LITTLE WHITE BIRD

I’m super excited to have interviewed a TV star for our August edition of Furniture Artist Focus - Sarah of Sarah Haugh Designs!

Sarah was recently awarded the Theo Paphitis Small Business Sunday Award and is one of the experts on BBC1's Money for Nothing, and if you'd like to know how she ended up on our screens, she happily answers that question for us!  Plus tells us how her business has expanded, what inspires her work, and provides a hint for her exciting plans for the future!  I'll give you a clue... her love for bright pink features strongly!

Thank you for taking part Sarah, first of all, which part of the country do you call home?

I was actually born in Windsor, but my home for the last 30 years has been in Aberdeenshire, Scotland.  My home and workshop are located between the stunning coast and the start of the Highlands.

We recall you rebranded a while back, please tell us about that, and what influenced the change?

I rebranded because my business has grown and so has what I offer.  As a qualified interior designer, I now create full design packages that work with clients' existing furniture and I don't only upcycle furniture to sell now.  I needed a fresh look that reflected my style and the full scope of what I do at the moment and in the future.

We've noticed you love a particular colour!  Has this been a long held passion?

Yes!  I have always loved bright pink!  I absolutely love all vibrant colours but bright pink is my absolute favourite!

Do you have a favourite furniture era and style?

I love Art Deco furniture because it has such a bold, timeless elegance.  The clean lines, rich materials, and geometric details give each piece a sense of glamour and character that really stands out.  There's something about the balance between style and structure that I find inspiring as it feels both classic and creative.  It's a style that makes a statement without being over the top, and I also love finding ways to bring that into modern spaces.

What inspires you?

As a furniture artist and interior designer, I'm inspired by the stories behind each piece and the potential to bring new life to old or overlooked items.  I am always drawn to mixing old with new, creating something unique, personal, and full of character.  I also find inspiration in textures, colours and architecture.  For example, I am inspired by Charles Rennie Mackintosh (Late 1800's) because of the way he designed furniture or interiors.  He was heavily influenced by Japanese design, which you can really see in his use of space, simplicity, and attention to detail.  That mix of minimalism and decorative beauty really speak to me as it's timeless and incredibly refined.

How do you plan your pieces - draw out a plan, or something a little more technical?

When planning designs for my upcycled furniture, I don't usually follow a strict plan or draw everything out.  If it's a large or more complex piece, I might sketch a few rough ideas or mix some paints together and try them out in a watercolour painting book, but most of the time I go with the flow.  I trust my gut, starting with a base colour that feels right and then let the creative process guide me from there.  Each step builds on the last, and I love to see how each piece evolves naturally as I work.

Which product, which can be found at LittleWhiteBird.co.uk, would you recommend and why?

Kacha's Collection of Decor Transfers in Gold are just beautiful.  As a product I find it very easy to apply, and it always looks stunning over any colour.  Plus it's a known thing now, that I add gold to everything I do!

[Kacha’s Gold Transfers can be found here metallic-decor-transfers]

How do you approach social media?  What's your strategy?

I don't really follow a strict social media strategy if I'm honest, I find it quite hard to find the time and keep on top of it consistently.  I do make an effort to share images of my finished work however, and to post the occasional reel, but I definitely don't claim to be an expert!  It does help to schedule posts if you have time though, and I'd definitely recommend that if you've got a busy week ahead or if you're going to be away from the workshop as it would help to take the pressure off and keeps things ticking along in the background.

We'd love to know, how did you first get involved with BBC1 show, Money for Nothing?

The producer of Money for Nothing saw my work online and emailed me out of the blue to ask if I'd be interested in being part of the show.  A lot of people assume I applied to the BBC, but it was actually the complete opposite.  It was a total surprise and such an amazing opportunity that came from simply sharing my work.  It's been incredible and a complete whirlwind ever since.

What's your favourite thing to do in your downtime?

I love to walk by the sea and watch out for dolphins or collect driftwood.

Last but not least, please tell us more about your famed pink dungarees!

I have always worn a pair of pink painting dungarees for painting furniture.  I had been looking for ages for a replacement of them and just couldn't find any in the UK.  So over the last few months, I have been working with a manufacturer on my own design of workwear dungarees.  Initially, the will be in bright pink as that colour is my trademark, but other colours are in the pipeline.

Thanks Sarah!  You've provided a fascinating insight into the world behind Sarah Haugh Designs, and we wish you all the very best for your business going forward!

FB: sarahadoreoncemore

INSTAGRAM: sarahhaughdesigns

WS: sarahhaughdesigns.co.uk