We delved behind the scenes with SBID Accredited Interior Designer, Annette Frommer, Founder of Israeli-based design studio, Annette Frommer Interior Design. Serving an international client base and specialising in interior design in Jerusalem, Annette stresses the importance of staying inspired to keep designs fresh and original, and shares how essential our smart phones have become when it comes to doing business!
Can you describe your current job?
I am an interior designer based in Tel-Aviv, Israel. My clients are from abroad and looking to have a second home in Israel whether in Jerusalem or Tel Aviv.
What is your background and how did you get into interior design?
I was born and raised in Belgium and have been living in Israel for the past 35 years. I am fluent in six languages which certainly helps when interacting with my international clients. I always knew that I was going to somehow be involved in a creative profession and admired beauty and design, whether in architecture, art, or fashion.
Describe an average day in your job role..
Luckily I do not need too many hours of sleep in order to function, and I can honestly say that I spend most of my day working. Yes, I am a workaholic. I get up very early, prepare my coffee and then straight to the computer. I receive many mails at every hour imaginable since my clients, and some suppliers, are located in many different time zones. I like to feel that I start the day with a relatively clean slate.
I then go to my office, another cup of coffee, and meet with the team. We go over projects and other matters at hand. Next is the field. I am a great believer in being hands on in every project, so I visit all my projects on a weekly basis meeting with the builder, other professionals, etc. There are days of course dedicated to “shopping” and “choosing” – those I love the most.
I usually return home at about 7pm and after a quick bite, it is back to work. Again I answer mails, go over plans and documents, gather samples, and prepare all that is necessary for the next day. I don’t know how we once worked without a computer and without a smart phone.
Which elements of your profession do you enjoy the most and/or find the most rewarding?
The world today moves at an incredible pace. We are bombarded with an overwhelming amount of information. I believe that most of us wish for homes that are serene, tranquil and that provide a sense of safety. Rewarding to me is seeing my clients happy with the result of my work – with the way I planned the space, chose the colour palette, textiles, lighting etc. Often times I am given ‘carte blanche’ and make all the decisions on behalf of the client. So it is definitely rewarding to see a big smile on their face.
No matter what the style, I always endeavor to achieve beauty, harmony and elegance. Elegance is key and it is achieved when there is cohesion, softness, subtlety, so that the final result appears to be effortless.
Is there anything new you are excited to be working on?
Yes. There is one project where I am planning and designing 5 apartments with the same layout for 5 siblings. It is a challenge designing each apartment unlike the other and making sure each sibling feels that his apartment is unique and designed especially for him!
Another project is a 1,000sq townhouse for a single family - with many bedrooms. The challenge here will be to make this vast space with so many bedrooms feel like a home, and not a hotel.
What do you find the most challenging aspects of your job?
Coming across problems in the field, and coming up with solutions that are exceptional and actually make the space look even better.
What has been your favourite project to work on?
We were commissioned to review the plans and bring a halted project (a stunning mansion located in the suburbs of Jerusalem) to completion utilising the existing layout and partitions. The basement was especially problematic as the space was long, narrow, dreary and windowless with very low ceilings, and we had to transform it to be a prominent billiard room with facilities.
The final result includes an elegant billiard room, an inviting and relaxing bar/ lounge area complemented by an adjoining decorative wrought iron cellar door that leads to a state-of-the-art wine cellar, with walls covered in authentic old bricks and floors with reclaimed ancient stones.
The Italian woodwork is finely designed and crafted with onyx backlit ceiling panels cleverly disguising a maze of pipes and ducts; creating the illusion of height.
As for the mansion: the result is characterised by ornate and neoclassical décor that is opulent and lavish. The rich woodwork, the gold and silver gilt-accented furniture, the layered textures in muted pinks, light blue and aqua hues define the formal ambience of this home. The grand entrance with refined marble flooring embodies elegance and romance.
What do you think is the biggest problem the interior design industry faces?
I think that as a designer, it is extremely important to continuously be inspired, be creative, and to strive for quality and distinction. The biggest problem is when I see more of the same, when I see copy/paste designs. It is challenging to remain fresh, original and timeless.
Which people do you admire the most in the industry and why?
There are a few which stand out to me! Andree Putman; a scion of her time, her projects are very classical and designed to perfection. India Mahdavi, for her creative use of colours and shapes; and lastly, Peter Marino whose work is fearless, bold and non-conformist!
