SpeakEasy with Geoff Wilkinson
Following on from Geoff Wilkinson's first appearance on the SpeakEasy podcast, this episode revisits the topic of garage conversions with Building Inspector and managing director of Wilkinson Construction Consultants, as Vanessa Brady presents key questions submitted by SBID members.
Converting a garage into a usable home office sounds simple enough, but there are considerations you must bear in mind before you start picking up the power tools and knocking down walls! Geoff offers his wealth of expertise in the construction industry to answer a series of follow-up questions on the topic of garage conversions, addressing some of the more technical considerations from plaster boarding, air conditioning and effective energy supply, to window applications, security systems and insurance.
Tune in to the whole conversation to discover more.
Finding the right builder for a project can seem like a daunting task, however, it doesn’t need to be difficult. SBID Accredited Designer, Katie Malik, founder and creative director of Katie Malik Interiors talks us through her tips for deciding which builder to work with. Most reputable contractors will be quite happy to show off their previous work and provide all of the things she recommends below...
In the studio, we never ask for any quotes unless we have a detailed Schedule of Work (SOW) and a drawing package ready. This ensures everything that we want a contractor to do is going to be quoted for and executed. Also, this gives us and the client a chance to compare the quotes like for like. If you’re going to execute the project by yourself, we strongly recommend preparing a list of jobs by yourself instead of leaving it to the builder to interpret. This means you won’t have to check each quote for what’s included and what’s excluded, making the final decision much easier.
There’s a common belief that there is nothing better than a recommendation from a friend or a family member, and in most cases, this is true. Nevertheless, it’s also useful to do your own research by reading reviews, checking previous projects and references of builders whose work you like. A contractor should offer you a contract, guarantees, proof of insurance, and a clear schedule of payment. All of this combined with a recommendation from someone you know who’s used this builder, such as your architect and/or interior designer, will put your mind at rest.
We recommend taking similar steps when choosing a builder to those when choosing an interior designer. Since you’ll be engaging your builder to work on/in your home for an extended period of time, you want to ensure you like their previous work and you like them as a person.
The new Ask the Expert blog series invites you submit the questions about interior design you want help finding answers to, whether you're a consumer looking to redecorate your home or professional looking for expert business advice. Please submit your questions to [email protected]
About the Author
Katie Malik, founder & creative director of Katie Malik Interiors built her career in residential interior design, assisting on projects in New York, Chicago and London before setting up her practice in 2014. Inspired by colours, the interplay between symmetry and asymmetry and wellbeing, Katie’s aim is to bring authenticity to each project.
If you'd like to become SBID Accredited, click here to find out more.
Your home should reflect your personality and taste and be attuned to your unique needs. However, achieving this on our own can be a real challenge, especially when your work and family commitments place so many demands on your time. When investing both time and money into a project, it’s important to know how to choose the best designer for it. You want your designer to unlock the space's full potential by doing this in a creative yet practical manner. So how do you choose the right interior designer for you? SBID Accredited Designer, Katie Malik, founder and creative director of Katie Malik Interiors outlines some important considerations.
It’s absolutely essential that you research the designer’s portfolio to see whether you like their style and completed projects. Don’t approach designer’s based solely on their proximity to you or how high they come up in google search. You have to like what you see, so number one criterion when choosing a designer is the style match.
A good interior designer will have the perfect balance between focusing on the bigger picture ultimately leading up to the final outcome, whilst also focusing on the immediate jobs which need to be done. Therefore, look for reviews and recommendations of the company. It's important to understand the quality of work and the team you're hiring before you fully commit.
Also, check whether the designer is accredited by or a member of a professional body, such as SBID - this would give you an added security that the work will be completed to the highest industry standards.
A good brief and a full and open discussion about what the job entails is the best way for your designer to work out a fee and a project timeline. Experienced interior designers have an abundance of planning experience when it comes to undergoing a design project, and they can provide a step by step plan of action with a start and end date. This takes the stress away from you, so you don’t have to this about the logistics so when choosing an interior designer, ask whether they can provide a detailed plan of the project and the space.
