{"id":25439,"date":"2020-06-16T09:56:33","date_gmt":"2020-06-16T08:56:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wordpress.heals.com\/blog\/?p=25439"},"modified":"2020-06-16T11:35:03","modified_gmt":"2020-06-16T10:35:03","slug":"designers-lockdown-laurie-maun","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.heals.com\/blog\/designers-lockdown-laurie-maun\/","title":{"rendered":"Designers on Lockdown: Laurie Maun"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Laurie Maun is a Hackney-based textile designer and multidisciplinary artist with an exclusive wall art collection at Heal\u2019s. Her abstract approach to motifs, colour and texture stretches across printmaking, drawing, painting and photography. Within this she focuses on traditional craftsmanship and British materials to create premium home accessories.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We caught up with Laurie to find out how lockdown has affected her.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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How is lockdown treating you?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

So far, okay. Like everyone, I\u2019m having low days and high days but generally I can\u2019t complain. I moved all my stuff from my studio in Dalston to my home in Forest Hill maybe a week or so before the lockdown was announced. I was starting to see a real shift in people\u2019s energy when commuting so thought I\u2019d get ahead of it and set up camp at home. We are pretty limited to space as I share my one bed apartment with my partner, who is also a creative working from home. So, an extra room wouldn\u2019t go a miss, but other than that I feel very lucky to have what I do.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Generally I\u2019ve allowed myself more time to do things I like, things I would usually be \u201ctoo busy\u201d to do. I\u2019ve been quilting, and reading more and going pretty experimental with my cooking and baking. I think this is what\u2019s kept me going really.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\"Laurie<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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How has lockdown shifted the way you design?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I think where I\u2019m taking my inspiration from has maybe developed. I\u2019m surrounded by trees and nature so my palettes are definitely adapting to their surroundings. More greens, yellows etc. My day to day has also certainly seen a shift as a lot of time is usually spent making and packaging wholesale orders. But, with the shops being closed my wholesale has stopped and instead I now spend most days painting as the request for commissioned art works has grown massively.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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How has your business adapted to social distancing measures?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I\u2019m a bit of a lone ranger day to day so I haven\u2019t experienced a huge shift in what my norm is. But sadly I\u2019ve had to cancel all workshops for the foreseeable future. I attempted to take them online but I don\u2019t think that works so well for my personality. So, I\u2019m still exploring ways I can keep them alive while we\u2019re in lockdown.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\"Laurie<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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How have you stayed motivated when working from home?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Really simple steps like taking a walk in the morning, getting dressed, doing my hair\/makeup. Anything that tricks my mind to thinking it\u2019s just another normal day helps.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We\u2019ve been spending more time exploring the areas around us which we\u2019d maybe be too busy to normally do. There\u2019s so much woodland on our doorstep which is great for getting lost in. If you squint hard enough you can forget you\u2019re in London.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Have you picked up any new hobbies or interests during lockdown?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I\u2019ve been pickling, fermenting, sourdough bread making and really stepped up my horticulture game. I\u2019ve had an allotment space for a couple of years but have really gone to town this year. I\u2019m growing Aubergines, Squash, Tomatoes, Beetroot, Onions and a whole tonne of flowers. Being able to nip down there at lunch time is really helping my mood especially when the weather\u2019s nice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\"Laurie<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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What are some of the most inspiring things you\u2019ve seen during this period?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s been amazing to see local communities coming together. It\u2019s not something I\u2019ve really experienced since living in London but there\u2019s a real spirit in the air. One of the flats in our block has started their own micro bakery meaning we have fresh pastries and baked goods delivered every weekend. Another flat has started a little library\/book exchange which is really sweet and we also get to help someone who has hit financial difficulty which is a win.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I\u2019ve also made some new friends in the area which was completely unexpected. People are talking to each other more and maybe generally just slowing down and appreciating what\u2019s around them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Like what you see? Shop\u00a0Laurie Maun<\/span><\/a>.<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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