All photos copyright of Rachael Taylor and Struth Photography
A while ago I had the pleasure of interviewing surface pattern designer and illustrator Rachael Taylor. After oggling her colourful home and gorgeous garden I couldn’t resist sharing the photos with you. I hope Rachael’s interior inspires you to inject some colour and pattern into your own home – enjoy..!
As an internationally renowned creative stylist and pattern designer Rachael’s CV is impressive. Her artwork has been used to adorn homewares, fashion, stationary, ceramics, gadgets and interiors pieces. She is also the creator of the world’s first surface pattern design digital publication MOYO magazine.
When I first peeked at Rachael’s home, I’d never seen a more ‘me’ home before. The colours and retro patterns are just my dream. As you may already know, I love retro inspired design. I mean, just a quick glance around my thrifty interiors category will show you just how much of a fan I am of mid-century design.
LET’S TAKE A LOOK INSIDE RACHAEL’S HOME
The first stop and my favourite room in the house is the orange living room. It has perfect parquet flooring and in an open plan space that incorporates the dining table, surrounded by colourful retro-style chairs.
The room opens up onto the garden – but more about that later! Inside, storage is adorned with Rachael’s own colourful patterns and a custom-made side table uses old printers typeface blocks to create a unique unit.
It’s no wonder that Rachael’s home is so beautifully styled; Rachael Taylor is the co-founder of Make It In Design, an online school where you can learn design skills from the comfort of your own home. Her Summer School programme takes place during August (registration closes on the 16th) and is an exciting way to challenge yourself creatively. By the way this is 100% NOT an advert, I’m just a big fan of Rachael’s!
Working to future Spring/Summer trend-inspired briefs, Rachael’s online Summer School helps you to build up your design portfolio and have fun with the creative exercises. I’ve watched in Rachael’s design webinars in the past and it’s always so inspiring – I love learning about future trends in all areas – interiors, fashion, design, and so on.
A STROLL AROUND RACHAEL’S GARDEN
After spending the last 18 months landscaping and planting up our garden I can appreciate the work that has gone into creating Rachael’s beautiful outdoor space. It incorporates spaces for play, relaxation and wildlife – exactly the kind of garden I’m hoping to achieve myself.
I adore Rachael’s colourful collection of bird houses on the wall. It’s such a lovely idea and it helps to attract birds into the garden to nest. Flower beds are packed with bee-friendly plants, such as lavender and buddleia, which also provide inspiration for Rachael’s botanical pattern designs.
An upcycled chevron table provides an indoor-outdoor space where the family can gather to dine al fresco. I love the idea of adding splashes of colour to the garden by painting the planters and adding colourful accessories such as the turquoise string chair and coral bench seat.
The terracing gives Rachael’s workshop a lovely elevated view over the garden. We’ve had to terrace our own garden because it’s on quite a steep slope, but it’s no where near as beautiful as the brick wall terrace in Rachael’s garden. Let’s take a look inside her she-shed now…
A PEEK INSIDE RACHAEL TAYLOR’S STUDIO
Even though Rachael has an office space inside her home, she loves to work outdoors and be inspired by nature. The summerhouse doubles as a studio where she can work peacefully on her latest designs.
I love the clash of patterns and colours in Rachael’s custom-made flooring. It brings a rainbow of hues into the space and sets an exciting tone that seems to say ‘this is where the design magic happens!’ I think the key to using such fun, bright colours and patterns is setting it off against the fresh white walls.
I want to say a huge thank you to Rachael for allowing me to write about her home for Reloved magazine and again on my own blog today. I never fail to be inspired by her use of colour and pattern – and right now just want to go and paint a wall in my home orange!
Please do check out Rachael’s website and her fun design courses, and let me know in the comments below if you’ve been inspired by this tour of Rachael’s bold and colourful home – what design elements will you incude in your own home? 🙂
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