I’m currently preparing for a photoshoot for a project I completed in Southbank. Which sparked a conversation between my client and I about what makes a successful interior space. Mainly because there is a difference between how an interior space is presented for a client and how it’s presented for a photoshoot.
For a photoshoot the camera is the ‘client’ and the interior and the décor needs to be installed and positioned in a way that favours the camera lenses and the light. For example, I placed some books on a console for the photoshoot, they were your typical large format interior books. I placed them on the console for colour, height and balance.
So, my client asked whether he should buy similar books and I said no. Instead, I suggested, that he should put his own books on the console. Books that he has read and liked and that have left an impression on him.
The items in your home should express your story. Your life, your loves, experiences, and memories. I don’t believe your home should include token items that are on trend. I feel these items are soul less.
That’s why I wanted to share my thoughts on what makes a successful interior space.
Your Home Your Style
Your home should reflect your personal style. I don’t think your home should reflect a trend, something on a TV program, or something in a magazine. Definitely, there are a lot of ideas and things to like and admire in magazines, social media and TV but I think it’s worth taking the time to think of ways to make an idea your own.
For example, a lot of my Melbourne based clients love the interior style Mid-Century Modern. I also know from various Facebook groups that Hamptons style is popular in hotter climates like Queensland, which makes sense.
But how do you make these styles your own. One of my clients in East Brunswick wanted a ‘streamlined, hipster, Mid-Century Modern, glam’ interior style. I loved this description but needed to understand what all these words meant for my client.
My client loves fashion and luxury brands. She studied fashion in Milan. So, this was an important part of her interior design story. As a lover of beautiful fashion design, it made sense that she loves Mid-Century Modern interior style because this style is timeless. This period in interior design produced many stunning pieces of furniture.
There was an earthiness and a glam side to my client I needed to bring to life. So my interior design strategy was based on a foundation of Mid-Century Modern pieces in earthy colours such as mustard and olive. With glam textures such as velvet and materials and accents such as gold.
Every single client is different and although you might love Mid-Century Modern, what specifically do you like about this style? Is it that you might love the bright colours, or the geometric shapes or would you take a minimal direction. Understanding your take on this style is the point of difference that makes your home a successful interior space.
Style Goal and Colour Scheme
My interior design process is both structured and organic. I think client’s respond well to receiving some direction but having the freedom to explore their own ideas, preferences, likes and dislikes. But at the beginning of every project I always, without fail, confirm an interior design strategy with my clients.
For me an interior design strategy is defining a style goal and a colour scheme from the outset of every project. This decision gives both myself and the client direction. We both know where we’re headed the outcome we’re aiming to achieve.
Knowing my client’s interior style goal and colour scheme from the beginning helps with making decisions along the way and helps move through the design process quickly and efficiently.
Another reason knowing your interior style goal and colour scheme from the beginning of the project is that it alleviates confusion. Most clients like pieces from a range of styles. When defining their own personal style goal I take this into account but sometimes a client will like a random item.
The random item may work and it may not work, I try to understand why the client like this piece. Will it add value, does it work with the style goal and colour scheme. It’s ok if it doesn’t but will the client mind.
I think the odd piece that doesn’t make is key to what makes a successful interior space as long as it’s chosen with attention and intention.
Key Interior Design Principles
You may have heard of the interior design elements but do you know the interior design principles. The interior design principles include balance, rhythm and repetition, emphasis, proportion and scale, and finally harmony.
We don’t often hear about these interior design principles when reading interior design magazines, for example, but they’re just as important as the seven interior design elements you may be more familiar with such as pattern, colour, texture and so on.
It’s the principles and the elements working together that contribute to a successful interior space.
Editing Your Space
One thing I learnt early in my career as an interior designer is the importance of editing. When styling a space, it’s always a good idea to take a step back and review. What looks odd? Is there too much of something?
Sometimes the best way to realise this is to start with minimal décor and build on, layering your pieces. Keeping in mind the interior design principles above such as balance and repetition. There is a reason we know that less is more because sometimes a few pieces special pieces that make a statement, are better than many pieces that get lost in amongst everything else.
I’m a firm believer of waiting, saving and buying the best quality or most unique piece you can possibly buy. So many of us are in a hurry to fill our homes and we end up with stock standard pieces from Kmart, Ikea and so on.
Taking your time to build your space with unique pieces installed with pride is key to what makes a successful interior space.