An experienced designer will have a wealth of knowledge and contacts that they’ve built up over their career to enable them to collaborate with other professionals, such as lighting designers, landscape and garden designers, and architects. A good interior designer will take an interest in the architect’s vision for the building too.
You want a designer who is fully invested in the project - someone who's passionate and willing to ensure your project is complete to the highest quality possible. You want someone who will take all of your own ideas on board and develop them in the best possible way, adding their own professional opinion. Look for an interior designer who will push you completely out of your own comfort zone, encouraging you to go for an original and refreshing design.
Click here to discover how to choose the right builder for a project.
Continuing to support the profession of interior design, interior designers in practice and the businesses which underpin the industry, SBID shares the official government advice released for interior design; offering essential guidance on how the industry can begin to return to work safely amid COVID-19.
The document has been prepared by the Department for Culture Media and Sport (DCMS) with input from the Society of British and International Interior Design (SBID) and the devolved administrations in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, in consultation with Public Health England (PHE) and the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).
The advice provided is designed to help employers, employees and the self-employed in the UK understand how to work safely, keeping as many people as possible 2 metres apart from those they do not live with. We hope it gives the interior design industry freedom within a practical framework to think about what is needed to continue, or restart, operations during the COVID-19 pandemic. We understand how important it is to work safely and support your workers’ health and wellbeing during the pandemic, and hope this guidance will be useful for businesses as they develop new ways of working - or to help them prepare for a time when they are able to reopen.
To access the information on Coronavirus Business Support in the UK, click here.
To stay up to date with the latest Government updates on coronavirus, click here.
To hear the design industry's thoughts on the impact of coronavirus, click here.
SBID Accredited Designer and head of interior design at Knights of Beaconsfield, Gill Surman shares her journey into the interior design profession, and the importance of having a strong understanding of business from the outset.
What is your current job?
I am Head of Interior Design at Knights of Beaconsfield which is one of the largest Interior Design and Retail Showrooms outside of London. I lead an expert team, specialising in luxury residences and developments in the UK and Europe.
What is your background and how did you get into interior design?
I have an entrepreneurial background having had several of my own businesses in the past, but have always had a love and flair for design. My experience in all elements of business has been invaluable. I joined a luxury construction company to focus on their marketing and got side lined to the design of their show houses. I have been fortunate that my experience was very ‘hands on’ at the top end of the design market and have had roles as Senior Designer and now Head of Design over the past 14 years.
Describe an average day in your job role..
I am usually in the office by 7.30am as it provides quiet time for me answer emails, review the projects that we are working on and work on the administrative/financial side of my role. No two days are ever the same. On an average day I will discuss with the team our ongoing or upcoming projects, meet with furnishing or fabric suppliers, source new products for particular projects, meet with clients and try and find time to design! I rarely take a lunch break and usually finish my day by 5.30/6.00pm, although I am always available to my clients in the evenings if necessary.
Which elements of your profession do you enjoy the most and/or find the most rewarding?
For me, I really enjoy taking on an inspiring project that I can visualise immediately, a project that the client and I connect on at every level. Good design is about the relationship with the client and also the property, particularly in Residential design. It is also about the client having realistic expectations, particularly when you are working with fixed elements of an existing building or furnishings that the client wants to keep. The reward is the end result and exceeding the client’s expectations.
Is there anything new you are excited to be working on?
We have taken on a property in St-Legier-La Chiesaz in Switzerland that is set overlooking Lake Geneva. It is a beautiful location!
What do you find the most challenging aspects of your job?
Managing multiple projects can be tricky. Projects often have issues as install dates are constantly moving and people let you down which has a knock on effect on everything else, resulting in pressure from clients. I am tough but fair with my suppliers, always professional and I have earned their respect over the years because of this. The trick is to use tried and tested trades that are used to overcoming issues on site and are familiar with the way our team work. You need to be good at managing stress!
What do you wish you knew before working in the field?
