emmalovesretro is the passion of Emma, a graphic designer by profession, but a life long crafter. 'After 12 years as a graphic designer working mostly on screen I had a yearning to do something more hands on and crafty. I love the graphic nature of many retro prints, so many of my choices of fabric show the connection between the artist and graphic designer in me'. Along with running emmalovesretro Emma continues to be a graphic designer (including designing this website).
'I've always been into drawing and painting, arts and crafts and making things. I don't think there were many Blue Peter projects that didn't get attempted in our household. My Mum should take the credit for my desire to be constantly creating. When I was a child my sister and I would come down each morning to find fuzzy felt, pencils and paper and all you need to cutting gluing and sticking all laid out ready to keep us entertained. Her dress making still inspires me now, boosting my wardrobe with some classic dresses (my new pride and joy) recently brought down from the loft. But, my Dad was equally inspiring, making furniture, dolls houses complete with minature furniture, Cindy beds, sledges and showing us a few tricks in the workshop along the way.
In the Seventies, Mum and Dad's house was very cool (although I probably didn't realise it then) - the Heal's furniture, the Bang & Olufsen stereo, the grey shag-pile carpet, hessian wallpaper and bold floral-print fabrics. When they updated it, I made my Mum keep the old curtains for my future home - now reworked with a modern twist, they take pride of place amongst my collections. When she comes round my Mum says it's like stepping back in time, so maybe I'm still just a nostalgic seventies child at heart! But I think there's something special about things that are a little bit worn, that have lived and been loved and have a history. I don't know why I love the seventies in particular perhaps - it's the combination of colours like browns and oranges together, the typefaces, the bold florals, cork tiles and teak furniture.'
But not content with surrounding herself with vintage bric-a-brac (including a few iconic pieces salvaged from her childhood home), she's out to spread the retro gospel, too. ‘It's not just about a love of the old, it's also a reaction to modern levels of consumerism. In the past things were made to last, so with a bit of TLC vintage pieces can live on and be enjoyed anew.'
Click here to read Emma's interview at mydeco.com
With everything we've said, it would be a bit cheeky to squander pretty trees willy-nilly, so emmalovesretro only uses recycled stationary, our business cards are printed on 100% recycled paper with eco-friendly inks, and we try to make responsible choices to help reduce waste as much as possible.
