Interview With Lorna Luxe @lornaluxe
Lorna Luxe has big plans for 2019.
With over 750k followers on Instagram (@lornaluxe), a new clothing line and plans to expand her brand, it's hard to believe that a mere five years ago Lorna was just starting out with a handful of followers on Instagram. Lorna began her career as an Air Hostess for Virgin Atlantic and then afterwards worked for yours truly - Rockett St George! Lorna worked as part of our fabulous customer service team and it was then that her favourite pastime of posting fashion-inspired shots on Instagram started to build momentum. Recognising this Lorna took the leap and went headfirst into the world of blogging and Instagram... and it certainly paid off!
Currently, Lorna lives in rural Sussex with her husband of 10 years, John and their dog, Bo. The pair live in a grand Victorian home with 18 acres of beautiful countryside surrounding it. Both Lorna and John spend a great deal of their time working in London and so their country home is an escape for them where they can kick back and relax. With so much going on for Lorna this year, we visited her home earlier this month to check out her amazing interiors and to find out a little bit more about what makes her tick.
Smoked Glass & Rose Gold Pyramid Coffee Table £450.00 | Bella Freud Merino Wool Cushion - Ginsberg Is God £160.00 |
Casablanca Natural Moroccan-Style Cotton Rug £150.00
1. How would you describe your home?
I would describe my home as pared back. It's so grand that you want to show it off in all its glory, so I've tried to keep the interiors classic and simple.
2.Where do you buy items for your home?
Rockett St George and eBay are my go-to's.
In fact, my modular sofa is from eBay. I bought it 5 years ago when I was working at Rockett St George and loved the idea of having a beautiful modular sofa for my home. So, I set an alert on eBay and within six months I found a gorgeous green and a white modular sofa.
I also buy a lot of things for my home on my travels and my modern artworks are from independent artists in Brighton.
3.Do you think that fashion affects your interior choices?
I think it's easier for me to start with a simple canvas and then integrate colour as a finishing touch. I wanted my home interiors to be paired back and simple, like how I dress.
So, my home is quite simple and classic, with not much print. I don't really wear prints.
I also display fashion accessories around my home. Putting my favourite shoes in cloches, hanging my favourite dresses on the back of doors and I also have a mannequin with all of my Chanel handbags on display in my dressing room.
Black Velvet Pouffe Stool With Gold Base - Small £95.00 | Bella Freud Merino Wool Cushion - Ginsberg Is God £160.00| Anna Hayman Designs Pearl Lamp Shade From: £295.00
4. Are there any catwalk trends that you think will be big in 2019?
I think that we are going to see the seashells trend climb its way into interiors. Last season conch shell bracelets and necklaces were a micro-trend and it became really popular on Instagram.
Chanel and Karl Lagerfeld created their own beach catwalk and for their SS19 collection as well. We saw lots of clutches and accessories with embellishments of shells and pearls.
I think in interiors we will see the same, but it will be quite premium and high-end. So for example, pearls on lampshades and details. Overall, we'll see a lot more embellishment and people being a bit braver with their home accessory choices.
Also, I think people are looking to spend more money now. It's an anti-fast fashion movement. They want things that will last. That's the good thing about Rockett St George, it's not expensive, but your pieces will last.
5.What colours do you like to use in your home?
Because the windows of my home are so big, you can't escape the green from outside. So, we decided to make it work by incorporating the greens into my decor.
We are both big fans of the Homewood House which is in Ascot. In our ideal world, we would live in a mid-century home, so we've incorporated lots of mid-century furniture into our home. It's a nice juxtaposition between this traditional Victorian home and the more modern 1950s style mid-century furnishings.
6.What are your favourite pieces?
My green modular sofa. It's the first piece of furniture that I bought and it's really comfy and big too.
John's favourite is the Le Corbusier Cowhide Chaise Longue.
7. Our ethos at Rockett St George is buying what we love. What's behind your mentality of buying clothes or things for your home?
Before I buy something I tend to mood board the trends that are happening. And normally with mood boards I end up repeating a particular item or accessory across my boards. That's how I know I love it.
I think the best place to find original content is Tumblr, magazine editorials and Instagram too. Instagram is filled with inspiration, especially stories. I follow a lot of fashion editors and screengrab their stories as they are often posting behind the scenes shots. That's where I source my inspiration from and helps me hone down on the things that I love.
Tokyo Flower Cushion £28.00 | Ventana Table Lamp £110.00 | Lisbon Soft Linen Duvet Cover - Rose Pink From: £135.00
8.What is your favourite room and why?
My bedroom, because of the traditional wood panelling. It's cosy, traditional and it's an original feature that I really love.
9. What are your plans for your brand - Lorna Luxe - in 2019?
My goal for the next year is to gather more momentum and to build my followers on Instagram. I want to have over 1 million followers. I also want to reduce my sponsored content and focus more on organic content.
I'll also be launching my first clothing collection this year which I am very excited about.
And, finally, I hope to get more exposure for the Lorna Luxe Brand. Exposure is very important for influencers, it's the nature of the influencer landscape.
10. What are your personal plans for 2019?
I want to rent a place in Paris. John and I have a lot of business over there.
Also, I would like to move to London. My home is very relaxing and it's really peaceful, but I'd like to be in the city. I hope to find somewhere with high ceilings and original features. Somewhere with a beautiful living space.
John and I have been married for 10 years in 2019 and so we plan to get remarried on the day of our marriage on the 4th of August in London. We are planning on a party for all of our friends and a big cake! In terms of a dress I'll probably go for something simple, not white though.
11. Name your three favourite products from Rockett St George.
Smoked Glass & Rose Gold Pyramid Coffee Table £450.00 |Bella Freud Merino Wool Cushion - Ginsberg Is God £160.00
| Lisbon Soft Linen Duvet Cover - Rose Pink From: £135.00
- I am happiest when… At home.
- Favourite magazine is… It changes. I'm not really really about magazines, I'm more online. I love Tumblr, I'm obsessed with a page called Fashion Gone Rogue.
- A dream holiday would be spent… With John.
- An ideal day would be spent… Shopping.
- Personal motto is… Breathe it all in, luxe it all out.
- My guilty pleasure is… Shoes.
- The last film I saw was… Love Actually.
- My favourite book is… Jane Eyre.
- In five years’ time, I want to be… Retired.
- Three things I can’t live without are… John, family and shoes.
