Behind The Design: Designer Lou Rota
Meet the artist responsible for the magic of our Twelve Days of Christmas 2023 collection.
We sat down with designer Lou Rota, the creative force behind our Twelve Days of Christmas 2023 collection, for an exclusive Q&A. From leaping leopards to festive flora, she's reimagined the classic carol into stunningly playful dinnerware and serveware. Read on to unwrap the magic behind the exclusive collab.
ANTHRO:
In your words, how does this collection capture the essence of the season?
LOU:
A quirky menagerie of mammals, birds, insects, and fish give the traditional "Twelve Days of Christmas" story a witty twist. This, along with using nature's own bounty as seasonal decorations. Think: pomegranates and duck eggs as tree baubles, opulent swags of fruits, and fragrant winter foliage.
A:
Any unexpected twists or hidden gems in this holiday collection?
L:
On the Ten Lords Dessert Plate, the leopard is leaping over a plant called ‘lords-and-ladies.' I love little hidden meanings like this that provide a nice little in-the-know moment for the keen botanists out there.
In your words, how does this collection capture the essence of the season?
LOU:
A quirky menagerie of mammals, birds, insects, and fish give the traditional "Twelve Days of Christmas" story a witty twist. This, along with using nature's own bounty as seasonal decorations. Think: pomegranates and duck eggs as tree baubles, opulent swags of fruits, and fragrant winter foliage.
A:
Any unexpected twists or hidden gems in this holiday collection?
L:
On the Ten Lords Dessert Plate, the leopard is leaping over a plant called ‘lords-and-ladies.' I love little hidden meanings like this that provide a nice little in-the-know moment for the keen botanists out there.
A:
Can you describe the creative process you used to bring your designs to life?
L:
I frequent markets and junk shops looking for interesting, old plates to base the shape – I’m particularly fond of those from the 1800s. The next stage is to decide on which creatures to feature, a process which takes a fair bit of to-ing and fro-ing with the Anthropologie team. We have a lot of fun throwing ideas back and forth! I’ll use rough drawings or photos of the animals at this stage to see how they fit each shape. Then we start adding botanicals and color – a mix of photos, rough drawings, and other references.
For [this collection], there were ENDLESS permutations! I printed them out and laid them on the floor of my studio and all over the house, coming back to look at them fresh each morning until I felt we had the right mix.
Can you describe the creative process you used to bring your designs to life?
L:
I frequent markets and junk shops looking for interesting, old plates to base the shape – I’m particularly fond of those from the 1800s. The next stage is to decide on which creatures to feature, a process which takes a fair bit of to-ing and fro-ing with the Anthropologie team. We have a lot of fun throwing ideas back and forth! I’ll use rough drawings or photos of the animals at this stage to see how they fit each shape. Then we start adding botanicals and color – a mix of photos, rough drawings, and other references.
For [this collection], there were ENDLESS permutations! I printed them out and laid them on the floor of my studio and all over the house, coming back to look at them fresh each morning until I felt we had the right mix.
A:
Were there specific themes or traditions that influenced your work on this collection?
L:
Many of my designs are based on early to mid 19th-century plates, a time when opulent tableware had gold rims.
However, aesthetic was not the main reason for this tradition! Because electric light wasn’t widely available until later that century, candlelight reflecting off the gold rim was the only way to ensure the diner could see the outline of their plate. I love this fact, and it felt very relevant to the season, so each piece from this collection has a touch or twinkle of gold.
A:
What does the holiday season mean to you, personally, and how does it influence your artistic process?
L:
It’s about hunkering down with a delightful mismatch of friends and family, special food that takes love and time to prepare, fun games, and a table decked out in an exuberance of foliage, candles, pattern, and design. For me, Christmas is not the time for carefully curated minimalism! I like Christmas to be a riot of life, noise, color, and pattern – all of which I hope is reflected in this collection.
Were there specific themes or traditions that influenced your work on this collection?
L:
Many of my designs are based on early to mid 19th-century plates, a time when opulent tableware had gold rims.
However, aesthetic was not the main reason for this tradition! Because electric light wasn’t widely available until later that century, candlelight reflecting off the gold rim was the only way to ensure the diner could see the outline of their plate. I love this fact, and it felt very relevant to the season, so each piece from this collection has a touch or twinkle of gold.
A:
What does the holiday season mean to you, personally, and how does it influence your artistic process?
L:
It’s about hunkering down with a delightful mismatch of friends and family, special food that takes love and time to prepare, fun games, and a table decked out in an exuberance of foliage, candles, pattern, and design. For me, Christmas is not the time for carefully curated minimalism! I like Christmas to be a riot of life, noise, color, and pattern – all of which I hope is reflected in this collection.
A:
Any advice or tips on how to style or incorporate your pieces at home?
L:
Layer vintage plates under the Twelve Days of Christmas plates, and have fun setting a mismatched table. Collect old playing cards, colorful pages from gardening and art gallery catalogs, and paint charts to make name cards for your guests to continue the eclectic theme.
Of course, you don’t have to use them just at the table. An ever-changing plate wall in your kitchen or dining room makes a wonderful interior design feature. Mix my pieces with other Anthro designs and vintage finds. During the holidays you can trail tiny fairy lights around them, or tuck in a few berry or rosemary sprigs to up the festive vibe.
A:
How do you balance the fine line between traditional holiday elements and your lou-nique artistic style?
L:
I tend to prefer natural Christmas decorations for my home. Every December, my family and I head out on a dog walk to Hampstead Heath and choose the perfect lichen-covered branch. We suspend it above the dining table using invisible threads. This is then hung with small, reflective crystals from old chandeliers along with crab apple, seedhead, and ivy berry ‘baubles.’
There’s a similar idea going on in this collection — pomegranates and goose eggs become baubles, hanging from branches of pine. Bare branches are laden with luscious berries and fruit.
Any advice or tips on how to style or incorporate your pieces at home?
L:
Layer vintage plates under the Twelve Days of Christmas plates, and have fun setting a mismatched table. Collect old playing cards, colorful pages from gardening and art gallery catalogs, and paint charts to make name cards for your guests to continue the eclectic theme.
Of course, you don’t have to use them just at the table. An ever-changing plate wall in your kitchen or dining room makes a wonderful interior design feature. Mix my pieces with other Anthro designs and vintage finds. During the holidays you can trail tiny fairy lights around them, or tuck in a few berry or rosemary sprigs to up the festive vibe.
A:
How do you balance the fine line between traditional holiday elements and your lou-nique artistic style?
L:
I tend to prefer natural Christmas decorations for my home. Every December, my family and I head out on a dog walk to Hampstead Heath and choose the perfect lichen-covered branch. We suspend it above the dining table using invisible threads. This is then hung with small, reflective crystals from old chandeliers along with crab apple, seedhead, and ivy berry ‘baubles.’
There’s a similar idea going on in this collection — pomegranates and goose eggs become baubles, hanging from branches of pine. Bare branches are laden with luscious berries and fruit.