For Mother’s Day, we interviewed Ellie Watson, business founder and mum about what it means to live a life less ordinary, and how she expresses her individual style at home and play.
What does Mother’s Day mean to you?
EW: Mother's Day is a day to be celebrated by my family, from becoming a Mother myself it has also given me a newfound appreciation for all of the other Mother’s in my life. I love receiving handmade cards or gifts from them and especially love a breakfast in bed.
You recently built your home, what was your favourite part of this build?
EW: I really loved selecting the fixtures and finishes with our interior designers, those design parts are so much fun, and I loved visiting all the showrooms. I just loved the whole process so much and already want to do it all again.
What was your inspiration behind this build?
EW: I was initially inspired by mid century modern architecture and Mediterranean homes/finishes. Once we started building I completely flipped our palette around because I decided last minute I wanted a darker / warmer mood board to suit our valley surroundings instead of coastal, nothing bright and white. We changed the cabinetry colour to a walnut colour and the paint colour to a warm beige and I am so happy with the result.
Where did your love for design and business come from?
EW: I like to think it all stems back to my interests in school. During my senior years I took a real interest in Arts and Textiles and would spend my lunchtimes working on my major projects, however after school I decided to do a gap year in the Army and then travelled and studied nutrition & dietetics so my career pathway completely changed. During University I took an interest in food styling, recipe creation and photography which is how I started my business and now this has again evolved into product and clothing design.
What room in your home brings you the most joy?
EW: My kitchen, the kitchen is the heart of the home in my opinion, and so I really wanted this space to be grand, open, bright and have an oversized island bench for serving up breakfast at the bar, entertaining and cooking.
How do you keep your home beautifully styled whilst being a mum to two?
EW: Cabinetry with lots of storage!! Once we moved into our new home with loads of storage and everything had a place to be stored we realised our home could feel less cluttered and more stylish. We also have a playroom/media room down the hallway, where the kids can play with loads of toys and cushions, and I don’t have to see it and feel stressed that my home feels messy.
Finally, What’s on your gift wishlist (from F&F) this Mother’s Day?
EW: The Wabi Sabi Ruffle Napkins and tablecloth, they are so gorgeous and fun!
