New Lease of Life
Words: Tous Mag | Image Credits (unless otherwise stated): © Teinte Interiors |
Stylist/Set Designer: Clare Piper | Photographer: © Tristan Townley
Stylist/Set Designer: Clare Piper | Photographer: © Emma Engkvist
‘Teinte’ (pronounced ‘tont’ and translates - from french - as ‘Hue’ or ‘Tint’) is a new pop-up Instagram shop curated by Prop Stylist & Set Designer Clare Piper.
Determined to breathe a new lease of life into neglected goods, that have been vying for somebody’s undivided attention ever since they were given up on, Teinte brings a joyous and vibrant collection of homeware to the ‘gram’ for you to go weak at the knees over. The story’s not over yet, for these lost souls, there’s someone out there who wants to lovingly own each and every overlooked treasure and Clare’s on a mission to help them find their way to each-other.
Eagle-eyed and agile - when it comes to tackling the bric-a-brac stores - Clare hopes to inject a beam of light into your home with her carefully curated, pre-loved assemblages that radiate a matchless charm. So, if you’re on the hunt for, perhaps, Mid-century teak napkin rings, 1960s Danish cruet sets, french glassware, clam shell dishes, or hand-painted tiles, Teinte has you covered. If that wasn’t enough, Teinte may well help ease those niggling DIY hankerings so you can feel compelled and empowered to give that DIY project, the one you’ve left simmering for far too long, a real good go! Documenting her rented properties over the years, Clare hopes to fire up the imagination of other renters - with ways to make their house a home - by sharing affordable tips, tricks and hacks.
Tous Mag spoke to Clare Piper about her experience as a prop stylist and how it’s paved the way for her new homeware venture, Teinte. Read the full interview, below!
Tous Mag: Could you tell us about Teinte Interiors and how the idea came about?
Clare Piper: Teinte is the name of my new sideline venture which is a both a pop-up Instagram shop (of joyful and pre-loved homeware) and a platform to share my personal interior projects and inspiration. Before I rebranded as ‘Teinte’, this account was called ‘A Very Nice Place’. I had originally set it up to have a separate space from my main Instagram account, from which I could document and share the changes I’d made to the flats I’d rented whilst inspiring other renters to make their houses a homes by sharing affordable tips, tricks and hacks.
I’ve always loved hunting for treasure in second hand shops and at markets. There was a period of a few months where my boyfriend and I were between flats, in London, so we based ourselves at our family home in Devon while we waited for the keys to our new place. During that time I was casually perusing the second hand shops in the area and stowing any good ‘finds’ in a box under the bed, with no real plan for the items.
As the collection grew, I decided that it might be fun to set up shop and somehow tie it in with ‘A Very Nice Place’, later deciding to change the name to better fit the new content direction. One hopeless day in lockdown, I decided to take action! I re-branded, took photos of the pieces I’d sourced and, now, here I am selling my second collection under brand name ‘Teinte’, which translates - from french - to ‘Hue’ or ‘Tint’. You’ll see from my work that colour is very integral to my style, so I wanted the name to reflect that and in French because it’s just so much more alluring, isn't it?
Tous Mag: Teinte’s first drop of items was a beautifully curated selection of homeware. When you’re on the hunt for pieces are they happy coincidences or do you have particular objects in mind to look out for?
Clare Piper: When I’m sourcing and buying pieces for Teinte I am drawn to objects that are colourful, cheerful, unique, unexpected, and in good condition. I’m not looking for specific items except that the pieces fall under the category of ‘homeware’. The nature of second-hand shopping is that you have to sift through an awful lot of rubbish to discover that promising piece, so, I shop with an open mind and a sharp eye! When I spot something, a sort of internal ‘bell’ goes off and I get really excited! It’s a real buzz, finding a diamond in the rough.
I feel I shop with my emotions as well as my eyes - I just get a feeling about certain pieces. It’s quite impulsive and I do think it’s innate - much like an ability to curate a harmonious space or style a set effectively; it’s sort of just in you. I feel that sourcing in this way organically forms a curated collection of homeware that represents my taste point and style. I just want Teinte things to bring people joy so if an item makes me feel positive, I’ll go with it!
