Design Tips I Bridget Watson Fable Design
Bridget Watson founder of Fable Design has had extensive experience in leading interior design teams within some of New Zealand and Australia's most prestigious Architecture firms. Lucky for us she has gone out on her own!
We were fortunate enough to connect with Bridget via a mutual client and friend. She builds meaningful relationships, shows genuine care and aims to provide her clients with both the best outcomes and experience. What I have learnt from Bridget is that the bigger picture of interior design has the power to harmonise connections between the lifestyle we live and environments that enrich our everyday lives.
Recently I had coffee with Bridget and was able to ask her a few questions, enjoy some inspiration from a very talented, and people-focused professional…
How do you find inspiration for your work?
Travel, seeing what other cultures and other countries are doing. Design is cyclical, inspired by previous generations and what has gone before. Inspiration can come from a lot of places, reinventing and taking inspiration from a collection of sources to make something new and relevant. Online media has come a long way and provides a great platform for a larger general audience, this is great to draw inspiration from whilst adding my own lens. My biggest influence on each new design is always the client/end-user, however, they bring their own unique requirements, rich personality and perspective - from which I can respond and evolve a design idea or approach.
What are some of your favourite design elements?
I always like to prioritize investing time and money into key pieces and areas. Spaces where people congregate and spend time - where they will really linger or come together, such as the island bench and living room fireplace. This is where you will get the best return for design and make the biggest impact on someone's lifestyle. A key part of my planning is asking my clients “How do you live and what is your lifestyle”? Where do you spend your time most when at home? How do you use the space? Understanding the answers to these questions is pinnacle, long before you even get to cabinetry, colours, textures and soft furnishings.
What's the most important thing to consider when designing a space?
Number 1 | As I started to mention understanding the Client brief, how a family lives, and moves through the house, their age, demographic, daily habits and having a deep understanding of the functional requirements and budget of the space. Great design is always tailored to the client - it responds to their unique brief and aims to enhance their lifestyle.
Number 2 | Consideration of orientation and the flow of spaces- a great plan is the basis of any great design and this includes maximizing natural daylight and views. The connection of indoor and outdoor spaces is equally important so the design is cohesive and seamlessship and customer service when choosing contractors to work with - as I not only seek the highest quality design solution but want the process to run smoothy and after-care to be there, if a final tweak may be required.
Number 3 | Materiality and finishes that not only reflect a client's personality and taste but have longevity and won’t ‘date’ in 5-10 years time. I think it's really important to invest in the key finishes within the space, such as beautiful timber flooring or stone benchtops, as they create the backdrop for everything else and a timeless canvas to layer upon.
What design trends are on the horizon?
There is a return to warmer neutrals, think soft caramels, clays and burnt beige, and movement away from the very stark cool greys and whites that have dominated in the past few years. In addition, we’re seeing demand for more textured surfaces, such as lightly plastered or lime washed walls. Statement Stone - Stone that is highly veined and bold in colour is being used in Bathroom vanities as well as kitchen bench tops, there is a move away from subtle understated stones. Colour-blocking is still on trend, but in a more contained approach- think feature powder rooms finished entirely in the same soft terracotta colour with a pop of beautiful stone - to create an immersive, beautiful and slightly playful space. Soft curves and organic forms are also on trend and Biophillic design (a concept that increases connectivity to the natural environment) remains popular as the awareness and importance of sustainable design increases.
What are some design tips regarding decor and the changing seasons…(advice for spring)
Invest in key statement pieces that are neutral, classic and timeless Eg: Piece of furniture, Throws and pillows can be changed seasonally, this is easy and cost effective. Spring is a great time to introduce greenery, planting in your outdoors spaces and indoor plants.
Kitchens and Bathrooms are important spaces in the home, what do you look for when choosing a cabinet maker or other professionals for these spaces?
It's important for me to know their experience and approach to design- I always seek out a really collaborative team (whether cabinet maker or joiner etc)- so that you can work through details and problem-solve together to ensure the best possible outcome. Kitchens and bathrooms are by nature costly spaces where a large investment is made, and they are also the spaces you spend a lot of time and therefore really ‘notice’ - so I want to ensure the end finishing is spot-on!. So understanding how well a contractor finishes their work, for example butt-joins versus mitred details, can make a huge difference to the overall quality of a design. As a priority, I always look for quality craftsman.
Overall Recommendations |
A professional Interior Designer/ Interior Architect’s role is inclusive of being a part of the briefing, design and build process from the very early stages. They seek to deeply understand a client and their unique requirements and then respond through critically evaluating every inch of the interior to ensure the best use, flow and connection of spaces. We want to make spaces that are beautiful and reflective of our client but also want each and every space to work ‘really hard’- and not just be a ‘forgotten’ corner that has no use or is an over-thought. There is a misconception that all ‘Designers’ simply help choose colours, soft furnishing and finishings- whereas professional, highly trained Interior Designers/ Interior Architects have most usually completed a university degree or the like and do so much more- and should have a strong construction and architectural sensibility. If considering a qualified Interior Designer/ Interior Architect it is important to get them involved in your planning early. This will reduce the likelihood of doing things twice. Early collaboration between Architect, Interior Designer/ Interior Architect, Builder and Client will build stronger professional relationships, bring synergy to your project and confidence in decision making. They should form a collaborative team that helps the process of designing and building a new home an enjoyable one!