If you were inspired by Annette’s story, click here to learn more about the role of an interior designer.
Want to become SBID Accredited? Click here to find out more.
Created to inform and inspire the many professionals working in residential design - architects, interior designers, property developers, manufacturers, retailers and educators, Studio magazine interviewed the SBID President and founder of Chicago-based design studio Marquardt+, Tom Marquardt about his experience in the industry, greatest achievements and where he finds inspiration.
When was the business founded and why?
This is our 32nd year! To practice as a truly pioneering interdisciplinary design studio starting in the 1980s, I knew we had to make it happen ourselves, and so we did.
What is your latest significant achievement or project of note?
Still leading and evolving an even more progressive and in demand interdisciplinary practice, after 31 years! All our projects are significant to those who use them, so calling out one feels unfair.
I’ve just discovered…
The Atlas I Masland Contract Rug Program that is part of a new client’s offering. Their designs are stunning and applicable to residential, corporate and hospitality (we do not see silos at Marquardt+) and the customisation capabilities are endless…it’s a one stop rug source!
I’ve always been a fan of…
British high-tech architecture and interior design, the natural evolution of 2nd Chicago School modernism. Unfortunately we in the states were distracted with post-modernism at the time and lost our way.
Click here to read the full feature.
This article was written by Matt Balmer for Studio Magazine.
SBID Accredited Interior Designer, Ana Engelhorn of Ana Engelhorn Interior Design reveals how her interest in interior design evolved into a professional career after starting her journey with a background in business administration and hospitality. Now running her own design practice, she shares her thoughts on the challenges the industry faces when it comes to perception - and Pinterest!
I run an interior design studio in London, working on residential and commercial projects across the UK and Europe. Taking a ‘perfectly imperfect’ approach, we celebrate imperfections found in natural building materials, antiques or pieces of furniture, mixing old with new pieces to create a fresh, timeless look. We also love introducing art and colour into our clients’ interiors.
I grew up in Switzerland but with a Spanish mother and German father, I was influenced by many different cultures. My parents bought distinctive properties and turned them into hotels and restaurants, so I always surrounded by beautiful, unique interiors. Watching these transformations unfold, I valued, above everything else, the authenticity that came through. My father has always been very traditional style-wise. If something was originally designed or made to be in a certain style, he wanted it to remain that. Therefore, if previous owners had modernised a building, he restored it, returning it to its origins. One of the hotels they bought and redid had no heating, so in winter the pipes have to be drained (so they didn’t freeze) and the hotel closed – he really took ‘original features’ to the extreme!
I knew I wanted to run a business but wasn’t sure what, so I initially studied Business Administration and worked in hospitality. However, I was buying and refurbishing and redecorating houses on the side, even gaining critical acclaim in the industry for some of the work I did. Therefore, when I became pregnant with my second child, it felt like the right time to go back to school to become an interior designer and turn my passion into my profession.
My days constantly change depending on the projects I have on and the people I am working with. Interior design involves a lot of admin, but if you run your own business, there is even more. With a background in business administration, however, I actually enjoy looking after all aspects of the business, ensuring that what I am doing benefits the whole.
I love the process of discovery I go through with clients. It starts from the moment we meet, form impressions, create a rapport and go through their brief. For me, it’s important to make a real connection with clients and to be honest and open – keeping open lines of communication. I then go away and create an interior design that brings their vision to life. I live for that magic moment where I’ve presented my design to the client and (if all goes to plan!) I can see that I have understood what they want. That amazing feeling I get when they love how I’ve designed their space is what makes my job so rewarding!
I have a full house renovation planned in Chiswick. It is very exciting as it is my first full house project in the UK (the others have been mostly in Spain). The CDM, Fire and Environmental steps you have to take here are much more involved than where I’ve worked before, and it’s a great learning experience for me. I’ve realised I don’t always need to be the expert. It’s led me to work with some very talented people who have enriched my knowledge in a way I had never imagined.
The most challenging aspect for me has been to make myself known in the UK, getting the word of mouth recommendations rolling here. Even though I work as an interior designer internationally, I am interested in having clients close to home too – my dream project would be a period building in London. I sometimes find it hard to go out and actively draw a specific client towards me, instead of waiting for them to find me.
What do you wish you knew before working in the field?
