Darling Clementine

“We design, illustrate, invent, make good coffee and above all, have a great time at work!” This is how the girls behind Darling Clementine describe what they do.  Ingrid Reithaug and Tonje Holand from Norway create lovely designs and illustrations, and sell trays, cushions, stationery products such as cards and notebooks.

If you are not yet familiar with their work, check out their website! You will instantly be charmed by their unique style. But first, find out what inspires them and what they like the most about Darling Clementine.

Where did Darling Clementine all started?
We met when a mutual friend randomly introduced us at a Jenny Wilson concert almost 5 years ago… It turned out we had both been secretly admiring each other’s work for a long time, so it was an instant match! We arranged to meet for a drink and Darling Clementine was born.

How would you describe your style?
We would probably describe our style as feminine, bold and with a strong influence of our Scandinavian heritage.

Favourite material/color to work with:
Our favourite material would be paper and we always use the colour bright red!

Any special projects at the moment?
We are both expecting babies this summer so the last few months have been hectic trying to get everything sorted before we take our leaves. We live quite close by each other so this summer will be spent taking nice walks with our prams, discussing new exiting projects for next year.

Best thing about being an illustrator/designer:
The best thing about doing what we do is that we get to be creative at work every day! Being in a partnership means that we can always help each other by lifting the design if one of us is having a less inspired day. Also, it is so very rewarding to see your own ideas come to life in products that people treasure.

You, in three words:
Creative, colourful and hard working.

What inspires you?
We get inspiration from anything and everything, from classic illustrators like Paul Rand and Abner Graboff, to things we find in flea markets, blogs, contemporary fashion and fellow designers.

“I’m at my most creative when…”:
We put our heads together over our morning coffee.

Best thing(s) about Scandinavia:
First of all we live in a beautiful country with amazing nature. Oslo is surrounded by forest and a fjord so you always have the variety of choice on what to do for a day off. Secondly, we are lucky to be surrounded by other countries in Scandinavia that offers a great design influence.

Favourite designer:
Norwegian Kim Hiorthøy is high on the list, but we also love a number of other designers from other realms of design. For instance Orla Kiely for clothes, Tim Walker photography, Elisabeth Dunker styling…and the list goes on.

Best design piece you purchased?
We just bought baby clothes from amazing Bobo Choses, they are sure to give a smile on our faces for the demanding year ahead!

Favourite shopping spot/store:
Top Shop, Oxford Circus London, would have to be the place we always look forward to!

On your wish list:
Finn Juel sofa, it is the perfect piece of design.

What can’t you live without?
Our men, Graham and Ernest, who has helped us so much throughout the years. Not only through carrying endless amounts of heavy boxes of paper, but also by being shoulders to lean on when running your own business is taking it’s toll.

Scandinavian tradition(s) you love:
Our national day, the 17th of May, is a fun day filled with champagne, ice cream and waving flags. Also, the long and bright summers are filled with days outside having pick nicks or barbeques, we save up the sun for the long and cold winters.

Favourite travel spot:
London!

You, in five years:
In five years we hope to still be working on Darling Clementine, developing new products and perhaps having a few nice employees to make the juggle between work life and family life easier.

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