The creator of the beautiful, hand-drawn Great 8 in today's email is Christina Banos, who posts a steady stream of covetable furniture pieces and homeware finds on her Instagram account @homedrawn. Karen McCartney talked to Christina about her inspirations and her favourites. 

What made you set up Homedrawn?
I was going through my mother's old glory box filled with decorating items and pieces that were handmade by various relatives which she kept to remember people by. This initially started my thinking about what I would love to have in my future home, whether it is décor items or anything interiors. My childhood was full of drawing and illustrating my dream floor plan for my house.

 

Aura's Grande Quilt Cover (left) and the Darcy Table Lamp (right).

What materials do you use?
I work with a variety of mediums. I started illustrating with Artline pens in different sizes and then adding watercolours to my illustrations. This created the basis of my drawings. My main preference is watercolour.



How did you train?
Most of it is self-taught. I did a lot of drawing and typography while at college, and I work with a team that allows me to explore my creative side and provides me with some expert advice, for which I am grateful.



The Ash Easel Cabinet (left) and Marina Dining Chair (right).

How do you select objects to illustrate?
I find pieces online as well as in shop front windows. I also like to flick through magazines for the latest products and objects. These items then translate into the posts on my IG account. I also like to illustrate pieces made by other Instagram followers.



Aura's Staggered Square Cushion (left) and Crosses Square Cushion (right).

What makes a great object to draw?
I like to draw items that are structured and also have intricate detail. Colour is also a main factor in my decision, depending on seasons and colour trends in the industry. If there is an event I try to illustrate something of that event or show something that depicts it.



The Paulistano armchair, available through Hub Furniture.

Do you have an all-time favourite?
This is tricky! They are all my favourites, however if I have to pick I would have to say the Paulistano Armchair designed by Paulo Mendes da Rocha. This chair is simple and elegant. I think it works well with any interior

 

A Muuto Oslo Pouf and Moroso Chubby Chic armchair.

What is the Instagram favourite?
So far the Confetti Credenza by Moving Mountains ft Ceramic Sculptures by Keiko Narahashi. A beautiful piece on its own and fairly new as well.

What is your day job?
I work as a Graphic Designer at Real Living Magazine. I collate a lot of the still life styling for house features, illustrate throughout the magazine (including floor plans and products), and I freelance in my spare time - mainly in the evenings and on weekends.



A Matthew Hilton cabinet. 

Do your two worlds ever collide?
Yes and no. I find myself on the weekends planning on what to draw for the next week or so - it's an ever-changing industry; you have to be on the lookout for cool ideas and constantly be inspired. I love what I do and try not to let both work and my passion collide too much, although at times it cannot be avoided!

Where do you hope Homedrawn could take you?
I would love for Homedrawn to work as a platform for future design and illustration work. At the moment I am enjoying illustrating objects that I would one day like to have to decorate my own space.

Follow her on Instagram @homedrawn.