Pia Pelkonen is an interior designer working at Notting Hill based Ardesia Design. The company she works for specialise in bespoke interior design services for both clients and investors. Working in the UK and abroad Pia is a member of the British Institute of Interior Design, an accreditation which is only awarded after rigorous interviews. She holds a BA Honours in Interior Design at Kingston University, so we are proud to bring you the Designer Insights of Pia Pelkonen.
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1) In your own words describe your unique style and creative aesthetic?
I believe in keeping it simple – a carefully and thoughtfully designed interior that maximizes storage and display space allows the homeowner’s personality to shine through when the house is filled with their belongings, without feeling cluttered.
2) When starting a new project, what is your creative process?
It’s very important to spend enough time getting to know the Client, not just what colours they like or dislike, but how they live in their home. Once I work this out, then I start to put together a design proposal.
3) Out of the creative people you have worked with, who is it that you respect and admire the most?
As a designer, it’s hard to not be inspired by other creative professionals on a daily basis. As an avid blogger, I spend a lot of time searching for new interiors to write about but that also inspire me. The list is far too long to pick just one and I don’t think many designers are so self-sufficient that they aren’t constantly developing their style through creative osmosis!
4) When looking for inspiration is there a particular thing you do to get inspired?
My colleagues and I have a shared ‘idea bank’ that we access online and each contribute our creative ideas to. Whenever we see a product, interior, or even a material composition that we like, we save it in the idea bank.
5) What has brought you to this point in your career? And what is your advice for people looking to follow in your footsteps?
It may sound cheesy but hard work and determination! My advice is to keep learning and developing your skills as a designer – you can never know too much! Be passionate about design and just keep at it. You will make mistakes but you will learn from them.
