Ellie Bradley took the plunge and started her own business while at home with her son Xavier. Since then her bright and graphic cushions have become a firm favourite with magazine stylists, and achieved the ultimate in international exposure by featuring on Oprah's Australian special. We found out more about how Ellie creates her colours and designs, and what's coming up for Xavier & Me in 2012.

Image courtesy of Xavier & Me

Ellie, what is your background, and how did you come to start Xavier & Me?
I've always been interested in design and interiors. I worked in advertising for 15 years, so had the opportunity to work with some of Australia's best design agencies, photographers and stylists and the idea of starting my own business just grew. I used to sketch ideas and designs when I travelled, so after many sketch books I started to explore these designs on textiles. I took advantage of being at home with my baby son Xavier and I feel like it was something I was supposed to do. It's my passion, so it's nice to be doing it every day.
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How old is Xavier now, and how do you balance family and work commitments? 
Xavier turns four this year. He loves to help me and critique my work. He always gives me the thumbs up!! The work/life balance is something everyone is striving for. I'm not sure I have it right yet, but I'm lucky to have flexibility with my time and when I work, which makes it easier to work around family commitments. Xavier & Me really is just Xavier and me, but I also work with my publicist Prue Vercoe and my seamstress Faye. They are an integral part of the team.

How do you create your designs, and where do you get your colour inspiration?
My designs are started a number of ways - it depends on the design and the desired effect I want for the finished product. Some start as drawings, some as photographs, others as paintings. Depending on how I want to print the pattern, I will finish designs in the computer, otherwise I make screens or hand paint them.

Colours are chosen based on the inspiration. My Spring/Summer collection (now selling on Temple & Webster) was inspired by the modernist architecture of Palm Springs in the 1950's, so they're colours of the desert, its plants and the interiors of that period.

My Natural Harvest collection (also selling with Temple & Webster) was inspired by nature. I bought some beautiful indigo pigment in France last year and was playing around with the effect it had on different materials. The pastel indigo is indigenous to the area and gives you a beautiful subtle blue that reminds me of the ocean.

What's your personal decorating style?
I don't like to define my style as it's constantly evolving, but I love intense, bright colours, clean graphic lines and contrasting textures. I love to mix styles. There's no one favourite period. There is always something good that comes out of each period or style that I like to use.

Congratulations on having your cushions featured on the Oprah television special – did you meet Oprah?
Being on Oprah's Australian special was amazing and it was certainly a rush to see my cushions on the show. Sadly I didn't meet Oprah, but I hear she loved the décor of the event.

What's in the future for the Xavier & Me empire?
2012 will be a big year for Xavier & Me. I am expanding my brand, developing rugs, cashmere throws and made-to-order bedding. There is even more to come - it really will be a big and exciting year.