Leslie Williamson is a familiar name around these parts. A friend of Heath and a gifted photographer, Leslie has shot our factories, showrooms, and even our home. Her eye for light and balance, architecture and space, make for strikingly understated interiors photos that resonate with us quite strongly. Her passion for design and endless curiosity extends beyond interiors, as evidenced in part by her Pinterest board. Fans of her eclectic pins (we particularly like her “Weird (but I love it)” board!), we jumped at the chance to ask Leslie to share her inspirations with us on a special shared board this week. 

Briefly describe your work to us.

At the heart of my work I am a photographer. I am never happier than when I making photographs. I split my time between commissioned assignments and my own projects.

I also write for my own projects, like my first book, Handcrafted Modern, and my new book Modern Originals: At Home with Midcentury European Designers (April 2014) and I do all the research for my projects as well. 

My personal work is really my driving life’s passion. I have numerous ongoing projects, but the one that is best known and that I continue, is photographing the homes of architects and designers as they are lived in. A portrait of the designer through his/her home. That is the work in Handcrafted Modern and Modern Originals, but it is from a larger body of work looking at how the people that influence the way we live, live themselves. I began with the MidTwentieth century, since it is the era/homes that are disappearing the quickest, but I am also photographing designers working now. I am building a visual library that will be all inclusive and worldwide. It is a huge undertaking and will take the rest of my life.

But I also have about 4 other projects that are bubbling on the stove right now, so things are always exciting!

Your creative process when starting a new project is…

All my projects start off pretty quietly. I’ll read an article or see a piece of artwork I really love or someone will mention a house they think I should see and I’ll just feel a pull. It is really instinctual and hard to explain. But it all starts with a curiosity about something and the need to see and experience it for myself. And there is also a feeling that something has been overlooked, I need to go to find what no one is noticing. 

It is pretty exciting right now because I just finished Modern Originals and so I feel myself roaming. Which project will be my next focus? I am wondering which one will call to me to loudest or if it will be a completely new one. 

What inspires you? Do you have any go-to places (virtual or physical), activities, or objects that get your thoughts flowing?

I find practically everything inspiring! I guess that sounds a bit crazy, but it is true. People are just endlessly inspiring. I am constantly moved by human beings’ simultaneous uniqueness and sameness.  

I am especially drawn to people who have found their passion and are living it and people who can make things. It can be a chair or a loaf of bread - I don’t really care what.

We’re so glad you are a fan of our Heath pieces. Do you have a favorite? If yes, why?

Well I love all the classics but I am also so excited about the work coming out of the new Clay Studio in San Francisco. And then of course there are Adam Silverman’s beautiful pieces….I don’t think I can pick a favorite…

Photo 1 courtesy Maurizio Beucci. Photos 2-4 courtesy Leslie Williamson.

Photo 2: Bruno Mathsson’s home from Leslie’s forthcoming book, Modern Originals: At Home with Midcentury European Designers. 

Photo 3: Portrait of artist Jesse Schlesinger for Leslie’s former column called “People Watching” for the NYTimes T Style blog the Moment.

Photo 4: A favorite image from my recent trip to Antwerp.