Creativity Over Coffee: Victoria Kirton
Happy Friday, friends! Part of what I love about blogging is the people I meet along this journey. Today, I’m sitting down to chat with my good friend Victoria whom I met through blogging. She is the creativity behind the blog Trois Petites Filles and we first got to talking because we loved furniture. You may remember when I shared our Brimfield trip and a stop at her home, click here. Victoria has the most amazing sense of design. Walking into her home I was in awe by her creativity and talent. She had a swing hanging from the ceiling, book spines collaged against a wall and giant portraits; it was like going into a whimsical dream world. I’m so glad that Victoria agreed to join me for this series. So grab your coffee or tea and let’s chat with Victoria!
Can you tell us a little about yourself and your creative journey?
Victoria: My name is Victoria and I blog at Trois Petites Filles but lately you can find me more on IG. I work as an interior designer in Asia and also getting my MA in interior architecture. I am also a mom of two little girls. I like to define myself as a creative. I have been through many different mediums of artistry. I have been a sculptor, a writer, an upholsterer, and now a designer. Though I have to admit I really don’t like being fit into a label. I believe everybody is a creative and we all just find different artistic ways to express ourselves at different points in our lives.
Your home is truly unique and an expression of your style. I loved visiting you there. Do you have an overall vision or do you just collect and it fits in?
Victoria: I think in the beginning it started out as a necessity. There was a time in our life when we had an empty house with no furniture. So I used to put the girls in the back of my minivan and drove around town to pick up furniture from side of the street or flea markets. Most importantly, we used our home as a blank canvas to create. We paint on walls… we doodle on furniture…we get crafty with appliances. Also art history and museums really influenced how I create. I really want the girls to love art and museums as much as I do. So I decided the best way to teach them is by turning our home into a museum like environment. We have huge portraits everywhere. Every wall is covered with paintings I have collected or printed out to teach the girls.
When do you feel most creative or happy?
Victoria: When I am doing a project….I don’t know if it is a good thing or a bad thing but I am constantly thinking about a new project, or doing a new project. It used to be around the house or in my garden but now I am planning new projects for clients. Also I have been dreaming of doing a collection of wallpapers and furniture inspired by Burmese culture and Burmese art. That is where I am from and I have such a deep love and appreciate of its art history.
Is there one project that you really love and you’re really proud of that you’ve done? It can be a work of art. A room makeover. An upholstery project. Really anything you want to share.
Victoria: This one is hard because I have done a lot of crazy projects. The one I am most proud of might have to be my garden. For one thing, it never ends! It is like painting with different shapes, colors, and textures of flowers.
Who or What inspires you?
Victoria: My grandmother…except she isn’t my biological grandmother but that doesn’t really matter I guess. It is a long story but she really shaped me into who I am as a person. She is just an amazing human being. She took me to my first museum. She gave me my first book. I found my love of reading in her library…and also learned to read English for that matter. I discovered Rumi, Gabriel Garcia Marquez, and Maya Angelou in that library. I also learned to love art from her. We used to sit in front of Monet’s paintings for hours and she thought me about impressionism and of course Frida Kahlo. I learned from her what unconditional love and support is. That unconditional support is everything, you know. To know that someone truly believes in you, no matter what. It is everything.
She sounds like an amazing person! You recently went back to school for design. How has this changed your viewpoint of design and your creative process?
Victoria: A lot!!! Reality of design school is all about floor plans, RCP lighting plans, and codes. I used to think about the decor and furniture and what not but now I think about the location, the sun path, the building materials….and again codes. Everything has to be according to codes or nothing is getting built.
What is your favorite color? Is there any color you don’t LOVE?
Victoria: It changes but I do love my black.
How do you balance it all?
Victoria: I don’t. I am barely above water and I just keep on going. It’s true. As a single mother, I know I can’t fall apart or the whole system falls apart. So I just keep moving forward. I don’t ever stop. That isn’t entirely true. I give myself a spa treatment every night. Everyone who knows me knows how much I love skincare. So every night, I spend above twenty minutes massaging my face and putting layer and layer of serums. I don’t even know what I am putting on anymore but it is all so glorious! Oh and reading. I have to read every night before bed.
What is your favorite medium to work with and why?
Victoria: I love to work with anything that has to do with art especially portraits.
What advice would you give to someone who is interested becoming more creative or following in your footsteps?
Victoria: Live like you have no one to say No to you.
Growing up I was a huge follower of INSIDE THE ACTORS STUDIO. At the end of the program, they would ask the interviewee these questions:
- What is your favorite word? Transcendent
- What is your least favorite word? Selfish
- What turns you on creatively, spiritually or emotionally? paintings
- What turns you off? Loud noises
- What is your favorite curse word? shit
- What sound or noise do you love? Silence
- What sound or noise do you hate? The sound of my children’s whines
- What profession other than your own would you like to attempt? writer
- What profession would you not like to do? Accountant
- If Heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the Pearly Gates? We got cakes.
Isn’t she amazing? I love her photography and style but most of all her words and kind heart. Thank you, Victoria, for joining me today! Be sure to follow along with her adventures:
If you enjoyed today’s chat you might like to read more of the Creativity Over Coffee Series, click here.
All images in this post courtesy of Victoria Kirton.
I love Victoria’s blog and have been missing her posts…thank you for sharing that I can see more of her creativity on Instagram
I have followed this incredible creative spirit as long as she has been blogging. More’s the pity that this is not often! I loved the interview, and I always look forward to seeing what she is doing next. She never ceases to amaze me.
What a lovely interview with Victoria. Thank you for introducing me to this fascinating woman.
Love the interview, that was great to meet Victoria.