An Interview With Shani Beadle From Etoile-Home.Com

Originally from Vancouver, Shani has lived in London since 1998 when she came to work as an intern at Elle magazine. This led her to a working life as a fashion and interior stylist, contributing across a broad spectrum of national newspapers and monthly glossy magazine titles.

Shani launched étoile Home in 2006 and in the eight years since, her ethos and approach to design has stood strong and fast believing that your home should be a reflection of your life and personality. A beautiful, colourful and creative place that you can live and play in, étoile Home’s modern and fresh take on retro prints that sing with statement colours embodies this.

Back in August 2014 we produced custom made roller blinds in étoile fabric which looked stunning on our sunny photo shoot. Shani took time out from her busy schedule to tell us more about her thriving business.

Custom made Luxaflex® Roller Blind in étoile Home Cadiz Aubergine fabric.

Shani (S): I always wanted to create a home wares brand in some capacity. After years of working in fashion it was a refreshing change. I loved the idea of using the concepts of layering pattern, colour and texture to the home the same way you would a great outfit.

I am not really sure how it actually came to be, one minute I made up some bespoke cushions for friends, the next I had a website with them on it and soon after I decided I should make them from our own original fabric produced by étoile. It was never my intention to design the prints myself but lack of cash meant I had to. Now, I love designing the prints.

S: A fun, bold and modern surface pattern, textiles, soft furnishings and accessories design company.

S: One does influence the other, sometimes it might be subtle, I believe it generally starts with fashion and trickles down to home furnishings. I look to fashion for ideas and inspiration when I start designing a new collection.

S: Not really, our wash bags have been universally successfully but some prints are more popular in one country over another.

S: After I drop my daughter at school, I rush home put on the coffee then start my day. Emails, order packaging, factory visits, product shoots, sales calls, no day is ever the same when you wear as many hats as a business owner as I do.

S: We are looking to upsize our house to include a standalone studio space within it.

S: I am responsible for not only the design but the production and marketing of the brand. The brand has grown organically over the past 7 years and it is still trading after the recession with a collection that I am really proud of. I have collaborated on a collection of prints for Uniqlo women and children’s wear and I have created bespoke ranges of wash bags and iPad cases for Anthropologie.

S: I would love to do a range of ceramics, stationary and one day furniture.

At the moment I love the Maricopa print in the petrol/maize combination but I am already on to thinking about the next collection of prints.