Made in Scotland: Harbour Lane
Welcome to our monthly Made in Scotland blog where we explore the incredibly creative makers in the best wee country in the world! We adore the illustrations created by Tori at Harbour Lane that are then turned into lampshades, blankets and even furniture. With their beautifully atmospheric names; Sea & Sky, Hedgerow, Through the Clouds, Coastline, Aurora or inspired by a particular landscape, city or wildlife, these Scottish made pieces are an incredible reminder of Scotland for your home.
Harbour Lane has grown to include two separate stores, one in Edinburgh and one in the Highlands. As well as her own lampshades and illustrated homewares, Harbour Lane stocks pieces from over 100 different artists and makers from all over the UK as well as employing three other creatives part-time who are able to juggle their own small businesses with their work for Tori. It’s a wonderful model and we love the supportive atmosphere she’s created with Harbour Lane as well as her own illustrations!
Tori
Can you tell us how your business got started?
It originally started with me just wanting to find some studio space for myself so I could be creative again after being stuck in a retail job I hated. The space I found was too big for just a studio so I thought I could split it and have a part of it as a wee shop. I got in touch with some makers I knew from Art College and asked if they’d allow me to sell their work in my new ‘shop’ and things have just grown from there. The studio part is gone and we now have two shops!
Illustrated cushions
Where do you look for inspiration when you are designing new products?
I’m inspired by the Scottish landscape so a good walk usually fills me with ideas. We moved to the Highlands a couple years ago and I just love the landscape here. We have hills and trees and beaches and mountains and I’m constantly taking pictures of everything to use as references later.
Illustrated blankets
Can you tell us a bit more about how you make your products?
All my products start with an illustration. I used to only work with watercolours and pen and ink and would create everything on pieces of paper that I would individually scan and then layer up digitally but I have managed to switch over fully working digitally now which saves so much time and I think has a neater result. I still use watercolour when I want some organic, inky textures though. I then have my designs digitally printed onto various fabrics which we then turn into the homeware pieces, with the lampshades being our best sellers.
Coastline Lampshade
What are your most popular products and which are your own favourites?
The lampshades are by far our most popular product. We make them all by hand in our shops and in a huge range of designs and sizes. I like to think that they are little pieces of functional art – they look beautiful but they also have a purpose. I do love them but I have to confess that our new illustrated furniture is my favourite. It’s been something I’ve wanted to do for a long time but obviously it’s a big investment. I think they are the perfect evolution from our lampshades though and still fulfill the same mission of being beautiful and functional.
New illustrated furniture including this stunning rocking chair
If you had to pick one place in Scotland to recommend that people visit, where would it be?
Well I am going to be really biased and say the Black Isle. It’s where our second shop is based so that’s definitely worth a visit but I also think it’s like a little hidden gem in Scotland. There are tourists that come back here every year because they just love it. I think it has that slight island feel of having it’s own personality and community but whilst still being on the mainland.
Which other Scottish Makers do you love to recommend?
Well I have a really amazing team who work in my Edinburgh shop whilst I’m up in the Highlands. They are all makers with their own businesses so I think it’s only fair if I give them a little shout-out.
Made In Scotland: The Illustrated Lab
First up Jenni Colquhoun who goes by The Illustrated Lab creates the most amazingly intricate scientific illustrations with a slight humorous edge.
Rebecca Black who goes by Blackbird and Bloom is a jeweller turned embroidery artist. She creates the most beautiful patterns and kits which teach you various stitches and can even be applied to clothing.
Victoria Rose Ball is an Edinburgh based illustrator who also uses Scotland as a source of inspiration for her beautiful prints which celebrate lots of iconic landmarks.
Thanks so much to Tori for taking the time to talk with us and do make sure that you follow Harbour Lane on their Website, Facebook or Instagram!