Thankfully I had a good understanding of business before I entered the industry, which you wouldn’t automatically think was necessary. The job is a lot more physical than people perceive and time for design can sometimes be limited!
What would you tell your younger self if you had the chance?
Have confidence in yourself and be prepared to keep learning - you can never know enough. Don’t expect to be good at everything, but excel at the things you are. Set yourself goals and strive to achieve them. Don’t assume that people know more than you do. A design degree is a good starting point but not always necessary. Experience, a good eye for colour and communication is everything.
What has been your favourite project to work on?
A recent whole house residential project in Buckinghamshire - it was a delightful project for a delightful family!
What do you think is the biggest problem the interior design industry faces?
Interior Design is a hugely undervalued profession and the perception is that it’s an easy career. It would help if the public were educated about the knowledge, skill and business acumen needed to design an interior space professionally and cost effectively. It is refreshing to see that Interior Design is becoming more regulated.
Who do you admire the most in the industry and why?
I admire longevity in this industry as it requires commitment, drive, passion and resilience. Anyone that survives the constant change in market trends and economic pressures deserve the success they have.
If you were inspired by Gill's story, click here to learn more about the role of an interior designer.
Want to become SBID Accredited? Click here for more information.
SpeakEasy with Hill House Interiors
In collaboration with SBID, Grant Pierrus, founder of Pierrus Agency interviews some of the biggest names in the interior design industry for the new podcast series. The latest episode will feature a conversation with the extraordinary design-duo and SBID Accredited Designers; Helen Bygraves and Jenny Weiss.
Launching their multi-award-winning design practice almost 20 years ago, Jenny and Helen are the founders of Hill House Interiors. Today, with a team of over 20 designers, architects and craftspeople, their enthusiasm for high-end couture interiors and positive energy bring their diverse projects to life.
Bringing us up to date with how they have adapted to the new norm of working from home, and how their extensive brand building and social media presence has helped provide a strong foundation to win business and continue work as usual during these challenging times, Hill House share their perspectives on the deeper implications of Covid-19.
Jenny and Helen comment on how they can see this dramatic shift in daily lifestyles influencing interior design in the longer term, and what clients may want or need from their homes in the future. "On a smaller level, we're finding that people are wanting to utilise under-used rooms in their house ... We've also seen quite a big move from people living in central London wanting to get more space out of London as well - I think that is because they get that variety of rooms in their own home and grounds ... Gardens and outside space is becoming hugely important."
Jenny Weiss
Jenny’s illustrious design philosophy was born from a fascination with nature, culture, fashion and colour that was first cultivated over the years she spent undertaking refurbishments on the interiors of her properties in her early twenties. Her noticeably unique creative flair resulted in a number of requests for private commissions that lead to formal training at Chelsea School of Art.
Helen Bygraves
With her unique experience and arts background, Helen’s passion for quality and drive to always improve is matched by her love of contemporary, high impact interiors.Known for her personable nature, Helen has helped to nurture the skills of the 20+ strong Hill House team, ensuring their talent and imagination is captured and celebrated through the brand’s recognisable designs.
SBID delved behind the scenes with SBID Accredited Designer, Katie Malik, founder and creative director of Katie Malik Interiors to find out about her journey in the interior design industry, and how proper training and experience helped her get there.
I’m a creative director at Katie Malik Interiors. I manage a small team of passionate, dedicated design experts, who help me bring our clients dreams to the reality.
My background is in linguistics, but as a daughter of a very talented furniture designer and maker, design has always been a big part of my life, My career in interior design started in 2011 when I decided to retrain. I have always wanted to run my own business, but I knew I needed to train first and gain hands-on knowledge and experience, so important in the design industry. After I gained my qualifications at Chelsea College of Art, I was lucky to have my first internship in a high-end interior design studio based in Mayfair. After that, the door to other interior design studios opened to me, and I was offered the second internship and then a position at 1508London, which specialises in high end residential and hospitality interiors. Then, I was ready to move on to work on residential projects under my own brand: Katie Malik Interiors.
