Anna Platts
Exeter-based illustrator and designer, Anna Platts studied for her degree in Illustration in Bristol. After a number of years living there, and in Brighton, she returned to Devon to focus on her core business – creating home accessories with a bespoke design service.
As a freelance illustrator for many years, Anna has exhibited her work in shows and exhibitions all over the country, getting involved in varied projects, one of which led her to working on site opposite the Olympic Stadium in Beijing!
"One of my long-standing clients includes a French interior design company who approached me to design a series of modern Toile de Jouy fabrics. Having worked together for a long time, this year it will showcase at Decorex – the international interiors trade show. My experience with creating unique designs for clients has given me a good understanding of designing for interiors, using fabrics, wallpapers, lampshades and accessories, creating repeat patterns and complimentary designs. This led me to start turning my existing portfolio of work into individual products for the home and offering a bespoke design service, under Anna Platts Homewares," she explains.
This service was put to good use, when Anna was approached to create a series of designs featuring wildlife local to a newly renovated shepherd's hut and holiday cottage on the edge of Dartmoor, such as swallows, woodpeckers, bumble bees and ladybirds. "Working closely with the clients, I created the designs using traditional watercolour and pencil techniques, which I then had made into cushions, tea towels, aprons and lampshades. The coordinated range has been used to beautiful effect. The brilliant print company I work with, allows me to offer clients a range of sizes and finishes for cushions and fabrics, from velvet to cotton, and also wallpaper by the metre."
She continues: "I can create a whole range of coordinated kitchen accessories too, from napkins and tablecloths to aprons. Lampshades are handmade by me, and come in a range of sizes that can be fitted with a pendant or an upright fitting. It's a lovely thing to be able to create location-specific designs, featuring wildlife, local landscapes and landmarks – perfect to add that special touch to an interior, especially with all of the holiday lets in Devon. I will happily consider any and all commissions, and love nothing more than discussing a new brief."
I am currently working on another modern interpretation of a classic Toile de Jouy pattern, intended for custom fabric to be used to upholster a chaise suite. This is for a client for whom I recently created a large bespoke wall panel to be hung in her hallway. I hope to continue to work with several clients in Devon who are currently doing up their houses. I can create bespoke decor that you would never find on the high street (and for reasonable prices too!)
Anna has a selection of products for sale at Green Hill Arts in Moretonhampstead and showed her work at The Exeter Art Show, alongside The Exeter Illustrators (of which Anna is a proud member). "I intend to have a stall at the Magdalen Road Christmas Craft Fair in Exeter and, next year, I hope to have a stand at the Contemporary Craft Festival in Bovey Tracey," she adds.
"I relish creating new designs from my own imagination and I find inspiration everywhere – from my travels, to looking at the RAMM butterfly collection. I also love working on a brief with a client and bringing their ideas to life. There is nothing more satisfying, especially when delivering the final piece as cushions/fabric/lampshades and seeing the pieces in situ. It's what makes me love my job," she concludes.
Anna Platts
Exeter-based illustrator and designer, Anna Platts studied for her degree in Illustration in Bristol. After a number of years living there, and in Brighton, she returned to Devon to focus on her core business – creating home accessories with a bespoke design service.
As a freelance illustrator for many years, Anna has exhibited her work in shows and exhibitions all over the country, getting involved in varied projects, one of which led her to working on site opposite the Olympic Stadium in Beijing!
"One of my long-standing clients includes a French interior design company who approached me to design a series of modern Toile de Jouy fabrics. Having worked together for a long time, this year it will showcase at Decorex – the international interiors trade show. My experience with creating unique designs for clients has given me a good understanding of designing for interiors, using fabrics, wallpapers, lampshades and accessories, creating repeat patterns and complimentary designs. This led me to start turning my existing portfolio of work into individual products for the home and offering a bespoke design service, under Anna Platts Homewares," she explains.
This service was put to good use, when Anna was approached to create a series of designs featuring wildlife local to a newly renovated shepherd's hut and holiday cottage on the edge of Dartmoor, such as swallows, woodpeckers, bumble bees and ladybirds. "Working closely with the clients, I created the designs using traditional watercolour and pencil techniques, which I then had made into cushions, tea towels, aprons and lampshades. The coordinated range has been used to beautiful effect. The brilliant print company I work with, allows me to offer clients a range of sizes and finishes for cushions and fabrics, from velvet to cotton, and also wallpaper by the metre."
She continues: "I can create a whole range of coordinated kitchen accessories too, from napkins and tablecloths to aprons. Lampshades are handmade by me, and come in a range of sizes that can be fitted with a pendant or an upright fitting. It's a lovely thing to be able to create location-specific designs, featuring wildlife, local landscapes and landmarks – perfect to add that special touch to an interior, especially with all of the holiday lets in Devon. I will happily consider any and all commissions, and love nothing more than discussing a new brief."
I am currently working on another modern interpretation of a classic Toile de Jouy pattern, intended for custom fabric to be used to upholster a chaise suite. This is for a client for whom I recently created a large bespoke wall panel to be hung in her hallway. I hope to continue to work with several clients in Devon who are currently doing up their houses. I can create bespoke decor that you would never find on the high street (and for reasonable prices too!)
Anna has a selection of products for sale at Green Hill Arts in Moretonhampstead and showed her work at The Exeter Art Show, alongside The Exeter Illustrators (of which Anna is a proud member). "I intend to have a stall at the Magdalen Road Christmas Craft Fair in Exeter and, next year, I hope to have a stand at the Contemporary Craft Festival in Bovey Tracey," she adds.
"I relish creating new designs from my own imagination and I find inspiration everywhere – from my travels, to looking at the RAMM butterfly collection. I also love working on a brief with a client and bringing their ideas to life. There is nothing more satisfying, especially when delivering the final piece as cushions/fabric/lampshades and seeing the pieces in situ. It's what makes me love my job," she concludes.
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