Andrea Bates worked in the interiors industry for 14 years, buying for Heals, Jamie Oliver and others. Then, in Autumn 2011, she set up her online shop and consultancy, Future & Found. ‘The bricks and mortar shop followed in March 2012 and I’ve never looked back,’ she says.

Today, we’re delighted to gain behind-the-scenes access to Andrea’s desk…

Where is your desk?

With true retail glamour, my desk is located in the stock area at the back of our shop. At least I don’t lose touch with the product and can’t avoid any over-stocks!

Where is your desk from?

My desk was built by my Dad when I took on the space here. It’s just a series of MDF shelves built into a useful little alcove and painted white. It just makes great use of an, otherwise awkward, corner.

What’s on your desk just now?

Right now, I’m working with some print proofs for a fabulous new stationery collection for one of our consultancy clients. I’m checking all the colours against the specified pantones, etc. That’s a pantone book on the desk.

How about your chair?

I sit on a vintage wooden chapel chair that I bought at Kempton Market before we opened the shop. It’s a little wonky, but very charming.

Do you have a favourite mug?

We’ve just started selling a new range of bone china alphabet mugs which are gorgeous, so I have adopted the letter a for myself.

Do you like to have pictures or objects around you for inspiration and reference?

I sit just off the shop floor so look out onto lovely product every day which is a treat. We also use the internet & sites like Pinterest to collate ideas and inspiration so refer to them on screen throughout the day.

In the stockroom, recycled drawing books, key rings, alphabet mugs, maple and rubber bowls, star cushions and tea towels

Do you have any specific stationery, notebooks, pencils you like to keep handy?

We are mildly obsessed with neon colours at the moment so I am busy using a neon bound notebook from Merci in Paris and one of our neon orange pencils which we sell in the shop. Other than that I am pretty loyal to Muji in terms of day to day stationery.

Tell us about all those storage boxes and files?

Most of our filing on the shelves is bought from Ikea or Muji – great for basics and they work with our grey & white colour palette.

Do you have a view from your desk?

To my side I have a view into the shop floor and the street beyond (Fortess Road, NW5, a small parade of local shops settled between Tufnell Park and Kentish Town), so it’s a good nosy spot to sit at. Plus it keeps me in constant touch with our customers, which is great.

Did you decorate your shop yourself?

Yes, with the help of family and friends.

Do you keep your workspace tidy?

I am a little obsessive about keeping things tidy in all honesty – but I think you have to if you work out of a small space and cover such a broad spectrum of projects as we do. As well as running the shop, we also provide support on product and brand development to other companies, including Jamie Oliver, The School of Life and Pedlars.

What are you working on at the moment?

We are working with a few fantastic clients on various product development projects – all super exciting but top secret. For our own brand, we’re putting together our summer collection and developing exclusive ranges for the autumn in collaboration with some fantastic designers. We’re working with Marie from Silk & Burg on a gorgeous new print, which will be used across a number of products – look out for our signature pared back colours with just a little flash of neon! Marie’s style already suits us so well that it was an obvious move to make.