Meet The Maker - Eleanor Bowmer; Determined Attitude, Joyful Designs

Meet The Maker - Eleanor Bowmer; Determined Attitude, Joyful Designs

Laura La Gambina
Accessories, Christmas, Colour, Features, Inspiration, Interior Design, Interior Styling, Meet The Maker, Positivity, Shopping

I came across Eleanor Bowmer’s work last year when researching independent, local businesses for my Indie Christmas Gift Guide. I quickly found myself in a rabbit hole of manic ordering when I discovered her retro inspired Christmas designs - Christmas stockings, Santa sacks, cards and wrap (and that was just for me) were fast being added to cart. When they arrived in their glorious EB packaging, and I could appreciate the amazing thick quality of the fabric and stitching in real life, I just had to order more as gifts. 

Eleanor Bowmer and her gorgeous French Bulldog, Frank. Image from EB Instagram

Eleanor Bowmer and her gorgeous French Bulldog, Frank. Image from EB Instagram

Eleanor Bowmer Ltd is a Textile Design and Illustration Studio based in Manchester, and everything is designed in Manchester, whoop! The studio pride themselves on their unique, fun products. Driven by art, design, illustration and colour, the delightful, feel-good designs range across home textiles, wallpaper and fashion accessories. 

Talk about bold, fearless design, Eleanor’s products are so bright and joy-bearing, they are ADDICTIVE! Mugs, prints, cards, wrap, stationary, aprons, tea towels… oven gloves tote bags, stickers… you name it, Eleanor Bowmer sells it, in all shapes, patterns, colours and sizes. As well as the kaleidoscopic empire that she is creating, Eleanor is a mum of two, (plus divine French Bulldog, Frank) and is in the process of (what looks like) completely rebuilding her home over at @bow_house_  This is a female superhuman designer that you need to be supporting!

A selection of mugs from the Eleanor Bowmer range

A selection of mugs from the Eleanor Bowmer range

Eleanor has written about her journey to becoming the person she is today in a blog post on the website. I found it so interesting as it’s a very similar story to my own; inspired and supported by a creative family, a fair share of being ill-treated in the work place, and it taking a few years after university to find her calling.

Here’s my summary: With an artist dad, a creative mother, and graphic designer sister, creativity ran in the blood. She studied at art college, along with English Literature and Media studies, then went on to do a foundation degree in Art, followed by a Degree in Textile Design, of which she graduated with a First Class Honours.

After university, like the vast majority of us, EB didn’t know what to do next and was turned down for a number of jobs due to being ‘overqualified’ - I remember that frustrating feeling well. Though difficult to do, she ‘signed on’ and claimed job seekers allowance each week for a few months until she found a job selling TV licenses. She lived at home for the next couple of years with her mum. 

A perfect affirmation, from EB’s Instagram

A perfect affirmation, from EB’s Instagram

She kept looking and applying for jobs and was offered an interview out of the blue to be a Presentation Artist for an interior design company, and after that worked for a textile design company, doing what she loved: painting, and designing every day… ‘travelling the world, going to trade shows and meeting with huge companies. I was there for just over 4 years. I won’t get into the details of why I left but let's just say the dream didn’t last forever… I felt overworked and underpaid. I was treated quite badly and would come home most nights, crying.’ - I know a lot of us can relate to this.

I just love how Eleanor Bowmer’s wallpaper samples look in my LLG sample boxes

I just love how Eleanor Bowmer’s wallpaper samples look in my LLG sample boxes

Eleanor did that thing that we all dream of doing when we’re unhappy in our jobs, but not many of us are bold enough to do - she handed in her notice, with no forward plans, and only money from her last wage. After working freelance for a while creating designs, she realised that this could turn into a business of her own.

In 2015, the Eleanor Bowmer business was born. With no business-running experience, EB contacted Not On The High Street and got approved as a seller. She also set up Instagram - the tool that has elevated many businesses from zero to STRENGTH! She marketed her first product via Instagram; tea towels, and her next product, a tote bag in pink leopard (the print that sold the best out of the four initial tea-towel designs), and it sold out. The rest, is EB history. But I recommend that you read her story in her words here.

The Eleanor Bowmer logo

The Eleanor Bowmer logo

So, my reasons for loving the Eleanor Bowmer brand are twofold. One: this is a story of true determination and a desire to achieve. The fact that Eleanor’s story is so akin to my own, makes her and her products all the more appealing, like, I really want to buy from this person who has worked so hard to become the designer she dreamt of becoming.

