Interiors: The Maker Place

Set up in 2016, The Maker Place is an exciting online boutique selling beautifully handcrafted UK-made homeware, direct from a pool of the very best British designers.

Bournemouth mum, Philippa Cambers, is the Founder of The Maker Place. Having grown up in Buckinghamshire, she later lived and worked in London, Cardiff and Oxford before settling down in Bournemouth, Dorset, nearly six years ago where she launched her chic interiors platform.

We chat to Philippa to discover more about her journey.

WHAT IS THE MAKER PLACE?

“The Maker Place is a newtype of online marketplace; one that focuses on high quality, trend-led homeware and gifts from independent makers based in the UK. It offers the ability for customers to discover new handcrafted pieces and buy directly from the maker but, because everything is handpicked and we focus so carefully on the quality of the products chosen, the experience of shopping is more like browsing an online boutique than sifting through thousands of listings, as you might do in a traditional online marketplace.”

WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO SET UP YOUR OWN INTERIORS BUSINESS?

“I have always had a love of design and interest in interiors. I’m the person who regularly buys several different interiors magazines each month! In the back of my mind I’ve always wanted to run my own business and I took the time when I was first at home with the children to begin to develop ideas about what form that might take.

“Moving to Bournemouth fulfilled a lifelong dream to live by the sea and when we took the plunge and made that move as a family, it spurred me on to just ‘go for it’ with setting up a business. The idea for The Maker Place came from my love for unique homeware but a frustration with trying to find really beautifully made pieces online. I’ve always liked the idea of marketplaces where you can buy directly from makers but didn’t love the experience of spending ages on very big marketplaces where there was such a wide variety of styles, and so The Maker Place was born!”

YOU HAVE A STRONG ETHOS FOR SUSTAINABLE HANDMADE BRITISH PRODUCTS, WHY SO?

“There are a few reasons why I’m naturally drawn to handcrafted and sustainably made products. Firstly, I just love the feel and one-of-a-kind look of beautifully made homeware; slightly wonky ceramics and hand-carved kitchenware have a look and feel that can’t be replicated by machines and I really feel that they can add something extra-special to everyday tasks and routines.

“I love that every piece tells a story and offers a real connection with an individual; the maker. I also think supporting local small businesses is really important, including using locally sourced materials; just to try and maintain some balance in the world. There’s obviously a place for big business, but unless more is done to nurture small businesses and individuals working using traditional skills then these will be lost, which I think would be a real shame.”

WHAT DRIVES YOU TO SUCCEED?

“I think the short answer is; a love for what I do and other people! Trying to create a life that means I can work around my family is part of the reason why I decided to start the business, but I’m also really inspired by all of the makers we work with, and their talent and determination spurs me on as well!”

WHO INSPIRES YOU?

“The makers on our site really do inspire me; when I began to learn more about the level of skill and often the length of time which it takes to make many of the handmade pieces we sell, it truly blew me away. I have nothing but admiration for people who train to become skilled craftspeople and use their creativity and talent to make things. I’m also hugely inspired by interior designers and stylists who use their eye for design to create inspirational interiors.

“Colour and texture are really important to me in design and I love browsing through Pinterest or visiting design fairs for fresh inspiration, which then feeds into my own writing for our blog, where I focus on design trend forecasting and taking a look inside the homes of inspirational British designers.”

HOW DO YOU MANAGE JUGGLING WORK AND FAMILY LIFE?

“Ah, now that’s a good question! I now have three children aged seven, six and three. It is a constant juggling act and something that there will probably never be the perfect solution for! In the early days, when my youngest was a baby, I worked most evenings and grabbed time whenever I could to get the business started. Now things are a bit more settled and I have time during the week when I can work. Starting a new business can be very all-consuming but I do feel very lucky.”

WHAT ADVICE WOULD GIVE TO ASPIRING ENTREPRENEURS?

“There’s so much I’ve learnt since starting the business but probably the most important lesson isjust to keep going! Hard work and determination are so important but so is giving yourself a break occasionally and trying to maintain some sort of work-life balance. I’d also advise trying to build a network of others who are in a similar position to yourself. Going for a coffee with someone else who is going through something I’m experiencing is hugely helpful when it comes to sharing ideas.”

HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE THE MAKER PLACE IN THREE WORDS? “Stylish, British, unique.”

ANY EMERGING TRENDS TO LOOK OUT FOR IN 2018?

“Yes, there are lots of exciting trends coming! I think we’ll continue to see the importance of using natural materials in home décor, with a move towards really tactile materials used in unusual ways, such as using ceramic and wood for items that are often only available in man-made versions, like our handcrafted iPhone speakers.

“Texture is also going to become much more of a focus, with woven materials a big trend, such as our new pure British wool cushions and throws, which are woven in Wales and our handwoven rugs which are inspired by traditional rug designs and made in London.

“Colour-wise, there’s definitely a move towards brighter sherbet shades of mid-pink, yellow and lilac as accents for accessories and the use of ‘newneutrals’ such as blush pink, pale green and dark blues and greys, all of which are used in our lovely new linen cushions which are inspired by the sea.

“Finally, one of the big trends will be an increasing influence of classical Far-Eastern design styles, from delicate Chinoiserie style wallpaper prints, to bolder Japanese style furniture and accessories. I’m particularly excited about the trend for combining Scandinavian and Japanese influences, something which some of our makers’ work is very influenced by, from striking scorched-wood kitchenware, handmade in Cornwall, to hand thrown Japanese style tea bowls as a lovely way to drink herbal and black teas.”

W: www.themakerplace.co.uk