Interview with Francine Kay – Interior Stylist

Brief Biog

Francine Kay is an interior stylist with over 15 years’ experience in advertising and editorial. Francine graduated with an MA in Fashion & Textile Design from St Martins College of Art. From there, she went on to work with Anne Toomey and Harriet Anstruther, both successful textile designers supplying to Liberty’s of London and Harvey Nichols.

Francine’s first role in styling was working with Homes & Gardens Magazine in their editorial office. After which she decided to work as a freelance interior stylist. Having made the decision to work as a freelancer, Francine has had the opportunity to work with some prestigious interior magazines as well as amazing photographers.

Editorial clients include: The Telegraph, Sunday Times, You Magazine, Living etc, Homes & Garden, Country Living, Red, Cosmopolitan and Marie Claire.  Advertising clients include: M&S, Wedgewood, Laura Ashley, Kelly Hoppen and Sanderson.

So, what inspired you to become an interior stylist?

To be honest, I slipped into being a stylist. I had just completed my Masters in Fashion Design and realized my passion was for photography, image making, interiors and style. I was inspired by photographers such as Sarah Noon, Deborah Turbeville and Juergan Teller. My first role was an intern for Homes & Gardens Magazine. Working under the then editor, Gabi Tubbs (a very stylish inspiring woman) I realised then that styling for editorial fulfilled my creative drive.

How would you describe your interior style? 

My personal interior style is very relaxed, natural and earthy. I call it faded decadence. I love natural materials such as linen, woods and cotton. I love pieces in my home that are unfussy, handcrafted and not necessarily expensive or designer. I like my interiors to feel as if they have evolved over the years and will look good forever.

What’s been your favourite project you’ve worked on and why? 

The one that stands out the most and makes me smile was a styling shoot for Elle Decoration, many years ago. I found an extraordinary location in Brixton, owned by an artist who papered every wall with images he’d torn out of various magazines. Every image was a beautiful face of the time. There were walls of Elizabeth Taylor, Oliver Read, Linda Evangelista and so on. Finally, when we sent the shoot to Elle Decoration, we had to tell them to look out for any ‘edgy hard core’ images on the walls that the owner had a predilection for, as well as beautiful faces.

When styling for a photoshoot, where do you begin? 

When styling for a shoot I always have a strong artistic reference in mind, whether it’s a pre-Raphaelite painting, a Kubrick film or a great photographer like Helmet Newton. This gives me a great starting point of what looks good and gets me in the right frame of mind, ready for the shoot.

I also have to think of what product needs to be shot, whether it’s furniture, paint, colours or ceramics. I then plan and draw out each set. Look at the composition and content of each photograph and after that I get on with my styling. Trust me, it’s much harder than it looks!

What’s the current and future trend?  

House plants are absolutely on trend. The more 70’s the better. I love ‘string of pearls’ also the ‘stoner plant’. Seriously, you can’t have too many plants. And it’s all about colour. The darker the better.

What’s next for you? 

I love finding and styling great houses for magazines, whether they’re beautiful, inspirational, aspirational or just interesting or fascinating in their own right.

So, I’m still working as an interior stylist, but my other passion is yoga. I’ve now trained as a teacher and run a yoga studio in my back garden, which I love. I find teaching yoga incredibly nourishing, where the focus of attention is upon the individual rather than on an object.