Tom Lerental (she/her) is an award-winning surface designer and the founder of Tomma Bloom Studio. Tom works through ever-evolving material research to redefine the tools of her trade into tangible experience, creating playful compositions for interior. Applied to various mediums, her work demonstrates how textile design can be used as a textbook for object design, communicating the energy of form and color in a non-traditional manner. Tom graduated from Shenkar College of Design with a Bachelor’s in Textile Design (Cum Laude) and from Tel-Aviv University with a Master of Art in Interdisciplinary Arts. Learn more about Tom Lerental in today’s Maker Monday!
Interlaced is a relief wall panel design that is created using padded pattern motifs to add real 3D textural pattern to any space. This pattern is also available in flat, printed fabric, as well as other mediums.
Andrew Joseph: Can you describe your design philosophy in three words?
Tom Lerental: Can make it in two – Unapologetic playfulness.
AJ: What’s the best piece of advice you’ve received as a designer?
TL: Iteration – do the work, show up, and put yourself out there. Repeat.
AJ: How do you stay creative and inspired?
TL: By creating ‘constant content’ for myself – constantly creating and constantly developing patterns and structures as my library to source from. Inspiration comes from curiosity and constant exploration of materials, forms and structures.
Meta Ornament is Tomma Bloom’s answer to pattern and decoration as expressed by ornamental design, created into a series of relief, three-dimensional wall decorations that feature a repeating pattern, bold color, and are made from mixed materials like wood and resin.
AJ: How do you balance functionality and aesthetics in your designs?
TL: As a textile and pattern designer whose work mostly focuses on the decorative side, I’m not a strong believer in the ‘form-follows-function’ aesthetics. Function is a form of aesthetic, but it can also be achieved in many other ways. Aesthetics is, in many cases, the function of my work and this balance is achieved in my ability to transform two-dimensional patterns into three-dimensional structures.
AJ: What is your favorite design tool to use?
TL: Paper collage mixed with Adobe Illustrator, a healthy mix between physical material exploration and innovative digital development.
The Gate Rug adds a relief texture through a tufted rug design.
AJ: What is your favorite design era and why?
TL: I’m obsessed with anything related to late 19th- early 20th-century art world. I believe that this era is one of the most meaningful in the development of our material culture, that allowed progress by questioning culture, perception, and medium.
AJ: What is your favorite design-related quote?
TL: “It took me four years to paint like Raphael, but a lifetime to paint like a child.” – Pablo Piccasso
About the Maker | Tomma Bloom is a multidisciplinary design studio providing surface design solutions for interiors. Textile design is the foundation of our creative practice. We create tactile, joyous, and playful objects that illustrate textile design as a visual language. Through ever-evolving material research, we work to redefine the tools of our trade – pattern, structure, form, and color – into tangible experience. Our innovative work translates pattern design into three-dimensional wall covers and architectural elements, as well as upholstery fabrics, wallpapers, and tiles for both residential and commercial interior.
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