31 Jul Friday Files – Designer Discovery – Melissa Marshall
WHEN DID YOU KNOW YOU WANTED TO GO IN TO INTERIOR DESIGN?
I travel a lot and was always taking mental notes of architectural details or furniture suppliers for my own homes while I worked in finance. After being in finance and painting part time, I decided I wanted to do something more creative full-time but with a little more structure and had always loved interior design and art, it was a natural path to take. I worked with Thomas Hamel, now a very close friend, for almost 6 years. I then started my own business 12 months ago. I have been very busy – it’s an exciting time.
HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR AESTHETIC?
I think it’s very important that as well as looking incredible your home should function well and be easy to live in. I start with the flooring, usually natural coloured oak floors with woollen or silk rugs. I work a lot with neutrals, white, grey and blues for furnishings. I love a great textured wallpaper and contemporary design and artwork however with casual living. The artwork and fabrics are so important when creating a space. I am obsessed with symmetry but not in the boring sense – I just feel that every room should have an order. Collecting pieces that you love and that mean something to you is vital for a great room also. There is a real process to put together a home – it’s very important for your home to reflect who you are, what you love and your interests. I love creating new spaces with existing antiques and artwork too, such as a big old armchair or four-poster bed.
WHO/WHAT WOULD YOU CONSIDER YOUR BIGGEST DESIGN INSPIRATIONS AT THE MOMENT?
Always art and travel.
WHAT IS THE BEST PART OF YOUR JOB?
Travelling for work. I have been fortunate enough for my career to have taken me all over the world, and still continues to do so. It’s the most productive way to stay inspired and learn. The other incredible part of my job is helping people to create a space in which they love to live. It is a very rewarding and honourable job, being invited into some of the most amazing peoples lives to help guide them in enriching their way of living.
WHAT ARE YOUR FAVOURITE BOYAC PRODUCTS?
de Le Cuona linens, Cordeaux & Co ticking strips and Thibaut patterns.
BEST MOMENTS OF YOUR CAREER SO FAR?
Two pivotal moments were when I began my career in interior design with Thomas Hamel almost 6 years ago and then when I started my own business over one year ago now. Time flies when you’re doing something you love.
PLAIN OR PATTERN?
Both equally as important as the other!
Larger items usual in a plain, rich linen or velvet. Then smaller items or single chairs etc in a pattern or texture, sometimes as simple as a ticking strip or a bold pattern finished off with a fringe or leather cord detail. Layers are important.
