Meet The Maker - Poodle & Blonde; A Fearless Female Dynamic Duo
It’s been a while since my last Meet The Maker feature, mainly because I haven’t really met anyone new in the past year! So with this one, when I say ‘meet the maker’, I mean digitally, rather than in person! Oh, the power of digital…
International Women’s Day was Monday last week. Reflecting on the upsetting news stories of the week; the bias, the racism, the harassment of women, it certainly hasn’t felt to me like an observation of equality. It’s made me want to write so much more uplifting and inspirational content, and I can’t stress enough the importance I feel towards celebrating women’s achievements, which should be celebrated every single day.
So, let’s get to it. Meet Poodle & Blonde, a favourite luxury interior brand of mine which I’ve fallen head over heals in love with. Launched in 2018, headed up by female creatives Whinnie Williams and Kierra Campbell, (who first met on Instagram!) their homewear brand is built on and inspired by times-gone-by, nostalgia, vintage, sometimes with a pet motif and oftentimes with a bucket full of whimsy, kitsch and fun.
Image via Poodle & Blonde’s Instagram account
Each of Poodle & Blonde’s designs has a meaning behind it, be it, influenced by family members, one of Whinnie’s pets (we’re talking 18 pets people!) or, take-away food! (see the ‘Food Babies’ design.) Each of these elements align completely with my own values, which is why I want to share this awesome brand with you.
“‘Poodle and Blonde initially started as a location house by singer / songwriter Whinnie Williams. Her love for interiors led her to buying and reviving a 70s themed house and living there with her 18 pets and calling it “Poodle & Blonde”. ”
She secured bookings with the likes of Vanity Fair and Topshop, and inspired by fashion, she began to create items that she hoped she could launch as part of her own brand.
Whinnie Williams at her Margate home with a few of her many pets!
As if by fate, freelance interiors buying and production consultant Kierra Campbell, messaged Whinnie on Instagram and a relationship developed. Kierra's background in luxury and startup interior brands, and goal to start her own business was the perfect ying to Whinnie’s creative yang, and the ‘dream team’ was born.
“‘They have become great friends, creating a fun, honest and hard working dynamic’ ”
Whinnie openly admits that she draws inspiration from Del Boy’s house (ME TOO!) in Only Fools And Horses explaining her style as ‘glamorous, camp and fun.’ Who doesn’t love patterned carpet in a range of browns? I also read that when Whinnie met her partner, she told him she wanted to ‘live like we’re in a movie’, and looking at their Instagram account, and seeing how many of their products are constantly featured the press, as well as multiple articles on Whinnie’s wonderful Margate home, it looks like the dream has come true.
Whinnie’s glam pink perfection bathroom. Image via Whinnie’s Instagram.
The word impressive does not even begin to describe these women. The Poodle & Blonde brand was launched in October 2018 meaning that the business has only JUST turned two years old. What an absolute powerhouse this daring duo are, proving to us all what can be achieved in a two year period, one year (and counting) of that being affected by Covid and lockdown! I find them to be true influencers, in the motivational sense of the word, smashing ordinary interiors out of the studio, founding this uplifting, unconventional cult brand, selling achingly cool interior products and creating exceptional interior spaces.
Whinnie Williams and Kierra Campbell
The brand’s love of animals and strong values on product sustainability and longevity directly affects how they do business. Their cushions are made with recycled plastic bottles in place of duck feathers, and they work with UK-based, family-run businesses in small-production runs. ‘
“‘We have chosen the perfect volume for each filler which allow the cushions to be compressed and slowly bounce back, similar to a duck feather filled cushion. The best part, anti-allergen and no pesky feathers poking you in the back as you’re laid up on the sofa!’ ”
Their wallpaper is printed per order by their trusted UK manufacturer which ensures consistency across each roll, and significantly reduces waste output. All of their packaging is 95% recycled or made from biodegradable materials. The wallpaper is FSC certified, sourced from sustainable forests. They use HP printer inks which was recently voted one of the most sustainable companies in the world.
Wallpaper is Mazzo in Rosa, chair fabric is Bellisima in Mela, both from the Almost Italian Collection. Image via Instagram
For their fabrics, they use the process of digital printing, a much more sustainable process than screen printing, due to using less ink. These inks are water based, and the ink cartridges are recyclable. They also recently made the decision to bring the fabric coating process in-house to reduce its carbon footprint.
Now, about my design!
The ‘1970’ wallpaper in colour ‘Oceano’ was the starting point. Thinking of Whinnie’s comment about ‘living in a movie’, I took a literal view on this and designed a living room space with a muse in mind; the utterly fabulous Julianne Moore, known for her portrayals of emotionally troubled women in her film roles.