I believe we are who we are because of our experiences, so I hesitate whenever I’m asked what I wish I had known. It probably would have been ideal to study interior design at the innocent age of 19 at University, doing the full 4 years and then have the opportunity to cut my teeth at an interior design studio before launching my own. However, that would have meant I wouldn’t have studied Business Administration or worked in hospitality; running a restaurant and working at a hotel, and I wouldn’t want to have missed that. I think it has shaped what I’m doing now in a positive way.
What would you tell your younger self if you had the chance?
Choose what you want to do and stick to it, regardless of what other people think. It’s best to pave your own way and make your own mistakes rather than listening to others and regretting lost time because of it.
A 16th century farmhouse in Spain. It was a project where we reused everything we could, bringing the house back to its origins. All new materials that were brought in were natural building materials. The project took two years in total – it was slow going, but an enriching and satisfying project.
On one hand, the industry needs to combat the old-fashioned view that interior design is the domain of the ‘bored housewife’ and can essentially be done well by anyone who takes an interest in it. It needs to educate the general public about the knowledge and skill that goes into designing an interior space professionally. And especially, in the internet age, to get across the point that professionals can improve (and save time and money!) on what people can find and source through Pinterest, Instagram or other online platforms, and that they can help when it comes to the project management side as well.
On the other hand, the industry itself needs to open up to best support and encourage new interior designers and really help them to be successful. It’s worth remembering that interior design is also an art. You have to be organised, you have to know how to do industry-specific admin and be familiar with certain concepts and ways of working, but you also have to have intuition and imagination, to be able to envision how pieces will fit, what colours might go together and how a space can be transformed. You have to see, for example, how two potentially opposing objects could put together and, finally, you have to have taste. All of the more intangible qualities to do with artistic vision can’t be taught – you either have it or you don’t. This artistic side should be respected.
There is no lack of potential clients out there – the challenge is to find and convince them that their interior can really be improved by a professional interior designer!
I admire people who have not only been interior designers but have also created a business, employed others and grown from their small beginning. I also admire interior designers who share their knowledge, wanting to help others start up on their own. One such person is Katherine Pooley. She has been in interior design for 30 years, has grown a large business and now, on top of her business, gives talks and helps designers pave their way.
If you were inspired by Ana’s story, click here to learn more about the role of an interior designer.
Interior designers don’t usually directly specify the technology installation in the home, mainly because it’s moving too fast to learn and advise on the right product. Designers tend to outsource this role to an Audio-Video specialist.
The most dominant piece of furniture in the main room of most homes used to be the television. The room was often designed around this now almost redundant item. The furniture circled facing this big black box demonstrating the dominance television held over our recreation time. Well in case you haven't noticed, it’s changing faster now than you can blink.
TV screens can be beautifully disguised as an old master, a mirror or even made into a fully blown floor to ceiling media wall. The fact is that most young people stream programmes to watch and channels to subscribe too whilst family viewing is quickly making Netflix - a download app or streaming channel by subscription the preferred viewing method. You can continue watching through your iPad on a plane or on the tube etc. These personalised changes have impacted on the focal point of the family home's main reception area.
Just think about bookshelves and how they have become less dominant due to computers, kindles and a host of other mobile electronic devices, all of which remove the need for paper storage and bookshelf space. In fact the Radio, TV, bookshelf and formal dining room, central heating radiators and fireplaces have all but disappeared in recent years in exchange of a technical unobtrusive out of view and personalised choice. This creates more free space in the home.
Possibly one of the other biggest changes of home design considerations is the cost of energy. Saving on energy consumption through clever design alters the way our homes are built and look. Self generating energy-efficient homes in the next decade will increasingly be built so that energy is generated from the environment (sun and wind etc.) locally stored and shared in large banks of street terraces. Whilst the home is unoccupied it will automatically lower or shut down unnecessary levels of power such as a fridge that won’t be opened as well as basics such as heating, lighting and stand-by mode on remote electrical items. Designers are not only concentrating on colour, space design, aesthetics and overall emotive impression when creating a home interiors scheme, they are also incorporating the tech available in the future at a pace faster than we have ever seen before. The purpose is always ‘saving’ time, money, space, energy etc. The antithesis of the impression that most home owners have of a qualified accredited interior designer.
Written by Dr Vanessa Brady OBE.
