Jane Landino celebrates 20 years at Taylor Howes!

Jane Celebrates 20 Years with Taylor Howes Designs

Infinitely passionate, driven and an undeniable force within the interior design industry, we are honoured to be celebrating Jane Landino’s 20 year anniversary with Taylor Howes Designs.

Here’s a look back with Jane on how she went from a London broker to becoming Creative & Design Head of Studio at Taylor Howes.

TO START, TELL US HOW YOU STARTED IN THE INTERIOR DESIGN INDUSTRY. 

Interior Design is actually my second career – I worked in the city for 8 years as an inter-dealer broker on a trading floor with 500 dealers, but I had always wanted to do something creative from a very young age. I originally dreamed of being a fashion designer, but I was told at a careers talk that I needed to get a sensible degree – which looking back was the worst advice ever! But, I went on to study French and Italian at university and found my true calling later in life.

But in the back of my mind, I always knew that being an inter-dealer broker wasn’t what I was meant to do as I was just pushing money around the world and not creating anything.

SO HOW DID YOU END UP MOVING OVER TO INTERIOR DESIGN?

One year at the House & Garden Show I saw a KLC School of Design stand, advertising an Interior Design course. I knew that I really wanted to do it, but it took me two years before I committed! When I started the course, I knew I would never return to my city job. For me, Interior Design is a vocation, a creative calling, and not just a 9-5 job – It’s a passion that has completely taken over my life!

DID YOU ALWAYS KNOW YOU WANTED TO WORK FOR TAYLOR HOWES?

Yes! I really admired what Taylor Howes were doing in the industry and long story short, I pestered KLC to get me some work experience with them and they did! I started with a week’s work experience with them and I loved it so much that I asked if I could do another week, and they said yes. A month later, they called me back and offered me a job – I started as a Junior Designer, and that was 20 years ago!

WHAT TYPE OF JOBS DID YOU DO AS A JUNIOR?

As a Junior, we would do all of the jobs necessary, and we rarely outsourced. From ironing the bed linen, rewiring plug sockets, steaming everything, and even hanging the artwork. We even had our own pink toolkits which we would carry around for all these jobs!

WHAT IS ONE THING THAT HAS STAYED CONSISTENT THROUGHOUT THE PAST 20 YEARS? 

One thing that has never changed throughout the years is Karen. She is one of those people that always has your back and she’s always treated Taylor Howes Designs as one big family – It felt like that on my very first day, and it still does today. While Karen has been my boss all of these years, she has also become a very close friend of mine. She’s constantly been there for me throughout every milestone of my life, from when I got engaged and coming to my wedding in Ibiza to meeting my daughter when she was born. Karen has always been hugely supportive while giving me the space to grow creatively. Every day I feel incredibly grateful to work with such an icon within the design industry, not only is she remarkably creative but she’s also an amazing businesswoman.

WHAT IS YOUR PROUDEST MOMENT? 

I honestly feel proud of the team and our work all of the time. In this role, you really put your heart and soul into it, and you become emotionally connected to every project and the people you’re working for. So when it comes to showing the client the finished project, and they’re overwhelmed with joy, it makes me feel very proud.

HOW DO YOU STAY INSPIRED? 

Oh, that is so easy – I am constantly out and about on my days off; whether it’s heading to antique markets, stately homes, National Trust properties or travelling to different countries.

I’m inspired by fashion, hotels, and shops. You know, just walking down the street in London you’ve only got to look up to be inspired by amazing architecture.

OUTSIDE OF TH, WHAT DO YOU LIKE TO DO IN YOUR SPARE TIME?

You will most certainly find me in the garden. I am obsessed with flowers, so I am currently working on my cut flower garden; I love watching things grow from seed and flourish over time with care and nurturing – it’s very rewarding! If I’m not pottering around the garden then I’m spending time with my husband and our daughter.