Over the last few months we’ve spoken to a fair few interior designers. We’ve picked up some design tips with Stockholm-based designer Joanna Lavén and really got to grips with the life of an interior designer in our chat with Studio Distil's Louise Liu. Well, this week, we’re bringing you another exclusive chat as Gillianne Griffiths, creative director of one of Australia’s finest interior design studios Studio Griffiths, shares her design firsts.
Gillianne Griffiths began her career as a professional musician. Now, as you know, she is creative director at Studio Griffiths, where she works as an interior architect with a small team behind her. Unafraid to push the boundaries with designs that often blend styles to create spaces that are timeless, Gillianne and the entire Studio Griffiths team, translate their passion for music, design and architecture into an array of contemporary interiors.
So, to celebrate Studio Griffiths’ first feature on the OPUMO Magazine, we sat down with Gillianne to ask a series of quick-fire questions that all start with ‘the first…’ from the first worst design mistake she made to the first time she was given genuinely great advice.
The first time you realised you wanted to be an interior designer…
I began my career as a professional musician and was a music director for years but always had a huge passion for architecture and design. So, that led naturally to me studying design and eventually launching my own practice.
The first time you really tried your hand or experimented with interior design…
It was our first house and I tried to renovate our bathroom. It was a relative success, but I did receive a lot of help from the builder – and to this day, I always learn the most when out on site.
The first piece of homeware that you ever bought…
A good bed…
The first time you considered yourself to be a bona fide interior designer…
When we downsized to apartment living, I re-designed all the spaces of our new apartment – this became my graduate project and subsequently got featured in Belle magazine. It also gave me so much confidence to see this project featured and I must admit I only started believing in myself then.
The first worst design mistake you made…
White gloss joinery…to this day I regularly think “what was I thinking?”
The first design dream you realised…
Building my own studio and developing a strong and talented team.
The first time you were given complete free design rein…
Designing my studio and our farmhouse. I had to show a lot of restraint with so many material choices and also with the design execution. Sometimes I think it is nice to have complete design rein, but you do run the risk of going completely overboard and becoming indecisive.
The first time you celebrated being an interior designer
Being shortlisted for the IDEA awards…
The first designer you fell in love with…
Joseph Dirand – for his clean minimalist style and his extraordinary use of light.
The first time you were given genuinely excellent advice…
Provide yourself with room to learn from any mistakes. Mistakes are a great source of learning as long as you learn from them. It is important to focus on the achievable goals and reward yourself for small milestones.
The first place you go to for inspiration is…
Travel and nature. I get most inspired by the sights and sounds of the unfamiliar. I have a real passion for Europe and the historical influences and references that prevail in European design. Skiing is another huge passion and it’s my affinity with the glorious skiing landscape, colours, natural elements and ski lodges that you will see mostly emerge through my designs.
The first project you completed was…
A complete renovation of our 5-bedroom house. I commenced my practice shortly thereafter.
The first music record you ever bought was…
Pink Floyd – ‘Dark Side of the Moon.’
The first time you won anything…
Bronze for an 800m race at a track and field event championship.
The first time you felt like you made a difference…
Seeing the end result in my projects and the pure joy on clients’ faces are incredibly rewarding and satisfying to me. The ability to shape a space that a person spends so much time in is very important to me - this is a first each and every time.
The first-time interior design took you out of your comfort zone…
With every single project I encourage myself to take risks and to explore new territories in design that push boundaries within myself. I think it's important to push yourself out of your comfort zone and learn new skills that complements your projects and help to create unique spaces and design. I’m constantly trying to expose myself to new areas of design that I might never have considered before.
Keep up with all of Studio Griffiths work by checking out the website and following them on Instagram, too.
Looking for more interior design inspiration? The you'll want to read this: 5 Of The Best Coffee Tables To Add To Your Living Room.
