Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Clare Watson . We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Clare, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Risk taking is something we’re really interested in and we’d love to hear the story of a risk you’ve taken.
Reach out to that person you’re inspired by. Talk to that random person. Respond to that wild gut call.
We are all in this wild adventure together and you never know what skills, advise, support or what exciting personal or creative project can come from a little ‘hi’
there’s so many creative do-ers that inspire & make us stronger! my little black book of awesome creatives continues to grow – and I always get excited about the next connection and collaboration – you just never quite know what creative adventure you’ll jump into next when you connect with others :)
One example of a random adventure that nearly didn’t happen when I took a risk was –
Ok I’ll come clean I’m a sourcing/styling nutt! always shopping, collecting and sourcing. Usually styling up a space for a secret wild supper, setting the styling or direction for another glossy magazine cover or feature, working closely with innovative brands to create Visual graphics and direction, or sourcing and designing new bespoke commercial or private spaces.
Its how me, jess and then Becca from Mustard made lockers initially met! And we’ve been friends ever since. Whilst sourcing for an artists studio design project set in a beautiful woods I was looking for hardy storage solutions, the mustard made lockers fit the brief but were in beautiful colours and morphed the functionality and beauty side together perfectly. Someone online was selling a few, I reached out to say hi and on a random Wim went into London to meet them.
When arriving at Jess’ home I was greeted by a huge smile and lockers everywhere, I was a little worried as to how she’d acquired so many ‘ I’m so sorry I have to ask why do you have so many lockers?’. That prompted the Mustard locker launch story and tea, we nattered for ages of how founder Jess and her amazing sister Becca had just created this locker dream and brand and the rest was history. Many projects together, weddings, brand shoots, home shoots, press events, pop up shops, styling & feel good drinks and many more to come
so for me that little ‘hi’ and an abstract decision to just go and visit became a wonderful adventure and cemented being part of an incredible creative community. When I view a locker now in my own space it reminds me of like minded people. They bring the best out of you, feed your mind, feed your soul – and can make magic happen.
In quiet moments of celebration I am reminded how fortunate we are to be surrounded by so many strong minds & creative geniuses fiercely running their businesses with passion and continuing to inspire us all!
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
THROUGH STYLING SPACES & DESIGNING BRANDS THIS UK-BASED CREATIVE STUDIO & CONSULTANCY, RUN AND CURATED BY CLARE WATSON CREATES STAND-OUT FEEL GOOD SPACES THAT ARE FOUNDED ON A CULTURE OF COLLABORATION + CONNECTION. NOT ONLY A SPACE OR VISUAL THAT TELL A STORY, BUT ALSO FUNCTIONS WITH BEAUTIFUL SENSORY DESIGN FOR THE USER.
Offering everything from styling – events and environments, commercial shoots, art direction, private/commercial fit outs, idea coaching and brand design.
Turmerichouse also throw themselves into the local community frequently taking part in educational and enriching events to develop Ideas as well as support and connect brands, makers, chefs + friends with exciting creative projects.
Behind the studio
Clare Watson curates bespoke teams and makers to build each bespoke project. Clare is an interiors, lifestyle & event stylist and curator. who’s work has been featured in Vogue Living, Elle, Tatler, harpers bazaar, OK!, NME, ITV, Red magazine, reclaim magazine amongst others
Clare’s experience & creative fearlessness Individually provides a unique set of skills and personality that contributes to ensuring that every project or environment she creates is personal, multi layered and enjoyed by all. She celebrates the individuality and charm of every unique brand or client she works with
you’ll usually see Clare styling up a field or airplane hanger for a secret or wild supper, or setting the styling or concept for another glossy magazine cover or feature, Sourcing and designing new bespoke restaurants, commercial spaces or designing and running bespoke brand events or working closely with innovative brands to create any visual direction.
Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?
In the wild times these became purely online or solo design adventures –the creative sessions did become very emotion led as people lost businesses, built businesses, found themselves, lost themselves and friends but it did gave us the opportunity to support each other and ‘pivot’ to find other income streams or challenge your brain to find those solutions. Sitting still makes us stale why stay in a comfort zone that doesn’t make us sing!
With Designing Spaces, in the commercial sense projects continued but I had to get creative with how I designed. Within hospitality we couldn’t dine inside but we could outside so I contacted local councils with carparks located next to the restaurants I was working with and created safe outside dining spaces with air, greenery and enabling restaurants to still trade, and working with local marquee companies from the wedding and events industry who couldn’t trade too but together we could.
Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?
As a people person, you want to please everyone with your designs in the beginning. When weaving emotion within that and within every space I create I want the user to experience using all senses. But It took me a while to be fully authentic. But you learn to grow your own style. People don’t want to norm they want your point of difference..
I have found that ego, pride and mind set have been a big factor with me even starting some projects or saying yes to others, but you Just need to do it what’s really the worst that can happen?
its hard when but you realise your brand/studio doesn’t have to be for everyone but just the people who solutions your fixing/creativing – would you not want to work with someone who gets fully excited by your designs and that you can be fully creatively authentic with..
there’s a great interview with @entrepreneur and @dude wipes and he mentions –
‘Do you have doubters because your brand is a little more.. it’s different rather than the typical brand. You do a lot of very creative marketing approaches did you have people criticising that early on when the brand wasn’t as solidified?
Definitely and we still do today. If you don’t have haters your vision is not big enough, like you can’t have the love without the hate. It’s these different energy concepts essentially and I call that the first law branding. For every emotional reaction there’s an opposite and equal emotional reaction so if people love your brand you’re going to have people who don’t really like it. If you have no one loving or hating your brand and If you’re just sitting in the middle that’s like a flat line bad position to be in. So we don’t expect everyone to love dude wipes and that’s OK and yes of course more so in the beginning it’s like who are these clowns, this idea is stupid this will never make it.
How’s that make you feel? …great now ‘
Another quote I really like is from Zanna Keithley Via Laura Jackson
‘The real magic is when you don’t know how it’s going to happen. You don’t know if you’re ever going to make it. You don’t know where this road will take you—or if it’s even taking you anywhere at all. But still, you step forward and keep showing up, even on your hardest days. Sometimes, your steps are small. Other times, they’re a little bigger. But you’re not worried about the pace because you trust that what’s meant for you won’t miss you—that you’re exactly where you’re meant to be in this moment. The real magic is when your mind tries to convince you that you can’t, but you step forward anyway because your beating heart tells you that you can. The real magic is you. It’s your courage and commitment. Your belief in a universe where all things are possible. Your refusal to listen to the outer voices over that quiet voice within. It’s in your breath.
It’s in your energy. It’s who you are at your core. You’re the gift. You’re the spark. You’re the magic.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.turmerichouse.com
- Instagram: turmerichouse
Image Credits
megantaylorphoto benjaminwheeler freshshoot jayne_saunderson