Mum of the Week: Clare

Meet Clare👋

This week on the TW Mum of The Week we have a local mum and creative entrepreneur who swapped a career in womenswear for interior design and now brings colour, pattern and personality to period and country homes across Kent and Sussex. When she's not transforming interiors or co-hosting the Tunbridge Wells Business Book Club, she's busy embracing family life and championing local businesses. It is a pleasure to introduce to you the lovely Clare.

Introduce yourself

Hello! I'm Clare, mum to 6-year-old Kitty and owner of Clare Connolly Interior Design, a design studio focusing on period and country homes in Kent and Sussex. I'm a career changer (I worked in womenswear design until 2019) and after having my daughter I knew I wouldn't be able to continue with the London commute and constant travel involved in my fashion job. I retrained during COVID and here I am! I love colour and pattern and a modern take on traditional design - if you're looking for a minimalist, I'm not your woman! I also run @business_book_club_twells with my friend Beth @Freshairthinking

Favourite local business and why?

There are so many! I absolutely love @thebeacon_TW, it's a great spot for a cosy drink and a chat, set in the most incredible surroundings. My siblings bought me a stay there for my 40th birthday because I'd mentioned I was sad I couldn't find a reason to book myself into a hotel so close to home, it was such a wonderful 24 hours and I can't wait to do it again! Another favourite is @the_bakery_TW on Camden Road, I'll often pop in to buy treats for client meetings and load up on sourdough for my extremely bougie child. Lastly (and I dithered over sharing this because he's already booked up months in advance) but I won't gatekeep @oddjob_eddy, the best handyman ever and a really lovely person.

Favourite hidden gem in Tunbridge Wells

Frog Lane! Although I grew up here I only heard about Frog Lane after moving back from London and having my daughter. We have spent many happy afternoons there over the last six years, (and we still haven't found all the frogs!) See Frog Lane posts here: Your Next Free Day Out and Spend a day out including lunch for under a tenner.

What’s your guilty pleasure?

It'll come as no surprise that I love a splurge on a fancy fabric for one project or another in my own home. It's a reaction to having spent so many years in fashion working with $2/m polyester. I make no apologies. Also hummus. I'm pretty sure I'm 75% Sabra by now.

Best mum hack

Boredom is not the enemy. When my daughter complains about being bored, more often than not that becomes a catalyst for creativity. Children of the 80s we were not entertained 24/7 and we all survived!

Follow Clare

You can follow Clare on Instagram: @clareconnolly.interiors