'My Design Ideas Are Inspired By The River And Lanes Of The Chilterns' - Ercol Creative Director Rachel Galbraith

Three years ago Rachel Galbraith landed her dream job at the iconic UK furniture brand Ercol after previously working for big names such as John Lewis, Tesco and Marks & Spencer. Her design journey started with an art foundation course followed by a degree in furniture design at Loughborough University. The role at Ercol sees Rachel heading up the look for the entire brand, both new collections and heritage pieces, with a wealth of archive designs from the 1950s to update at her fingertips. Away from her studio at Ercol’s Princes Risborough headquarters, Rachel is a country girl and we headed off to the Chiltern Hills to meet her...

- Sarah Wilson

TELL US ABOUT WHERE YOU LIVE... 

A cottage in the heart of Henley-on-Thames. Life here is focused on enjoying the river – the town springs into action every summer with the historic regatta. It’s a wonderful place – there are beautiful examples of Georgian architecture and more than 300 buildings designated as having special architectural or historical interest.

WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT WHERE YOU LIVE?

It has to be the river. I enjoy spending time sitting quietly beside the water with a picnic, enjoying the scenery. I also love the rolling valleys of the Chilterns and seeing the countryside change with the seasons.

HAVE YOU ALWAYS BEEN A COUNTRY GIRL AT HEART? 

Absolutely! We spent childhood holidays at our family cottage in Ireland, surrounded by the beautiful Donegal hills, enjoying all the freedom and beauty that nature has to offer, from walks in bluebell woods and running wild in the fields to hay making and fruit picking.

YOU’RE A KEEN ROWER. TELL US MORE... 

When I’m out at dawn, the first person on the river, with the mist rising and the tranquility and beauty of the landscape and the wildlife, it is quite simply the best feeling in the world and I know it can’t fail to inspire my work.

HOW DOES YOUR PERFECT WEEKEND SHAPE UP?