Continuing our popular group of posts on our fabulous team, this week we concentrate on Lisa, who set up the business back in 2006 from her front room and has grown it into the thriving interiors and soft furnishings business it is today.
Who are you and what do you do at Lisa Dawson Interiors?
Well I am Lisa and I am the founder and director of Lisa Dawson Interiors. I am 6th generation Australian and a trained Textile Conservator but changed careers in 2006 when I started the business. These days I tend to concentrate on our Interior Design projects which involves lots of time spent on building sites and in meetings with architects, builders and quantity surveyors or in one of my two office spaces putting together schemes and sourcing products. I also oversee some of the larger or more specialist soft furnishing projects and the overall management of the business.
Where do you live and in what style of house?
I live on the outskirts of Aylsham close to the Bure River in an Edwardian red brick bay fronted house. They were originally the Signalman and Station Master cottages for Aylsham North Station. These cottages were merged into one larger house in the 1980’s. We added a contemporary extension when we moved in 14 years ago.
What is your style and what inspires you in terms of furnishings and décor?
I am really inspired by the Scandinavian way of life from the style of their interiors to their thoughtful way of life and everything in between. I have experimented with various styles over the years but mostly return to mid-Century furniture and the simplicity of white walls adorned with contemporary art which I love and collect. I also love collections of things, from Moroccan leather slippers to Wallace and Sewell scarves. I say mostly as I am married to a very traditional Englishman who has inherited several traditional pieces of furniture and pieces of art so our sitting room has a much more traditional feel to accommodate these items and is his favourite room in the house.
Which is your current favourite room?
Although my husband does most of the cooking, the kitchen is my favourite room as it is where we spend time with friends and family. I have recently embraced the minimalist lifestyle and this has been the first room to receive an overhaul, taking the doors off kitchen cupboards and getting rid of unnecessary clutter- it has been liberating and has encouraged me to spend more time cooking!
What do you like to do in your spare time?
I love all things water-based and in particular I love surfing and stand up paddle boarding which I have done on holidays in Cornwall for several years, but more recently I have started surfing in Norfolk which is met with much amusement by my Australian family, they can’t believe I go out in the middle of winter! I have also recently taken up skateboarding much to my teenage daughter’s horror but it really helps with the surfing. My husband and I also enjoy kayaking and canoeing on the Broads. When not in the water I love gardening and we grow lots of veg in the summer. I also play the piano which is something I have done since childhood.
We hope that you are enjoying a glimpse into the lives and homes of our team. Remember, if you would like a consultation on one window or a whole house, please do get in touch. We can provide this service by video-link and can also come out and measure or take your measurements if you prefer. We stock a wide range of designer fabrics, paint and wallpaper and can advise on colour, furnishings or a whole interior design project.
We look forward to welcoming you to the studio soon.
