Way back in 2014 I wrote a post about this lovely Bristol based company. Figo Home is the brain child of Siobhan McGinnis, who set up shop back in 2013 pairing statement contemporary lampshades with classic hand-turned bases. The result – individual, personal pieces for each customer, inspired both by nature and wanderlust.
I myself have a classic geometric design that sits perfectly in our spare room and to this day we still get lovely comments from our guests. And I love the fact that no one else will have anything like it!
These beautiful lampshades and bases are 100% made in Bristol, England – a city I know and love from spending four years there at university. I was thrilled to discover this fantastic company, who’s name literally means ‘Cool Home’! And Siobhan was kind enough to join my Q&A series so you can get to know her and Figo too…
1. When did you decide you wanted to start your own company?
My desire to do my own thing has always really been there, it’s in my genes, I come from a large extended Irish family of self-employed, creative workaholic beings.
2. What’s your greatest achievement to date, since starting up Figo Home?
Opening up a Figo Home store on Not On The High Street and making products that my customers love.
3. And what’s the best part of your job now?
Curating new designs for my limited collections and working on collaborations for Figo’s future.
4. Of all of your lamps/lampshades that you’ve designed, do you have any favourites?
I have a soft spot for any geometric designs. I’m love with the Geometric Print on Natural Linen and of course my all time favourite and classic Frida Kahlo’s Garden lampshade.
5. Where do you take your inspiration from for your designs?
I love travelling and visiting new places that inspire me. I finally visited Copenhagen recently and loved it all – it is truly the Danish design mecca and it’s great to be living so near to London so I can visit the city regularly.
6. Who do you look up to in business, life or both?
I admire lots of creative inspiring young start-up businesses like the guys from the Earl of East London, who are doing some exciting stuff in London right now. And Arianna Huffington, I was very lucky to attend an inspiring talk on business and life by her here in Bristol recently and got to meet her too.
7. And finally, what’s next for Figo Home?
Expanding the brand in 2016 by collaborating with new designers to introduce a new line of homeware products for Figo.
You can check out Siobhan’s collection of lampshades, bases and art prints both on Etsy and Not On The High Street!