Annette Taylor-Anderson of ATADesigns

Founder and surface design specialist, British born, Annette Taylor-Anderson set-up ATADesigns in 2005. She is renowned for her bold statement graphic designs as featured in the press and magazines, both in the UK and Internationally; Her designs break the boundaries of tradition, in true London style.

Over the last few years, she has developed cutting-edge print design collections featured as wallpaper, lampshades, cushions and ceramic tiles for the interior markets. She has worked with interior designers, and collaborated on projects as well as working with the individual.

Her design approach is always fresh and unique, and so there is always that element of anticipation, and excitement.

Annette first studied fine art before becoming a surface designer, so she expresses this through the fusion of art and design in her work, from her London studio.

Tell us about your design business, ATADesigns.

ATADesigns stands for Annette Taylor-Anderson Designs. We are designers of contemporary wall coverings, ceramic wall tiles, lampshades, fabrics and cushions. Our aim is to deliver creativity, freshness and boldness into interior and exterior spaces. We work with some of the best manufacturers, to produce high quality products for our customers.

What inspired you to pursue this business?

I have always been interested in art and design from a very young age. When I was older, I used to paint, and show my work at art exhibitions. I suppose my interest in setting-up my own company came after my studies at University, where I studied Textile Design and Surface Decoration, and then I graduated as a Textile Designer. I’m very passionate about design, and I love to see people enjoy my work in their homes and interior spaces.

Where do you find inspiration for your designs?

My Inspiration comes from all kinds of things, people and places. I especially love derelict old buildings, building sites, cranes and giant machinery. I usually carry a camera and a sketchbook in my bag to record ideas for future projects.

What’s your personal design style? Has it evolved over time?

My personal design style is contemporary, bold and graphic, with an artistic flair. I would say that my design style has evolved, and it is forever evolving. I love to experiment with hand-drawn, painting, photographic and computer work. I now have many design styles. Not all of them have been shown as yet.

Many of us have a product we bought for our home-that now makes us think-”what was I thinking” -  do you have one?

I don’t really have anything, but my husband bought a huge bookshelf once, and he thought, “yeah that would look great in the house”. When I came home and saw it, well, you could say that I was not happy. It did not fit the living room, it was too big for the room, and the style did not fit, I had to get rid of it quickly. Say no more…..

Describe your dream room.

My dream room would have to be a very large room or area, where I can best display my designs on the wall. A giant mural, a little bit like a large painting. The colors of the room would have to be light, and clean, to compliment the mural as the main feature. The furniture would be simple, not too fussy, and contemporary. This could be in a large house, hotel, or large interior area.

Ollie & Nic Leather Bag:  I recently bought this bag, it’s so spacious, enough to fit all my bits and bobs, including my sketchbook. Dolly Mixture Sweets: Since working on my last project to design the Dolly Mixture wallpaper, I can’t stop eating the sweets. Sammy Dogs: A friend of mine makes and sells these little Sammy Dogs. She gave one of them to me as a thank you gift, they are so cute. Graffiti Image: I’d taken this photo while at Covent Garden, London. I don’t know who the artist is, but I think it’s great! Baby Tomatoes: I love eating baby tomatoes, especially when they are ripe and sweet. Wallpaper Book by Charlotte Abrahams:  Fabulous book, featuring great wallpapers.

Tell us about a favorite design project.

I actually have two favorite projects. I’ve just finished designing wallpaper and greeting cards for “Sweet Tooth”  a new sweet shop recently opened in London. The wallpaper is based on “Dolly Mixtures”, which brings me back to my childhood days of eating those Moorish sweets.

Then, towards the end of last year, I collaborated with an upholstery company called “Urban Upholstery”, and we presented “Ore” a pair of nursing chairs that had been rescued from the street, and re-designed by Urban Upholstery using ATADesigns fabrics, for their showroom.

I also had a large wall to decorate, and so I designed an eye-catching mural. That was very challenging, but it did give the showroom the “WOW” factor.

What’s your favorite color or paint swatch?

My favorite color at the moment is the 2010 trend forecast color, Pantone Turquoise (Pantone 15-5519 TCX), and its everything that Pantone says it is: “Turquoise evokes thoughts of soothing, tropical waters and a languorous, effective escape from the everyday troubles of the world,” Pantone claims, “while at the same time restoring our sense of well-being.”  (More on Annette’s favorite color, Turquoise, from Mark Sinclair at Creative Review.)

I have not used it in my designs as yet, but I will do soon.

What are your five favorite pieces of home décor from your home or elsewhere?

My five favorite pieces of home décor are:

• I love works by Piero Fornasetti and this room divider is great!
• Huaras rug by Christopher Farr, I love his rugs, and this reminds me of abstract art
• Chandelier Mirror by Accent Designs – This beautiful mirror was an unexpected gift to me, and sits on my bathroom wall.
• The “Lucrezia wingchair” by Urban Upholstery – The colors and fabric in this chair are amazing, the impeccable upholstery is of a very high quality, and although this is a traditional chair, it also has a modern twist to it.
• The “Beryl, Mavis & Coco” sociable spiral sofa designed by Marnie Moyle – I actually sat in this sofa at Decorex, London, and I must say that it is very comfortable and very sociable you can fit 3 people in it. I want one of these in my home.

