Meet the Team – Paul
Renowned for our bold designs and stylishly versatile collections, Libra Interiors has been designing luxury homewares since 1972, but we wanted to share with you a little more about the team behind the scenes, what makes them special and what gives them joy in bringing you the very best of luxurious furniture and accessories.
Introducing: Owner and Managing Director, Paul McLaughlin
Q1. Tell us about the history of Libra
Libra was started in the late sixties by two hippies, Joe and Christine McLaughlin, who also happen to be my parents.
They were passionate about travel and home accessories and embarked on a three and a half year road trip across Afghanistan, Persia and India in a camper van. Throughout their journey, they began collecting local antiques, handmade art and beautiful products which they sent home to a lockup in Elstree.
When they returned to England years later, they’d built up quite a collection and so they started selling these unique and unusual products to shops in London. And this is how Libra interiors was born.
Since then, Libra has grown to become a leading brand in luxurious home interiors, with our products found in independent and national retailers across the country. However, we’ve remained committed to our roots and, like my parents, are proud to continue to source unique and timeless products that will add style to any room.
Q2. Which three words describe Libra?
Distinctive, timeless, stylish.
Q3. Do you have a favourite Libra product?
The Knightsbridge furniture collection which we designed during lockdown 1.0 includes some of my favourite products to date. Inspired by minimalist stylings, the furniture is sleek and stylish and adds a contemporary feel to any space.
Q4. How important is sustainability to Libra?
Sustainability has always been at the heart of what we do.
Back in the 1980’s, we were recycling wooden cut-offs from furniture production to make desk tidies and today many of our rugs are made from offcuts sourced from the garment trade. We work hard to make sure nothing goes to waste.
It is also incredibly important that all our products are ethically sourced from factories who look after their workers. Giving their staff fair wages and provide good working conditions. We also make sure that all our partners and suppliers are committed to looking after the environment.
I suppose our biggest commitment to sustainability lies in the quality of the products we produce. We don’t believe in cheap, single use products. Instead, we source and supply high quality furniture and accessories that are designed to last the test of time.
Q5. What has been your proudest moment as Managing Director?
This is a tough one!
From opening our first concession in Selfridges back in 2009, to moving to our new headquarters in 2017, there have been so many personal highlights. But nothing really beats talking to our customers and showing them around our showrooms – it’s this that makes me proud every day.
Q6. Do you have a favourite Libra theme?
My favourite theme has to be Elemental. It is the epitome of natural style and features a beautiful, earthy palette with hints of bronze and glass.
Q7. What’s the best piece of advice you’ve been given?
I’ve been given lots of advice over the years, but the one saying that has always stuck with me is: Before you listen to someone, ask yourself why they are saying what they are saying.
By doing this, you can understand and empathise with them and really listen and engage.