Meet The Interior Stylist Selling Gorgeous Vintage Rugs

We’re always looking for inspiring creatives to feature on Khoollect and when we came across Anna Jacobsen, it felt like we hit the jackpot. Not only is she a beautiful photographer capturing everything from lifestyle to interiors but also an interior stylist herself with a side hustle sourcing some of *the* most gorgeous vintage rugs we’ve seen. So gorgeous in fact, that Editor-in-Chief Rachel Khoo had to have one for our very own Khoollect HQ!

We caught up with Anna to talk all things interiors, the pits and peaks of freelance life and her go-to spots in London.

Tell us a bit about yourself?
“My name is Anna Jacobsen. I’m half Swedish, half Danish but have lived in London since I was 19 years old. I’m currently in Hackney (have been living for the past 14 years) where I live with my boyfriend Tom and our toypoodle Otto. I have my own venture We Are Here Now, where I do creative consultancy, photography and interior styling. I also source, style and sell vintage rugs, which I love.”

What or who inspires you?
“Nature, kind people, beautifully curated personal homes, art.”

What’s your can’t-live-without interior item?
“Candles (it’s all about the lighting for me).”

The best and hardest things you’ve learned setting up your own business?
“You can’t be good at everything so ask for help when you get stuck. If something doesn’t work try a slightly different path. Don’t take it all too seriously and try and create as much flow as possible. Oh and only work with nice people!”

Where do you source your rugs?
“I mainly source the rugs at antique markets and auction houses (often in Norfolk). They are all vintage and handmade as craftsmanship is very important to me. 10% of my rug sales go to child protection charity World Vision (who protect children from early marriage, child labour and armed conflict). All my rugs can be bought through my online shop and the best way to keep up-to-date with what rugs I have sourced is to follow my rug Instagram @weft_by_weareherenow where I post what’s new to the shop on a weekly basis.”

If you weren’t doing what you’re doing now, what would you be?
“Probably a bit sad as I can’t really see myself doing anything but this at the moment…”

What do you khoollect?
“Friends and happy memories. Oh and vintage rugs of course.”

Favourite item in your khoollection?
“I love our Scandinavian living room rug as it was a wedding present for my parents over 40 years ago.”

Where’s home to you?
“Somewhere in between our Hackney flat, our Norfolk cottage and my family’s summer house on the Swedish island of Öland.”

Favourite coffee shop/restaurants/treat spots in your area?
“So many! In Hackney I love Legs for dinner, The Bread Station for coffee, the bread at Charles and Refinery for yoga. And Victoria Park for dog walks and the best chai at the Pavilion.”

What’s your perfect Sunday/ day off?
“In Norfolk it’s having a slow morning reading the newspaper, having brunch with Tom at home (he makes the most amazing skillet eggs!), going for a long walk at Holkham beach with Otto, finishing with a drink in front of the fire at the Victoria.”

What advice do you have for people who are thinking of working from themselves?
“Don’t be scared, life is too short to work on someone else’s dream instead of your own.”

What’s one piece of advice you have for your younger self?
“Stop worrying so much, everything will be fine. Breathe.”