You’re Invited! Dining with Cultural Inspirations: Lois Norman, London Design Studio Lead, Ulster Carpets

Imagine hosting a dinner party where every detail – from the enchanting venue to the eclectic guest list – reflects the passions and inspirations that have shaped your creative life and work. In this joyful feature, we step into the mind of  London Design Studio Lead, Lois Norman at Ulster Carpets, to explore their ultimate dinner party with the people who have influenced them as creatives.

Our Party setup

Venue

I think the Temperate House at Royal Botanic Gardens Kew would make a beautiful and memorable setting for a dinner party. I love the idea of being surrounded by rare plants from around the world, it would be a unique experience, almost like dining inside a living garden. The tall Victorian glass ceilings and iron structure would create a dramatic and stunning backdrop. During the day, sunlight pours through the glass and highlights the greenery, while at night soft lighting would create a warm, magical atmosphere. Even though it’s in London, the peaceful surroundings would make it feel calm and relaxing, a quiet escape from the busy city.

Menu

My husband and I travelled around Thailand on our honeymoon, and I’d love to recreate some of the amazing dishes we tried there. I’d ask Ben Chapman to create the menu, he’s the chef behind two of my favourite London restaurants, Smoking Goat and Kiln, he’s known for bold Southeast Asian flavours, fresh ingredients, and cooking over fire. His style would be ideal because the dishes are designed to be shared, encouraging a social and enjoyable atmosphere while giving guests something a little different from a typical dinner menu.

I would also make Fifteens for everyone to take home as a sweet little treat. They’re a classic Irish tray bake super sweet and utterly delicious. My colleagues introduced me to them when I joined Ulster and we often make them for birthdays… though really, any day is a good day for Fifteens!

Music

Traditional Irish music would set the perfect tone for my dinner party, inspired by my visits to Northern Ireland and the lively, welcoming spirit of Irish trad I experienced there. The bright, upbeat sounds of the fiddle, tin whistle, and bodhrán would fill the room, creating a warm, energetic atmosphere.

Guests

Barbra Hepworth:  I have happy memories visiting the sculptor’s workshop and garden in St Ives from my early childhood.  It was probably the first artist’s studio I’d been in and remember being fascinated not just by her sculptures but seeing all the tools, paints, sketchbook and materials she used to create her works.  I realised then that I would love to have a creative career.

Grayson perry: I think Grayson Perry would be an amazing dinner party guest. I specialised in ceramics at art college and have always admired his work. I love how he takes traditional pottery and turns it into contemporary art that explores identity, gender, politics, and social class. His decorated vases are full of storytelling and detail, and I’d be fascinated to hear him talk about his creative process and how he challenges the idea that ceramics are merely craft.

Marion Dorn: Marion Dorn was an influential textile designer who transformed interior spaces through innovative carpet and fabric designs.  I love her work from the 1920s and 1930s, especially her art deco designs she did for Claridge’s and the Savoy.  Nearly a century later, her work still feels fresh and inspiring. I’ve had the opportunity to work on projects within both of these prestigious hotels, and her designs have been a source of inspiration in my own work there.

Sarah Burton: I studied printed textiles for fashion at university, and Sarah Burton, who became creative director at Alexander McQueen in 2010, was a huge inspiration then and now. I admire her work, not just her incredible, intricate prints but also her use of alternative materials, she’s always pushing boundaries in fashion.

Anna Atkins: I’ve always been inspired by Anna Atkins’ work as a botanical artist and photographer; she was a female pioneer and the first person to illustrate a book entirely with photographic images using cyanotypes.  I find her work and process incredibly inspiring and during my university days, I experimented with the same technique in my own work, using light-sensitive dyes on paper and letting the sun “paint” with light and shadows. I’d love to hear her thoughts on her process and what inspired her to create such precise and beautiful images of plants, it would be amazing to talk to someone who revolutionised botanical illustration.

Sally Muir: I’ve always admired Sally Muir and her playful dog paintings. Growing up with dogs and now having my own rescue, Chino, I really connect with how she captures their personalities so beautifully. I love her expressive, free style and her mark-making, and I’d be fascinated to hear more about her creative process, it would be so inspiring to see how she brings her art to life.

Lois Norman is the London Design Studio Lead at Ulster Carpets, with over 15 years of experience in carpet design. After graduating in Printed Textiles from Bucks New University, she won a New Designers Award in 2010, launching her career in the industry.

She has spent the past decade at Ulster Carpets, working on a wide range of hospitality and commercial projects. Lois particularly enjoys the collaborative nature of her role, partnering with interior designers to help bring their concepts to life. The variety of briefs means no two projects are ever the same, keeping the work both exciting and creatively rewarding.

While she designs digitally, Lois often begins with hand drawing or painting when a brief allows, helping keep her work unique, creative and fresh.

She has contributed to several prestigious projects across the UK and Europe, including Gleneagles, the King’s Coronation, Hilton Park Lane, The Chancery Rosewood and Corinthia Bucharest.