Lemon sorbets in Italian restaurants, woven bistro chairs outside French cafés and shell art from the English seaside are what Matilda Goad first visualises when she dreams about summer. For her first stationery collection with Papier, the designer and creative consultant has taken these inspirations and given them her own unique twist to create notebooks, notecards, and invitations that will get you planning Spritz-filled garden parties and doodling in the park quicker than you can say 'gelato'.
As the first rays of summer started shining, we met her for an espresso and some pasta shopping at Italian deli Italo in south London, to chat about her sun-soaked inspirations and the delights of colourful stationery.
"I wanted the collection to be colourful and reminiscent of lazy summer days"
Why did you want to create a stationery collection?
I’m never without a notebook to scribble down inspirations and thoughts in, and I'll often slot in fabric cuttings, things that inspire me and images from my travels. It therefore felt very fitting to design a line of stationery that will hopefully transport you to the warmer, more carefree days of summer.
What’s the inspiration for this Papier collection?
I wanted the collection to be colourful and reminiscent of lazy summer days – bringing vibrancy and memories to your desk. Days spent soaking up the sun on colourful sun loungers, sipping espressos on woven brasserie chairs or enjoying ice cream perched on a wall on the English coast.
How has that inspiration evolved into the designs?
The collection is an accumulation of my summer memories and the colours and patterns I associate with them, so playing around with colour combinations was the starting point. The weaves felt very core to the reference and were a great way of mixing in colours. I've always loved sailors' valentines and shells in general, so the scallop wave designs felt like a slightly more unique way to incorporate them into the collection.
Where do you go when you’re looking for something a little continental when you’re in London?
I love really authentic Italian restaurants – breadsticks in wrappers and lemon sorbet served in the lemons. Ida in Kensal Rise is a favourite of mine, Panella under Trellick Tower does proper Sicilian street food and I love a really good deli. Great produce is the secret to being a great cook! Lina Stores in Soho has the best fresh pasta and Montes in Islington is my local and full of great produce. And I love Italo in Bonnington Square for hard-to-find, authentic Italian ingredients and coffees in the sun.
What makes you feel like you’re on holiday when you’re at home?
An Aperol Spritz and some big green olives.
What’s on your to-do list this summer?
I have some long weekends planned in Europe. I try to visit new places as much as I can but often lean back to old favourites, Ibiza being one of them. Back home, more morning swims in Hampstead Heath ponds, balmy evenings on the canal (the Towpath Café is a magical spot) and weekends venturing to various English seaside spots.
What will you be using your Papier notebooks for?
Scribbling down never-ending to-do lists, places I want to go and things I want to research.
Which are your favourite pieces in the collection?
The blue and red squiggle notebooks and notecards are playful but still feel like you could write an important note on one of them!
What’s your favourite thing about sending notecards and when do you send them?
For me, notecards are expressive and something I love to send. It's almost ritualistic the process of writing, sealing the envelope and adding the stamp. I love receiving notes – a scrawled five words is so much more touching than any email.
And finally, gelato or a 99 (with flake of course)?
Pistachio gelato, please!
Summer in style with Matilda's stationery collection – for all your Italian deli shopping list and garden party invitation needs (or to just bring some sunshine to your desk).
