Heidi Barker is the creator and designer behind Eleven8Create, so named to signify the day and month of her birthday. Heidi loves working on new projects, using her creative energy on each project she works on. Creativity actually runs in her family, with her grandmother being a celebrated painter and her mother a fashion design. So it is no wonder that she embraced a creative career. Heidi also has a formal background in styling and interior design. So we are proud to bring you the Designer Insights of Heidi Barker.
Image Credit: 1) Provincial Home Living 2) Emac Lawton 3) A Lot Price Here 297 4) Hamptons Style 5) Miss Molly
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1) In your own words describe your unique style and creative aesthetic?
Classic and timeless, pared back luxury. Rich textures and layering, soft hues to set a serene ambience with earthy materials like stone, timber and marble; lots of white with clever colour placement.
2) When starting a new project, what is your creative process?
Getting the brief down is the most important part, this forms the direction and translates into the vision of the overall design. It is paramount to get an understanding of how the client lives and what makes them tick.
3) Out of the creative people you have worked with, who is it that you respect and admire the most?
I come from a long line of creative souls and have been lucky to work with many highly talented people ranging from designers to performers over the years. I would have to say my Mother has had the biggest influence on me though. I was immersed in her fashion designing world from birth and remember watching her work tirelessly on collections year-in-year-out, somehow miraculously juggling it all.
4) When looking for inspiration is there a particular thing you do to get inspired?
Travel – without a doubt! I often say to my husband that I don’t feel as though I belong in one place, I believe we’re all citizens of the world and certainly not just our own backyard. It may be a cliché but inspiration is truly ‘everywhere’.
5) What has brought you to this point in your career? And what is your advice for people looking to follow in your footsteps?
Following my creative heart...lots of passion and hard work obviously helps but listening to your instincts and staying true to yourself makes you who you are and allows you to offer a unique service. Creatives tend to be their own harshest critics and are often thought to be slight perfectionists with high expectations but at the core we are also ‘free spirits’ in more ways than one! This juxtaposition provides for an endlessly challenging and fascinating life.
