Meet Laura Jackson

My interior style has been informed by the house that we luckily bought. The house is Victorian, and the previous owner (the former head teacher of the local school) hadn’t touched their interiors for 45 years. The wallpaper throughout is William Morris, a loud and colourful print dominates the hallway both downstairs and upstairs. We wanted to be respectful to the history of the house so have bought furniture in keeping with the wallpapers. Art for our home has been important. Over the years, we’ve collected mainly prints with the exception of a few paintings – some vintage, but also a contemporary work by artist Christiane Spangsberg that will sit above the fireplace in the bathroom. We have a lot of photographs too, as my husband is a photographer.

We really want to find forever pieces that compliment our home. I think building your home is all about layers, really personal layers. By this I mean, not just moving into a house and buying everything from one shop, but the years of collecting furniture, art, textiles from your travels, things you fall in love with that then make your space so personal to you – it’s almost like your home tells the story of your life. That’s why I am taking my time building my dream home and collecting the art that will hang on the walls. Art is so personal and subjective, it’s like a piece of you is hanging on the wall – it’s important not to rush that. 

Places like the Affordable Art Fair are a great introduction to art at an affordable price. It’s also a great place to see new artists who you could start collecting over time. Graduate shows are also a fantastic way to get to know new artists. I think the misconception is that art is expensive when it doesn’t have to be. I have so many prints and paintings from flea markets and vintage shops too, they are a great way to start owning art and can really compliment more contemporary pieces.

I think tastes do change with art trends, one-line figurative drawing seems to be very popular at the moment and paintings with a more feminine slant. Whereas I think a few years ago I was more into reportage photography.

Yes, absolutely. My husband and I will always discuss a purchase and we both have to be happy before we go for it.

Yes! I think for someone you really love, to buy them a piece of art is so special. I think you have to know the person you are buying for really well as art is a very personal gift, and taking inspiration from any work they already have, or pieces by well-known artists they point out, will all help to find something special suited to their taste. It’s 100% not for the Secret Santa at work.

I have curated a really nice mix of drawings, paintings, prints and photographs. I drew the edit on instinct and feeling, with a range of prices in there too.

Michele Mikesell’s ‘HildeBrand‘ (above), Faye Anderson’s ‘Gentle Giant‘ and ‘I Always Notice Flowers‘ by Chris Hawkes (both below).