Specialising in creating interiors for domestic, retail and commercial markets, Cape Town-based interior-design company Design Quarters is on the move. VISI spoke to owner and senior designer, Michelle Trimborn.
What do you love most about being an interior designer?
The fact that the decorating side of interior design offers many fun and light touches after we’ve completed the serious, technical side of the project. I enjoy the contrast.
Decorating trends that will be big in South Africa in 2011?
· Eco will continue to grow with a strong focus on urban renewal.
· Play and fun will start to feature in design and marketing of everyday items.
· A global preference for renting over buying, to allow for quick decision changes, or short-term ownership might find its way here.
· We’ll see more technology in the home and our knowledge of how to use it will grow.
· While online shopping will grow, it won’t replace brick-and-mortar. Instead, it will complement it. So stores and sales staff mustn’t be lowered in importance ranking.
· The heavy consumerism / personal-spend trend will start to change to regulated spend. This will not be self-regulated but sub-contracted to a third party or device to institute the control. So brands and service-orientated companies are going to have to walk the talk or consumers will take their carefully regulated spend elsewhere.
Are you working on any exciting projects at the moment?
Our decorating workshops that we run monthly are always exciting. Teaching others to help themselves is always very rewarding. We’re also waiting for next steps from the Cape Film Commission to design and install their brand’s personality into their office space. Cross fingers for us!
And then there’s a great domestic project we’re working on in Tokai. The house is a failed contemporary Georgian with so many opportunities for improvement that it’s going to be a Cinders-to-Cinderella conversion even with a strict budget. The look on the client’s face is such a reward for us.
Top tip for breathing new life into a tired space?
Paint and using layered lighting instead of an ineffective central light fitting.
The decor/design item in your home that you love most?
· Décor: All my John Bauer bowls. They’re exquisite.
· Design: My cement fireplace by Jan de Kock. It features cladding of carefully selected strips of ‘found’ wood, including some pieces from a house that burnt down.
Your advice for young, aspiring interior designers?
Be patient and work for an existing company before going solo. Your experience learning curve is radically shortened. And remember to be humble – it’s not about your style; it’s about the client’s style and what suits their lifestyle.
Design Quarters: www.designquarters.co.za , +27 (21) 4651864
