Insider Kitchens
December 1, 2008
By Lauren Cooke
If something is your career, does that mean that it becomes your life? I discuss this question with interior designer Rosalie, to discover whether design permeates all aspects of day to day life, or whether you leave “Design” as work.
At first glance, Rosalie’s house looks very well designed. Attractive knickknacks adorn the stylish silver fireplace, and the house lends itself well to open space, being converted from old offices in a grade 2 listed building. However, as a designer, Rosalie admits that there is nothing in her house that “shouts designer” – no one off pieces or style miracles.
Decorating your own house is a brilliant opportunity, but it must be balanced with work. Interior designers spend their days with all the time in the world to create very well thought through projects to exact briefs – often when it comes to their own houses, the time is limited and so is the money. Rosalie claims that her interior acumen led to the avoidance of “naff bits”, but that money was paramount, with many items coming from the old favorite, IKEA. As is often the case, however, designers seem able to take interesting spaces, and turn them into bright, liveable spaces with minimal effort, and Rosalie’s house is no exception, being clean, tidy and minimalist throughout.
The Kitchen in particular is her favorite, and she draws attention to the large spaces, and the two open fireplaces adding warmth and homeliness. Perhaps the most important point about this room, however, is that when questioned, Rosaile doesn’t respond as a designer. About the places where she lives, she describes it in terms of giving her pleasure, not about how it looks.
And perhaps, therein lies the answer. Your career may influence your life, but what really matters is the end product – not whether it is “designer”, but whether it is “you”.
To View more of Rosalie's kitchen click on Launch Gallery above.
To see more of Rosalie's work log on to http://oneoffinteriors.com
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