With a long career at the highest level in trade association management, Yasmin moved to interior design as a profession later in life. Having majored in the History of Art and Architecture for her Honours Degree with the Open University she then graduated as a prize winning student with a Diploma in Interior Design and Decoration from London’s Inchbald School of Design.
Image Credit: 1) Lander & May 2) Karl Dardis Art 3) Malcolm Lewis Designs 4) Pauline Bloomfield 5) Di Spalding
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1) In your own words describe your unique style and creative aesthetic?
My personal style is colourful and quirky. I like detail so I seek intricate patterns and quality workmanship, both of which are really important to me. Placing unusual items together in a room helps to make it unique and demonstrates a good reflection of your own personality. Colour lifts my mood and I particularly like to play with light and shadow.
2) When starting a new project, what is your creative process?
I’m currently working on a project with two barns, both have already been converted; one is used for the client’s business and the other is their home. They are large spaces and when the client said to me that she loved John Pawson’s work… the direction of the interior design became clear. Once you’ve established what it is that excites the client you can weave it into your space planning, furniture choices and decor. I’ve created a new layout for them - it offers a long view right through the barn from end to end and will be fantastic when it’s finished!
3) Out of the creative people you have worked with, who is it that you respect and admire the most?
Difficult to say who has influenced me the most - I have a creatively open mind which means I can absorb and enjoy a range of different periods and styles. This is actually quite important because when you’re designing for a client you are designing to make them happy - everyone has a different viewpoint so you have to be flexible.
4) When looking for inspiration is there a particular thing you do to get inspired?
When I start on a new project I gain inspiration from conversations with clients as we talk about their wishes and dreams. This leads the direction of the design.
5) What has brought you to this point in your career? And what is your advice for people looking to follow in your footsteps?
Interior Design is an interesting career - I have often blogged about the role of the interior designer and what people should consider if they fancy it as a career. I had lots of experience designing and converting property before I took it up as a profession and even then I felt I needed a qualification before I went out to the world with my interior designer hat on. It’s an extremely competitive business and you must find a niche that suits you.