I typically start my day with a good breakfast at home, and of course with an Instagram flick through and Inbox check for anything requiring urgency or priority. I typically arrive in the studio quite early, as I like to make a head start. Then it’s the order of the day, setting tasks, checking the order of priorities, communicating with my team, and depending on the day, it could be a lot of very focused designing, building schemes, client meetings, site meetings, procurement etc.
I love everything that being an interior designer encompasses, but there are two parts I enjoy the most, one of them being designing, coming up with design solutions to meet and exceed clients’ expectations, and the second one being the final project installation, when the designs become the reality and our clients’ dreams come true.
We are working on a number of exciting projects at the moment, and each of them being very different, provides a lot of creative stimulation, but I am also very excited about finalising my first book ‘Love your space’ which I have been collecting the material for for the last 4 years.
I would say the job itself is quite challenging, which I enjoy, but one of the most challenging aspects is managing procurement aspect of the job, ensuing everything arrives on time, in the right condition, and is installed correctly; there’s a lot of time involved in this part of the process, and however wonderfully rewarding, it’s also one of the most challenging aspects for someone who is a perfectionist.
That being an interior designer is so much more than the design, and that in order to run a business, one must also learn about how to become a businessman/businesswoman.
Follow your path and what you love doing for hours without looking at the clock- that is your true calling.
I really don’t have a favourite one because all my projects make me genuinely proud and I enjoy working on all of them. However, if I had to chose one, I would say a redesign of a kitchen with dining and a conservatory which gained quite a lot of attention and landed its own editorial in the Ideal Home magazine in February 2016 and on Houzz in April 2017.
I also loved working on a costal redesign project, which was a refurbishment of the whole property located in Leigh-on-Sea in Essex. The project received a UK Property Award 2019 for the Best Interior Design Residence in the South East.
I think there’s a lot of misconception about the profession and what interior design experts can do for homeowners and business owners. Also, I believe there’s a lot of potential issues that can arise in connection with products that interior designers specify from trusted trade sources and which homeowners can find online for less.
If you were inspired by Katie's story, click here to learn more about the role of an interior designer.
Interior design studio manager of SBID Accredited Design Practice, Rigby & Rigby, James Ashfield highlights what he believes to be the two biggest challenges the interior industry faces today, and tells us how he forged his successful career in interior design.
I manage the interior design studio at Rigby & Rigby, overseeing all interior design projects and the creative vision for the studio.
I always had a passion for art and technology, so architecture and interior design was a great fit for my creative and practical interests, which led me to study Interior Architecture.
I now have 15 years industry experience. My first role was for a small architecture, interior and development practice and I’ve since held positions at leading London architecture and interior design practices including the Harrods Interior Design Studio.
A typical day consists of multiple client meetings and presentations with our team across many disciplines. There might be a site visit to a Prime Central London site to inspect progress or a coordination meeting for a landmark residence Rigby & Rigby are developing in Knightsbridge.
Sometimes my job takes me overseas if clients are based outside of the UK. For example, I worked in the Middle East for two and a half years where I acted as a client advisor on all architecture, interior and development projects for an UHNWI who was based there.
The most rewarding element is the design journey with the client, whose lifestyle we try to facilitate through the delivery of creative solutions and beautiful interiors.
I also have the pleasure to work on some of the finest and most incredible homes, with the multi-disciplinary support from our architectural, construction and marketing teams and a young and energetic interior design team. It’s always exciting to see a project come to life.
I love the scope of what I do and where it can take me. Currently I am working on a 17,000 sq ft landmark private residence in Knightsbridge, a 50,000 sq ft private development in Asia, and a 300sq ft Chairman’s office in Central London.
The most challenging aspects of my job are the logistics. Our suppliers come from all over the world, and sometimes there are unavoidable delays which can create challenges caused by anything from the weather to an international event. To combat this, we have to create contingency plans.
