Spring is in the air (at long last!) and it’s getting to that time of year where we begin to slowly emerge from our long, winter hibernation and really start to think about making some meaningful changes to our home interiors.  

Well, this week, we’ve brought an expert along to help us all seek some gorgeous new pieces for our style spaces, as well as gain some valuable insight into the world of interior design.

We spoke to former lifestyle editor Kate Amey of @thehomeanthology, an Instagram page that specialises in posting regular magazine style product recommendations on a huge variety of genres, from luxurious lamps to spacious sofas, WFH desks to wonderous bathroom cabinets and many more. You can check out her Insta page right here to discover more. 

The keen eyed amongst you may also spot our Wishbone Dining Chair in one of her uploads – we’re delighted to see it make her shortlist of dining chairs that stand head and shoulders above the crowded competition!

Check out the interview with Kate below, and then head straight over to her pages for more dazzling designs and interior insights.

Hi Kate, thanks so much for agreeing to do a quick Q&A interview with us. We really appreciate you taking some time out to let us in on your creative insights.

Q1. First of all, we have to talk about your gorgeous Instagram account, @thehomeanthology. We love the way that you artistically recommend so many options to create amazing home interiors. What inspired you launch this type of page?  

A1. Thank you.

I have worked in interiors for around 15 years. A few years ago, I also worked as Lifestyle Editor for a regional publication and I loved creating product pages for that. Of course, there are lots of beautiful Instagram accounts dedicated to stunning interiors, but I wanted to try something different and bring the magazine-style edit to the Instagram feed.

I still view sitting down with a physical magazine and a coffee as time to relax and switch off, but more and more we are looking at our phones to do so. And that is where the idea for The Home Anthology came from!

Q2. Focusing on your journalistic background, @thehomeanthology seems like the perfect way for you to hone your research skills and combine them with your love for interiors. Was this the kind of balance you had in mind when you decided to set up the account?   

A2. In all honesty I set up the account as a bit of an experiment! I am really enjoying the graphic design element, and because the subject matter is something that I am passionate about too, it’s a win-win.

Researching beautiful interior products is always going to be fun! As I am still carrying out my own renovations and some other interior projects, I am using Instagram Stories to share the interior design side of things and that gives me the balance between designing and journalism.

Q3. Sounds like the dream combo! Have you always had a natural flair for journalism? What originally inspired you to become a lifestyle editor before you launched The Home Anthology?

A3.  Previously I was a project manager and a management consultant. I became increasingly involved in communications in these roles before I changed paths into interior design. When the opportunity arose to become involved in a publication I jumped at the chance.

A friend of mine had the idea to create a regional publication for families with a coffee table style and aspirational ideas. She asked if I wanted to get involved and it went from there. We became business partners and launched the publication with me taking on the lifestyle side of things covering interiors, fashion and anything else of interest!

Q4. How often do your own recommendations via @thehomeanthology find their way into your own home? Researching trends and items for other people’s spaces must make life a lot easier when it comes to choosing your own!   

A4. Nearly always! I feel strongly that I should only recommend a product that I would have in my own home. Every feature so far includes something I already own, or items I would like to own!

I have renovated and designed several homes over the last 15 years and each time I have researched and purchased items for those spaces. I have just moved into a new property, so The Home Anthology’s edits are a natural companion.

Q5. We’re delighted that you featured our Hans Wegner Wishbone Dining Chair in your recent ‘My Pick of the Best Dining Chairs’ post. They’re a best seller on our website – are you a fan of Scandi furniture in general?

A5. Yes, I am. I have several Scandi pieces in my home. I love their simplicity and ability to make a statement without being too bold. I am a fan of many interior styles and really believe that you can take elements of many genres to create something that really works for you.

Luckily, I have had several houses to trial this on over the years, so I have been able to include many different styles! I have just moved to my forever home, so I am enjoying drawing on my experience and creating a space that works, and that I won't need to change... for now at least! 

Q6. Speaking of your recent posts, we absolutely adore the graphic design element of your product edits. You must really enjoy this side of your work – I’m assuming it’s a great opportunity for you to flex your creative/artistic muscles?

A6. I am really loving the graphic design element to the work. As the Lifestyle Editor I wrote the content and had the ideas, but we had a graphic designer to actually plan page layouts and put features together.

This time I am doing both roles and I am loving it! In fact, I’m beginning to wonder if I should have gone into this field years ago?!

Q7. Finally, what are your plans for the future of @thehomeanthology? Are you looking to continue the theme of inspirational edits and see where it takes you, or do you have some further projects in the pipeline?

A7. It’s early days for The Home Anthology so my future plans are pretty flexible. I am definitely looking to create a great website with more links and features so that I’m not purely based on Instagram. I would also like to gain a presence on Pinterest as I believe people often look there for product ideas.

In the meantime, I am carrying on with my own interior projects, and a small amount of client work, whilst enjoying creating and sharing my product edits.

So, there you have it, a little insight into the work that goes on behind the scenes in interior design, as well as some superb product recommendations along the way!

Maybe we’ve got you planning your next living room furniture overhaul, or even sown the seeds of inspiration for you to embark upon your own path of interior edits?

A huge thank you must go out to Kate for participating in our little Q&A session this week, and don’t forget to check out her Instagram page for more to really get your creative teeth into.

That’s all for now Saints – stay safe as always.

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