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Interiors<br />
Getting to Know:<br />
LESLEY GILLAM<br />
This month we talk all things interiors with<br />
Lesley, of Newmarket’s Lesley Gillam Designs<br />
Lesley Gillam has a stunning shop consisting of five rooms set in a beautiful courtyard<br />
which is tucked away in the village of Exning, just outside Newmarket. It boasts a wide range<br />
of fabrics, wall coverings, soft furnishings, fabulous lighting, floral arrangements and gifts<br />
for the home. Lesley and her team are constantly updating their collection and warmly<br />
welcome both new and old faces.<br />
HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN IN THE INDUSTRY?<br />
For more years than I care to think about. I have always sewn, but as a business I started by<br />
making curtains and blinds from a work room at home when my son was young. He’s now<br />
34!<br />
WHERE DO YOU SOURCE YOUR INSPIRATION?<br />
I think it mainly comes from my clients themselves. Every one is an individual with unique<br />
likes, dislikes and ways of living their lives. They may say to me that they don’t know what<br />
they want, but finding out what they don’t like and what they are passionate about soon<br />
shows me the way to go.<br />
IF YOU COULD PICK ONE WORD TO DESCRIBE YOUR STYLE, WHAT WOULD IT BE?<br />
I think my one word would have to be stylish, although other words such as individualistic,<br />
classic and practical spring to mind.<br />
WHAT DO YOU ENJOY MOST ABOUT BEING AN INTERIOR DESIGNER?<br />
It has to be the end result. It is a privilege to be invited into someone’s home and for them<br />
to trust me to be able to do the best for them. Everyone has things which are important to<br />
them, such as that inherited piece from Granny or a cherished painting by little Tommy for<br />
example, and it is imperative they are respected and worked into the finished scheme as the<br />
client wants.<br />
WHAT IS YOUR BEST PIECE OF ADVICE FOR SOMEONE LOOKING TO RESTYLE THEIR INTERIOR?<br />
Step back and thing about how you live your life and again the practicality of your home.<br />
It is no good adding things into a room if the layout is fundamentally wrong or if you are<br />
always moving things or tripping over them. Storage is imperative.<br />
WHAT ARE YOUR AREAS OF EXPERTISE?<br />
Interior design is just the tip of the iceberg for me! I also offer room styling, bespoke<br />
curtains and blinds, and sourcing those elusive items to complete your look. In fact, I also<br />
have a beautiful selection of hats, fascinators and jewellery and much, much more.<br />
WHAT DO YOU PREDICT IS GOING TO BE PROMINENT NEXT YEAR?<br />
Neutrals have been big and will remain so. They make a safe choice for those bigger<br />
purchases such as sofas, curtains or carpets, especially in economic uncertainty, but also<br />
make a great base for splashes of trendy colour like acid green or amethyst. Greys are<br />
great, through to storm blue, glowing with metallic and pearlescent hues.<br />
Lesley Gillam Designs,<br />
The Bakehouse, 14 Oxford Street<br />
Newmarket, CB8 7EW<br />
Tel: 01638 578875<br />
www.lesleygdesigns.co.uk<br />
<strong>Velvet</strong> <strong>Magazine</strong> | <strong>October</strong> <strong>2016</strong> 87
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