MEET THE CREATIVE
Pip rich: author & editor
INTRODUCTION
As part of my role, I work closely with writers and magazine editors, creating flower designs for photoshoots and providing expert advice on floristry topics. One of the magazines that we work closely with, is Livingetc. I have always been inspired by Livingetc’s fresh outlook on design and the way we live, particularly that of their editor Pip Rich (née McCormac), so I was thrilled when Pip was happy to be part of our new series, Meet the Creative.
I was keen to find out about Pip’s career path, how he has achieved his ambitious goals - which in turn I hope will inspire others when setting your own goals - and also his love of house plants, which formed the basis for the publication of his third and newest book, “A New Leaf” by Pip McCormac and Jennifer Haslam, published by Hardie Grant.
All photography: Simon Bevan
THE BEGINNING & TODAY
Pip started out doing work experience in 2005 for a brand new magazine, Grazia, before it had launched; his role involved fetching coffee, handing out the mail and simply “trying to be as useful as possible”.
By the time Grazia was ready to hit the shelves, he was over the moon to have secured a permanent position assisting on the lifestyle desk.
At the time, Pip knew nothing about interiors, and believes he was hired more for his “general enthusiasm than any prowess”. He is though a quick learner, and was helping to produce shoots and pages for some of the best stylists around, people he still knows and admires today.
Pip realised he was better at the writing part than the styling part, and eventually moved off to Sunday Times Style, then to Red, then to edit Livingetc, always covering a mix of design, food, travel and general lifestyle - one of the things he loves most about his current role - Editor of Livingetc. - is the 'etc' part of Livingetc, the way the publication talks about the home as the entire life lived in and from it.
“I like to think holistically about how what we put in our homes, how it helps to create the right atmosphere and backdrop against which to entertain, relax, work, be.”
IN PRINT
Pip likes to think holistically about how and what we put in our homes, how it helps to create the right atmosphere and backdrop against which to entertain, relax, work, be.
His recipe books - "The Herb & Flower Cookbook: Plant, Grow and Eat" and "Herbs & Flowers" - were based on a love for gardening, how turning his balcony into a kitchen garden helped to extend the style of his apartment outdoors, and enhance the look - and taste - of what he was putting on his plates.
When Pip was thinking about “A New Leaf”, his third and most recent book, he wanted to speak to some of the most creative minds in the world about how they lived. They've designed every corner of their homes, pored over more paint samples than we could imagine, thought meticulously about every tiny detail ... and they've all chosen to include plants too. He needed to know why, and what those plants did to enhance the space.
Interviewing the homeowners - mostly architects - was one of his favourite projects of his career. Each one had an entirely different, thought provoking and fascinating reason for including plant life. One was to do with the way it evokes memories, another was about the way the watering and care built routine into their lives, another was the interplay of light through the fronds, yet another spoke evocatively about the monastic pairing of plants and concrete.
He was so inspired, that he bought about a dozen more plants himself. None as impressive as the 7 foot avocado tree one of the owners had grown from a stone, however. Speaking of avocado trees, Pip explained they were the most common plant to pop up in these homes - the next trend begins!
INSPIRATION & STYLE
Pip is hugely inspired by the work of some of his favourite interior designers - the light and airy glamour of Brigette Romanek (who he was delighted to feature in A New Leaf), the curation of Linda Boronkay, the personality of Russell Sage and Jonathan Adler...
What he always tries to do, is distill from the designers why they did what they did - he doesn’t just want to write about what the eye can see, but to provide the explanation, so readers can take some understanding away and apply some formula to their own decisions.
WORK SPACe
Pip now works the majority of his time in his new house in Somerset, his “lockdown knee-jerk reaction”.
It's an 1840s home covered in Bath stone, in a tiny village, with its own orchard, which forms the view from his study and desk.
The house hadn't been decorated since 1972, so it has been a huge project, “bigger than we could ever have imagined”.
He described how putting colours together, watching them change in the light of the big windows, noticing the seasons as the sunsets through different panes at different times of the year has been magical.
“What I always try and do is distil from the designers why they did what they did - I don’t just want to write about what the eye can see, but to provide the explanation, so readers can take some understanding away and apply some formula to their own decisions. ”
BIG GOALS, SMALL STEPS
When I asked Pip how he has achieved his biggest goal - to be a magazine editor - he believes he achieved his ambition by being a little shameless - during his first job I decided my next role would be at the Sunday Times Style, and I tracked the right person down, got to know them a little, and semi-jokingly said "when are you going to leave, because I want your job next."
Planting that seed really worked, because when that person did leave, he called Pip immediately to tell him to email his boss. He goes onto say “scary as it can be, you have to put breadcrumbs out there about your ambitions, some of which may get gobbled up in just the way you hope.”
“Scary as it can be, you have to put breadcrumbs out there about your ambitions, some of which may get gobbled up in just the way you hope.”
BEST HOUSEPLANTS
Like Pip, we have a mass of houseplants at home. We are often away, so we are careful to choose plants that require minimal maintenance and still provide plenty of impact. Here is a list of my favourite houseplants, and the ones I have in my own home.
giant tarro
Native to SE Asia rainforests, so it likes warm, humid environments. Also known as Upright Elephant Ear with its elephant ear-like leaves. Perfect for your bathroom.
Indian banyan
Relatively easy to look after, the Indian Banyan requires bright and not overly dry spaces. It is the national tree of India and are considered sacred.
Golden polybody
An evergreen fern, that is incredibly easy to care for, as long as it receives plenty of light. We have a mass of these elegant plants, placed into different sized wicker baskets, in our kitchen.
Photo credit: Social Supermarket
FIDDLE-LEAF FIG
The fiddle-leaf fig has leaves shaped like a violin, hence its name. This plant makes a brilliant statement and is hugely popular. This is one my favourite houseplants. We have a large fiddle-leaf fig in our kitchen.
Photo credit: Rhiannon Taylor (Heckfield Place)
AVOCADO PLANT
Tips to grow your own:
1. Clean the avocado seed/stone and remove the outer skin (this reduces risk of mold).
2. To germinate, wrap in damp kitchen paper towel and place into a container with lid.
3. Check once a week and wash completely if they look at all slimy. Germination can take up to two months.
4. IN WATER - once the seed/stone has cracked, look for the tiny roots that sprout from the bottom and balance in a jar/glass, with the roots submerged in water - place in a bright room (albeit away from direct sunlight) and keep a close eye on the water level, ensuring the roots never dry out.
5. IN SOIL - this will give you larger plants. Use a potting mix with slow release fertiliser. Place in the soil approx. an equal depth to its size, roots facing downwards and cover with soil. Keep the soil damp, but never saturated. Photo credit: Piece of Rainbow
