The art of the matter

Interiors emporium Rockett St George is beloved for its quirky eye and bold style. Here, the founders explain how any object can be art, and how clutter can be an installation

Rockett St George’s founders on making every object a piece of art

We are often asked how to create a unique interior – one that really stands out from the crowd,” says Jane. “Our answer is always the same: you are completely individual in every way, so the secret to creating a unique look is simply to express your own personality in your home. Perhaps the easiest way to achieve this is by displaying carefully curated favourite items in a creative way. Whether it is objects you

have made yourself, family pieces, vintage kitchenware or precious children’s art, it can all look fabulous when displayed well.

“I collect items from every country I visit: as simple as a pebble or as exotic as an ostrich egg. I display these mementos in a cabinet in my sitting room – they are a constant reminder of happy times. There’s even a heart-shaped leaf in there that my daughter gave me years ago. The display is as personal as it is decorative.

“Lucy’s house is quirkier. She likes to collect things that catch her eye or make her laugh. The shelves in her kitchen contain everything from Coca Cola bottles designed by Jean Paul Gaultier to a Batman mask brought back from a trip to Paris. The shelves tend to evolve with the seasons – for example, she adds sequinned reindeer, vintage decorations and framed notes to Father Christmas at Christmas time.”

“The trick is to think graphically,” says Lucy. “What items have a great shape that stand out against a flat wall? Perhaps album covers, vintage magazines, book covers, handbags, hats, or kitchenware: ancient bread boards, wooden spoons, beaten-up pans, antique bottles and handmade ceramics. So opt for open shelving where you can, and don’t be afraid of what some might think of as clutter. We like to call it ephemera, collected from a life well lived.”

Words and pictures taken from Rockett St George: Extraordinary Interiors by Jane Rockett and Lucy St George (Ryland Peters Small, £19.99; out 10th October)

A shelf above a bed or on a spare wall can be an impromptu picture rail. Layering similarly regal images together forms an instant installation

An office space can be busy, yet inspiring. Leave some ‘negative space’ between pictures, so you can still see everything See how shapes are grouped in Jane’s cabinet: tall and thin on top, animals, then orbs – it helps add order