Rosanna Lonsdale Lampsπ‘π
This week I had lunch πwith Rosie which was delightful. We chose the King's π Road as she borrows a rather fun office space there (I suspect full of other cool entrepreneurs π§π¦ , I am rather jealous!). I was at school with Rosie, and about a year and half ago she decided to quit her super job in advertising π― and start her own company making lamps π‘ @rosanna_lonsdale.Rosie is one of these incredibly positive π© people, and is always genuinely interested in what you have been getting up to - she always asks the good questions, the ones other people forget to ask and you always feel very at ease in her company. So after a quick catch up (blogging βοΈ, different career paths π· and, of course, love lifeπ π) we got down to lamps π‘π‘.Rosie started making her marvellous lamps π‘ a year and a half ago, and her business is now in full swing. She uses a decorating technique passed down to her by her Grandmother π΅which I think is rather nice. And she hand paints π¨ all the lamps π‘ herself π©, it was fascinating hearing her talk about this process.She starts with a glass vase which she hand paints π¨ and decorates from the inside. The technique she uses is called Decalcomania, and each vase requires 3 layers of lacquer π§ and 3 layers of paint π¨ in order to achieve the perfect finish β¨. She hand β paints π¨ each vase herself and it is amazing the time β° and energy π© that goes into this very delicate process, particularly as every layer has to dry before another can be applied. It took her a while to find the best paint π¨ and lacquer π§combination (there are all sorts) - and the final result is fantastic, the lamps π‘ have a really wonderful lustre π.Once the 6 layers of paint and lacquer π¨π§have dried, brass bases π are added, and they are all wired π up with electrics, so that they can be plugged into the wall etc (this part of the process hadn't even occurred to me, I was concentrating so much on how pretty they look π). Rosie really focuses on the details, each lamp is fitted with a proper brass base π and a silk cord wire π , certainly not something easy to come by at a reasonable price π° anymore.She also provides the lampshades π, which are silk, with silk linings and are all handmade in England. You can have empire shape - gathered (more traditional) or rolled (modern) - these are simple and very elegant, and sit perfectly with the beautiful bases they are standing on. She is also planning on introducing ikat πpatterned lampshades, so if you are looking for a bit more pizzazz π₯ in your lampshade, this will soon be an option.Most exciting for me are the designs ππ΄. Rosie has an excellent eye and the designs are fresh, and fun, but not too invasive. She started with flamingoes, and has branched out into zebras π, humming birds π¦, banana leaves ππ΄ and chillis among others - 9 designs in all. You could quite happily have any of these charming lamps ππ‘ on your bedside table and I think they would fit happily into both a traditional interior and a more contemporary one. She also makes plain coloured ππ lamps π‘(a particular favourite of mine is the coral orange π), so if you are not a pattern person these are the perfect option.The really nice thing is that she does bespoke projects, so if you are wanting a lamp to match the colour tone of a newly decorated room π΅, she is happy to do this for you. Or if for instance there is an animal π© that is particularly special to your, this works too (we might have to be encouraging a dachshund lamp soon Rosie πΆπ).It was so intriguing to hear her talk about her lamps π‘π‘, and starting her own business. The whole process, from painting π¨the lamps, to sourcing the parts π, deciding on the designs π΄, to selling π© all takes a huge amount of dedication and I am so impressed. It is no mean feat to get a business up and running yourself, with such success so early on.Her first sale last year was at our old school π€ annual christmas π² fair, and I love the idea of all the girls π§ and their mothers πeyeing up Rosie's superb lamps ππ‘π. I hope every school girl is demanding a Rosanna Lonsdale lamp π‘ for Christmas π this year!Alice xxwww.rosannalonsdale.com@rosanna_lonsdalewww.rosannalonsdale.comPhotos by: Katrina Lawson Johnston