Tous Mag: Do you think owning a shop has further established your personal style, as you’ll be making cutting decisions on what to shop for yourself and what gets included in each Teinte drop?
Clare Piper: I think what’s nice about running Teinte is that someone can have a quick peak at the grid on my Instagram and get a clear sense of what I’m about and what my style is. I’ve had some lovely feedback that what I’m doing with Teinte is clearly my work because it ties in with the aesthetic of my styling portfolio. I don’t think it’s further established my personal style necessarily but, perhaps, allows others to really get a firm grasp of what that is.
As a prop stylist/set designer, I work with a wide range of brands and titles, who each have their own identity and aesthetic, which is always in mind when I’m prepping, designing or styling. One of the greatest joys of my job is the variety of commissions, and working with different teams/people all the time. Teinte is different in that it is so autonomous. From sourcing, styling and shooting the pieces to packing up the items, It’s really very personal so the brand ends up being a little window into my uninfluenced personal style.
Tous Mag: You’re well practiced with sourcing aesthetically pleasing objects. Do you think your work as a prop stylist has paved the way for your new venture?
Clare Piper: Absolutely yes. I’ve been an avid ‘sourcer of things’ for years. I just love objects and articles that I can touch and have. If I’m not sourcing the perfect prop for a job, I’m looking for lovely objects or art to have in my home, or I’m finding something for a friend who has called on me to hunt out something specific for them. I think setting up Teinte was a natural step, adding another string to my bow and making for a very satisfying side project!
Tous Mag: Could you give us an insight into what a day on the job - as a prop stylist - might look like for you?
Clare Piper: No two days are the same. A prop stylist’s world consists of a lot of prep. This could mean being at my desk; taking calls with clients, putting together mood boards and prop decks, or, dashing out in my car to the prop houses or to buy materials from DIY stores and art shops. Sometimes there are very late nights when I’m working to a really tight deadline and I might be painting backgrounds or packing the prop bags at some ungodly hour. On a shoot day I’m up early, loading the car with props and my kit, and then often driving across London to the location/studio we’re shooting at. Once the shoot is done, there’s all the returns to do, which I’ll usually share with one of my lovely assistants. It’s a hectic, jam-packed lifestyle which I’m very accustomed to now and I wouldn’t have it any other way. I love the madness of it all and the joy of successfully executing a job after all the build up and prep. ‘Down-time’ between jobs is essential and for some much needed rest, I like to take myself out of the city. I’m very lucky to have Devon for that.
Tous Mag: Teinte Interiors offers handy interior tips on decorating the home, too, do you have any advice for someone who might not be naturally confident to take on DIY projects. Do you think if there’s a will there’s a way?
Clare Piper: My advice to people who might not have the confidence to take on DIY is to remember that no one was born a DIY expert! Thanks to platforms like Youtube, we can learn a great deal of techniques by watching tutorials. Whether it’s plastering, making blinds, using a power tool or decorating, it’s all at your fingertips and - with a can-do attitude - you can achieve so much yourself without having to employ “a professional” (though there’s definitely some things you shouldn’t tackle alone!).
When it comes to making design decisions, you should always listen to your gut. Let yourself feel what is right. Go with that, and you usually won’t get it wrong. There’s no point copying another person’s taste because your home then won’t be authentically you. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes - It’s all part of the process of refining your eye and sharpening your tools.
Stylist/Set Designer: Clare Piper | Photographer: © Kirsty Noble
Stylist/Set Designer: Clare Piper | Photographer: © Dunja Opalko
Stylist/Set Designer: Clare Piper | Photographer: © Antosh Sergiew
Tous Mag: Have you had any interior disasters where something hasn’t necessarily gone to plan?
Clare Piper: In my teenage years, I was quite experimental with my bedroom and my Mum was very accepting of my need to express myself within my space. When I was at college, we’d moved into a brand new house which had pristine white walls and cream carpets that my Mum was delighted with! She returned home from work one day to find I’d painted my room a deep, rich red and in my haste I’d got lots of it on the carpet and ceiling! That didn’t go down too well...
