Journal

Welcome to Maddux Creative’s journal – a place to discover more about the studio’s co-founders, Scott Maddux & Jo leGleud.

Creative Confessions: Five Minutes with James Lentainge

Creative Director of Drummonds Bathrooms, James Lentainge, joins us in this latest edition of Creative Confessions, to discuss all things bathrooms and beyond - from his creative process and the challenges he faces along the way, to the one thing he'd never install, and his favourite crazy artwork.

James Lentaigne is Creative Director at Drummonds. Having worked for the company for over 15 years, he has helped shape the business into the boutique bathroom brand it is today. He has driven major developments from the opening of new showrooms in London & New York to design collaborations with names including Martin Brudnizki and Marc Newson.  Responsible for Drummonds’ highly creative marketing campaigns, James also heads their in-house product design team and is closely involved with their bespoke projects at prestige locations worldwide. He is passionate about ensuring Drummonds offer the very best bathroom products on the market, delivering classic, timeless pieces designed to last a lifetime.

 

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TELL US ABOUT DRUMMONDS

We are a boutique bathroom manufacturer and retailer; we make our full range by hand with each piece being designed to last a lifetime. This emphasis on durability is something that increasingly resonates with our customers - they want high quality products with a timeless feel.

TALK US THROUGH YOUR CREATIVE DESIGN PROCESS.

My creative side is exercised by looking at our range and how we can introduce new additions, by working on exciting designer collaborations, and by focusing on beautiful customer projects - from private houses to hotels and boutique commercial projects.

'COLN BATH' WITH BIBURY FLOOR STANDING BATH & SHOWER MIXER - BOTH DESIGNED BY MARC NEWSON FOR DRUMMONDS

HOW DID YOUR CAREER IN BATHROOM DESIGN BEGIN, AND WHAT DO YOU ENJOY MOST ABOUT YOUR ROLE?

Drummonds originally started as a reclamation yard, and I first got involved with the company quite early on, when I was still a student. We restored period pieces salvaging beautiful fireplaces, flooring, bathroom fittings and all other things interiors. From the beginning I have always loved property and interior design. In particular, I find bathroom design fascinating - you have this functional, very everyday space that you can really bring to life and personalise using quality bathroomware. This passion has never died, and after my studies I came back to Drummonds to help mould it into a bespoke bathroom business. I was, and still am, passionate about making a collection that is second to none in terms of quality, and also aesthetics, and I believe that’s what we have done. Although, there are always new designs to work on.

WHAT IS THE MOST CHALLENGING ASPECT OF CREATING BATHROOM PIECES?

Certain materials can be quite difficult to work with, and we have to pay attention to lots of external conditions such as temperature. Cast iron for example is very sensitive to temperature levels, and it can fail to fuse at the enamelling stage if the conditions aren’t exactly right. Many designs have stalled at this stage.

'DOUBLE LADYBOWER VANITY', DESIGNED BY MARTIN BRUDNIZKI FOR DRUMMONDS. AS SEEN IN MARTIN BRUDNIZKI'S COUNTRY HOME.

ARE THERE ANY COLLABORATIONS WITH DRUMMONDS THAT YOU HAVE BEEN ESPECIALLY PROUD OF?

Absolutely! Our most recent collaboration with Marc Newson was special because it was a 14 year journey. He started out as a customer, but we quickly connected over our joint passion for design and amazing attention to detail. He was so interested in how we make our products and asked many questions about our craft processes and design ethos. He was busy with other large projects but eventually we sat back at the design table together to discuss how we could collaborate.

I’m proud of all of the collaborations we’ve worked on; each one has something individual and special about it. Working with Martin Brudnizki was great as well and we really struck up a great connection before he started working on Annabel’s. It’s such a wow project and we’re thrilled to have our products there.

WHERE DO YOU TAKE YOUR DESIGN INSPIRATION FROM? ARE THERE ANY PLACES THAT YOU HAVE VISITED OR TRIPS YOU HAVE BEEN ON WHICH HAVE SPARKED INSPIRATION FOR YOU - A CITY, A COUNTRY, A GALLERY PERHAPS?

My inspiration comes from different sources, sometimes from a need to solve a design issue, or from seeing a beautiful piece in a gallery or from visiting a fabulous location. I am always inspired when I visit the marble quarries in Italy. I felt I understood the stone so much more after being there. We recently introduced a new marble, Nero Portoro, into our range.

 

WHAT WOULD YOU NEVER PUT IN A BATHROOM?

My personal taste changes so much over time, and things fall in and out of fashion. Colour trends change quite dramatically, so maybe I would consider if I wanted to live with certain colours for a long time. As I mentioned our products are timeless and designed to last. I would never opt for bathroomware that had a short life span. All my personal projects have schemes that were designed to look amazing in the immediate term, as well as in 10 years’ time.

VICTORIAN TOWNHOUSE DESIGNED BY INTERIOR DESIGNER, ORLA REID. DRUMMONDS' 'SWALE BATH' IN A PAINTED FINISH.

WHAT DOES CRAFTSMANSHIP MEAN TO YOU?

Craftsmanship is investing in amazingly skilled people who can make something special. Machines are there for the volume, the artisans are there for quality, unique designs.

 

WHICH DESIGN ERA INTRIGUES YOU THE MOST?

Bathroom design/style seemed to evolve so rapidly around the Edwardian period, but for me I love the classic roman baths and design era.

 

WHICH DESIGNERS HAVE INFLUENCED YOU?

I believe it’s the interior designers who set the trends. I’ve seen so many projects which have really inspired and wowed me and that I’ve felt were really pioneering in terms of design. There are many designers who’ve influenced me over the years, it’s too difficult to narrow it down.

DESIGNED BY HOTEL CREATIVE AND INSPIRED BY THE ORIGINAL BATHROOM IN FREDDIE MERCURY'S KENSINGTON HOME, THIS LUXURIOUS SCHEME FEATURES CLASSIC PIECES FROM DRUMMONDS, TAKEN FROM THE SET OF THE 2018 BIOPIC, BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY.

WHAT DO YOU SEE AS THE FUTURE OF DESIGN?

I know I’ve mentioned it before, but I think quality is the future of design. I see so many products out there that are badly made, and design trends that are very fleeting. If you can, it’s important to try out your bathroom products before you buy them, so you can be sure of function and quality. For me, long-lasting quality, and hence sustainability, is the future of design.

 

WHO WOULD YOU LIKE TO COLLABORATE WITH AND WHY?

Maddux, of course! We love to collaborate but as a small company, we can’t take on too many. So, every collaboration we do take on we really believe in and are always very proud of.

 

IF YOU COULD COLLECT ONE ARTIST WHO WOULD IT BE AND WHY?

At the moment, Stefano Bombardieri. I love his crazy work.

DRUMMONDS USES TRADITIONAL MANUFACTURING PROCESSES TO MAKE THEIR PRODUCTS.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE ROOM IN YOUR HOUSE?

Kitchen in the day, bathroom in the evening and the bedroom at night. But I love a great cloakroom, it’s a fun space where people can let loose design wise!

 

WHAT IS NEXT FOR DRUMMONDS?

We are launching a collaboration with Suzy Hoodless any minute now, and I can’t wait to share her beautiful designs. I’m proud that we cemented this collaboration as her projects are so beautiful and she’s a great designer. We are lucky to be working with her.