Tracy is a mum of two and the Head of Buying and Merchandising at Great Little Trading Company. From unique toys to storage ideas, Tracy has all the information you need.
Tell us how you got in to the children’s interiors/toy business?
I have always worked in the home furnishings market. I started out at Habitat on the shop floor of the Tottenham Court Road store, but left 6 years later as a merchandiser. I went on to Heals, BHS, Laura Ashley, Sofa Workshop, and now GLTC. Since having children, my perspective of the interiors arena has changed and it’s been great focusing just on interiors for families because there are so few retailers doing it.
What’s your ‘home’ / interiors style?
Classic with contemporary touches. I love mixing old and new in my house: a few antiques scattered amongst some modern pieces.
What are your top tips for de-cluttering messy children’s bedrooms?
Storage, storage, storage. It’s all about solutions that hide stuff away, whilst being easily accessible too. Pieces need to be really functional and have multiple uses.
What could you never travel without?
It has to be Skype. Two to three times a year, I head off to the Far East for up to two weeks at a time. The first few days are great: time to get dressed without rushing, and only me to think about. But then I really start to miss them. Thank heavens for Skype. Not the same as being there, but at least I can see if they’re happy and healthy.
Are you off on holiday soon? Is there one particular family friendly hotel you would go back to time and time again?
We’ve just got back from Croatia which was lovely, but Natural Retreats in the UK are great for family holidays – check them out.
Has your taste in interiors changed at all since having kids? How have you had to adapt since having children at home?
My taste hasn’t changed, but my home has. They come along and take over! Everything is practical now while they are still relatively little. I especially like our Northcote Interlocking Storage; we’ve worked hard to make this versatile and long-lasting.
We are always looking for new recipes on StyleNest. Do you have a failsafe family dish you swear by?
Yes, my Chicken, Homemade Pesto, and Cherry Tomato Pasta. I’m a vegetarian so this is a great dish for all of us, as I add the chicken in last for the others.
When you’re not at work what do you enjoy doing with the kids? Are there any local parks or attraction museums they particularly love?
Recently we’ve been heading into Central London a lot and visiting the attractions I remember when I was little. It’s a whole new view of the city with children. St Paul’s, climbing Monument, and the London Eye are favourites.
Where do you get your creative inspiration from?
Everywhere I go I look out for items that can be adapted to be more handy for everyday family life. Inspiration is everywhere. I particularly love browsing charity shops.
Did your skin and beauty regime change after being pregnant? Which product did you swear buy during pregnancy and then which after?
I stopped wearing perfume when my children were newborns to let them adapt to me instead. It was lovely to start wearing it again when they were a little bit older.