Chatting with us from their live-work space in southeast London, this week’s DMTV Milkshake guests are Jordan Cluroe and Russell Whitehead — the co-founders and creative partners behind 2LG Studio.
The duo’s aesthetic — colorful, happy, welcoming, open — is now on full view in their new book, Making Living Lovely: Free Your Home With Creative Design (Thames & Hudson). If you’re looking for a home design bible offering wise counsel on “recognizing your inner nemesis” (no judgment, but you might be an “Inspiration Hoarder”), “cohabiting without compromise” or determining if your inner style is more Memphis than minimalist, this is the book for you. (And if you prefer your lessons in moving-picture form, check out their new Course Academy online class on interior design.)
Here, Jordan and Russell share their thoughts on happy colors for happy kitchens, the artists whose work hangs on their walls and their ideas around creating a welcoming home. “Entrance halls are a really important part of our design scheme when we’re designing a home for somebody, because the entrance hall is that first moment – that first impression,” Russell says. “We see it as an opportunity to go a bit further with how brave you can be with color and pattern because it’s a transient space – you’re not spending a huge amount of time in it. It’s a kind of statement of intent as soon as you enter the house. Hopefully our own entrance, in our house, is a nice, welcoming statement of intent: This is a joyful place.” (Another idea: managing scent. “We often have candles burning, and people always say, ‘Oh, your house smells lovely,’” Jordan says.)
Also in this Milkshake, Jordan and Russell talk about why it’s important to them to swing open the doors of design to everyone. “The world of design – whether that’s interior design or product design – can be seen as not approachable sometimes,” Jordan says. “And for us, it’s always been important to break those barriers and be people who like people, who like to connect with people – that’s what’s interesting to us.” To connect with Jordan and Russell, get a glimpse of their home and hear a tiny bit from their dog/guest star Buckley, tune in.
Diana Ostrom, who has written for Wallpaper, Interior Design, ID, The Wall Street Journal, and other outlets, is also the author of Faraway Places, a newsletter about travel.
Milkshake, DMTV (Design Milk TV)’s first regular series, shakes up the traditional interview format by asking designers, creatives, educators and industry professionals to select interview questions at random from their favorite bowl or vessel. During their candid discussions, you’ll not only gain a peek into their personal homeware collections, but also valuable insights into their work, life and passions.
