IN CONVERSATION WITH FIONA BATEMAN
AUGUST 2023
WHO IS YOUR FAVOURITE DESIGNER?
Natalia Miyar, I love her use of colour and texture, it makes for such beautiful and interesting spaces.
HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR PERSONAL STYLE?
Contemporary/classic with a splash of fun. I love mixing styles so that a design can’t be dated and therefore has longevity. Think Soho Home!
HOW DID YOU GET IN TO DESIGN?
I’ve always been passionate about art and design and went to university to study architecture. It held me in good stead but made me realise I wanted to design the inside of building.
INTERESTING FACT ABOUT YOU.
I’m a twin and we won the Happiest Twins in the country competition in 1988.
HOW DO YOU GO ABOUT SOURCING ITEMS FOR YOUR CLIENTS?
It always starts with the budget. It would be so disappointing if I suggested a piece that you fell in love with but is out of reach. And if I can’t find what I’m looking for, there are so many talented crafts people out there would can make my ideas come to life.
DO YOU SEE CHINTZ AND STIPPLED WALL EFFECTS CREATED WITH SPONGES COME BACK INTO FASHION AGAIN?!
Erm, personally it’s not for me, but never say never. Coloured bathroom suites are back in so anything is possible. I do like a lime washed wall though.
DEMYSTIFY AN AREA OF YOUR WORK FOR US…
The part of my job that involves plumping cushions and choosing pretty paint colours only take up about 5% of my time. Being and interior designer involves a lot of technical work including designing cabinetry, electrical and lighting layouts and project management. You have to be so organised and detail orientated to be a successful interior designer.
WHAT ARE YOUR FAVOURITE MATERIALS TO WORK WITH?
Timber. It’s natural, adds warmth and comes in some beautiful colours and textures. I did woodwork as an A-Level and made a beech television cabinet.
WHERE TO INVEST AND WHERE YOU CAN SAVE ON AN INTERIOR REVAMP?
For me I always think it’s worth spending on window treatments. Cheap curtains stand out like a sore thumb to me. Also, invest in time at the start of your project, measure twice cut once! Areas you can save is furniture. You can find some beautiful second hand and antique pieces and you can always change the paint colour, handles or add a marble worktop to update the piece to suit your space.
IF YOU WEREN’T AN INTERIOR DESIGNER WHAT WOULD YOU BE?
I honestly don’t know how to answer this because I live for design. But I am very passionate about mental health so maybe a counsellor.
WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR FAVOURITE INTERIOR DESIGN PROJECT TO DATE AND WHY?
I have been so lucky to work on projects in some amazing place like Monaco, Bath, London and LA. Georgian buildings always excite me though, the proportions and details provide a beautiful backdrop to any interior. I designed the full renovation of a Georgian mews house just before I moved out to America and that was fun.
DARK AND MOODY OR LIGHT AND AIRY?
I am drawn to autumnal colours. I love to feel cosy. With the northern light we get in England I sometimes think it’s best to embrace the dark.
WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE PAINT COLOUR IF YOU HAD TO CHOOSE?
Farrow & Ball ‘Railings’.
WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU DO WHEN YOU GET A NEW PROJECT?
It always starts with an in depth meeting to discuss the project but I then focus on the space planning. This part is critical, there’s no point in having a beautiful designed space that doesn’t function ergonomically.
WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE DESIGN TREND?
I honestly don’t follow trends, they date too quickly. It’s like throw away fashion. But I do love mixing styles. Contemporary shaped sofas paired with antique chests, beautiful.
IN CONVERSATION WITH FIONA BATEMAN
AUGUST 2023
WHO IS YOUR FAVOURITE DESIGNER?
Natalia Miyar, I love her use of colour and texture, it makes for such beautiful and interesting spaces.
HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR PERSONAL STYLE?
Contemporary/classic with a splash of fun. I love mixing styles so that a design can’t be dated and therefore has longevity. Think Soho Home!
HOW DID YOU GET IN TO DESIGN?
I’ve always been passionate about art and design and went to university to study architecture. It held me in good stead but made me realise I wanted to design the inside of building.
INTERESTING FACT ABOUT YOU.
I’m a twin and we won the Happiest Twins in the country competition in 1988.
HOW DO YOU GO ABOUT SOURCING ITEMS FOR YOUR CLIENTS?
It always starts with the budget. It would be so disappointing if I suggested a piece that you fell in love with but is out of reach. And if I can’t find what I’m looking for, there are so many talented crafts people out there would can make my ideas come to life.
DO YOU SEE CHINTZ AND STIPPLED WALL EFFECTS CREATED WITH SPONGES COME BACK INTO FASHION AGAIN?!
Erm, personally it’s not for me, but never say never. Coloured bathroom suites are back in so anything is possible. I do like a lime washed wall though.
DEMYSTIFY AN AREA OF YOUR WORK FOR US…
The part of my job that involves plumping cushions and choosing pretty paint colours only take up about 5% of my time. Being and interior designer involves a lot of technical work including designing cabinetry, electrical and lighting layouts and project management. You have to be so organised and detail orientated to be a successful interior designer.
WHAT ARE YOUR FAVOURITE MATERIALS TO WORK WITH?
Timber. It’s natural, adds warmth and comes in some beautiful colours and textures. I did woodwork as an A-Level and made a beech television cabinet.
WHERE TO INVEST AND WHERE YOU CAN SAVE ON AN INTERIOR REVAMP?
For me I always think it’s worth spending on window treatments. Cheap curtains stand out like a sore thumb to me. Also, invest in time at the start of your project, measure twice cut once! Areas you can save is furniture. You can find some beautiful second hand and antique pieces and you can always change the paint colour, handles or add a marble worktop to update the piece to suit your space.
IF YOU WEREN’T AN INTERIOR DESIGNER WHAT WOULD YOU BE?
I honestly don’t know how to answer this because I live for design. But I am very passionate about mental health so maybe a counsellor.
WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR FAVOURITE INTERIOR DESIGN PROJECT TO DATE AND WHY?
I have been so lucky to work on projects in some amazing place like Monaco, Bath, London and LA. Georgian buildings always excite me though, the proportions and details provide a beautiful backdrop to any interior. I designed the full renovation of a Georgian mews house just before I moved out to America and that was fun.
DARK AND MOODY OR LIGHT AND AIRY?
I am drawn to autumnal colours. I love to feel cosy. With the northern light we get in England I sometimes think it’s best to embrace the dark.
WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE PAINT COLOUR IF YOU HAD TO CHOOSE?
Farrow & Ball ‘Railings’.
WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU DO WHEN YOU GET A NEW PROJECT?
It always starts with an in depth meeting to discuss the project but I then focus on the space planning. This part is critical, there’s no point in having a beautiful designed space that doesn’t function ergonomically.
WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE DESIGN TREND?
I honestly don’t follow trends, they date too quickly. It’s like throw away fashion. But I do love mixing styles. Contemporary shaped sofas paired with antique chests, beautiful.
