Stylish Spaces: Rhea Thierstein

Al Overdrive

Name: Rhea Thierstein

Day job: Set designer and art director.

Location: My studio in Finsbury Park.

Al Overdrive

I work with: Sophie and Lucy, my two assistants.

I'd describe my style as: Fresh, delicate, surprising, beautiful and a little bit dark or quirky.

Al Overdrive

Al Overdrive

Biggest inspiration for my studio: I wanted it to be a nice environment, filled with things that inspire creativity.

Five things on my interiors wish list:

1. Francois Carre chairs
2. Hand painted antique wallpaper from Trevor Howsam 
3. A Superking/Queen size carved wood bed; they have some beautiful ones at Ardingly Antiques 
4. An antique projector for an old-school home cinema
5. A glass house that looks like a miniature Kew Gardens. I fell in love with one at the Horniman Museum & Gardens 

Al Overdrive

My style icon: Jean Shrimpton

If my studio was burning I'd save: My first edition copy of The Book of Insects by Detmold, from the early 20th century. It's my most prized possession and contains the most beautiful illustrations.

My latest obsession: Insects, but I've always loved them.

Al Overdrive

I collect: Anything relating to insects and weird and wonderful, unusually inspiring objects.

My first studio was: Next to Highbury Fields.

I love my neighbourhood because: It's an interesting area with lots of colourful characters and lots of pound shops which are useful for finding bits and pieces for projects I'm working on. But it's also close to Highbury with its lovely shops and 1860s houses.

Al Overdrive

Al Overdrive

Home from home is: The rainforest. I've visited three times.

My five favourite shops are:

1. D A Binder on the Holloway Road, which sells traditional shop fittings and has gorgeous old counters and mannequins. 
2. Ooh La La, 147 Holloway Rd, London N7 8LX - a vintage clothing and furniture shop.
3. A secret vintage shop on the Holloway Road that has no name.
4. Animal Aid and Advice Charity Book Shop, 203 Blackstock Road, Highbury, London, N5 9LL. It has amazing old books for about £2.
5. Henry Pordes, an incredible second hand bookshop on Charing Cross Road, London.

Al Overdrive

Personal Motto: "There's no point in panicking." I've been saying that a lot recently.

Rhea Theirstein has designed an egg as part of The Faberge Big Egg Hunt, which sees 200 eggs hidden all over London. Find Rhea's outside the Jumeirah Lowndes Hotel in Belgravia. 

See the Stylish Spaces of designer Lucie Allison and session stylist Kenna