Two: her designs and products are amazing, and her positive, determined attitude is 100% reflected in her joyful designs. Actually there’s a third: she’s a Manc. Those who know me know that I’m from Stoke-On-Trent, so why do I care? But living in and around Manchester for 50% of my life (18 years people!) I class myself as an honorary one, therefore I’m drawn to Manchester designers, including this truly inspiring female.

Oh, and how’s this for a stockist list: Liberty London, Paperchase, Oliver Bonas, Selfridges & recently, John Lewis. I also have to mention the fact that Elenor’s Insta stories are absolutely hilarious and you must watch them, not just for product inspo, but general happy life inspiration! EB likes to lip-sync to her fave tunes, namely Britney Spears and other old skool bangers, go here now! You’ll also find inspiring affirmations (some punchy examples below) on her grid, along with offers and product launches.

So this post is basically an ode to Eleanor Bowner and her EB empire. To celebrate her story and success, I’ve put together my fave LLG picks of not only her prints and homeware, but her wallpaper! Yes, EB is also a trained wallpaper designer!

Just some of my favourite Eleanor Bowmer pieces for the home

Just some of my favourite Eleanor Bowmer pieces for the home

Eleanor Bowmer Homewear Shopping List

Going clockwise from top left:

My favourite Eleanor Bowmer wallpaper designs

My favourite Eleanor Bowmer wallpaper designs

Eleanor Bowmer Wallpaper Shopping List

Going clockwise from top left:

Eleanor Bowmer x LLG Interior Moodboards

Now, it wouldn’t be an LLG blog post if I didn’t create a moodboard to show you how I would use some of these products in my home interior, would it? So I’ve chosen my three absolute fave wallpapers; Roman Stripe in pink, which is giving me all of the cool, corinthian column vibes, Sunset Palms in Rust, which is super laid back 70’s Cali feels, and Elegant Cranes in Powder which feels so perfect for a fashion-lovers bedroom.

Of course, I’ve included the usual shopping list with links to all the items used for ease of purchasing.

Which one is your favourite? (also, can you spot Frank?!)

Interior 1: Pink, Pop, Corinthian.

Eleanor Bowmer Interior Moodboard 1.png

Interior 1: Shopping List

Interior 2: 1970’s Californian Sunset

Eleanor Bowmer Interior Moodboard 2.png

Interior 2: Shopping List

Interior 3: Fashion Addict Slumber Party

Eleanor Bowmer Interior Moodboard 3.png

Interior 3: Shopping List


Q&A with Eleanor Bowmer

I caught up with Eleanor via Instagram asking some fun questions, which I think you’re going to love!

LLG - What nugget of advice would you give to creatives starting out in business now?

EB - Never lose faith in what you're doing! Be prepared for the difficult moments and remind yourself why you started in the first place.

LLG - What can we expect from Bow House? 

EB - A mega transformation! I can't wait to have some walls in first 😅 but my vision is an eclectic paradise with lots of our wallpapers from the Regency Hollywood Collection.

A selection of gorgeous Eleanor Bowmer wallpapers

A selection of gorgeous Eleanor Bowmer wallpapers

LLG - Will you be extending your interiors line, to maybe fabrics and cushions 😬?

EB - Yes, hopefully in the near future! I’m so excited for the next few years as we’ve got so many exciting new products in the pipeline.

LLG - What do you love most about your new studio space?

EB - Oooo, that’s really a tough one between the new meeting room and the toilets! If I had to choose though I’d say the toilet because of the amazing mirror’s from Al's Place!

This is the Rose Mirror from Al’s Place

This is the Rose Mirror from Al’s Place

LLG - Name an independent business in Manchester that you love, food, drink, design, anything! 

EB - I am obsessed with Hannah Elizabeth Flowers! Her flowers are so stunning and we’ve been using them to style up our product photoshoots. She gets it right every time.

LLG - If you weren’t smashing it in design, what would you be doing?

EB - I always wanted to be a Police Officer but my Mum would never let me! I would have a cheeky print biz on the side though 😅

LLG - What paint type/brand is your preference? 

EB - I prefer to paint using gouache as the colours are more pigmented. At the moment I’m loving a Holbein Acrylic Gouache set we have as they are so bright and have a lush matte finish.

LLG - It’s brew time, tea or coffee?

EB - Coffee in the AM. Tea in the PM.

All brew times are fun times with an Eleanor Bowmer mug

All brew times are fun times with an Eleanor Bowmer mug

I know you’ll love Eleanor Bowmer’s products as much as I do, as well as her story. If you need help with designing an EB inspired interior, get in touch. LLG x

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