Award-winning Interior Designer, CEO & Founder of the Society of British and International Design
(Image by Icon Connect: www.iconconnect.com)
SBID continue to explore the personal journeys of interior design professionals throughout the industry. This time, we interviewed the Head Designer at Evan's Textiles, Bethany Grace Lewin, as she talks about her desire for creativity from a young age, the day-to-day life of a textile designer, and what it's like working directly with interior designers!
I’m Head Designer at Evans Textiles which is one of the UK’s leading suppliers of soft furnishings to interior designers, specifiers and industry professionals. The majority of what I do is based in interior textile design and creating unique printed fabric designs that meet our clients’ interior design briefs – which can be for both domestic and contract markets. We’ve recently seen an increase in the popularity for our bespoke contract fabric designs and I’m very excited to say we’ve launched a new division which focuses solely on designing contract fabrics for healthcare and hospitality environments. Needless to say, my role and responsibilities are changing to meet this growing demand for our contemporary bespoke fabric designs.
What is your background and how did you get into textile design?
Since a young age I’ve been fascinated by art and design – the way it can influence a behaviour, tell a story or change a mood. I studied Maths, Biology and Economics during A-levels, but I always found myself gravitating towards art and design as I’ve always had a creative flair and felt strongly about using my artistic talent within my career. I went on to do a foundation degree in Textile Technologies, Photography and Fine Art & studied a BA (Hons) Fine Arts Degree at the Manchester School of Art. I have furthered my practice with a Post Graduate Certificate in Art & Design Education and a Master’s degree, in which I specialised in painting, print, drawing and illustration. I now use my qualifications and skills to produce high quality artwork for our interior design clients.
I’m usually up quite early around 6.30am and I’m in the office by 8.30am. As soon as I’m in the design studio, I check my emails for anything urgent over a coffee, then it’s straight to work. There’s never a dull moment and no two days are ever the same - that’s why I love my job. You have to be versatile and quite resilient within the team as the briefs can come in thick and fast and as we’re producing custom artwork daily on a variety of different base cloths, there can be a lot to manage as our clients have expectations and can often be working to tight timescales. I generally work up until 5.30pm but it’s not uncommon for me to take work home as we’re all about meeting our clients expectations.
I love to see the finished article come together in situ. It’s so rewarding to see the design I’ve been working on make a difference within an interior design scheme – and because our designs are hand-crafted and cannot be found elsewhere, they often take centre stage as the focal point in a room and give that ‘wow’ factor for our clients and their customers.
From concept to completion, I enjoy the work but it’s also brilliant when an interior designer repeatedly comes back to us with new and exciting ideas knowing the possibilities are endless with our bespoke design service and that we can and will deliver their project within budget and on time.
What’s the latest plans for Evans Textiles, is there anything new you are working on?
We’ve just launched our new division, Bespoke by Evans that specialises solely on performance fabrics for dementia care homes and healthcare facilities. We’ve created a core collection of FR contract fabrics that offer a contemporary take on the more traditional designs that you’re likely to see in standard pattern books. Plus, we have the option of our truly bespoke contract design and print services too within this division so there’s ample choice. All our designs incorporate patterns, scale, texture and familiarity so they can be used across a number of applications from bedding, seating, upholstery to drapery and more. With Evans having over 100 years’ experience in soft furnishings, the division is also able to tap into our core products like curtain lining, window blinds and curtain tracks meaning many of the essential elements for a redesign can be found in one place – saving our clients time, resource and money! I’m very excited to see what the future holds for our new initiative I think it’ll be very exciting for our clients too.
Although it’s cliché to say, often it can simply be there’s not enough time in the day. Meeting our client's brief is our top priority so we work around the clock to create concepts, colourways and designs. There’s no fixed rule for what signifies a good design as it’s so subjective, so if we receive an unclear brief or our clients’ customer isn’t sure, it can be quite difficult to understand and manage their expectations within a certain time frame.
What do you wish you knew before working with interior designers?
The granular detail. From the outside looking in, it’s almost too easy to think interior design is all about aesthetics but there’s so much more to it. The coordination of materials, safety, design elements and space are fundamental and as we work collaboratively with all our clients, we gain a deeper understanding into the demands and strain on their particular projects.
Trust your instincts!
That’s a tricky question as every brief we receive is very different and the requirements of the client and their customer can vary greatly. There’s a botanical design that we worked on very recently for a care home it’s been a huge success with residents and staff alike. In fact, it’s been such a success it has been recognised for an International Design award by the Society of British and International Design. That’s a design I’m quite proud of.
