Tell us a bit about yourself.
I am director of my own company Stile Interiors which started in 2007.  I worked in architectural firms and have worked locally, nationally and internationally.  I noticed a need for home owners to have guidance in interior design for their personal homes or office spaces.  We are located at Stepney in an exciting studio that is set up in a way that clients receive the ultimate design experience.  I have a team of qualified designers and together we look after both residential and commercial markets.

How did you get started in the interior design industry?
Art, design and creativity has very much been part of my childhood.  I have always had a passion for interiors and architecture and while studying at Uni I started work experience to help build my knowledge.  From here my goal was always to start my own interior design company.

What do you love about interior design?
Being able to translate a client’s dreams, thoughts and ideas to reality of a space and then seeing the client’s reaction once their project has all come together.  I also love working with new materials and exciting furniture pieces.

What can interior designers learn from kitchen and bathroom designers and vice versa?
Interior designers can learn about space and proportion, the need to work within parameters of function and form. Whilst Kitchen Designers can learn to be a bit more daring and perhaps open to using different materials in their designs and consider different forms.

What are some of the exciting new trends in kitchen design we can expect to see in 2012?
Trends coming over from Europe are just starting to arrive here in terms of colour.  We are going to see a move towards greys and textures.   Lots of dark ash veneers which are almost charcoal in colouring and lots of walnut. Black is evident along with White.  Metallics such as gold and bronze mirror will make a comeback and can look quite sophisticated when teamed with a veneer.

And how about bathroom trends?
Again in terms of colour, greys are going to become more featured along with lots of organic shapes.   Perhaps it’s the evolutionally trend about being “green” but lots of organic, raw looks such as travertine (honed) and timber veneers in their raw state look fantastic in bathroom designs.  Everyone is buying the resort, day spa, organic feel and look.

What colours do you expect to be in high demand by homeowners renovating their kitchens and bathrooms in the year ahead?
Integrated appliances from cook tops to kitchens. Stove are now easy to clean and fridges disappear. The need for everyone to have a larder (walk in pantry) also keeps the kitchen streamline and concealed, almost slender. Clients are also considering feature lighting in the kitchen...gone are the days of 3 stock pendants... consider one 2-metre long fluoro or simply hanging one feature pendant at the end of your bench.

How strong is the link between new trends in fashion and interior design?
There is definitely a link in terms of fashion trends coming through to interior design mainly through the use of colours and textures.  A popular colour on the catwalk may become the most popular colour to introduce into a home or space through materials and accessories.  Also, the use of natural tones and textures is one trend I think works particularly well.

Are there any trends from the recent New York or London Fashion Weeks for Spring/Summer 2012 that you think will translate well in the home?
The use of tone on tone and texture as a base combined with bursts of colour will translate well back in the home. This kind of combination also makes changing the feel of a space quick and easy.
 

 

This article is published by the Kitchen & Bathroom Designer eMag, a joint venture of Kitchens & Bathrooms Quarterly and the KBDi (Kitchens & Bathrooms Designer Institute).

Article Tags: Stile Interiors, Carmen Siciliano, trends, interior design