Nitin Goyal’s inspirations – and a competition
Today we’re very pleased to be announcing our very first competition on the blog. We’ve been shy of competitions until now, but when we interviewed textile and homeware designer Nitin Goyal, we just couldn’t resist his offer of something from his covetable range to give away to our readers. When you see them you’ll be amazed we didn’t just keep them for ourselves.
Nitin originally studied fashion, but when a buyer for Heal’s asked if he did homewares as well, a new direction into interiors became his focus. Nitin’s first collection was stocked at Heal’s, quickly followed by Selfridges and The Conran Shop. We spoke to him at his workshop in east London to find out more about what inspires his tactile, textural pieces.
What were your interiors inspirations and influences growing up?
“I grew up in India so was greatly influenced by all the unique artisan crafts and skills and of course the rich colours ! I was surround by artisans who could make magical things by hand and I was always drawn to them. I loved fabrics and textures and used to play with fabrics, draping them to create new shapes, from childhood. On my travels around India I was always curious to see how textiles were made , dyeing of yarns, traditional methods of spinning, weaving …indigo dyeing, block making and printing … they all influenced my creative thoughts through the years. Geometry and movement of lines found in nature and everyday objects always inspired me from the very beginning as well, and to this day remain central to all my designs.”
You say ethical and fairtrade principals are important – how are these reflected in the making process?
“I champion artisan skills and my aim is to bring them to the forefront of the contemporary modern interiors market. Most of our products are handmade and our mission remains to make sure these age old crafts survive in today’s environment. I make personal trips to India and work with the artisans directly to ensure the fair wage and work ethics are always maintained and importantly that their skills are also developed in the process, something they can be proud of and pass onto generations to come.”
Tell us about where you work – do you surround yourself with inspiring images, objects etc?
“I work in my studio in east London, hub of young creativity! The studio is full of our collection pieces, archives , samples, swatches, pieces of sourced textiles on travels, fabrics and more fabrics and of course a big big pile of design books and magazines that I rummage through constantly to look for new ideas. I work in a building which also houses an art gallery called ‘The Mayors Parlour’, which organises constantly changing art and design exhibitions, so inspiration is never far away.”
What can you see from your desk?
“Lot of fabrics, textures, lot of colour and my collections through the seasons ! I love being surrounded by them as they constantly inspire me to think ‘what’s next?’ I love to play with them. Twist them, fold, stitch or print them to create new designs. Plus the beautiful sky through the large windows.”
What is inspiring you right now – what might we see in your next collection?
“The colourful artworks of the artist Pablo Griss – his use of geometric shapes and lines to create metaphorical spaces are truly inspiring. The next collection is looking at the colourful play of lines and shapes to create new prints and textures – with a bit of shape influence thrown in from Rubik’s cube!”
Competition!
As we said at the start, we’re offering My Friend’s House readers the chance to WIN a pair of Hand Smocked Striped Wave cushions in cotton velvet. The winner will be chosen at random from the old tombola, by Jill wearing a sparkly costume*.
To enter all you have to do is follow these three quick steps.
1. Put your email or Facebook ID into the Rafflecopter box below. This lets us pick the winner at random at the end.
2. Write your name in OUR comments box at the bottom of this post (and don’t forget to say if you are NOT happy to have your details passed on to Nitin Goyal Ltd too).
3. Tick the Rafflecopter box to say you’ve done it!
Good luck all!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Terms & Conditions
The prize is supplied by Nitin Goyal Ltd
The competition closes at midnight GMT on Tuesday 12 August 2014
The winner will be notified within 7 days of the closing date and then announced on the blog.
The prize will be dispatched to the winner within 30 days of them being notified.
Any associates of Nitin Goyal Ltd and My Friend’s House – and that includes our mums – are not eligible to enter.
*Actually it will be chosen by Rafflecopter’s random algorithm
Love Nitin’s work! Cheers, Phil Shakespeare.
These cushions look amazing and the fabrics are so lush, very touchy feely! I have my snuggle armchair at the ready and have everything crossed!!! 🙂 x
Droooooolllllll! x
enetered the Nitin Goyal giveaway
What wonderfully tactile cushions.
Lovely interview! – allie little
Gorgeous texture and colour
I am about to decorate my living room and these cushions will inspire me….
What beautiful cushions (far nicer than the H&M covers I was gonna/will have to buy!)
PS Please don’t share my details, I’m detoxing my inboxing.
Lovely competition thanks – Ellie
Reminiscent of Grandma’s guest bedroom circa ’83 but also ultra modern. I need a bigger cushions budget.
Really like these cushions, No
Kim Neville – have entered thanks
maxine partridge
Beautiful cushions! Thank you!
cherie shaw
Natalie Crossan – wonderful x