Lena Corwin, 29, designer, lives in Brooklyn, NY

1. What is your background/education?
I grew up in San Francisco, California, and then went to college at University of Oregon. I didn't study art in college, but had a strong arts education in elementary and high school. I returned to doing art and design after college, and learned as I worked for various companies, and took classes in the evenings too.

2. Why did you become a designer?
I look at everything around me in terms of design, and I have since I was a kid! There are lots of other careers I would like to have, but working in art and design is natural for me.

3. What are you working on at the moment?
I'm writing a craft book on hand printing techniques. The book will have projects on printing your own stationery, lampshades, bed sheets, etc. I'm so excited about it!

4. Some things that you like:
wood, ceramic, plants, and natural fabrics

5. Some things that you dislike:
plastic, synthetic fabrics, and fast food

6. What inspires you?
my friends, photography, things i see in shops.

7. Favourite designers?
Eley Kishimoto, Karen Walker, Tsumori Chisato, Vera Neumann, and Alexander Girard.

8. Latest purchase for your home?
A bed frame - finally! It's a wood slat platform bed.

9. What is your best decorating advice?
I like to paint walls in neutral colors, and then use a lot of color in the furnishings and artwork.

10. Do you have any tips for people who want to become designers?
I learned a lot working for large companies like Calvin Klein and Jill Stuart. That's not the path for every designer, but it was really helpful to me!

Thank you so much for participating Lena!