Kathy Shayler
This month, we’ve been chatting to designermaker Kathy Shayler, founder of artisan interiors brand Keylime Design
When did you launch your brand?
I trained as a graphic designer and I enjoyed many years working in agencies before switching to freelance while bringing up a young family. I have a passion for fabrics and surface pattern design and I loved making gifts for family and friends in my spare time. In 2014, I decided on a career change and I wondered if I could turn my hobby into a business. Using my design skills, I developed the branding, built a website and Keylime Design was born.
Describe your typical work day…
After walking Stanley, my beautiful dachshund, I take a cuppa up to my sewing room and check the orders that have come in – usually at night as that’s when people tend to shop onlinefl Then it’s time to get to work cutting out and sewing up beautiful cushions, which I try to dispatch as soon as I can. As well as fulfilling orders, creating new designs and working on my website, I occasionally try to put the day-to-day work on hold and fit in a trip to London to Tate Modern and Tate Britain, which I find incredibly inspiring.
Describe your style…
I like to create illustrative images that aren’t too far away from life, some with a vintage vibe. My customers like their pets to look as authentic as possible but with a dash of creative flair. I wanted to create pet-themed accessories that weren’t too kitsch and would work well in traditional or modern interiors.
What’s your bestselling product?
Definitely the dogs and cats – particularly the black cat – but the Mind the Gap draught excluders are giving them a run for their moneyfl I think it’s the nostalgia in the typography that grabs attention, along with a dash of humour.
Who do you follow on Instagram?
When I have a moment, I love to dream about re-inventing the interior of my home with Scandiinspired or mid-century pieces. @vinterior and @nordichouse feature wonderfully inspiring furniture and interior schemes. I am also becoming slightly obsessed with modern art and I have just discovered @peggy_ zephyr who has an amazing sense of colour and form.
What’s your proudest career moment so far?
A few years ago, when my animal cushions graced the sofa of ITV’s ThisMorning and were sat on by the then-PM, Theresa May, no lessfl They were well received by the team at This Morning and by the viewers who rang up to enquire.
What do you love most about your job?
As well as being able to be creative every single day, it has to be my customers. I receive so many lovely reviews, which make my day. Especially the ones who have been bereaved and have commissioned a keepsake of their pet.
What does the rest of the year hold for you?
As well as developing new designs and a number of old favourites, I’m actually moving house soon and I’m hoping to find somewhere where I can build a garden studio.
See all of Kathy’s designs at keylimedesign.co.uk and follow @keylimedesign