Even as an interior designer, Tamsin Johnson has been spending more time indoors that she's used to. But that doesn't mean she's not staying inspired by the outside world. Here, the sought after antique dealer and interior designer behind Rae's on Wategos and PLAYA by Lucy Folk lets us in on her creative accounts to follow, method for staying motivated in isolation, and her philosophy of living as a mode of self expression (plus a look into her lush WFH situation).
Hello, my name is …
Tamsin Johnson.
And I’m …
Stuck at home. Also an interior designer and antique dealer.
To create, I need …
Paper and a pen.
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My daily ritual is …
Get woken by two little alarm clocks (age two and three) bright and early, a slow family breakfast of tea, fruit, fresh bread and croissants. In a normal world, a short commute to my shop and office in Paddington via Alimentari but the current commute is about 10 meters to our garage which we’ve turned into a design studio. Afternoon exercise of yoga or a big beach walk then family dinner, hang with the kids, bath, bed routine. I then work when the kids go down, otherwise my husband and I will read or catch up on the day over wine and backgammon.
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I’m looking at …
A wall full of abstract French art I just hung at home.
I’m reading …
The Razor's Edge by W. Somerset Maugham (1946).
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I’m following …
My dad who is keeping me entertained on Instagram and Antique Roadshow. He’s the funniest person I know @edclarkantiques
I express myself by …
The way I live and my work.
My greatest extravagance is …
Currently, time on my own.
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I spend my time alone by …
Mostly working, and otherwise reading.
My current state of mind is …
Calm and relaxed. Not travelling much at the moment but this time of self isolation has made me focus on a few fun projects I wouldn’t have otherwise got to explore. That said, whilst enjoying the calm and slower pace, an end date would be amazing.
The quality I most admire …
In design, beauty. In people, honesty.
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My mind always travels to …
The next adventure. Anywhere I haven’t been.
The artists that inspire me most are…
Its very broad but one unifying element is they’re all very true to themselves and singular in their vision. These artists tend to stand the test of time. Top of the pile at the moment - Giorgio Morandi, Egon Schiele, Richard Diebenkorn, Daido Moriyama and Milton Avery.
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What are your favourite sites and Instagrams for dreaming and scheming?
@lailacooks for food. @vasilikaliman for art. Galerie Chenel in Paris. T Magazine and I love Rosa and Rich from Cereal Magazine’s city guides.
The greatest love of my life …
My husband.
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My current project is …
Outside of my interior projects I’m working on here and abroad, P Johnson Femme which we launched nine months ago. My product range is inspired by lack of unique and beautiful options in the market, as was P Johnson Femme. The format of made to measure clothing for women doesn’t really exist - we wanted to create a full wardrobe for women that’s offered custom made. We’re all so different in terms of shape and design preference so the ability to design your own wardrobe is exciting and liberating. My husband has always been very focused on sustainability - and this is the most sustainable way to dress.
I’m also working on a range of products at the moment for interiors and helping my husband with a book he’s writing. I’ve never been great at doing nothing.