More recently, during the very sunny lockdown, I decided to upgrade our seating set- up on our roof terrace and ordered a corner seat from IKEA even though the specific cushions for the set had sold out online. I knew that the store was reopening within a week or so, so I just decided I’d go on opening day to get them. I stood in the longest queue of my life, only to discover that all of the cushions had sold out with no promise of a re-stock any time soon. I was so angry! We had a cushion-less seat that was too uncomfortable for us to enjoy, so I had no option but to make some from scratch! They actually turned out pretty well, thankfully.
Tous Mag: Why do you think it’s important to create a home that reflects your personality or feels comfortable to you?
Clare Piper: Home should feel like the safest, most comfortable place in the world. It’s the place we retreat to and should feel at ease to be completely ourselves there, and be truly comfortable within it’s walls. For me, making a home comfortable means filling it with memories and reminders of the people and places we love. I love to display art made by friends and trinkets from the various places we’ve travelled to and loved. We brought back quite a lot of unique things from a wonderful trip to India and also Morocco. I usually try to pick up something for our Christmas tree on every trip we go on, or some art to frame, so that we can have reminders of the good times we’ve had.
Getting lighting right is also very important. Overhead lights can completely kill a vibe. I’m mad on lamps and have made quite a few myself. I use 0.5 watt bulbs(!) which provide a romantic, ambient glow on a cosy evening. It’s the small things like this that can make a home feel so restorative, nurturing and pleasurable.
Although I love ‘stuff’, it’s important to me to have a sense of order and for things to have their ‘place’. I have a need for things to be thoughtfully arranged as it creates, for me, a harmonious atmosphere. From a very young age I was arranging my things thoughtfully, so prop styling was definitely the right career choice!
Tous Mag: Are you inspired by any particular interior design movements or would you say you’re more driven by colour, shapes, emotional feeling?
Clare Piper: I am really happy to see the back of neutral, minimal interiors. I think those spaces shoot beautifully, but to live like that would make me feel kind of sad and empty. It’s just too sparse for me. I’ve always loved colour, and unexpected colour combinations can entirely set a room alight (in a good way!). You’ll always find a stripe in any of my rooms at home, and circles too. What a lovely, happy shape!
I love the joy, homeliness and sense of fun achieved by designers like Beata Heuman, Matilda Goad, and the late, great Min Hogg. The way that these designers embrace(d) colour and layer with pattern is total food for the soul. There’s a cheeky voice saying “don’t take life too seriously” embedded in their work. Other studios/designers who I think make wonderful spaces are Luke Edward Hall, Casa Josephine (am desperate to stay in their B&B), and Cobalto Studio.
I feel these designers have wanted or want to make homes to be lived in and enjoyed, rather than show-homes to just admire upon a page. They’ve created the sort of interiors where you could throw your clothes over the back of a chair, or have a fun arts and crafts afternoon at the table, and it not look like a terrible mess. I definitely value the imperfect, woven together with a considered sensibility. Something not too uptight or rigid, and with depth and soul via the use of antiques/found objects, mixed in with fine modern craft and colour... Always with colour! I firmly believe that if you love everything you put in a room, it will work, because it’s your un-compromised style and will be totally unique to you. If you feel good in a space, then it’s an interiors success. Good interior design has to FEEL lovely as well as looking great. It’s imperative.
Tous Mag: What do you hope for the future of Teinte Interiors?
Clare Piper: I just want people to to get as excited about my collections as I do! It’s just fun - nothing too serious - and that’s how I’d love my customers to feel about it too. I’m excited it’s also a very sustainable and eco-conscious venture. Giving a new life to things that other people no longer want or need is really special, because second hand objects have stories. I also try to make my packaging as sustainable as possible and send my pieces out in recycled boxes that I’ve received props in for work. I’ve just invested in a shredder so I can make my own padding from scrap paper and newspaper too! Thankfully, I think more and more people are seeing the sense in buying pre-loved items for their home, and doing their bit for the planet.
A website might be the next step, but right now I’m just really energised by the way Teinte is being received and the excited messages I’m getting from my lovely customers who want to buy the pieces I’ve lovingly sourced. Such fun!
Stylist/Set Designer: Clare Piper | Photographer: © Oli Douglas
