Talk Shop: Diane Hill // Diane Hill Design
ABOUT DIANE
Diane Hill is a talented London based artist known for her bright and beautiful Chinoiserie inspired murals. During a trip to China, Diane learned the unique skill of watercolor painting using natural Chinese brushes on silk paper, and became particularly interested in antique Chinoiserie wallpapers for their bright bold patterns and scenic storytelling.
Diane pays meticulous attention to achieving beautiful blended gradients, which gives her paintings a sense of depth, as well as ultra fine details using precision brushes. Diane collects inspiration from historical reference books, Asian art and ancient techniques, to adapt these classic designs for modern interiors.
With her one-of-a-kind silk wallpapers, hand-painted murals and original artworks for luxury interiors, hotels and private residences, Diane works with both private clients as well as some of the world’s leading interior design teams. We love Diane’s work for its beauty, precision, and the way it honors the craft of Chinoiserie.
We also love her range of beautifully printed products –created from her hand-painted designs, so that those without the “hand painted budget” can bring the beauty of Chinoiserie into their homes on a large scale with Diane’s fine art prints. We sat down with the talented artist and mom of two to chat about her process, where she finds inspiration and more!
Describe your style in three words or less:
Delicate & playful.
What have been the three biggest influences on your aesthetic in your life:
Antique Chinese art, my mums porcelain, and beautiful flowers.
How did you start your company, and/or what is your favorite thing about what you do:
It all started when I had my second baby and could not return to work full time, I wanted a way to spend time with my family and be my own boss. I painted my babies nursery room in full bold Chinoiserie and the rest is history! My favorite thing about my job is seeing a great response from my audience to something I put my heart and soul into.
Do you have a mentor in your career, and if so, how have they helped to shape your trajectory:
I do not actually! I think I should though! I do have several key friends and family that I offload all my business issues onto, mainly my mum! But also friends who are also business owners so we can spend hours bouncing ideas off one another. I have found some solid connections through instagram!
What does your home say about you:
It says we are a lively and happy family who value our time together as more precious than the overall aesthetic of the home. It is very 'lived in' shall we say, we would choose dancing in the front room together or cuddling up on the sofa over tidying out the exploding cupboards any day :) I do love to experiment with the decor, no one room is alike and there isn't much flow, but there is lots of colour and pattern. Myself and my husband do everything ourselves we are a DIY family, I love that every inch of the house has a story to tell of how it came to be.
Where do you find inspiration:
I have a mini library of books that I look to, but mainly I use pinterest as a way of collecting images and easily storing them into moodboards.
Who are your style icons:
I really love Emily Henderson and Kelly Wearstler, also obsessed with the home of Bari J.
What are your key ingredients for entertaining:
Good music, great food, sun ideally, and lots of decorations!
Do you collect anything:
No, I have never been this way inclined!
Favorite Instagram accounts to follow for inspiration:
@mirdinara, @ettavee, @coppercorners, @barij, @2lgstudio, @michelleogundehin.
What design “rule” do you always follow, and which is made to be broken:
Composition and balance is a key fundamental that must I follow, a little negative space goes a long way. The idea of not being able to mix things like certain colours or different tones of metals or scales - thats all made to be broken!
What are you working on right now:
Right now I am working on a bespoke silk wallpaper for a gorgeous Kensington townhouse. The interior will be of the height of luxury so I cannot wait to see the final result.
Best interior advice you ever received:
Do it all DIY if you can!
Best career advice you ever received:
You are the boss, you make your own rules!
Types of home purchases you invest in, and save on:
Invest in the things that cant be replaced easily like flooring, bathroom suites and kitchens. Save on the accessories, thrift and charity shops can be amazing sources for home decor!
Your greatest extravagance:
Our car! We drove beat up cheap cars until about a year ago when we finally splashed on a large BMW, it was not new but was still a crazy extravagance for us!
Favorite places to shop for home:
Oliver Bonas and H&M home - looovvvvveeee them!!
Most prized possession and why:
I cannot say I have one, sorry to be boring but I don't get attached to anything! My most prized possessions in life are my family and friends, though I can show an overly strong connection to a slice of cake....!
Your interiors motto:
Be free and express yourself, never be influenced by what others are doing. Your home is a reflection of you and how you feel comfortable, whether that be plain or maximalist!
Your life motto:
Nothing is worth it if it doesn't bring you joy and happiness.
Advice for someone looking to define their own interior style:
Make a mood board!
Take Ten: My Favorite…
Food: Italian, creamy truffle pasta, salmon linguine, wood fired pizza mmmmmm!
Drink: Margarita
Film: Oh gosh too hard! Probably a rom com like The Holiday!
Hotel: Manor House Lindley in yorkshire, I did lots of wall paintings there and had the pleasure of being a guest, it was divine!
City: London!
Bedding: Egyptian cotton plain white sheets, I get mine from John Lewis. I also sleep on a silk pillowcase for skin and hair benefits!
Tea or Coffee (and how do you take it): I only drink lemon and ginger tea, I have one every night religiously. It helps my dinner go down.
Playlist: Music is my other passion in life, I have too many to narrow down but I listen to soul music, favorite artists being Donny Hathaway, Marvin Gaye, Aretha Franklin, Erykah Badu, Anderson Paak
Weekend Activity: Long walks through the forest with all the family, grandparents, our siblings and the dogs. We end up at a cute pub have a drink then walk back, nothing beats it.
Design Book: Chinese Wallpaper in Britain and Ireland by Emile de Brujin
