Designer insights with Heather Benton

Heather Benton is obsessed with everything domesticity, and blogging about her passion and creative projects at New House New Home New Life, based in Tillsonburg, Ontario. Heather has been blogging since 2012, sharing details of her DIY projects, vintage finds and restorations, home decor, gardening and even cooking. She can currently be found writing about various Christmas projects, such as her DIY wreaths. So we are proud to bring you the Designer Insights of Heather Benton.

Designer Insights - Heather Benton

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1) In your own words describe your unique style and creative aesthetic?

My style is what I would call vintage traditional – French Provincial chairs with painters’ drop cloth upholstery, old china mixed with galvanized metal pieces, rusty ornaments in a cottage garden.

2) When starting a new project, what is your creative process?

It’s a matter of trial and error really – gathering materials and jumping in. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t.

3) Out of the creative people you have worked with, who is it that you respect and admire the most?

Creative people seem to gather together. So my life is filled with those people. Of all of these, I think the one I respect the most is shop owner, Melanie Anderson. We met at an Annie Sloan introductory workshop where she told me that one day she would be a stockist. Less than a year later, she opened The Painted Bench where she sells vintage furniture & Chalk Paint. I admire her determination to fulfil her dream.

4) When looking for inspiration is there a particular thing you do to get inspired?

Walking around an antiques mall or garage sale is where I get my most inspiration. I’ll see a piece and know this is the one thing I “need”. A vision will come to me about the final result and it’s just a matter of putting it into place.

5) What has brought you to this point in your career? And what is your advice for people looking to follow in your footsteps?

When my garage and house became too full of my “creations” and friends were asking me how I did it, I knew it was time to jump in and open a business. Now I sell at a local antiques market and chronicle the journey on my blog. If you want to start a creative business, stick to your vision. Stay true to your own ideal.