What’s your favorite room at home? Why is it your favorite?

My favorite is my living room. Its the first room I go to when I kick-off my shoes to relax, it’s my haven. This was the first room we decorated when we first moved in. It’s a contemporary room, with soft calming purple-coloured walls, decorated with my abstract paintings, and contemporary furniture. I love this room

Who are your favorite designers?

• Piero Fornasetti – He was a genius, he had great design style and now he’s an icon. I’m really blown away by his works. FANTASTIC!
• Timorous Beasties - My all time favorite designers from Scotland, their work is incredible.
• Kelly Wearstler – Very bold, I would love to work with her to see how she would use my designs.
• Adrienne Chinn Design – I love her versatility, and she is always up for a challenge.

What are your favorite blogs or home design/improvement websites?

I recommend the following blog sites. They all have up-to-date and inspirational information on what is out there in the design world:

• Design Sponge – Good design trend guide, DIY design projects, city design guide.
• Apartment Therapy – Inspirational home design guide.
• Habitually Chic -It means exactly what it says, it’s chic.
• Coolhunter – Reports on just about everything from Design, Architecture, Fashion, Music, Art etc. Everything that’s Cool.
• Retro to Go – A guide to hip and retro things.

What are your favorite books, design shows and/or magazines?

I don’t really watch much TV, but there are two shows that I like watching: The Culture Show and Grand Designs. If there are any documentaries on designers or artists, then I do try to watch them.

Magazines

• Elle Decoration
• idFX
• Intramuros
• Interior Design
• Design Week
• Living etc

Books

• Wallpaper The Ultimate Guide, by Charlotte Abrahams.
• Material for Inspirational Design by Chris Lefteri.
• The Home Decorator’s Colour & Texture Sourcebook by Adrienne Chinn.
• Wallpaper by Lachlan Blackley.
• The Book of Interiors published by Montague Publications Group.

As a design professional, is there a design tip you’d recommend to other designers?

Listen to the person you are designing for. When working with a client, find out as much information as you can about what they want, their likes and dislikes, their budget etc. Do they have their own ideas, images, drawings or themes to accompany their idea(s)? Gather detailed information, do lots of research, plan everything, use drawings and swatches, take photographs of the room or space. With all this information, you will start to build a picture of your client’s vision.

Contact Details:

Tel: +44 (0)208 223 7263 (UK)

Mobile: +44 (0)7939 105661

Email: Email Annette – Products can be bought direct from Annette via email request.

Website: ATADesigns

Twitter: ATADesigns on Twitter

Blog: ATADesigns Blog

Images copyright of respective owners.

The Decorating Diva, LLC would like to thank Annette Taylor-Anderson of ATADesigns for sharing her creative, bold, contemporary and artistic graphic designs and for providing The Decorating Diva.com readers with an inside view into her fascinating design world.

Donzella 20th Century Exhibit at Design Miami 2009

{1.} Custom chairs by Ico & Luisa Parisi (Italy, circa 1952);  {2.} Rosewood desk by Paolo Buffa (Italy, circa 1952); {3.} Red floor lamp, “Lampione”, by Fabio Lenci for Guzzini (Italy, circa 1971); {4.} Bronze table lamp, “Triade”, by Alexandre Loge (France); {5.} Sculptural Bronze Bench by Alexandre Loge (France, 2009); {6.} Hand-made Italian Walnut writing table,” Il Tavolo”, by Giovanni Michelucci (Italy, 1980); {7.} Console table, “Repose”, by Phillip and Kelvin Laverne (1971).

Robert Rida cabinets, “Mediterraneo” (Italy, 2009). The Rida two-door cabinets are a gorgeous cobalt blue featuring mirrored crystal, and colored crystal waves in relief. The cabinet legs are turned brass.

Carved circular side tables by T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings (USA, circa 1936). These rare, from an edition of four, side tables feature inlaid, antiqued mirror tops resting upon exquisite pedestals elegantly detailed with gilding and artfully carved acanthus leaves and scrolls.  These tables were originally designed for “Casa Encantada” in Bel Air, California.

Below Fontana Arte table lamps.

Maarten Baas Designer of the Year Design Miami 2009

Maarten Baas commission piece (exterior view)  for Design Miami 2009.

Interior view of Maarten Baas designed wardrobe commissioned for Design Miami 2009.

Baas furniture collections from left to right: Clay chair, The Chankley Bore, Plastic Chair in Wood, Sculpt Dining Chair, and Hey, Chair be a Bookshelf. The “Hey, Chair be a Bookshelf” is a composition of various furniture pieces which have been collected from second hand stores and then assembled into one piece creating a new life and function for each piece, according to Baas:

A chair became a bookshelf; a lampshade became a vase, a violin a coat rack.

Baroque armchair reproduction from Moooi (left) for the Maarten Baas “Where There’s Smoke…” collection. Yellow Dining Chair (right) from the “Treasure Furniture” collection. The “Treasure Furniture” collection utilizes furniture factory scrap and waste to give life to a new piece of furniture.

Clay dining chair in red (left) is hand crafted of synthetic clay with a metal skeleton. The design for the chair from the  “Where There’s Smoke…” collection (right) is inspired by Gerrit T. Rietveld’s Zig Zag chair – then the chair was burned, and sealed in a clear expoy coating.