Commercial interior works pay better than residential

Harriet James @harriet86jim

What inspired you to start your own interior design firm?

It’s what I studied in campus before working in several interior design firms.

When I got the experience, I felt a need for self-growth and thus decided to venture into business of interior design.

I would see many people who call themselves interior designers are doing things wrongly.

Most people think interior design is interior decoration, which is not true. To rectify that I had to be first an example. 

What I needed was an army to bring about a different understanding of what interior design really is.

The only way to bring up this new crop is thinkers was to train, thus Harvard Design Academy.

So what training did you want the future designers to undergo?

With a PhD in Interior Design, I know the practice is about people and that goes beyond aesthetics.

It is concerned with functionality, safety and the well being of users of a space. We spend over 98 per cent of our day in an interior space and that’s how much interior design affects our lives.

Interior design is universal; it accommodates everyone in society. Design as if you are that person on a wheelchair, amputee, deaf, blind, on crutches or the elderly. You don’t build first then look for interior designers. 

What challenges have you encountered?

Both architects and clients can be a challenge. Our culture is that the architect is often the boss, but things are changing and collaboration and teamwork is the way to go in the construction industry.

Many specialist professions have come up and are taking their space in construction, including project managers. So, we meet and discuss a concept which they get to appreciate and see the sense.

For instance, interior  design informs door placement, window placement in any structure. Clients can be difficult too; some dont want to pay for services rendered. 

Why do you invest a lot in office designs?

My strength is in interior architecture and with the current set up in residential construction, there’s not much room to practice.

My experience with homes is that most clients do not pay as agreed. For offices, you deal with corporates with proper structures and a desire for ideal office environments to improve on the productivity of employees. Payment comes on time and financial planning is easy. 

Any advice for anyone who desires to set up a home office in this era of coronavirus? 

The location in the house depends on the nature of our job. Some require quiet private spaces and other easy seating. One can convert a space in the house to be an office depending on the nature of their business.

Some people have study rooms, which can be converted into an office. Others have family rooms and others have excellent balconies.

Those who hold meetings now require quiet places for teleconferencing; select the room that looks most private away from social spaces such as sitting or dining rooms.

If you are too squeezed, consider multifunctional furniture —a bed during the night and a workspace during the day.