Words by Alek Rose
Just as you can often tell a lot about a person based on their clothing, interior design is an easy way to gauge the character of a business or a person. The skill to tell a story through design is what most designers strive for and many never achieve. Studio Distil focuses on designing interiors tailored to a client, capturing what makes them so unique. Studio Distil was founded in Sydney in 2016, you’ll find the studio’s luxurious and timeless work in Australia and also Asia. We found some time in-between interiors to ask Studio Distil about the power of interior design.
How can interior design be used to tell a story?
We’ve always believed that the story behind a design is paramount. It’s intangible but you feel it unequivocally as you move through the space. When you have an overarching concept, your design elements will fall together to tell the story, from materiality to texture and form to scale. The key is in the details.
What aspects of a client do you look to for inspiration for their interior?
We are always attentive to their specific purpose for the finished space. We like to get to know the client on a personal level to create a space that they are wholeheartedly comfortable in, looking to their interests and their history – it can be anything from their favourite film to the history of their site.
What are the key ingredients when it comes to a successful interior design space?
A balance between fantasy and objective. A provoking experience with heightening of the senses, feelings and thoughts, a strong connection between the user and the space and finally, comfort.
What intrigues you about spaces and how people interact with them?
No two people will move through a space in exactly the same way. That’s why the journey is an exclusive experience for each individual. This intrigues us and we want to heighten that experience.
Do your ideas about interiors translate into your own homes?
We try to surround ourselves with items that we love and look at each individual piece based on its own merit.
What is the one item in your homes that you could not live without?
Our beds! Sleep is so important. Laptops and coffee machines are tied in second place.
What is the most important room in the house?
It's whichever room you spend the most time in.
What are your other interests outside of interior design & how do they propel you in your work life?
Some of us love film and fashion and draw inspiration from both whether it’s the colour grading or how the fabric drapes. Others are fascinated by anthropology, thinking about humans and our relationship with space.
What is the most gratifying part of your job?
A client loving their new space.
Keep up to date with all of Studio Distil's latest work by following them on Instgram, @StudioDistil.
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