10 Mins With... Jane Rockett, Co-Founder Of Rockett St George
Read our interview with businesswoman Jane Rockett, co-founder of online homeware store Rockett St George, author of two books, Instagram influencer and interior design expert.
Ever wondered what really goes on in the head of one of the UK's top interiors experts?
Well, wonder no more - we're delighted bring you the first in a brand new series of 10 Mins With... blogs, in which we quiz homeware superstars about anything and everything to do with their humble abodes.
From where they find inspiration to how they create a home to suit their lifestyle, it's an honest and eye-opening series that will help you see your own home with fresh eyes.
We kick off with the one and only Jane Rockett, who, alongside co-founder Lucy St George, created online interiors emporium Rockett St George 17 years ago (the rest, as they say, is history).
We'll include some top tips from the pair's fabulous books, Extraordinary Interiors, and Extraordinary Interiors In Colour, too. They've become the go-to reads of the interiors world - if you haven't pored over every hint and tip yet, make these your very next purchase!
So, without further ado, we introduce the fabulous Jane Rockett...
Extraordinary Interiors By Jane Rockett & Lucy St George | Extraordinary Interiors In Colour By Jane Rockett & Lucy St George
There's so much to say about Jane Rockett: businesswoman, mother, photography expert and all-around interiors extraordinaire.
Jane Rockett, alongside Co-Founder Lucy St George (check out the Interview With: Lucy St George), set up Rockett St George 17 years ago. Their inspiration? To create an interiors emporium that features surprising and delightful interiors that can't be found elsewhere.
Step into Jane Rockett's Sussex home and you'll see that Jane stays true to this founding sentiment, filling her home with utterly unique items that she's collected over the years.
We sat down with Jane to find out more about her home, career and of course, her favourite RSG pieces...
1. What was the inspiration for Rockett St George?
"Lucy and I met at a fancy dress party, and had a great night. What was funny was that the next time we met, we didn't recognise each other in 'normal' clothes. As well as both liking a bit of a party, we bonded over a love of antique fairs and car boot sales - we'd always be the first through the gates. We'd find unique little treasures and sell them on. We realised we could probably do this on a larger scale, and so, in 2007, Rockett St George was born!
"In the early days, we packed and labelled everything at our kitchen tables. We moved to our first commercial premises two years later, quickly outgrew it, and moved to our current HQ on the edges of the South Downs National Park after that. We've expanded the warehouse several times - it just keeps getting bigger!"
2. What do you love most about your job as co-founder of Rockett St George?
"Without a doubt, the best thing about my job is that I get to work as part of a brilliant team, creating beautiful things for wonderful people."
3. You live in a converted pub in Sussex. Describe your home to us in three words...
"Modern, vintage and magical juxtaposition (that's four words - sorry!)"
4. What room in your house does the family spend the most time in, and how have you styled your interiors to suit the space?
"When the family is all at home, we're in the kitchen.
"We all love, love, LOVE food, so we gather around the kitchen table in the kitchen while my husband Toby cooks.
"The kitchen in my house is the old pub kitchen, so it's quite large - large enough for a big white tulip table, which fits everyone around it.
"I have three children (and four dogs - that's Bella, below). So when they're all at home (and the human contingent bring their partners, too) there's lots of us! I've created different zones in the kitchen by painting the dining space black, while the cooking/functional area is a complete contrast, in white - I've tiled floor-to-ceiling in white Moroccan Zellige Tiles. I don't have a fitted kitchen as I'm lucky to have lots of period features, which include old larders and cabinets, so I've made it a feature of the kitchen to use the space already there.''
5. When styling or redecorating a room in your home, where do you start? ?
"The first thing to consider is the role of the room - is it a busy, social space or is it a tranquil sanctuary perfect for relaxing in? Who's going to be using the room, and what's the likely 'flow of traffic' - in other words, are lots of people in and out?
"Next, I consider the light - is it a north or south-facing room? The light will be very different depending on the direction it faces in, which will ultimately affect my choice of wall colour."
6. How would you say your style has evolved over the years in your home?
"My home is a collection of pieces collected over the years... the treasures of my life, you could say. My accessories change regularly as I like change and love to switch things up. In recent years, I've been more playful with colour - a pop of green here, a splash of pink there!"
7. What are your favourite colour combinations?
"Marrakesh is my go-to for colour inspiration. Always daring with colour and a fabulous feast for the eyes, there's so much to take in there, whether you're exploring, shopping or eating out. In the Marrakesh Souks, you'll find clay pinks, terracotta, rich dyes in bright hues, piles of herbs in sumptuous colours and rugs in traditional reds, modern pinks and blues. The colour combinations are endless.
"My favourite combos are the following...
- Pink and green - so, so pretty!
- Black and gold - a Rockett St George favourite
- Black and white / ivory - super-stylish
- Green and mustard - naturally beautiful
- Red and pink - clashingly wonderful."
Photos from Instagram: @andrewmartin_ and @inmarrakech
8. Can you give us a little insight into Rockett St George in-house designs for 2025?
"We are embracing 'dopamine hit' colours for next year, which includes sunset tones of pinks, oranges, rusts and reds. We'll be doing this across bedding, accessories and lighting.
"We'll mix this in with vintage designs that incorporate a modern RSG twist. This is signature Rockett St George, and informs everything we do."
9. If you could steal one piece from best friend and business partner Lucy St George's gorgeous home, what would it be?
"Lucy has the best artwork collection - I would have it all!''
10. Finally, name three of your all-time favourite Rockett St George products that you love!
"In no particular order - La Dolce Vita Fairground Wall Light, The Leopard Print Lips Sofa (available soon at Next) and the Beautiful Pink Chinoiserie Decorative Mirror. They're all absolutely delightful."
Quick-fire questions:
1. I am happiest when... I am travelling and discovering a new country.
2. My favourite magazine is... Conde Nast Traveller.
3. My dream holiday would be... At the moment I really want to go to Japan, but it changes regularly.
4. An ideal day would be spent... On the beach, swimming in the sea, eating fresh fish at a beachside restaurant, and watching the sunset - ideally, with my husband, family and friends.
5. The last film I saw was... Lee with Kate Winslet. The story of American photographer Lee Miller, a fashion model who became an acclaimed war correspondent for Vogue magazine during World War II.
6. My guilty pleasure is... Wine.
7. My favourite book is... To Kill A Mocking Bird.
8. In 5 years time I want to be... On the beach.
9. The 3 things I can't live without are... My husband, family and friends.
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