Lucy Gough Interior Stylist — French For Pineapple

I’ve been a huge fan of the incredibly talented Interior Stylist Lucy Gough for years, having spotted her work in my favourite UK interiors glossy, Livingetc time and time again, and she’s genuinely one of the only people I would ever way to style my house. True fact. So when I heard that Lucy was about to launch an online course all about how to become an Interior Stylist, I knew I needed to get her on my blog ASAP to spread the word.

Right then, let’s get to it…

Can you tell us a little bit about your path into interior styling? Did you always know this is what you wanted to do?

When I moved to the UK in 2009 I thought that it was a good time to change career! So I switched from book publishing to styling and started out doing internships at magazines like World of Interiors, Wallpaper* and Country Living. Then I finally landed a job as the styling assistant at Livingetc magazine ( I couldn’t believe it - it was my dream job!) then I went freelance in 2012/2013 and have never looked back.

How would you describe your personal interior style?

Over the years my work has evolved into what I would describe as bold, elegant and playful.

Paint colours are something my readers are always interested in. Do you have any go-to colours?

Yes, Kigali from Paint and Paper library is a firm favourite of mine. It’s like a deep petrol blue and my sitting room cabinetry is painted in it. I get asked all the time what the paint is and where it is from. It is different from all other deep blues that I have used. It’s like has been created with an undertone of deep green. My favourite neutral colour is Paper II from Paint and Paper Library too. My neighbour painted his Victorian house conversion in it and I have recommended to a few clients since. It’s like a pale plaster colour. It’s absolutely stunning.

[Runs to check out those colour on the Paint and Paper Library colour card]

STYLING LUCY GOUGH / PHOTOGRAPHY SIMON BEVAN (FOR YOU MAGAZINE)

What colours have had their day and what colours are going to be hot in the coming year?

I definitely think pale grey has has it’s time. I will always love grey but as a trend I think it has gone out. Caramels and light browns are having a resurgence! I love caramel mixed with pistachio and pale pink. So chic and sexy.

Any other interesting trends you think are going to take the country by storm?

I think considering the strange state of the world right now we are going to see people honing their creative skills and up cycling a lot more. I am hoping we will resurface with people intent on creating less waste and using what they have already have in their garden sheds… hopefully there might be space for independent designers to create wonderful pieces of furniture and accessories from up cycled materials and consumers will realise the importance of supporting smaller local companies again like we did in the ‘good ol’ days’.. I hope I’m proven right and I’m not living in a dream land! There is beauty in imperfection and I hope people remember that going forward.

Interior Style Heroes?

I love the Charleston Farmhouse that was made famous by Vanessa Bell (one of the Bloomsbury Set) - the house is completely bonkers. Totally unique in that every wall is hand painted and character oozes from every corner and crevice. I love it when someone creates a completely unique space and doesn’t rely on trends to complete their interior style.

Interestingly I have a book by Ellen Degeneres of all the houses she has owned and styled. She always said that if she hadn’t ended up on tv she would have been an interior designer. She is an incredible talent! I love the neutral palette she uses and how she mixes newly renovated buildings with vintage patterns and sculpture and art.

STYLING LUCY GOUGH / PHOTOGRAPHY SIMON BEVAN (FOR LIVINGETC)

Which interior style do you love most?

I love all of them (which I suppose holds me in good stead for my job- I need to be able to style all different aesthetics for my clients!) however, I do completely adore the Japandi style. The mixture of Scandinavian and Japanese minimalist look with ‘less is more’ furniture and good quality fixtures and fittings. It’s all about less stuff in the house but high quality, neutral scheme, calm with natural materials and textures. It’s definitely a dream aesthetic because in reality with two toddlers it’s not particularly achievable! I also absolutely love the style of homes in Australia’s rural areas. Old clapper-board farm houses that have been sympathetically restored. They feature a myriad of amazing textures like corrugated iron roofs and rust coloured rocks and boulders in the garden. I am obsessed with Country Style magazine in Australia and generally love every house they feature.

Fantasy dinner party guests?

Alan Cummings , Jenny Kee (Australian designer), Michelle Obama, Ellen Degeneres, Grayson Perry, Dolly Parton and Lucille Ball.

Fantasy holiday location based on interiors (leaving practicalities aside)?

Yves Saint Laurent’s house in Marrakech is the top of my bucket list. The interior and exterior of the building is absolutely extraordinary. Colour and pattern clash like I’ve never seen before!

What would your ultimate dream styling job be, and why?

I’ve always wanted to style for GUBI. I love their furniture and the looks they create for their look-books every season! Very tonal colours and they always have a great balance of traditional interiors with modern furniture.

Favourite thing to style?

Christmas photoshoots! I love coming up with unusual ways to decorate your house for Christmas and especially new years parties!

STYLING LUCY GOUGH / PHOTOGRAPHY OLVIER PERROTT (FOR LIVING ETC)

Tips for anyone wanting to break into magazine and brand styling?

Find a stylist you admire and try to shadow them on photoshoots. The best way to learn is on set!

I have also created a brand new online course for any aspiring Interior Stylists out there - it will teach you everything you will want to know about how to become a stylist - from helping you to create a portfolio, show you how to build amazing mood boards, talk you through leading industry case studies and discuss tips and techniques for creating the ‘perfect’ interiors images! It is on sale for £99 until May 11th and then the price will go back to £179.

Thanks so much Lucy for taking the time to answer my questions. Do go and check out Lucy’s course if you have an interest in interior styling - such a brilliant opportunity to learn from one of the very best in the business!