Every now and then, we at Sweetpea & Willow, like to introduce you to the people in our industry who we absolutely adore. These are the bloggers, designers, and generally like-minded individuals who influence the world of interior design by consistently posting beautiful imagery and useful tips.
This week we’re chatting to one of our favourite bloggers, and long-time Sweetpea & Willow supporters, Melanie Lissack! Her effortlessly contemporary style, combined with her expert use of colour ensures that her interiors are always absolutely fabulous and consistently on trend.
It was Melanie’s turn in the Sweetpea & Willow hot seat, and we had a bumper list of quick fire questions for her to answer. She definitely didn’t disappoint! Enjoy!
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The first thing I do when I wake up is…
Go into my toddler son Jaxon’s bedroom to try and get him to go back to sleep! He usually wakes me up before an acceptable hour every day!
On my bedside table, you would find…
My iPhone – I’m a terrible Instagram addict and a bad habit is that I spend over an hour catching up with everyone’s posts from the day before I fall asleep. Hand cream – constant DIY and decorating mean that my hands and nails are always in a poor condition. A half drunk cup of tea is also never far from me at any time!
An invaluable piece of information that I’ve received and passed on is…
Red lipstick will instantly transform you from bleak to chic.
The two most important things I can’t leave home without are…
My watch – I feel naked without it. And my phone, as sad as that sounds. If I am leaving my son I need the updates to know he has eaten his dinner, asleep, happy – typical parental concern!
Right now, my handbag contains…
About 5 lipsticks in various shades of bright pink and red. A ton of receipts from DIY stores. My Filofax and notebook as I cannot organise my life without it. I’ve never managed to get to grips with doing it all digitally, I have to write things down and every day I make a new ‘to do’ list. I get pretty stressed if I do not fulfil everything on it! Also car keys, sunglasses, and post I keep forgetting to put in the letterbox.
Right now, I’m listening to…
The new albums from LCD Soundsystem and Everything Everything. Although I mostly tune into Radio 6 in the evening, and LBC in the day – black cab driver radio! I think it’s a sign I’m getting old!
In one short sentence, I would describe my home as…
My sanctuary, a reflection of my personality and a well used and loved family home.
The best bargain I’ve ever purchased is…
Oh crikey, that’s a hard question! I spend my life trying to get a bargain! I’ll go miles for something I think I’m getting a good deal on – I love the hit of getting something worth a lot more for less! I recently purchased a crystal glass Lee Broom Fulcrum candle stick for just shy of £50, which I was so chuffed about as his stuff is never easy to find, and a large Jonathan Adler tray for £16!
My top 3 dinner guests would be…
I know this is the point when I am meant to say people like Barack Obama and some intellectual thinkers, but honestly, I’d prefer to have a laugh so I’d invite Alan Carr, Joanna Lumley and Jacquie from Sweetpea and Willow!
The thing I love most about my job is…
Submerging myself in beautiful furniture and home ware, whether it is designer or high street!
My dream destination to visit would be…
I’ve wanted to visit Rio de Janeiro in recent years. I think it may be one to explore once Jaxon is older.
The one thing I can’t live without is…
Hair straighteners! I do a good Brian May look if my hair is Au-natural! And wonderful friends and family, of course.
On my to-do list, today is…
Carry on decorating my bedroom – I’m currently part of the Revamp Restyle Reveal team, a project launched by influencer Lisa Dawson, interiors writer Bianca Hall, and GIDC finalist Oliver Thomas. There are 10 of us interior bloggers revamping a room over the space of 4 weeks for the project. I also am project managing a house conversion in Bloomsbury for a client based in Singapore, and designing the decor of a new build flat for another client in Mile End.
My favourite way to wind-down is…
In the bath with scented candles, an interiors mag and a large glass of wine!
Tonight I will probably be dreaming about…
What I last saw in Instagram before I fell asleep!
My dream piece from Sweetpea & Willow would be….
The Ariel Bed in blue! Just the most perfect piece. I love the unusual shape and the gold legs! Plus blue in interiors is my favourite colour to use.
Finish this sentence. Sweetpea & Willow are…
Way ahead of their time – whatever they do others follow their lead. Go to Sweetpea & Willow to get that item everyone will be lusting over in the interior mags in months to come!
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Thank you so much to Melanie Lissack for giving us such fabulous answers. We’re sure you’ll be seeing much more of her work in the future!
For heaps of interior inspiration. check out Melanie’s interior design blog.
