Woodworker Sophie Sellu on Crafting a Life in Sustainable Design

09/24/24 • 57 min

Do you ever dream of leaving the day job for something with a more considered and slower pace? Award-winning woodworker Sophie Sellu did just that, creating sculptural wooden objects from storm-fallen timber under the name Grain & Knot.
Over ten years later, Sophie has set up her workshop on the New Cross Rd where interior photographer Tiffany Grant-Riley sits down with her and her ridiculously handsome whippet, Stanley.
In this episode, Sophie tells us about the uncertainty of graduating with an interior design degree in the middle of a recession, how a solo spoon carving workshop reignited a spark for woodworking from her school days and the importance of sourcing sustainable timber for her sculptural objects.
Recently diagnosed with ADHD, Sophie shares the processes she puts in place which allow her to stay passionate about her craft whilst juggling the intricacies of running an online business whilst still finding time to be out in nature.
For show notes, resources and transcribed episodes, head to curateanddisplay.co.uk.
Join the conversation on Instagram @curatedisplay.
Get behind-the-scenes insights and collection updates with Sophie @grainandknot.

Previous Episode

Perfumer Maya Njie on Multi-Sensory Design

Interior photographer Tiffany Grant-Riley joins perfumer Maya Njie in her studio in Shoreditch, London as they discuss her multi-sensory approach to scent design. Starting with a series of family photographs from before her time, Maya shares how she used her background in surface design at LCC, her Swedish and Gambian heritage and her love for scent to create a nostalgic scent brand that would be stocked exclusively at Liberty London.
For show notes and resources, head to www.curateanddisplay.co.uk-curate-and-display-podcast
Join the conversation on Instagram @curatedisplay
Discover Maya Njie perfume @maya.njie.perfumes and mayanjie.com.

Next Episode

Laxmi Hussain on Making Art, Motherhood and Grief

Artist Laxmi Hussain explores themes of motherhood and the contours of the female body through her minimalist, abstract line art.
Raised by Filipina and Indian parents in London, she shares how choosing a career in architecture felt like a good balance between satisfying her artistic nature and financial stability. However, feeling her creativity stifled and struggling to find work in that sector, it was, in part, becoming a mother that brought out her practice as an artist.

Laxmi talks about how the grief of losing her mother 5 years ago carried her art forward and the meaning of her signature colour, a vibrant blue. She also has some wise words on dealing with perfectionist tendencies and how she gets out of a rut.

For show notes, resources and transcribed episodes, head to curateanddisplay.co.uk.

Join the conversation on Instagram @curatedisplay.

Get behind-the-scenes insights from Laxmi’s studio in Wembley Park @thislakshmi.