Due to the popularity of the internet and the rise of social media, I think the traditional way of choosing a fabric design has changed and many interior designers risk missing a trick by not adapting. The days of carrying around numerous heavy traditional pattern books with limited design collections is fast coming to an end. Nowadays, both savvy interior designers and indeed their customers take to websites, Instagram and Pinterest to find inspiration. This is something we’ve actively tackled with Bespoke by Evans. Our clients can showcase our range, request free swatches, an initial design concept or request a brochure for their customers all on our website. We’re also active on social media channels too so there’s always something new to discover.
If you were inspired by Beth’s story and want to find out more about interior design and the role of an interior designer, click here.
In keeping with the aim of global design excellence for the next generation, we gathered the world’s best experts across five competitive creative sectors to be judges in the SBID & BEOPEN Student Design Competition. On Tuesday 18th September, we rounded up this panel of esteemed professionals to discuss, deliberate and decide on our 15 fortunate finalists for each of the creative categories across Interior Design, Interior Decoration, Product Design, Art and Fashion. The finalists are set to be announced on Monday 29th October 2018!
We interviewed our judge; leading global hospitality Designer and Founder of HG DesignWorks, Hans J. Galutera to get insight on his experience within the industry. He shares his valuable advice for students and young designers alike who are about to embark on their journey into the diverse field of design.
Having worked on multiple public spaces on the largest cruise-liners and some of the most technological ships of the world, I am now focusing work on hotels - primarily restaurants, bars and lounges which are currently in construction in my hometown Melbourne, Australia. I am also working on a number of luxury residential properties in New York City and Asbury Park New Jersey.W
My background is in interior architectural design. I graduated from Melbourne College of Decoration in Australia and then further studied in the Bachelor of Fine Arts majoring in Interior Design Magna Cum Laude in FIT SUNY in New York City in the United States. I then apprenticed for prestigious high-end architectural design firms such as Daniel Romualdez Architects, CITE Design and Birch Coffey Design Associates. Shortly after in New York City Feb 2002, I established my own multidisciplinary firm with an Italian business partner to form BG Studio International Inc. which encompassed all aspects of design – from commercial and residential interiors to furniture, products, exhibitions, and graphics. In 2004, the studio began specializing in maritime hospitality design onboard Royal Caribbean International’s Enchantment of the Seas. This is the first ever lengthening project of a ship cut in half and rejoined to create revenue generating spaces for the second biggest owners of cruiseliners of the world. Since then, signature restaurants have been created for celebrity chefs on Celebrity Cruises Specialty Restaurants and largest ships of the world at the moment - Oasis of the Seas, Allure of the Seas and Harmony of the Seas just to name a few. My most memorable and ultimate best design was the Penthouse Suite with the prize-winning Celebrity Cruises Reflection of the Seas for the Society of British International Design awarded at the House of Lords in London, UK.
Which people do you admire most in the industry and why?
It really depends but in terms of inspiration I am always drawn to iconic legendary designers. I am an avid admirer of French designers such as Jean Michel Frank who is often known as a minimalist, but his layering of rich textures and luxurious materials give a sense of maximalism that makes his work so interesting and complex; Andre Arbus furniture designer, sculptor and architect; Jean Prouve whose furniture is a wonderful blend of architecture and engineering; and America’s William Haines for his courageous story as an actor turned interior designer, and one of the progenitors of interior design’s Hollywood Regency period. There are so many!
How do you feel about being a judge for this new student design competition?
I think this design competition is quite unique as it combines all facets of creatives from fashion, product and interior design, but most importantly - the big cash prize which will really make a difference in a student’s life. It would be interesting to see the student’s career follow up and the amazing things that could potentially be life changing for the economy and perhaps the world with their design cleverness and solutions.
How did you find your judging experience?
The judging experience was very well organised as it is always a challenge to carefully vet and decide on multiple criteria, especially with the various design categories. Also I think having the judges reconvene and continue to debate the comparative merits of each design project is a wonderful way to reaffirm the final prize winner.
What advice would you give a young designer starting out in the industry?