My 1970’s inspired living room using Poodle & Blonde (and other) products - see below for shopping list
Specifically, I wanted to create something that Tom Ford would himself feel was suited for an additional room set in Julianne’s character’s house, in his film, A Single Man (although that film is actually set in 1962, but whatevs.)
The palette he used in her home are light, pared-back shades, flattering and very glamorous, so I set this as my brief. If you know me, you know I’m not a ‘pared-back’ kinda gal, nor do I have strong affiliations with ‘taupes and beiges’! But this was the challenge I had set for myself and I was going to make it, well amazing.
Julianne Moore playing 'Charlotte' in A Single Man
The Farrow and Ball Tallow wall colour is the perfect pale peach and allows the green marbleised wallpaper to sing, which has a soft sheen; a fitting finish and backdrop for the look.
1970 in Oceano - Wallpaper - Poodle & Blonde
For me, the key with the space was to showcase statement vintage furniture, which feel like they have been made bespoke to sit alongside Poodle & Blonde’s products. The Michel Boyer chromed tubular steel and leather lounge chair was designed in 1971, and the walnut art deco (so, obviously manufactured a little earlier) display cabinet makes the perfect glossy bar for entertaining and displaying your best cocktail glasses. You’ll find the full shopping list with direct links to all products at the bottom of the post for convenient shopping purposes.
I felt a strong need to include the Reisa chaise sofa by Made, the sculpted, curvy piece covered in tactile white boucle is the just right measure of sexy against the harder materials of chrome, leather, wood and marble. The Habitat ‘Gus’ rug provides the perfect camouflage for the pets, as well as a great texture underfoot. And it wouldn’t be 1970’s without a shag pile rug would it?
This is my take on 1970’s luxe-lounging and frankly, I think the result is calm and divine! Poodle & Blonde are all about the small details, and I wanted my design to reflect that sentiment.
I’ve included the too-cute-for-words, Brian - Whinnie’s ‘first born’ poodle within the design, as well as a really cute bichon frise I found on the internet, who I now love. (The tempramanet of the bichon frise is: Playful, Affectionate, Feisty, Cheerful, Sensitive, Gentle - WOW.)
Here are two truly fearless females that have inspired me no end. I can feel their voice and love for their brand in every element of their business, from the website, photography, fun & quirky videos, styling, personality, and sustainability, down to how their items are packaged. When you buy from the brands you love for the deeper meaning than just the product, it becomes a meaningful investment that will tell stories about you and your life forever.
I caught up with Whinne via Instagram asking these five fun questions, which I think you’re going to love!
The best cocktail you’ve ever had?
W - Pina Colada
What would you be doing if not an interior brand powerhouse?
W - I do all my other dream jobs as side hustles, so the only other thing would be to learn to be a councillor and help people for free
Who’s better behaved, your chickens, dogs or rabbits?
W - My house rabbit Rudi
Sequins or velvet?
W - Velvet
What advice would you give to your 20 year old self?
W - I think I would tell myself to stick up for myself more and don’t take shit, and call out bad behaviour
Whinnie Williams and Kierra Campbell of Poodle & Blonde
Shopping List
1970 in Oceano - Wallpaper - Poodle & Blonde
Drum Lampshade -1970 - Poodle & Blonde
Mazzo Art Print - Rosa - Poodle & Blonde
Rectangle Linen Cushion - Tea Room in Walnut - Poodle & Blonde
Circle Linen Cushion - Money Tree in Valentine - Poodle & Blonde
Square Velvet Cushion - Chain of Fools in Ginger - Poodle & Blonde
Set of 2 Glassware - Cocoa - Poodle & Blonde
Set of 2 Glassware - Ginger - Poodle & Blonde
Reisa chaise boucle sofa - Made
Pirouette table lamp - Pooky Lights
Habitat Grooved Storage 4 Door Sideboard - Oak - Habitat at Argos
Dot Vase - White - House Doctor - Connox
Yourtube Vase - Gold - Pols Potten - John Lewis
Khaï Coffee Table in Rattan Cane - La Redoute
Crosley Cruiser Sand Velvet Bluetooth Record Player - Urban Outfitters
Gus rug - Habitat
Secrets jar ornament - Jonathan Adler
Cairo side table - Swoon
Pnoe Salmo - Light Switch Katy Paty
Pluto starburst clock - Newgate - John Lewis
Click here to find out more about the superb Poodle & Blonde, and if you’d like to create a 1970’s living room in your home and need design help, click here to get in touch.
