What’s it like designing for a celebrity client?

Celebrities are just like the rest of us, they love their homes and want to personalise them and make a nest for themselves and their families. The only difference is, unlike the rest of us, they need more privacy and security.

Leading a public life can be hard, so the home must be a sanctuary, a place where all your needs are catered to, and customisation is at its greatest power in formulating a deeply personal look, works for all the family needs but also services the requirements of their careers and the many facets that hold.

Don't miss: 9 spectacular concert halls that showcase architectural brilliance inside and out

Which would you say is the most challenging, designing a home, hotel or a retail space?

Private homes are the very favourite part of my career, as you are designing a space that fits a personality, that is shaped so very exclusively for that client and becomes a magical expression of them produced by using all my design skills, a perfect cocktail of personality and performance.

Hotels are also a wondrous aspect of my design career. A hotel is a space that is crafted to bring in the fantasy and design that is breathtaking, Luxurious and fanciful. It must give you a sense of place whilst transporting your senses, leaving a memory that is beautiful and draws you back. That’s the magic of decorating mixed with the beauty of travel. 

Read more: Revel in this lavish Peranakan townhouse on Melaka’s erstwhile Millionaires’ Row

Do you have a favourite project and why?

I love all my projects for different reasons, but my current favourite has to be RuPaul’s wild and wonderful house. When you get to design for the world’s most famous drag queen, you know you can go wild with dramatic abandon.

And that’s what we did, culminating in a magnificent home that captures the essence of who he is and what a spectacular career he has obtained and conquered. A center stage for him to shine in! 

See also: 7 iconic mid-century chairs designed by modernist architects

What’s your design process like?

My design process is very much about understanding the client’s needs and decorative desires. It’s about getting to know them, how they live, how they want to live and what gives them joy.

Once I understand all the elements that they want for their dream home or project, I start to piece the pieces together to make a truly special and one-off interior that is customised to the most minute details.

Don't miss: 5 gorgeous restaurants in museums around the world

What’s a colour/ material you’ll never tire of using?

I love green. In all shades, I find it a beautiful colour, a tone that is so easy to mix with all other colours and always provides a fresh and luxuriant palette.

As I love natural fibres and textures, I’m a huge component of linen, especially for drapery. The natural texture of the fabric and the way light reflects from its surface are at once spellbinding and timeless.

Read more: Studio tour: An iconic Malaysian choreographer and dancer’s Balinese-inspired haven

With 30 years under your belt, how do you keep your style fresh and relevant?

I keep myself fresh by constantly being open to learning new things, investigating every trend and design that comes on the market, travelling as much as possible, seeing new things, meeting new people, experiencing new surroundings, smells, food and ambience.

The day we stop being open to learning is the day our inspiration dies … and I won’t stop learning until the day I die! 

See also: How to avoid banal design, according to Italian architect and designer Piero Lissoni

In your own words, how would you describe your signature style?

I never want to be known for having a signature style. I always want every project to be a one-off, a creation that was created for that client, a window into their soul and not a display case for my style.

My signature should be the ability to show my client’s style in its very best light, a magnificent interior that screams them and not me. It’s the greatest compliment to be told an interior is a mirror of the owner, then you really know you have done your job correctly.

Don't miss: Own or rent Not A Hotel’s Earth villa designed by Sou Fujimoto

Has it evolved through the years?

My personal style, the way I design for myself, is constantly evolving. I use my own homes as expedient pads, the places I try out new things, new ways to mix and match, and as a place to house all the treasures I gather from my travels and group together in a way I find new and exciting. 

Read more: Home tour: Idyllic luxury, monastic beauty and natural materials in a Mallorcan village

In your opinion, what are the biggest challenges designers face today?

The biggest design challenge today is the constant influx of new tools like AI. Whilst they bring amazing technology to us, it also takes away the personal touch and doesn’t allow for a truly personal experience.

It’s a delicate balance to use the latest tech in our work whilst retaining a truly customised and personalised experience for each client.

See also: 6 highly anticipated architectural projects set to complete in 2024

What and who inspires you?

Travel always offers me the most inspiration. It is the greatest learning curve and allows us to become immersed in culture and history, which inevitably is the soul of all great design.

I learn from the classics, take lessons from the greatest historical designers and designs of the past and look to all the inventiveness of our time and the projections of the future.

NOW READ

Home tour: A modern glam Long Island home that is functional yet chic

5 decor brands to explore maximalism for your home in 2024

Home tour: A renowned Malaysian architect’s lush private oasis in Kuala Lumpur