With

With
a predilection for the historical, artist and interior
decorator, Luke Edward Hall is a compelling individual.
Influenced by the likes of Cecil Beaton, William Morris and Andy
Warhol, his creations are a hybrid of pop-art, abstractionism and
maximalism. Working primarily as an illustrator, Hall’s dreamy
renderings – scored with an arsenal of watercolours, oil pastels
and coloured pencils – are notably subdued in contrast to his
eccentric interiors.

His colourful aesthetic is informed by a love of history, an
appreciation of beauty and a sense of playfulness. A firm believer
in the phrase “a change is as good as a rest”, Hall’s painterly eye
is always in sharp focus. With a susceptibility to souvenirs and a
penchant for travel, for Hall a trip is made by the presence of
boyfriend Duncan Campbell, good food and interesting things to see.
A hotel notepad for doodling is also desirable.

How would you describe your aesthetic?

I often describe it as being informed by a love of history, an
appreciation of beauty and a sense of playfulness. My world is
colourful, romantic and a bit nostalgic.

Where’s your next adventure?

India, in only a couple of weeks! I can’t wait; I’ve been
wanting to visit for years. We’re going to Rajasthan
this time – Udaipur
and
Jaipur. I’m hoping for the full Darjeeling Limited
experience.

What’s the biggest adventure you’ve been on?

At the beginning of this year we spent almost two weeks driving
from Los
Angeles to San
Francisco, staying at various places along the way, including
Big
Sur, which I fell in love with. It felt like a real adventure I
suppose in part because it was a
road trip but also because Big Sur felt so remote and
magical.

If there was one destination you could go back to immediately,
which one would it be?

Probably the Amalfi Coast – we’ve been going every year for the
past four years or so and we’ve grown really fond of the area and
its restaurants, hotels and people.

One piece of travel advice…

Do your research before you go. I adore restaurants and I’m big
on finding the right places to eat – not the most expensive, but
the right places. I want to eat the local food – nothing touristy.
It can be fun stumbling across a restaurant, but I hate wasting an
opportunity on a bad meal.

Which destinations are on your travel hit list?

A lovely
Greek island because I’ve never been to Greece. Also Seville,
Brittany, Bavaria, Marrakech
and
Tangier.

Based on your etchings it would seem that you are pretty
infatuated with Greece; what’s the allure?

I’ve been fascinated with Ancient Greek and Roman history since
childhood – the
myths and legends, the art and architecture. I use motifs
inspired by these cultures in my work a lot as there is so much
wonderful imagery to draw upon. When I first started painting
ceramics, I created a whole set of plates and platters inspired by
the Ancient Greek heroes. I suppose it’s the romance, magic and
mystery of it all that gets me.

What’s your take on souvenirs?

I love a souvenir. We go to Italy often and usually end up
bringing colourful ceramics home from Venice
and Capri. Wherever I go I’ll always bring something back with me –
even if it’s just a book or a postcard for my scrapbook. My
souvenirs tell the stories of my favourite holidays and trips –
they hold so many good memories.

What destinations inspire your creativity?

Italy! I’ve always found the country extremely inspirational.
I’ve still got lots of Italy left to visit but I love how each city
or area feels completely different from each other – Milan
and
Rome for example are poles apart. Ah, Italy… I love the cities,
the countryside, the coast, the food, the people, the architecture,
the history and the culture.

What have been some of your favourite projects to date?

I’ve loved putting my drawings onto products – I’ve made key
rings with Burberry, embroidered slippers with Stubbs & Wootton
and tablecloths with Summerill & Bishop. I’m launching some
jewellery this year and a small line of men’s clothes and
accessories. Drawing is my number one passion and I’m really
excited about putting on an exhibition in London this
spring/summer.

Does travel breed creativity?

Absolutely – I love the phrase “a change is as good as a rest”.
Visiting a new place, seeing new things or even visiting an old
place that you love – there’s really nothing better. Travelling
keeps my creativity levels topped up.

You seem to enjoy doodling on hotel notepaper – have you always
done this?

I guess so – I’m always sketching on whatever’s available
including napkins and notepaper. Although saying that I’ve always
loved Picasso’s drawings on hotel notepaper and if I find
particularly nice notepaper in a hotel I’ll draw on it or bring it
home to draw on. Sometimes I’ll frame it – another souvenir.

What do you look for in a hotel?

As someone who dabbles in interior design and makes things for
the home, the interior is naturally very important to me. It should
reflect the location it’s in; I despise that bland international
look and I’m not a fan of chains unless they’re small and done
well, like
The Pig hotels. When it comes to interiors, I like an eclectic
collection of things and a mix of old and new. I love that special
atmosphere you often come across when staying in an individual
hotel – a place that’s looked after by owners who really care. Le
Sirenuse in Positano springs to mind – the whole place fizzes with
personality and life. I’m usually drawn to European hotels with an
interesting history and a faded sense of grandeur, like L’Hotel in Paris or Hotel Locarno in Rome.

And finally, what’s in your SUITCASE?

At least three books and usually a mix of genres – a biography
maybe and a couple of novels, headphones, a Polaroid or disposable
camera, sketchbooks and colouring pencils.