Lisa Whatmough of Squint

The horror which is my desk, utterly chaotic and not creative in the slightest I’m afraid!

Where is your desk from?
I have no idea I think it was originally a decorating table from my art studio.

That’s a lot of paper on your desk, what kind of thing does it include?
There’s paperwork all over the place because in part I have a dreadful memory and am always writing eternal lists of things to do but also each piece has so many component parts and processes and we have so many orders going through at any one time that there’s lots to schedule in, it’s like a giant game of chess looking several moves ahead.

What’s on the screen?
Images of our work. Thousands of them.

How about that fabric sample?
The fabric is a sample of woven silk which I love so I’ve bagged it for something for myself in the future and have it on the desk so that it doesn’t get pinched and end up in something else.

What else is on the desk?
Pots of jam and butter from my croissant at breakfast, a thank you card from Emily and Joseph my friend’s children, paint charts, fabric samples, catalogues, to be honest there’s so much on it I’m not quite sure.

What kind of chair do you have and is it comfy?
The chair is a 60’s vinyl swivel but a great colour and quite comfy.

What are you working on at the moment?
We are getting furniture ready for September launches at Liberty and Selfridges for two of the top shoe designers, names are hush hush at the moment. And generally lot’s of private client orders.

Do you like to have pictures/objects around you for inspiration and reference – anything specifically?
No my clients tend to be the inspiration for our work.

Do you have any specific stationery, notebooks, pencils you like to keep handy?
I have one pen which works at the moment in the shape of a lipstick which was a present for my birthday and cost £1 from Marc Jacobs, I need to hit a stationers I think.

Do you have a view from your desk?
Just into the studio.

A favourite mug?
Any one that’s clean, some days that can be a tall order, team squint like tea you can stand your spoon up in and that leads to horrible looking mugs.

Do you keep your workspace tidy?
Despite how my desk may look I’m obsessed with trying to keep the studio ordered, I find mess very distracting.