Meet Gailean Hammond: National Sales Manager and La La Land Insider
We sat down with Gailean Hammond, our National Sales Manager and Vic/Tas Sales Agent, to talk about life on the road, her love of all things La La Land, and how she brings colour, personality and a little bit of magic into her own home.
As National Sales Manager for La La Land, what does your role look like day-to-day, and what do you love most about it?
My day is primarily looking after all the sales in Victoria and Tasmania. That could be seeing customers by appointment or just popping in to see them and saying hello. I could have showings of latest release products throughout the year, as well as longer appointments for Christmas and larger range launches. Some days are full days on the road driving hundreds of kilometres, and some days I could be at home on the phone and on screen all day. I love the variety, and I love seeing my customers who have the most amazing and interesting stores. Some I have known for 15 years — I have become friends with so many of them!
As well as looking after my own territory, I have my role as National Sales Manager, where I look after the team of agents across Australia. I talk with them regularly — usually while I'm driving! We talk about how each is travelling with budgets, and I update them, often daily, with all the new information and product that may have arrived or be on the way. We also discuss ideas to bring back to the team. I generally try to support them any way I can. We have a great sales team!
From your perspective, what makes a La La Land product truly stand out, both in-store and in someone's home?
I have seen La La Land evolve for the last 15 years or more, and I have always loved that the artwork is always original, fun and truly made from the heart. I think that's what retailers love — there's always new ranges with new artwork dropping, so it's refreshing for them. It also really pops in their stores. In homes, I think people like finding something that stands out from the ordinary. You only need one thing to add a bit of fun to an area or the couch — like little vases or trinkets that just add colour and a bit of a spark. Customers want things that will make them feel happy when they look at them in their home.
Your home feels incredibly layered and expressive. How would you describe your personal styling philosophy?
Ha, that's very kind — but I've never thought of myself as having any real styling expertise! I just love my home to make me feel happy and want to be there. I do tell friends who are nervous about decorating to not overthink it. "Buy what you love and it will all come together, because all those things you love will have a common thread, and they will just naturally sit well together." I guess that's what I have done myself, and I seem to have ended up with a bit of a mid-century vibe. I tend to be drawn to things a tad retro! I love feeling nostalgic about certain pieces I remember seeing in homes as a child — like the large wooden fork and spoon for the wall I found just last weekend. I desperately wanted my parents to have them in our home in the 70s!
Do you have a favourite La La Land artist or collection from over the years?
That's so hard — there have been so many over the years that I have loved! I think I am often drawn to Murilo's artwork, as I can often see it fitting with my own decor. He often uses my favourite colour — green! I might have to say my favourite all-time design may have been one of the original Frida ranges. I still have the original small side plates, mugs and glasses we did so many years ago, and they are used most days in my house.
You mix prints and statement pieces so effortlessly. What's your approach to making bold choices feel cohesive?
I think I tend to just make sure there is one colour linked in the pattern or stripe to tie things together. Again, if you go with the colours you absolutely love without overthinking it, they do tend to blend well together. When we built our first home in the 80s, it was just black and grey — so I feel like I have evolved a lot! I do like looking at what is on trend and sometimes I'll go with it, but I don't worry if I veer off track a bit to suit myself.
La La Land is all about standing against the ordinary. What does that idea look like in your own home?
I guess I have a bit of a variety of things that are not what you see everywhere. I love that some of them I have bought new and some from vintage markets or garage sales. We used a cool zebra in the recent La La Land shoot at my house — I found him for $5 at a garage sale and he just needed a good clean! I also found a beautiful 1960s green Barsony lustreware fish lamp at a vintage market, and I knew straight away where I wanted it. It's on all day, every day, because it's just so pretty. Artwork can really make your home stand against the ordinary. My favourite is my Tretchikoff "Penny Whistlers" picture that we found over 30 years ago and reframed — not something that everyone has!
What are some of your favourite pieces in your home?
I have so many things I love and enjoy seeing in my home! I do try to buy from many of my customers where I can, so I have lots of bits and pieces from stores all over Victoria and Tasmania. I had a beautiful lowline record cabinet made by Wilkins and Kent to fit a mid-century vibe. I have a beautiful wool bed throw from Rigbys in Barwon Heads — it matches wherever I put it and has lived in so many spots so far! I have bought many little trinkets from Dallas in Trentham and Eclectica Geelong over the years. There are too many fabulous stores to mention, but I do support my stores as much as possible. At the moment, a new favourite is the Retro Foxy vase from the BEYOND range — it is just so adorable.
You seem to have a natural flair for entertaining. How do you elevate everyday moments with styling or tableware?
I have collected so many cool things for the table from La La Land over the years, so I have plenty of fun glasses and plates! I tend to use a crisp white tablecloth and add all the colour on top. Having said that, I do have a couple of check tablecloths that work beautifully too. I'll often walk the alleyway behind the house to cut some sprigs from the overhanging olive and lime trees to decorate the table. Green goes with everything, they give a European summery vibe — and they're free!
What are your tips for keeping your home feeling fresh and inspiring without constantly needing to change everything?
I tend to change things up a bit when I'm bored — a new colour sheet folded back over the bed cover, maybe with matching pillowcases, can change the whole look of a bedroom and make you feel like you've done a complete makeover. A few new cushions on the couch can make it feel brand new. I really love strings of lights and have used them for 20 years or so — they make everything look a bit whimsical. Lamps are great too. They're not costly at all but just add warmth and a whole different look. I buy fabric and some spray glue and recover the bedroom ones whenever I get bored!
For someone wanting to bring more individuality into their space, where would you suggest they start?
Cushions and rugs are a great start — add throws too. Think of colours you love but have been scared to use, and try starting there (there's really not much risk!). Once you see how good it looks and how happy it makes you feel, you'll have the confidence to add more and more colour and more of your own personality into your space.
