Vanessa Barneby is co-founder of Barneby Gates, a wallpaper and fabric studio based in Wiltshire. With a background in magazines - originally as an interiors stylist at House & Garden, then Living Editor at British Vogue - she launched her first collection of wallpapers in 2010 with childhood friend and business partner Alice Gates. She lives in Hampshire with her husband and two children, Lily and Gabriel. 

Vanessa is pictured here wearing the Ella T-shirt, Isabel Trouser and Undercover 3 Sunglasses

Who or what last made you laugh out loud
Jim Jefferies.

Who or what inspires you
My parents for their boundless energy (despite being in their seventies), my husband Tim for his unlimited creativity and lack of fear to always push boundaries, and my business partner Alice – for being the driving force!

Your words to live by
Be Kind Always – something I try to teach my children on a daily (hourly!) basis.

What cause or causes do you feel passionate about
RAPT – Rehabilitation for Addicted Prisoners Trust is an amazing charity and one very close to my heart.

Best piece of advice you’ve ever been given
Just be yourself. I get horribly nervous at the thought of interviews or public speaking, and setting up my own business inevitably comes hand in hand with all sorts of self-exposing situations.  When you realize you don’t need to try and be anyone other than yourself, it’s very freeing.

Your London in an hour
Before having kids my London was pretty limited to West – Notting Hill – where I used to live. Since moving out, I’m like a tourist in town – so we’ll train into Waterloo, skate down the Southbank to the Tate and Shakespeare’s Globe, and over the Millenium Bridge before hopping in a taxi (always via Trafalgar square) to Notting Hill for lunch or dinner at Essenza on Kensington Park Road – a family favourite.

Your favourite London view
Down Westbourne Grove at sunset – takes me back to my London days.

Are you working on anything at present
We’re launching 2 new wallpapers and a new fabric collection at Decorex in September, so we’re currently at the photo shoot phase – which all happens at our studio in Pewsey, Wiltshire. I used to style interiors shoots for Vogue and House & Garden, so this is a part of my job that I really enjoy. We’re also working on some fun new wallpaper designs for Spring next year… watch this space!

Describe your style
My job is pretty hands on and physical at times, so I tend to dress with that in mind. The utilitarian and sports luxe trends have particularly appealed, but I’ll always mix it with something pretty to soften the look.

Whose style do you most admire, past or present
Predictable though it is – Charlotte Rampling has always been my fave. 

Favourite piece from the ENLIST collection
It’s hard! I think right now for Spring/summer it has to be the pale pink silk bomber, and I love the split mirrored aviator sunnies too.

Vanessa's Edit: