Why communication and collaboration is key to a successful interior

Written by

10 December 2022

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3 min read

An interior design team shares their tips and tricks for engaging professional designers to make your next residential or commercial project a success.

Growing up, both Siobhan Nolan and Andrea Marshall were creative and had a particular love for interiors: constantly rearranging their bedrooms and revamping old furniture. “I also loved fabrics, textures, and relaxing spaces,” shares Andrea.

It wasn’t until later in life when they both had children of their own, though, that the idea of pursuing interior design as a career came into the frame.

“After I had my three girls, I decided it was time to pursue this dream and study interior design at Ara,” says Siobhan.

For Andrea, it was a similar story: “After fully renovating and extending our home, I decided I wanted to help other people create homes they love to live in. Once my sons finished high school I decided to finally show my love of all things interior and study at Ara. I enrolled in their diploma of interior design course and this was the beginning of my new career path.”

After being invited by Resene to exhibit individually at the Canterbury Home Show back in 2017, the pair decided to join forces to create Lily & Forbes Interior Design. “We haven’t looked back since and our business continues to grow from strength to strength.”

Since then, Siobhan and Andrea have worked on commercial and residential projects. We asked the duo their tips and tricks for working with an interior design studio and what it is about their work that keeps them just as excited about interiors as they were growing up.

For an inner-city Christchurch office space, Lily & Forbes specified locally-made furniture and accessories to fit the brief for a natural and welcoming, yet professional environment.

How do you approach each new project?

Andrea: As each new client and their projects are so individual, we approach each new job with a clean slate and open mind. We engage with the client to get a feel for their style and personality so each design we create reflects them as individuals and the way they live in their home.

An interior designer's role is to consider how all elements of a space will work together – from soft furnishings to lighting fixtures.

What’s your advice to homeowners looking to work with an interior designer?

Siobhan: Engage us early, often before plans are finalised as a fresh set of eyes can often pick up areas that could be slightly tweaked to get exactly what you want. This is especially important when it comes to window furnishings and specific interior design areas of expertise.

Siobhan and Andrea worked closely with the homeowners of this project. A beautiful materials palette of marble and timber was chosen for throughout the home, with pops of colour added in the master bedroom, entrance and lounge to enhance the client's personal art collection.

What’s your advice to professionals when working with an interior designer?

Andrea: Communication. Everyone is ultimately working together to achieve the best possible outcome for the client so we need to keep conversations clear, open and work in a collaborative manner to find solutions to any issues that may arise.

What do you love most about what you do?

Siobhan: The amazing clients we get to work with and getting such an insight into how they live. Also, the incredibly talented and hardworking makers, suppliers and tradespeople that help bring our visions to life.

Andrea: The variation we get in our day-to-day work life and that we have the opportunity to be creative every day. We are also members of supportive networking organisations such as the NKBA (National Kitchen and Bathroom Association) and IDC (Independent Design Collective).

What’s next for Lily & Forbes Interior Design?

Siobhan: We have some incredible architecturally designed new builds coming to an end next year, with stunning finishes that we can’t wait to see completed.

Andrea: We are also working on a renovation on a beautiful old villa, so we are excited to see this one come together. We love to get the homes photographed at the end so we can showcase our work.