Interview: Modeste Interiors

Why should people appoint an interior designer instead of managing their own project? There are a lot of things to consider when managing a project and having the right expertise is important to avoid any unnecessary mistakes and save money in the long run. A great interior designer ensures the vision is executed based on a wealth of experience in materials, detail, costings and coordination. They will demonstrate various options and use different mediums so the client can be sure on their own style and know what to expect. The appointment of an interior designer is fundamental in the pursuit of creating beautiful spaces.

What type of projects get you most excited? I love working on all types of projects, from room consultations to turn-key refurbishments and developments. I enjoy projects that have stories attached to them or encourage an appreciation towards the architecture. A lot of our work is in period buildings where we create a renewed aesthetic by juxtaposing our contemporary style. It is so gratifying to see the transformation and reaction of our clients to their new home. At the start of a project, I often ask the question, how do we want this space to feel? For me interior design is more than scattering fluffy cushions and throws; it’s about emotion and ensuring the space is functional.

What have been your major influences? I find inspiration everywhere, from experiences to things. I have a fascination with form, texture and fine details; something I have experimented with since my Master’s in Architecture and Interior Design. For example, staying at Sainte Marie de La Tourette and witnessing how colour can be a tool, or the embellished walls at Fondazione Querini Stampalia – these experiences and many more have lasting impressions that ignite my passion to create.

In developing a style for a client’s property who takes the lead? I like to think of the design process as a collaborative effort that involves understanding the client’s brief and thinking of ways to make it work beautifully. There is joy in the design process – hearing ‘I don’t like that’ is fuel to push boundaries and discuss the reasons behind a particular decision. Ultimately clients have the final say on how they want to live, though as an interior designer I can advise and ask them to trust me to create a design language that works. As part of our design service, I create 3d visualisations alongside sample boards to help my clients envisage their spaces. So, from concept through to the detail design stage, they can truly understand how the spaces will look and feel.

What other design services do you provide? I design a lot of bespoke joinery for our clients. From the early stages of the project, I think about what ways we can add value to the space with the integration of well-thought-out joinery. We use specialist veneers, inlays of metal and other precious materials. Modeste London’s attention to detail and understanding of craftsmanship is what our clients often commend us for. Details make a space worthwhile, and I enjoy overseeing the construction phase to ensure they are executed as envisioned.