BAA in Your Space: Laura Dawe

I made plans to visit Laura, an accomplished painter based between Toronto, Ontario, and Pouch Cove, Newfoundland, for this interview, but at the last minute, we decided we may as well decorate some lampshades while we were at it.

Laura and I both love making things with our hands, and we also love talking about 8,000 things at once while doing so. As we chat about her home and creative projects, she expertly covers four lampshades in scrap fabric, then pulls out her laptop. Instead of doing the interview, we end up outlining a rom-com she's been noodling over; a thrilling and chaotic hour spent on plot twists and character arcs, all while eating a delightful pickle salad.

That exact brand of joyful, improvisational energy is how I first connected with Laura. I had been a fan of her work for ages, but we officially met when she painted the mural for our shop. She was detailing the table scene while I was painting the ceiling in another corner, and within minutes, we had bonded over our mutual compulsion to make things beautiful; skillfully albeit chaotically.

Laura is the personification of Joy. It radiates from her work, her home, her conversations. Yes, we both have ADHD, but in her, it shows up as a creative current that pulls everyone around her into motion. It makes perfect sense that the painting classes she teaches are called Joyful Still Lives because joy in creativity is such an integral part of who Laura is.

She loves to putter. She putters through her home and studio (two apartments across the hall from each other), rearranging, embellishing, and transforming every surface she can get her hands on. She even collects miniature houses and dollhouse rooms just to have more space to decorate and dream inside.

And on top of all this: Laura designed our new logo. You may have already seen it pop up here and there, but this newsletter marks its official debut! She also created the labels for our house line of soap and lotion, and we hope this is just the beginning of many collaborations to come.

We love Laura. We love her work. And so, without further ado (yes, we did eventually remember to conduct an actual interview), here's a little dive into her joyful world, because who doesn't love a good home tour.

How would you describe your personal space and approach to decoration?

Laura Dawe: My approach to decoration is playful. I like spaces that feel unique but also classic. I don't worry so much about planning the overall look of a room all at once. I let one decision build off of another and I trust that if I am really compelled by a colour or piece of furniture, it will fit in. I really love designing spaces for use. It's very fun to solve the small problems of everyday life by making the space around you work for you.

What colours, textures, eras, modes, media, or aesthetics inspire you?

Laura Dawe: I have a theory that people are either drawn to aesthetics of the past, or aesthetics of the future, and that the nostalgic leaning people prefer colours with warm undertones and future leaning people prefer colours with cool undertones. Is this true? I doubt it! But I still believe it. While I appreciate many future feeling styles, my decor is definitely nostalgia based. I love old things. I have to be very careful not to go too far into fuddy duddy territory. I'm writing this from a chippy paint wrought iron daybed, and looking around, I'm not sure I've succeeded.

Shaker style, true farmhouse style, folk style are what appeal to me the most. I like pieces that are strong and honest. I wish I had the restraint to do a truly shaker style room, but I need a bit of quirk and detail to feel at home.

You work as a fine artist. How did you get into that?

Laura Dawe: Kind of on purpose, kind of not? I definitely think that I love to paint because I love decorating so much. Paintings solve a lot of decor problems. They can definitely rescue a room from feeling too hard or too soft, too old or too new. And each canvas is like a little room you get to decorate. I feel like I'm not properly answering the question. The lifestyle of an artist has always been appealing to me and then suddenly you realize you've been a professional painter for most of your life.

What inspires you creatively, and how do you express those creative impulses?

Laura Dawe: I'm inspired by objects. I'm obsessed with marketplace. I've always loved thrifting. The wide variety of human made things thrill me. Flowers are so fun to look at and to paint.

I express my creative impulses kind of compulsively? I wish I had a little more control over their direction. Suddenly I NEED to write 75 pages of a screenplay (never more) or paint the inside of my closet or draw a large picture of a chair.

What are three words that define your approach to creating or revitalizing space?

Laura Dawe: Freshness, pleasure and practicality.

What advice would you offer to someone who wants to bring a bit more jazz to their personal spaces, but are perhaps uncertain where to begin?

Laura Dawe: Think about any time you've been in a space and thought "god i love this." What exactly did you love about it? As a young teen I went on a road trip with a friend's family and we stayed in an old farmhouse and I remember sitting in my room thinking I LOVE THIS SO MUCH. Old toys, chipped paint, simple shapes, warm wood, handmade details. If you can narrow down what you REALLY like you can start looking for it and not worry about trends. Basically follow your heart, not your phone. But don't buy things in a panic!

Honestly, re-arranging and refreshing spaces is maybe my life's greatest joy and I have unbounding energy for it.

Are there any movies, media, or art that you turn to for inspiration? What feeds your taste?

Laura Dawe: Thrifting and marketplace feed my taste for sure. And if I can't sleep I go through a couple old Laura Ashley decorating books I keep in my bedside table. I'm named after her which may have informed my affinity? But there are a couple of her simpler rooms that just kill me. The 1970s Hollywood interiors in Columbo make me just scream with pleasure. So much monochrome and pattern drenching. Very Laura Ashley, now that I'm thinking about it!

Can you name a few items at Baa that you love for yourself or think would make great gifts?

Laura Dawe: I have this in the table runner and I love it so much. I have the green and yellow version in a tea towel which I have also gifted a couple times and made my still life students paint.

I have some amazing Kristin Sjaarda pottery and I'm seeing Vase 15 on your website and yearning to draw it. I've given MANY of your items as gifts. Last year I gave my mom an amazingly sparkly lemon ornament that is so beautiful it has remained on display. The vegetable baby soothers are a must have for all new humans in our life.