A decor8 reader who goes by the name of bowiestyle is actually a blogger herself. I first started reading Print + Pattern in April, I’ll never forget how I felt when I sat before my monitor, scrolling down Print + Pattern, loving everything I saw. Eye-candy overload. All of her posts are just beautiful. I knew it would soon become a daily destination since I’m a total textile addict and this girl has a great eye for design. When I came across her Orla Kiely post, I had to show it to decor8 readers (april 27) because it was then that I realized Print + Pattern is actually a London-based blogger who, in addition to her addiction to prints, also loves to snap photos of storefronts like I do.

I decided that this week, after all the rain we’ve had (at least here in the northeast), that Print + Pattern would add just the right dose sunshine and rainbows to brighten the week to come. That is why this is our blog of the week. It’s soon to be one of your favorites, I’m certain. I caught up with blogger, bowiestyle, to chat about her blog with hopes that you’ll make Print + Pattern your daily destination as well.

decor8: I’m so happy that we have a moment to chat. First of all, can you tell decor8 readers a little bit about your blogging name and your blog?
p+p: Sure. My blogging name is bowiestyle after my fave style icon David Bowie. I use a pseudonym because I want to stay anonymous so I can report on trends and take sneaky spy photos in stores. My blog is called Print + Pattern – which sums up the kind of work I’m interested in, surface pattern design on fabrics, tableware, cards + wrap, stationary, bags, etc.

decor8: I know you’re based in London, are you from London or a transplant?
p+p: Yes, I live in London, but I’m not from here. I was born in Hampshire located about 55 miles southwest of London.

decor8: What do you do for work?
p+p: At the moment I’m working as a textile and surface pattern designer for a UK homewares company.

decor8: That’s a dream job for many, how impressive. When you design on the job, where do you find inspiration for your designs?
p+p: I look at anything that features a pattern or print of some kind. It could be home textiles, fashion prints from catwalks, graphic design, style magazines, basically a similar kind of thing to that covered on the blog.

decor8: Since you work for a company, do you have a lot of room for creative expression or do you have to stay within fixed guidelines or a certain style? How does this work?
p+p: There are two sides to it, I have chances to design exactly what I want based on trends, but I also get given briefs by customers, these can be really tight or very vague. Its quite a nice mix between the two.

decor8: When was it that you decided to do this for a living? (textile design)
p+p: I started out wanting to do graphic design but soon realised that it was too boring and restrictive.

decor8: As a designer, you must have some favorite designers that you look to for inspiration. Tell us, who inspires you and why?
p+p: My fave designers are Orla Kiely, Angela Adams, Tricia Guild, and Cath Kidston. I like Orla and Angela for their strong graphic style, its closest to my own work. Tricia Guild because she was my first design hero and the original colour guru, and then Cath Kidston not only for the great prints, but because she is living the dream – putting her own designs onto products and selling them in her own shops. How I wish that were me!

decor8: Great picks. I’m sure that with your eye for design and your passion, you would succeed as a small business owner. Okay, now back to blogs. What gave you the idea to start Print + Pattern?
p+p: I started in March this year – I discovered lots of great blogs but couldn’t find any that addressed exactly what I was into. You find coffee tables and sinks etc. mixed in between patterns on a lot of design blogs and I’m not at all interested in 3D design.

decor8: Makes sense. You needed to carve out your own creative space. With so many design and art blogs out there, what seems to be missing that you’d like to see?
p+p: More on the designing of fabrics rather than on the sewing side of things.

decor8: Oh yes, that would be absolutely wonderful. Maybe there’s a textile teacher or designer reading this that will get the idea and start one up. Okay, let’s move from blogs and careers and talk about other things you enjoy. Being based in London, I’d like to see what your perfect Saturday would include… Can you share?
p+p: Going shopping, eating Italian food, and then going to the theatre. I’m a big fan of musicals, I’ve already done 8 this year so far and it’s only May. I try to go at least once a month.

decor8: I like that day, a satisfaction of all the senses. I enjoy London theatre too, although I’ve only seen Les Mis there twice. (I was such a geek, I bought a t-shirt and everything.) I read that they’re actually bringing Les Mis back to Broadway in October… Let’s wrap things up with your top 10 things that you just can’t live without, it’s how I like to end most of my interviews.
p+p: Music, patterns, cats, cakes, Italy, theatre, Adobe Illustrator, shopping, I know that’s only 8 but I’m not a greedy person.

Not, you’re definitely not – you share with us your many prints + patterns each day and for that, we’re all very appreciative. Thank you so much for stopping by.

Readers: Please remember to spread the love to bowiestyle and make sure you say hello in the comments section below.

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