Travel, Educate, Absorb Culture! Be humble and watch out for your ego. It is the number one obstacle that stops you as pride will always get in the way and then you head for a great big stumble. After over 20 years of doing this, I am still learning that. And finally, as the old cliche says - “do what you love and you will never work another day in your life…”
If you had won £30,000 just after graduating from University, what would you have done with it?
If I had won that top prize, the first thing I would do is pay off my student loans and if there is any left then I'd book a holiday to my favourite vacation spot!
Click here to find out more about this year's Designed for Business judging panel or visit our website, here, for further announcements and information about this inaugural student design competition!
SBID are delighted to launch a new blog series designed to dig beneath the surface of the interior design industry, exploring the personal journeys of professional, practising interior designers across this diverse, far-flung field. With the aim of peeling back the glamorous guise of interior design which extends much deeper than perception permits, we get the honest and exclusive insight on what it's really like working in the Interior Design industry as an interior designer.
For our first interview, we talk to Interior Designer and Director of HomeSmiths, Jacqui Smith, as she discusses her work-life balance, how she uncovered her lingering passion for interior design and her unusual route into the industry.
I run an interior design practice in Sussex with my husband David, working in healthcare and private residential.
Since a young age I would decorate dolls' houses and spend hours rearranging my bedroom. Graduating from St Andrews with a degree in economics and maths I ended up in marketing but never felt that I fitted. My free time would be spent on all things interiors be it my own home or those of friends. I met my husband, David who at the time was a cabinet maker. Friends would say, 'wow you two could work together'. With impostor syndrome looming I did not see how at the time but then we decided to set up HomeSmiths as a bespoke furniture business. Clients would ask David for advice on colour and that's how it all started for me. People responded well to my ideas so I decided to take some courses, build up a portfolio and very quickly our client base grew. In 2007 we closed the workshop and focused purely on interior design. David still designs furniture but is no longer behind the bench.
Describe an average day in your job role...
I am very much a morning person. Assuming I am not due on site early I will start my day with at least 15 minutes of exercise before breakfast. This wakes me up, clears my brain and definitely helps me focus during the day. Usually at my desk for 8am, I like to have clear chunks of time for my design work rather than dipping in and out so I tend to clear my bitty jobs first. Running a number of projects at any one time those small jobs can take my brain into lots of different places so by clearing those first I can then focus on designing with a clear mental desk! Lunch sometimes involves a walk, it depends on the day but I never miss lunch and make a point of stopping rather than eating at my desk. I aim to finish at 6/6.30pm. Six years ago I lost the sight in my left eye. Before this happened I would often work late but these days I am too tired to do this consistently. There will be the odd time when I am working on a deadline which keeps me in the office until 9pm, but any later than that I find is complete false economy as I tend to sleep poorly and feel less on it the next day. After work I cook dinner, I might go for a walk or just relax with David and my two teenage sons. Family time is really important to me.
I LOVE working in healthcare design. The built environment can have a massive impact on a person's health and well-being and support them from a sensory and cognitive perspective. Well designed living spaces keep people independent for longer and everyone benefits from that. When I see the community's residents use the built-in spaces that I have designed, that's a wonderful moment. Not from an ego perspective since I genuinely feel that there is no place for ego in healthcare design, but as pure job satisfaction.
Being let down by suppliers, dealing with constantly moving fit out dates and trying to keep everyone happy. I am not a fan of confrontation. When I shared this once with a rep she told me that I was in the wrong job! I have got tougher over the years but I don't feel the need to throw my weight around and I feel that our clients and suppliers respect me for that. I care about our clients, our team and am a very fair person and at all times professional, so when met with unreasonable behaviour, I can struggle.
"Interior design is not about the latest kitchen or the most expensive wall covering, it's about creating environments that people want to spend time in..."
I do think I went into it with my eyes wide open. I do love a spreadsheet and the paperwork side has never phased me. Some designers I know who have closed their businesses will say that they found the admin/planning side too onerous. The reality is that interior design is hard work, stressful at times and rarely glamorous, but I knew that from the start so my expectations were fully managed!
Believe in yourself. A talented New York designer who was an ex-banker once told me that to be a successful interior designer you need to be "great with colour, organised and smart", and I would add to that - good with people. Had someone told me that when I started out I would have felt more confident in the early days.
On residential, a country house in East Sussex and on healthcare - that's a hard one, but I would probably say a dementia home in Ipswich.
