Melissa Louise is an interior designer based in Cape Town, South Africa, as well as driving force and writer behind Melissa Louise Lifestyle and Interiors. Melissa uses this blog as a platform to share her unique interiors and clean contemporary design ideas. She graduated from the BHC school of design with an HND in Interior Design and then completed her Btech in Interior Design at the Cape Peninsula university of Technology. So we are proud to bring you the Designer Insights of Melissa Louise.
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1) In your own words describe your unique style and creative aesthetic?
My design style lends to a classic use of simple, clean design pieces within a contemporary setting. The combination of vintage, ethnic and contemporary items create a timeless space with essence. I relish in the use of bold pattern and texture.
2) When starting a new project, what is your creative process?
Most of my concepts are born from sketches and doodles. Once I come up with an idea that I am passionate about and fits the brief I create a floor plan in Autocad. I then work the aesthetics out in a 3D computer program. My 3D renders are always accompanied with mood and sample boards, this gives the client a tactile reference to soft furnishings that will be within the space.
3) Out of the creative people you have worked with, who is it that you respect and admire the most?
There are so many people that have touched my heart and have moulded me into the creative I am today. But on a day to day basis I am greatly inspired by Robyn Britz, my business partner and friend over at Zana Products, I respect and admire her hard working, goal driven and self-motivated nature.
4) When looking for inspiration is there a particular thing you do to get inspired?
I am very much inspired by experiences and places I have been, making use of classic details within todays built environment. Pinterest has also become a major source of inspiration for me in general, I love seeing what is trending abroad.
5) What has brought you to this point in your career? And what is your advice for people looking to follow in your footsteps?
A lot of hard work, determination and persistence have brought me to my dream job. Nothing worth having is easy to obtain, but if you always work hard and strive to be original you will succeed. “Inspiration exists, but it has to find you working.”― Pablo Picasso
