Designer and creative consultant Matilda Goad’s signature scalloped edges have us swooning at BlueSkyFriday HQ. Now the Christmas tree has gone, we’re all longing to inject a bit of 2024 energy into our homes.
Whilst lusting after raffia lampshades, clover-embellished matchbox sleeves and candy cane rimmed glassware, we decided we needed to know more about the woman whose unique, vintage-inspired designs have got the interiors world in a lather. And throwing out phrases like ‘neo country’. Whatever it means, we want it.
And who knows, maybe some of her style will rub off on us. Here’s hoping.
GM: Can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
MG: The brand evolved slowly - there was definitely no business plan in place. It started with a scallop lampshade and from those first sales, I doubled the order. The brand has grown very organically since then. It’s meant we have really put our roots down and focused on the operations side of things; being D2C, it’s so important to me that the customer journey is easy and enjoyable.
GM: How did you find the experience of renovating your own home? Did the pressure ever get too much?
MG: I loved it - I worked with my husband who has a building company, which made the process a little less stressful. We also worked this over time. I’m a great believer in homes evolving and that they can’t be created overnight - be careful of trends and consider what you actually love and what works for the way you live.
GM: Where do you seek inspiration?
MG: I’m enjoying going to a library right now, I love the switch off from the digital world and being immersed in books. There is an amazing library called Reference Point at 180 The Strand, which I adore.
GM: You have collaborated with the likes of Anthropologie and Papier, amongst others. How have you found the transition from working solo to being part of a team?
MG: We have grown slowly and I am so lucky to have an amazing, talented, hard-working team who are with me everyday. They are all so driven and an integral part of the company. We very much work alongside one another and I love bouncing ideas around. As a small company, I think this is so important to have a 360 view of what’s happening.
GM: What are your top London hangouts?
MG: Koko, Brutto, Estelle, Strakers.
GM: How do you wind down?
MG: Time off my phone hanging with my little buds.
GM: And finally, what trends are you loving for 2024?
MG: I’m very into nickel - we are introducing this as a new option into existing ranges on the site. It feels fresh and modern, but surprisingly subtle.
January, 2024
