BEHIND THE BRUSH: WE MEET STYLE AT HOME’S DEPUTY HOME EDITOR CASSIE PRYCE
From the editors of some of the most read Homes and Interiors magazines to the owners of crafty and creative start-up businesses, we sit down with those in the know to get the scoop on everything from what a normal day is like to their future trend predictions.
This week, we met Style At Home’s Deputy Home Editor Cassie Pryce…
What is a normal day for you?
CP: I wouldn’t say I have a particularly set routine in my day-to-day job — no two days are the same! Some days I’ll be styling a real home for a photoshoot and others I’ll be upcycling a table for a craft feature. I spend a lot of time looking for inspiration for craft projects (I’m totally addicted to Pinterest!) and writing a whole mixture of features for the magazine. I compile shopping pages for each issue and love getting a sneak peek of all the new products launching in stores.
What do you love most about your job?
CP: I love seeing the projects that the Style at Home readers get up to! It’s great to see them trying out our projects or having a go at their own and then sharing photos with us on Instagram and Facebook. It feels like a little community brought together by a shared interest in crafts and upcycling and it’s lovely to be a part of it!
What is the biggest challenge in your job?
CP: I’d say the biggest challenge in my job is having serious house-envy! We see so many beautiful homes and decorated sets, it’s impossible not to get a little bit jealous. I’m constantly changing my tastes as I see new things and new trends emerging; it can be hard to resist redecorating every few months! I tend to get my fix by changing up a few small things at home every so often — a few new accessories here and there is normally enough to do the trick.
When did you first become interested in crafts and interiors?
CP: I’ve always been interested in interiors and, even as a kid, watched anything homes related on the TV. I remember being allowed to decorate my bedroom at the age of 12 and was over the moon! I went for purple walls and funky silver accessories (including a disco ball…of course!).
Are you a fan of upcycling?
CP: I love upcycling but sadly don’t have the opportunity to do it much for my own home. Living in a teeny one bedroom flat means I don’t have a lot of room to revamp bigger pieces of furniture, but one day I’d love to have my own studio. I’ve got some great charity shops near to where I live and I’m always popping in to see if I can find any bargain pieces of furniture that I can use for projects in the magazine. I think it’s such a fantastic way to make use of unwanted pieces and it’s great fun coming up with creative ideas to make it into something you’ll love.
What are your top tips on getting in the creative zone?
CP: Getting in the creative zone in an office environment can be tricky, so I try to switch off from all other tasks whilst I’m working on something creative. I start by browsing Pinterest before homing-in on what I’m looking for specifically, as it’s amazing how much inspiration you can collect without even looking for it. I always draw out my sketches for photoshoots by hand so I can picture exactly what I’m working on and it feels good to get away from the computer and back to basics.
Where do you get your inspiration from?
CP: I tend to look all over for inspiration — online, in magazines, in shops and out and about. As a self-confessed Pinterest addict, I always start by looking here for creative ideas (particularly for examples of upcycling) and making a moodboard of ideas to help get my thoughts in order. I’m a big fan of window shopping and generally mooching in shops (particularly charity shops), so I tend to gather ideas looking at displays and products in the flesh. I’m always jotting down ideas on my phone and taking snaps in case I forget them later on!
Who do you follow on Instagram?
CP: I follow a lot of florists on Instagram as they always seem to post such pretty pictures! McQueens (@mcqueensflowers) post gorgeous images of bouquets and displays and I love their photography and use of colour. I also follow West Elm (@westelmlondon) to drool over their beautiful products!
What is your favourite room in the home and why?
CP: Although people don’t tend to spend an awful lot of time here, I’d say having a beautiful hallway is really important to me. I want to walk in from a day’s work and immediately feel at home and relaxed, so I take pride in making sure it’s well-decorated and tidy. It’s also the first impression people get when they come into your house, so it’s important the space reflects you and your home.
Describe your dream home…
CP: Hmm, that’s a tricky one as I’m forever changing my mind! At the moment, I’m dreaming of a beautiful Georgian house with high ceilings and original sash windows. I’d like an open plan shaker-style kitchen diner and a garden with a studio at the bottom to do my craft projects.
What is your biggest interior or craft trend prediction for 2016?
CP: I think the marble trend is here to stay for a while longer and we’ll see that coming through in lots of homewares. It can be a bit pricey though so I discovered that marble-effect vinyl is great for making your own pieces; I upcycled a side table for the December issue of Style at Home using copper spray paint and covered the tabletop with marble sticky-back plastic. It was really easy to do and looks a lot more expensive than it was!
Follow Cassie on Twitter for more tips and inspiration…
