my bloggers.
1. A place that inspires you - in other words your spiritual home. For many years mine was India and that was before I had even visited it.
2. An object you cherish.
3. A favourite film, piece of music or painting
4. Your guilty pleasure
The answers will give you unique elements that will become part of our own styling tool kit.
If you would like to sign up to receive details of my workshops or interior design service email me hello@ashlyngibson.co.uk
Thank you to Kate from Mad About The House, Ruth from Design Soda, Anna Maria from Anami Blog, Karen from Well I Guess This Is Growing Up, Lins from Boo and Maddie, Molly from Molly and the Princess and Natalie from Floral Republic.