Brexit! I know that's potentially a predictable response but I feel that people in the private residential market are more cautious at the moment and in healthcare we have had projects delayed, pared back or clients have felt that they can save on the engagement of a professional and do it themselves.
I admire any designer who is down to earth, authentic and hard working. Interior design is not about the latest kitchen or the most expensive wall covering, it's about creating environments that people want to spend time in but crucially, ones that work, ones that make day to day living easier. A room can look stunning but if the needs of the people spending time in it have not been considered then that's not interior design, and the needs of people in the space is so incredibly important in healthcare design.
If you were inspired by Jacqui's story and want to find out more about interior design and the role of an interior designer, click here.
For many interior designers, life at home and life at work are one and the same. Some spend long hours at an office, while others blur the lines between their job and life by working from home. Dedication as an entrepreneur is essential, but at a certain point, everyone needs to find a way to feel like more than just his or her professional title. Here are five tips to help you develop a balance between work and life in the realm of interior design.
1. Understand Your Limits. From designing to client relationship management and keeping up with small-business trends, interior designers may easily find themselves working long hours each day and into the night. Small-business owners and freelancers often throw themselves into their work, thinking that the success of an enterprise depends entirely upon them.
Working long hours when a deadline is approaching is logical, but consistently pulling 12-hour shifts for months on end will likely result in burnout. As any interior designer knows, it’s difficult to be creative and produce high-quality work when feeling like you’re at the end of your rope. Rather than overdoing it, Forbes recommends protecting your private time, such as when taking walks, driving to meet clients, or even grabbing a quick bite to eat in between searching for design materials.
Even with designated time to take a mental break, long days can still be exhausting. If you find yourself getting toward your maximum work abilities, remember that it’s okay to say no. There’s no rule that says you need to take on every design opportunity that comes your way, at least not right away. Tell a client you’d be happy to take on a project—starting next week.
2. Create a Schedule. Many people envy interior designers who work from home; they can set their own hours, dress how they please, and are free of the burden of a morning commute. However, there are some downfalls to operating from home. As opposed to onsite staffers, who leave an office and can immediately mentally detach themselves from work, self-employed or home-based interior designers live where they work.
That’s why it’s particularly important to set a work schedule while at home. Whether a designer prefers to wake up early and begin working or meeting clients at their homes for consultations by 8 a.m. or would prefer to sleep in later and take more evening appointments, the important thing is to establish a steady schedule, and adhere to it.
Use time-management techniques and schedule time specifically for searching for fabrics and other materials, schedule another allotment for returning client emails, and set an end time to your workday. Then stick to it. That might mean calling it quits while in the middle of a search for the perfect light fixture for a home, or emailing a client that you’ll get back to them with a full update the next morning.
It may be difficult to step away at the end of the day, but soon this will become a habit that will keep you healthier, happier, and more balanced.
3. Designate Space. Creating a home office that is conducive to productivity can make a huge difference in attempting to strike a home and life balance. A small spare room is perfect for an office where an interior designer can spend their time and even meet with clients; then once they’ve completed their work, they can shut the door to their office, marking the end of a workday. A home office is another great place to show off your eye for style, and clients who meet you at your office will be able to see how effective design can be when you’re in charge. Check out Janelle McCulloch’s Library of Design blog for design insights and home-office tips.
Some find it too difficult to fully separate home and work life when designing in their living room or even a spare office. For those designers, shared workspaces are a great option. Shared workspaces are designed for freelance and independent workers; interior designers can rent out a desk in a communal space where others will also be working. You can reserve a desk for a day, week, or even months, and you will be able to keep your physical home separate from work.
4. Get Organized. You’re a creative, dynamic interior designer managing a small business, and… your workspace is a mess. You have fabric samples in stacks on your desk, binders full of design ideas on top of a spare chair, and notes stuck to your computer monitor reminding yourself to call to vendors. One of the easiest ways to free up time for a healthy home life is to keep work documents, files, and contacts neat and orderly. Use binders to store contracts, keep the surface of your desk tidy, and clean up your hard drive.
Take an afternoon to look through your desktop and sort everything out. Designate folders for projects by client name, and label important emails so you never have to spend precious time searching through disorganized files again. If you don’t use this method already, try setting reminders for yourself using an online calendar that you can access from your office or on your phone. It’s amazing how many hours a bit of organization will free up, leaving time for family and friends.
