Monday October 26th, watch Alison Lewis light up the Martha Stewart Show!
Continuing The Clueless Crafter’s Interview Series on inspiring women and men who craft unique, personalized home environments, I am beaming to share Alison Lewis’s bright world with you. Join us as we discuss her home and craft. OH, and a big congratulations to her for recently securing a well-deserved spot on the Martha Stewart Show!
Have any creative ways of incorporating light into your home? Tell us!
If you had a vision of what your ideal home would be prior to your LED days, what would it have looked like and what would have been in it?
It would have large windows and be industrial mixed with eclectic wood, plastic and bamboo walls and floors. I’ve always loved Philipe Starck designs, which are a mix of luxury, and whimsy and I figure that is what I would do as well. Since I was a little kid, I imagined I would see the New York or Paris Skyline in my view and live above a bakery so I could smell the warm bread every morning. My interior would be redesigned every few years, something like what you see in the movie Auntie Mame - who had a great impression on me when I was young.
How has your concept of home changed since you began embedding electronics into household objects?
It hasn’t changed too much at all. I still like the mixture of nature and man made. I also find texture and color extremely important design elements. I feel the only difference is that I’d like to have a main computer hub to house all my music and programs, with a complete back up system so it is easily accessible. I also have high hopes for a robotic maid someday. “Rosey, make sure the laundry is done by 12.”
When you can’t wait to get home after a long day, what images or cozy thoughts pop into your mind?
Great question. I usually look forward to a walk outside to the nearest dog park or through a grove of trees in the park. I like the sound of dirt under my feet as I run along.
When I think of comfort and home, I like to curl up in my bed and drink some blended hot tea. My sheets are so comfortable and I like to snuggle into them. It’s hard to get up out of bed sometimes and start the day.
In the recent New York Times article Home Crafts Get Wired, you mentioned that your work is geared towards “building tender moments and bringing people together.” In your home life, how has this taken shape? Can you describe any moments that underscored the importance of your craft?
Yes, well, my work has always been questioning why technology has to always be this “functional” device. So, after I designed the living room, my friends came over and we sat and looked at the movies that play with the tea set. The topics digressed and we found ourselves in good conversations about travel, friends and such. It was a good moment and we had a great time. You don’t have to have technology to facilitate these types of moments, but I find that video and photos and music really help.
You seem very indebted to your late grandmother Alice Merryman, a lifelong crafter and ardent proponent of keeping history and tradition alive in craft. Do yo infuse your work with the same values? How?
I am very different from my Grandmother, but I think her values of determination, teaching, and craftsmanship has rubbed off on me. She was a bit hard headed at times and I can be too. This determination is what it takes to follow your vision; you have to keep going even when the outside world isn’t supporting you. When I find myself caring too much what others think, I push it out of my head and say — “you know this, have faith in it and move forward.” Grandma taught me this.
This carries over into teaching. Grandmother always shared what she did with us and actually was a teacher in her younger days. It’s something that is just a part of my family – my mother and father both taught at points in their lives and they value helping others and sharing knowledge as well. I’ve taught at Parsons and enjoy sharing my knowledge through my website.
I am always looking for a very clean line and quality construction. It’s not everything, but I have a great appreciation for those who have high quality craftsmanship with modern simplicity. Grandma did too, she would always say her stuff isn’t that great and would point how my cousin’s work was so perfect — but what she didn’t realize is that it was her unique consistent brush stroke or hand stitching that impressed people. Her lack of an ideal perfection is what actually made her craftsmanship so interesting. So when it’s not perfect, I say well, let your style lead the way.
As a woman who has handcrafted a very unique home, what would you say was the most empowering part of the planning and the process?
I get empowered when I realize I am making something I can share with others. Also, I was really motivated when my mother and my boyfriend’s mother came to help out with the space. I really enjoy having people over and working together towards a common goal; I prefer that to working alone usually.
In regards to the historical public perception of home crafting as a skill belonging to the women’s sphere, how do you think your craft does or does not challenge this view?
For the most part it is still a women’s sphere, though some of the best designers are men. This isn’t an issue with me, really. What bothers me is that home crafting isn’t seen as worthwhile as some other pursuits. Mind you, if you spend all day making doilies, you’ll have to understand that isn’t so exciting to the rest of the world. However, the skills we have are very applicable to a larger industry of textiles and innovation. I think people are catching onto this now and I feel my book and website are a good start at this. But, if people just look at the work as “tinkering” or “crafting” then they’ll not get over the stigma. There is nothing wrong with making for the home, just don’t expect a Nobel Prize for it. Not yet, anyways.
Finally, we all want to know this household rule: When is it lights out for the evening?
Lights totally go out a little before 12:00 midnight.
People always ask me if I keep all my extra lighted things “on” all the time. The answer is “no.” The painting is usually dimly lit and that is about it. Most of the other pieces, like in the shelves, are only on for a romantic night or movie watching, the rest are on when I have friends over. It’s like having a beautiful grand piano; it’s always there, but you’re not always playing it. The majority of the time I just enjoy being in my living room as it is, with the light cascading through the windows.
Image credits Ryan Collerd and iheartswitch.com
