Inverness interior design studio Lucy Wagtail and Hebridean designer Erica Morrison join forces for new range
Restrictions over the last couple of years have led to more shopkeepers turning to the internet to keep trading while their stores were closed.
However, Inverness interior design store Lucy Wagtail has made the journey in the opposite direction.
After eight years of successful online trading, company founder Irene Massey has opened her first physical store at Canal Road in Muirtown, Inverness, showcasing its collection of bespoke lamp shades, soft furnishings and interior decor items.
Irene. who previously worked in the hospitality sector and latterly as a paralegal with a local law firm, took the plunge and turned a hobby into a job in 2014.
“This started as a sideline in the evenings, teaching crafts,” she explained.
“My mother was very craft orientated and taught her four girls so it’s always something I’ve been interested in.”
The last two years have seen the business grow by 40 per cent, with customers worldwide.
“We felt now was the right opportunity to open a shop,” Irene added.
As well as providing a retail space, the Muirtown unit also provides Lucy Wagtail – named in honour of Irene’s pet cocker spaniel – with a bigger workshop to allow Irene and colleague Ashleigh Gibson to meet growing demand for its products, and especially its made to order lampshades.
These can be up to a meter in diameter and made from a variety of materials, including Harris Tweed, Isle of Skye Tweed, wool, cottons and silks.
Irene explained that the move towards LED lightbulbs, which give off less heat than the older conventional lightbulbs, provides greater flexibility in the choice of coverings.
“It’s a perfect time to rediscover board and paper lampshades instead of less environmentally friendly options,” Irene added.
“It doesn’t make a big difference to the lampshade – but it does make a difference to the planet.”
Sustainability is another important driver for the business, so its lampshade bases are made by another Highland crafter, Jim Pennie of Cromarty Woodturning, from sustainable wood rather than more environmentally damaging plastic.
“We also encourage recovery and re-use to keep things from ending up in landfill,” Irene added.
“We can recover most lampshades.”
Lucy Wagtail also works with Glasgow craft distiller Courageous Spirits to convert its gin and other drinks bottles into decorative lamps.
Other local collaborators include Inverness art producer Port in My Storm, but one of the most exciting team-ups is with fellow city-based designer Erica Morrison of Interior35.
Erica, who is originally from Skye and whose work is to be featured in a yet to be titled six-part BBC Alba series which is set to be screened this summer, has designed an exclusive range of soft furnishings for Lucy Wagtail.
Erica believes the joint venture comes at an exciting time for the interior design sector.
“Interior design has really taken off, partly as a result of the pandemic,” Erica said.
“There’s a real demand. People have not been going on holiday in the same way, so they have been spending money on their homes.”
The new range will be available in Lucy Wagtail’s shop and online.