5. Develop New Passions. Working as a freelance interior designer or running a small firm requires passion and dedication, which is why it’s no surprise that it’s hard for many designers to think of anything else. However, to find a balance between life and work, it’s important to consider life outside the world of design.
Think about something you’ve always wanted to try, or a hobby you used to have when you were a kid. Now get out of the house and do it. Take a painting class, go for a run, or become a member at a museum and keep up with new exhibits. Not only will these activities help you feel balanced and relaxed, they’ll also clear your head. When you return to your desk the next day, you’ll feel refreshed and ready to take on a new day of design.
How do you balance work and home life? What do you do to make sure you step away from your desk at the end of the day? Let us know in the comments below.
Author Anne Bouleanu, Line//Shape//Space
As an interior designer I am always on the lookout for products designed with environmental consideration in mind. What better place to find such products than to visit the “ecobuild” exhibition held annually at the Excel, London.
This year again the event was buzzing with manufacturers showcasing their sustainable designs of new and innovative products and technologies, for the construction industry, lighting design, interior design and garden design.
Two products caught my attention this year as I wandered around the exhibition.
Beautiful hand made decorative lighting designed by Sarah Turner.
Sarah hand makes these decorative lights from every day waste plastic drinking bottles collected locally. You would not be able to tell where they originate from once the lighting had been created. They looked magnificent. After cleaning the bottles she sand blasts them to give the opaque look. They are then hand cut and sculpted in to decorative forms. Sarah uses her talent to help recycle just a few plastic bottles and thus contribute towards resolving problems of landfill site.
Timco wood is a wood plastic composite product made from 100% recycled wood chip and high-density plastics. This eco-friendly product is used for decking, cladding, fencing and balustrade system. It has the warm feel of wood with durability and water resistance of polyethylene plastic. As such the product is easy to install and it doesn’t splinter, rot or warp. It is also low maintenance and will look good for years to come.
The availability of the range of colours, materials and textures allows you to create many stunning contemporary as well as conventional looks.
The product is readily used in commercial environment but I would specify this product for busy, budget and time discerning families who prefer to spend their time enjoying the garden and family rather than worry about the maintenance and the condition of the decking, time and cost.
Written by interior designer Sangeeta Goyal
An excellent example of paint being a more adaptable choice than wallpaper occurred when the owner of a Grade I listed Mayfair Mansion wanted a very elegant, expensive, handmade wallpaper applied in the 44 foot stairwell, which had sweeping vertiginous curves.
Applying wallpaper would have proved to be an impossible task, due to the curves and the irregular surface. In the skilled hands of SBID accredited Glaze artists a pattern was created, inspired by paper found in the Victoria and Albert archive. The result was simply stunning. All the motifs, each one a 22 stage process, fit the 2,500 feet perfectly with not a join in sight.
Glaze Specialist Decoration have recently completed a fabulous project at The Dorchester Hotel in Park Lane, London. Ten highly skilled specialist decorators worked throughout the summer to bring the historic Gold Room back to its 1930’s glory.
Glaze artists recreated a beautiful summer sky using a fresh palate; this involved soft clouds, birds, and vines twisting around the gilded moon gold fretwork. The ruched curtains are in fact a trick of the eye, all painstakingly hand painted by one of their talented team. To complete the effect the cornice and pillar mouldings were decorated using moon gold leaf after a faux Verde Borgogna Lastra marble effect had been painted onto the original surfaces. The interior designer Alex Kravetz said at the end of the project: ‘Amazing work – I am very happy indeed and I hope to be working with the Glaze team again soon’.
One service that Glaze Specialist Decoration offers is historic conservation. One of their artists was responsible for recreating Queen Victoria’s hand painted Chinese silk wall paper. Needless to say this was a very unique request and they are more likely to be working on projects such as the Mayfair Mansion and the Dorchester Hotel.
As well as completing grand projects such as the Mayfair Mansion, Glaze have also had some amusing and slightly unusual requests. Recently, an artist was commissioned to disguise a bicycle shed in a stylish Westbourne Park Villa - a beautiful bamboo tree with falling leaves now disguises the bike shed, which is hidden beneath a set of stairs, creating a unique yet functional piece of art. This just goes to show that with the right product specification, all kinds of problems can be solved.
Glaze Specialist Decoration offer a first class service to Interior Designers, for both traditional and contemporary finishes as well as polished plaster.
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