At Home With... Ulrika Jarl

Becoming a designer... was never not an option. Ever since I was first able to draw and photograph, I've always been attracted to the creative fields. It was simply a question of what area I'd go in to.

My designs are primarily inspired... by patterns from nature. I'm fascinated by macro photography of forms such as butterfly eggs and shells.

Growing up in Sweden... no doubt influenced my work on a sub-conscious level. Everything is focused on the minimal, the white and the aesthetic.

I don't look at trends... I want my designs to be timeless and to last for a lifetime.

Alexander McQueen... is an admirer of my work! He bought one of the bone china shoes that I exhibited at the East London Design Show.

Exhibiting at 100%Design... was a fantastic opportunity to meet with architects and interior designers. It underlined just how exciting and great the scope was for developing my work within the lighting sector.

Even if my lights didn't have a function... I think that they would still be just as appreciated in their sculptural form. Aesthetics and functionality are both important to my designs.

In today's world... people are more conscious about the environment and what waste they are creating.

The greatest thing in my life... is that I have a job I adore. Work is sporadic at times, but I have freedom.

A house becomes a home... when you make the best of the space that you've got. I live in a small one bedroom flat in Brighton which I've filled with things gathered over the years. I light up dark corners, repaint old mirror frames. It's all about combining old and new.

I love to create beautiful designs... yet I'm not someone who needs to surround themselves with material objects. Perhaps if I lived in a bigger place I would feel differently!

My Romanésco pendant light... launched my career. Habitat took it on in 2006. It's made from plastic but if I were to re-model it today, I would do so in more environmentally friendly material.

A grant from Arts Council England last year... allowed me to develop a new range of table lights as well as to exhibit at Top Drawer. In hindsight it wasn't the right show in terms of the buyers but as luck would have it, I won an award to return the following year!

I would love to own... a house. Mortgage free!

A good lighting tip... is to use lampshades with holes. It creates interesting shadows on the surrounding walls.

My most treasured possession... is probably my boyfriend, Julian. He would definitely be the one thing I would rescue if my house was burning down!

My best work... is still to come. It's early days.