Design is Key - Meet Helena
Introduction
I began my career in improving properties more years ago than I care to remember. When I first got into cabinet making and carpentry, I was designing and making surgical instruments and began working with a friend on weekends renovating homes.
I developed a love for working in wood. Skip forward, several apprenticeships, too many courses and years to remember, and I found myself combining natural and manmade materials to create bespoke kitchens, wine cellars, and furnishings for some very discerning clientele from England, Germany, Canada, and the USA.
Now back in England, the journey continues with Natural Choice Kitchens. As part of that journey, this Blog will focus on all things kitchen: from cabinet ideas and materials, to recipes you can use in your kitchen, to all things wine, and more.
We will look at lighting, heating, kitchen design, materials etc…
I have the pleasure of working along with some amazing people, experts in their respective fields, they all share above all, the characteristic of integrity and care about what they do and who they do it for. Over the next weeks and months, I intend to discuss with some of these experts their thoughts and insights and share them with you through the pages of this blog.
My hope is you will find the information helpful in planning your projects, or at the very least an interesting read…
Meet Helena
Well, here it is, our first official blog post. Let’s start as we mean to go on, by discussing a very important part of property development: design. Over the years I have met and worked with several interior designers, some good, some bad.
I once met a designer who, when asked about what colour he saw for each room, simply looked out of the window, and chose a colour he saw… it became obvious when on a construction site with mounds of rock and sand outside. There was no thought to consistency, theme or indeed anything related to the home. I have also met some designers that could transform a room as if by magic.
A few months ago, whilst attending a seminar at Derby University, I met a designer named Helena who owns Beam Interiors. I found her personality to be vivacious and intriguing, then, she shared some of her designs with me. What interested me was that she is not afraid of variation and colour, a rarity in the industry in my opinion. So today, I would like to discuss with Helena, her thoughts and inspirations around design. I am sure you will find her insights as thought-provoking as I do.
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So, Helena, first thank you for being a part of this blog. Perhaps you could share with us why you got into interior design?
Interiors have always been a passion of mine, I value the importance of how a room or setting can make you feel; enhance your mood or be subversive. Even when I was a teenager this was a career path I hoped to follow as I felt it suited my creative and technical interests but due to the fact I did so well in science at school I ended up doing a Masters in Pharmacy and then later going back to pursue a creative path by studying a degree in Fine Art at Central St Martins.
In 2017 my husband and I built our own house and this really gave me an opportunity to explore my creativity through interiors. A couple years later I started a post-grad diploma in Interior Design which allowed me to learn the technical skills that are necessary in this industry. It also provided a foundation in creating a portfolio and developing my own aesthetic which I think is important; I want to give clients something different, something personal to their needs but with a twist of my signature style.
I feel the job suits my personality as I like to be challenged and thrive off project management, engaging with people and ultimately creating inspiring spaces.
Derbyshire open plan living space by Beam Interiors
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Are there any particular “styles” that inspire you?
I find inspiration in so many formats; drawing from my Fine Art background it might not even be tangible to interiors but conveying a shape or colour palette. The clean lines of minimalism is always enticing but my application of impactful colour means the principles of this style are not always overt in my practice. Movements like Art Deco, Memphis Design and Bauhaus will always be inspiring to me but again, I wouldn’t shoehorn those styles into every design, it has to work with the brief.
Peckham living room by Beam Interiors
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Are there any designers that you find inspiring, whether modern or from history?
There are so many talented people out there it is hard to narrow down…I love how Faye Toogood manages to marry expressive Fine Art with commercial design. Historical pioneers like Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and Eileen Gray are still an inspiration to this day.
I’d also include artists such as Richard Serra, Emily Forgot and James Turrell.
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For Natural Choice kitchens, the primary focus is on a home’s Kitchen, bathroom, or Wine cellar, not forgetting home and garden offices… Can you tell us how you keep those areas in mind and create a flow throughout the home?
