Spotlight on Laurel Anderson
30 years ago, Laurel Anderson left her home in California to see the world.
She was drawn to the Caribbean coast of Costa Rica, where she settled, married, raised a family and started her own business.
She first started out making hand-painted cotton beach covers, and today, Laurel's Originals offers custom canvas rugs, wall decor, bags and totes for home and hotel clients.
Laurel's creativity and talent is evident in the bold and exciting textiles she produces - all of which reflect the beauty of Costa Rica.
What is your inspiration for your latest work?
At the moment, I am developing The Red Sea series, canvas art inspired by a recent trip to Egypt. I am working on a technique to recreate the look of the Sinai Desert, with its rosy overtones, and utilizing motifs based on the fish viewed while snorkeling in the Red Sea.
Where do you go, or what do you do, to get inspired to create?
Ideas are everywhere. Combination of colors mostly move me, whether a grouping of flowers on the roadside, or the color of the Red Sea against the backdrop of the desert.
How do your surroundings in Costa Rica influence your designs?
The tropics equate with bright bold colors; flowers have to be outstanding to attract their pollinators in the jungle. People feel freer to use color in their decor at the beach where the homes are more open to the outdoors. I use actual plants to do leaf presses onto many of my pieces.
You work in a variety of media - what is your favorite?
I think that after so many years of hand painting on clothing and canvas bags, my favorite medium is the canvas rugs, now the primary focus of my business. It involves so much more then just making one piece as it incorporates the design of a whole room. I like working with a client to express their ideas and desires so the canvas rug is a collaboration that is unique and exclusive. I love making the clients happy.
How did you get started working with commercial and hotel clients? What do you like most about it?
Living in Costa Rica for over 30 years has given me the opportunity to make friends with many people who chose to open hotels. These are the smaller boutique hotels, and they want to be unique and have personalized unique art made in Costa Rica. I enjoy making something durable and artistic that "wows" their clients as they walk into a lobby and works well with the hotel's ambiance.
What is your philosophy when it comes to interior design and decor?
Many clients talk to me about their feelings when it comes to color. They may like certain colors, but when it comes to being a part of their living environment, they feel better with certain palettes. I think it is important to be aware of what colors move us.
Color therapy is a known science and works very well when applied to interior design. It's important to give this one aspect considerable thought when designing a room. Popular color schemes may come and go, as well as styles of furniture and how to arrange them, but the bottom line is interior design should make us feel at home. Color provokes feeling, and design should center on what gives us a sense of well being.
Any quick and affordable tips on how to easily spice up home decor?
A new coat of paint is always the quickest way to change the character of a whole room. Even painting just one wall can make a fresh new statement. Changing accents such as new throw pillows can freshen up a room, and of course, a unique hand painted canvas rug can make all the difference!
A change of color focus such as selecting one color from a curtain or a rug and making new cushion covers to bring out this accent can give a room a fresh new feeling.
What's your favorite thing to do to relax and unwind?
I love to take walks, go to the beach and surf. At home, I garden, and I also love to browse through magazines for ideas and just play with color swatches in the studio for different color combos, to see where my next inspiration comes from.
Check out Laurel's canvas wall decor, rugs and more at:
Posted by: Erika Pitera | Categories: Interview Series
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Love your use of color! Visited your site and your canvas rugs are incredible. Glad to learn you ship from Costa Rica to USA. :)
Wow! You are so adventurous and talented! Your use of color is balanced and peaceful while being energizing. Can't wait to see your Red Sea, Egyptian inspired designs.