I think it’s useful to know that success can be found in all ways, not necessarily the obvious routes. I think it’s important to also have an understanding of growth opportunities in your chosen career, and evaluate these against your skills and values.
That working hard and putting in the hours does pay off.
The landmark residence in Knightsbridge and a modern ski chalet on a remote island in Japan.
I think the two biggest issues are sustainability and quality. We are very conscious of our impact to the environment and should make sure our materials are sustainably-sourced as much as possible.
There are many re-purposed materials that can be used in interior design. I think designers need to look at alternatives very carefully while ensuring they are giving the best to their clients, particularly when there are trade-offs to consider.
As for quality, our construction team are often asked to turnaround another contractor or designer’s project that has not been satisfactorily completed. I find it very reassuring to be part of a design and construction business where you can fully rely on the project team.
Which people do you admire the most in the industry and why?
As a practice we admire the French interior designer Jean Louis Deniot who delivers elegant, minimal and sophisticated interiors. We are also fans of the Japanese architect Kengo Kuma with whom we’ve had the pleasure of collaborating together on two overseas projects.
If you were inspired by James' story, click here to learn more about the role of an interior designer.
Want to become SBID Accredited? Click here to find out more.
SBID founder, Vanessa Brady OBE shared her thoughts on how lifestyle influences interior trends with Studio magazine in their latest edition of Design Influencers.
"At a recent SBID event, hosted at House of Harth in London, I was delighted to join Henrietta Thompson, founder of Harth, and Maryanne Cartwright, design manager at Graham & Brown to discuss what influences design trends...
It was suggested that social media is a main influencer and I agree that whilst Instagram has become the ‘directory of public WCs’, the biggest influence on trends is the way we live. As more jobs are for a three to five year term instead of for life, people are more willing to move around the world to accept improving career opportunities. This transient lifestyle means that more interim, short-term furniture is purchased rather than quality pieces for life. Think of the rise of IKEA and its range of affordable ready-to-assemble furniture."
Vanessa continues to discuss other important influencers such as multi-country trading, fashion, demographics, key social trends and of course, climate change as key factors influencing interior design.
Click here to read the full feature.
The featured article was written by Vanessa Brady for Studio Magazine.
SpeakEasy with Vanessa Brady OBE
The SBID teamed up with Pierrus Agency to launch the new ‘SpeakEasy’ podcast series. Hosted by founder, Grant Pierrus, we’ll be sitting down for insightful and thought-provoking conversations with leading design professionals across the field of interior design, from international interior designers to innovative product suppliers to uncover their unique perspectives on the industry, the key factors driving industry change, and what they intend to do about it!
Grant gets candid over a coffee with some of the biggest names in the interior design industry. The first episode in the new 'SpeakEasy' series will feature a conversation with award-winning interior designer and founder of SBID, Dr Vanessa Brady OBE, where she sheds light on how climate change is effecting the interior design and construction industries.
Vanessa comments on how she can see the design sector unfolding in the next decade; driven by the newly emerging consumer attitudes which weren't so prominent in the 90's, where people were more concerned with showing off their wealth.
"For very first time designers, and people in general, have a conscience ... and that conscience says people are interested in how things are made. Obviously if you're in business you have to be looking at the bottom line - but it's not the only driver. It's a social conscience on the things that are involved in making a business tick - giving back, looking after other people, being decent again, and I think that did get lost a little bit in the past."
Armed with over 30 years expertise in the design industry, she continues to share her thoughts on the broad topic sustainability, how integral this will become for the future of design and what role technology, innovation and manufacturing will need to play in this process.
Highlighting important considerations for designers, whether of interiors or of products, she adds "Sustainability is something that effects everything, from the beginning of the idea to the end user, so it is a sort of cradle to grave process. And I think it's not just during the use of a product ... it's when its use is over. What happens then?"
Upcoming episodes will feature the talented founders of Hill House Interiors, Helen Bygraves and Jenny Weiss, as well as director of Life Kitchens, Oliver Stephenson.
Stay up to date with the latest episodes and click here to find out more.
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