Ask the Interior Design Expert… Where do you get your Inspiration?

Katie Thomas, Design Director of KTM Design and Regional Director of the Society of British and International Design (SBID)

With every project you look for your inspiration or your starting point. Whether this is meeting a new client, going to a new place, understanding a new brief, understanding the context of where you are working, or the client’s vision or the existing architecture that you are working with. This is where research begins and you start to develop a conceptual programme and develop a visual language that is new and appropriate for the particular project. It is important to me that work doesn’t become stylistic, which is a very easy trap that designs can fall into.

In the case of interior architecture and interior design, I always start by looking to the space itself for inspiration. Every existing building has its own inherent quality, which I feel is useful to work with, as a statement of original character and heritage. With new-build projects, the initial inspiration comes from the quality of the environment and the client’s disposition.

I believe it is important to refresh your creativity, through art and travel and moments of solitude. Immersing yourself in different cultures and places is a great way to get a fresh perspective and gain deeper insight. I find that being surrounded by other creatives and the visual conversation that takes place is very stimulating for the senses and the mind. I like to dance, something I have done from a very young age, and find endless inspiration from taking ballet and contemporary classes, and also from watching dance and theatre performances.

I like to look to the work of architects such as Le Corbusier, Zaha Hadid, Renzo Piano and Santiago Calatrava who have all produced breath-taking structures that include a combination of organic forms and rigidity. I also look to fashion designers like Alexander McQueen and John Galliano and am interested in their use of texture and form.

The architect Tadoa Ando particularly inspires me because of his command of the elements and the way he manipulates natural light to create interesting angles. He has an affinity for preserving open spaces and focuses on the use of materials and light and sound to create meaningful spaces. Although Ando’s structures appear simple due to their minimalistic aesthetic, they are actually quite complex because of his careful consideration of all of the elements.

For more information about how KTM Design can help you with Interior Design and Space Planning or to book your complimentary design consultation, please call 01202 069499 or email info@ktmdesign.co.uk

www.ktmdesign.co.uk

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