Jo Lebrocque started her career in the world of design and from an early age her passion for beautiful things and natural creativity have and continue to carry her well.
Up Close With La Maison Founder: Jo Smithers
In this latest Blog we wanted to share some more with you about the fabulous Jo Smithers; founder of La Maison recently featured in Temple and Websters Blog. Jo has spent the past decade creating and sourcing products which have appeared in the pages of Home Beautiful, House and Garden, Country Style and Belle. We talked to her about fusing the past and present in her furniture designs, apprenticeship and the value of passion and tenacity.
Jo, what was your path to furniture design?
Crazy thoughts cross my mind all the time, but this crazy thought had crossed my mind regularly in my teenage years: leave school at the age of sixteen and take on the world on a wing and a prayer. Despite the fact that creativity was not particularly nurtured during my school days in the 1980s, I felt that I had to try to live my life as a creative person.
So I left school and found inspirational role models, my mother included, and studied at small design and decorating schools. I lived in France and travelled in Europe, spending every waking hour in flea markets and antique stores. I was hooked! I was lucky enough to share this experience with my wonderful boyfriend of the time, who is now my even more wonderful supportive husband of 23 years, working alongside me at La Maison.
On my return I opened a beautiful design store in the 90’s in Kenthurst called “Love to Decorate”. It was full of my favourite style – beautiful furniture designed in the past but somehow more beautiful in the present. In the early 2000s I went on to design furniture and launched La Maison ten years ago in 2002.
I formed a partnership with a wonderful French woman who inspired me, gave me direction and most of all believed we could do anything . . so we did! Our factory in South East Asia now works with 8 different countries and exports over 100 containers per year. I am constantly travelling in between juggling being a mother, wife, student and planning my new range – it’s a busy life.
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In this latest Blog we wanted to share some more with you about the fabulous Jo Smithers; founder of La Maison recently featured in Temple and Websters Blog. Jo has spent the past decade creating and sourcing products which have appeared in the pages of Home Beautiful, House and Garden, Country Style and Belle. We talked to her about fusing the past and present in her furniture designs, apprenticeship and the value of passion and tenacity.
Jo, what was your path to furniture design?
Crazy thoughts cross my mind all the time, but this crazy thought had crossed my mind regularly in my teenage years: leave school at the age of sixteen and take on the world on a wing and a prayer. Despite the fact that creativity was not particularly nurtured during my school days in the 1980s, I felt that I had to try to live my life as a creative person.
So I left school and found inspirational role models, my mother included, and studied at small design and decorating schools. I lived in France and travelled in Europe, spending every waking hour in flea markets and antique stores. I was hooked! I was lucky enough to share this experience with my wonderful boyfriend of the time, who is now my even more wonderful supportive husband of 23 years, working alongside me at La Maison.
On my return I opened a beautiful design store in the 90’s in Kenthurst called “Love to Decorate”. It was full of my favourite style – beautiful furniture designed in the past but somehow more beautiful in the present. In the early 2000s I went on to design furniture and launched La Maison ten years ago in 2002.
I formed a partnership with a wonderful French woman who inspired me, gave me direction and most of all believed we could do anything . . so we did! Our factory in South East Asia now works with 8 different countries and exports over 100 containers per year. I am constantly travelling in between juggling being a mother, wife, student and planning my new range – it’s a busy life.
One Comment
You must log in to post a comment.
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