Bespoke cabinetry or shelving is a really exciting area for me with the advent of ever-evolving materials such a recycled plastics or composites and pushing the realms of what is deemed possible with mechanisms to hide away untidiness. Increasingly people are working from home but that doesn’t mean they want to live amongst the banality or chaos of everyday life. It is nice to be able to offer clients something uplifting while streamlining their surroundings. Storage is something we can always utilise, why not make it a design feature of it.
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On average, how does the design process work?
This really depends on the individual project as there can be variables but on the whole there would be an initial consultation to get familiar with the space and really understand the client’s needs which is critical to a successful design. The basic look and feel is then developed and, after measuring up, translated into a computer generated visualisation. This process might take a few days but client’s find it really useful to have a tangible version of the proposal. It is a great tool to allow tweaks and changes before development starts on site.
Computer generated 3D visualisations of proposals by Beam Interiors
Using selected trade suppliers a procurement list is drawn up offering exclusive and bespoke finishes for specified furnishings and fixtures. Samples will be obtained so that the client can physically see what is proposed and how the materials will work against each other.
Often technical drawings may be required to help instruct the relevant trades on site such as lighting/electrical plans or if there is any custom joinery this can be drawn up.
For clients who chose to take the pressure off themselves by selecting a full project management package then a scheduling plan will be drafted and trusted contractors appointed. By personally overseeing the project this ensures that the utmost level of attention to detail is maintained and the final vision is realised.
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How do you incorporate the owner's style?
Often it is the case that the client has approached Beam Interiors as they want to achieve my bold signature aesthetic. Sometimes it is more about working out what the client likes and then incorporating my energy into their home which can have synergistic results. With a background in Fine Art, I like to draw narrative in my approach. This can stem from something a client wants to include in the space; a painting perhaps or it could be inspired from the location of the property.
Entrance hall by Beam Interiors
Shower steam room by Beam Interiors
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What are some core design elements that will elevate a room?
Colour: An interesting colour palette is always crucial to me. I document and reference new and exciting combinations all the time which might inform upcoming projects. I like to keep things engaging as you look around a room; pitching playful colours against each other.
Form: There are so many exciting furnishings, appliances and fixtures available these days, why would you chose something run of the mill? It’s all in the detail. That being said I’m averse to anything too fussy, flowery or overly embellished. Keep it neat, the interest is in the simplicity of clean lines.
Light: During the design process it is so important to think about the ambiance of a room. What time of day will it be predominantly used? How much natural light is there? Do you want moody and atmospheric or bright and airy? Is there a need for task lighting? Do you want to be able to have control of the lighting from specific points in the room? If careful consideration is given in the planning stage then this can have a huge impact on the finished result.
Functionality: As mentioned, a good initial consultation is key to gaining insight and understanding how the space will function. I will ask a lot of questions to explore how the client plans to use the space and I mean really use it, not just how they imagine they will. Ergonomics and practicality are important in any room layout so give careful consideration to spatial planning.
Consider boundaries: This is always important in design; I have found it can be the seemingly awkward alcoves that command you to be creative and come up with solutions which in turn showcase these areas. It is the quirks and irks that can be the making of a room. To me that is what good design is about, a considered approach and not just a generic finish.
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Do you have any favourite materials to work with, for example, quartz, granite, paint etc?
I try to stay open minded and keep things fresh so I wouldn’t say I gravitate towards any single material. Every space will command its own aesthetic and there might be a dominating element within that to help with the dialogue of the room but it will vary project to project.
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How do you keep in mind the environment when designing?
Sustainability is important to me particularly when I work in a business which can have a dramatic impact on the environment. Thankfully the interior design industry has been quick to adapt in offering innovative solutions. There are so many great products out there these days and technology means finishes can be extremely polished and durable. I have no hesitation in specifying environmentally sustainable products to clients.
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Helena, thank you so much for being part of our blog today!
I hope you our readers have found this to be as inciteful as I have. Stay tuned for more articles coming soon. Next we will discuus the latest trends in lighting with Paul Gray from Construct Electrical Ltd. He’s a worker of magic with all things elecrical so stay tuned.
In the meantime, if you are considering a home refurbishment, give Helena a call …..
You can contact her via her website at,
or
Tel: 07771348804
Email: helena@beamdesign.co.uk