Meet Louisa – Our New Social Media Manager!

Louisa Andersen has just joined us here at Dickins, taking over from Shawna as our Digital Marketing and Social Media Manager. Louisa came to Edinburgh six years ago to study journalism at Edinburgh Napier University. Since then she’s been working at Essential Edinburgh and freelancing as a graphic designer. We’re excited to welcome her to the team.

What’s an interesting fact about you?

I have a mixed background and don’t really have a hometown or come from anywhere specific. I’m a typical third-culture kid who has grown up in several places and has family all over the world. I was born in Norway but spent my childhood moving around the United States. Throughout my teens and twenties, I made a lot of moves back and forth across the pond before eventually settling in the UK, where I have lived for seven years now.

Here at Dickins, we love property and homes. What’s your favorite room at home?

I am a real homebody so choosing a favorite room is difficult. That being said, I probably spend most of my time in our living room. It’s where I both work and relax, eat meals with my husband, and even get my yoga mat out! It’s the largest room in our flat and we have definitely made it a multifunctional space.

As a designer, where do you find inspiration and what do you like to create? 

I am a real typography nerd! I love playing with different styles of fonts and have even designed a few of my own. A lot of my work has been inspired by old signage, particularly 50s- and 60s-style American signs. I find inspiration in a lot of things around me in everyday life – any existing graphic design or type, architecture, nature – I am quick to snap a photo if I see something interesting!

What was the last photo you took? 

I took one today, on a morning walk. Anyone who’s ever been anywhere with me knows that I’m constantly on the lookout for a photo-op. I’ve always liked documenting the world around me.

Do you have a guilty pleasure?

Watching reruns of 80s and 90s sitcoms! I love old TV shows and I’m a sucker for childhood nostalgia. That, and eating ridiculous amounts of dark chocolate.

If you could go back in time, where would you go?

I would go back to California during the Victorian Era, ca. 1900 in San Francisco. I would love to have experienced the architecture firsthand, before the big 1906 earthquake and subsequent fire destroyed so much of the city. I’d take a classic trolley ride down Market Street, admiring the grand buildings and the people of the time, as well as take in all of the groundbreaking art and design. Edinburgh architecture sometimes reminds me of San Francisco, especially the rows and rows of terrace houses.

Who would you invite to your dream dinner party?

There are so many people I admire and would love to meet. If it were a modern dinner party, I would love for Oprah Winfrey, Michelle Obama, Bonnie Raitt, and my mother to be there; four strong women that I admire.

If I were going for something a little more far-fetched, I’d spend an evening à la ‘Midnight in Paris’, wandering in and out of cafés and meeting artists and writers of the past like Frida Kahlo, Pablo Picasso, and Gertrude Stein… and hopefully, Joni Mitchell would make an appearance at some point, too. This would, of course, take place in Paris.

What’s your favorite area in Edinburgh?

There are so many parts of Edinburgh that I enjoy. I’m a big fan of the quaint shopping streets in the West End and I love the New Town as a whole but if I had to pick a favorite, I would say the Bruntsfield/Morningside area. When I first moved to Edinburgh as a student I spent most of my time there and revisiting the area always brings up fond memories.

Where would you take a first-time visitor to Edinburgh to introduce them to the city?

As neither I nor my husband comes from Edinburgh, we frequently receive visitors and we love giving tours. They have become something of a tradition in my family and we try to give people a taste of everything Edinburgh has to offer. We always take guests to see the Royal Mile with lots of stops along the way, like the Scottish Parliament at Holyrood, St Giles Cathedral, the view from the castle, and usually a trip to Maison de Moggy’s irresistibly charming cat café in the Grassmarket. Of course, we’re constantly stopping en route to sample lots of food and drink!

We also like to take visitors off the beaten path and give them more of a local’s experience, like having brunch at Kilimanjaro Coffee or taking a walk along the Water of Leith. Seeing the grand architecture of George Street is a must, too.

And finally, perhaps the most important question! Where’s your favorite spot in Edinburgh for a cup of coffee? 

Now that really is a difficult question. I don’t know how I could pick just one… When it comes to good coffee and a lovely atmosphere, we really are spoiled for choice in Edinburgh. There are so many different kinds of places to go and all of them unique and charming in their own way. Being half-Norwegian I am always looking for some delicious Scandinavian-style food in a laid-back atmosphere so I love visiting Söderberg or Peter’s Yard when I get the chance. I also like Victor Hugo Deli on Melville Terrace, it’s quite a unique place in Edinburgh with a lot of continental-style food. I’m always tempted to indulge in a pastry or two when I go there!

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