INTERVIEW WITH DECORUM TILES

Friend of the studio Harriet Popham makes bright, cheerful prints celebrating special places and moments in time.

We sat down to discuss her colourful career and how she brings a sense of joy into her home. 

HAVE YOU ALWAYS WANTED TO WORK AS A CREATIVE/ARTIST? 

Yes, I was lucky enough to grow up in a house that contained more art materials than anything else. My Mum loved the scrap store and was never phased by our 2 up 2 down house being full of kids covered in paint! I always hoped I could one day have a creative job.   


HOW DO YOU GO ABOUT DECORATING YOUR HOME?

Our home is filled with art I love, prints, paintings and sculptures from other makers that spark joy.  

A delightful head sculpture by Jim Pilston led to me painting this 2nd hand unit a matching buttercup yellow. This Lucy Shearston print celebrating tomatoes on the vine so beautifully felt like the icing on the cake of this space.  

To stop the new kitchen feeling too much like everything matched I made a mosaic under our kitchen island with smashed up tiles. I wanted to create something that brought in different tones and textures. It took many, many hours but when the afternoon light hits it.. all worth it!  


HELLO,

Thank you for visiting my website, my online shop is currently closed while i am on maternity leave.

YOU CAN FIND A SELECTION OF MY PRINTS AT THE FOLLOWING STOCKISTS

  • Prior Shop Bristol
    FOLLOW THIS LINK TO SHOP ONLINE > PRIOR SHOP BRISTOL <

  • White Post Cafe (nr Wellington, Somerset)

  • Heart of the Tribe Gallery, Glastonbury

  • The Crafty Collective, Bridgwater


    Click HERE for instagram process videos and latest work.

You can still shop the V&A Vessel Print via their website CLICK HERE

Studio photos by Kathryn Anne Photography

WHAT INSPIRES YOU AND HOW DO YOU START WORK ON A NEW DESIGN? 

The majority of my prints are inspired by places, trips to beautiful parts of the UK and Italy. The making process feeds into, and enhances, my experiences before I even begin. My work is often a response to a moment in time or a place which means when I’m in it I want to soak it all up - see it from every angle and visualise how I might piece it together as a print.  

WHAT EXCITING PROJECTS ARE YOU WORKING ON NEXT?

I’m just about to finish a huge design I’ve been working on whenever possible since November!  

The final design will be made of of 9 x A2 panels.. which will hang together as a grid. I’d been craving creating something where I could play with scale and not be limited by the size of my printing press. Whilst floating in the sea last year I decided I was gazing at the sort of view I’d like to depict. It has been wonderful being able to embrace and enlarge details of this scene such as light on water, right up to the top panels which depict palms and arched windows in dramatic contrast. The main design is surrounded by decorative tiles depicting the little and lovely moments associated with holidays in the sun.