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\u201cI think what you see as a child really does influence where your aesthetic lies as you grow.<\/p>\n
\u201cI had always designed interiors \u2013 both for friends and myself \u2013 and wanted to explore how that would translate to a career.<\/p>\n
\u201cI loved and still love the idea of transformation, and how simple changes can make such a big difference to a space and people\u2019s experience within that space.\u201d<\/p>\n
Rebecca describes her approach to interior design as organic and says she \u201cfeels\u201d the space, whether in situ or on a 2D floorplan.<\/p>\n
\u201cI would say that it\u2019s the most important part of what I do,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n
\u201cTo somehow gain a sense of the space; the light; the ambience at different times of the day and translate that to a working design.<\/p>\n
\u201cI then work collaboratively with our clients to achieve their goals in terms of functionality, aesthetics, budget and timing.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Geelong-based designer takes a personal approach to work in which an interior space reflects a client\u2019s life and the places, people and experiences that have influenced them.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n It is the same with her own home.<\/p>\n \u201cI surround myself with things that make me feel happy \u2013 art is non-negotiable for me, and I\u2019m always on the lookout for emerging artists either for myself or clients,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n \u201cI also love antique and vintage furniture, so have a complex mixture of pieces that I just love and would find it difficult to part with.<\/p>\n \u201cComfortable sofas, beds and luxurious window coverings are also important in creating a warm and inviting interior.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Her greatest source of inspiration is nature and Rebecca loves nothing more than a hike in the bush, a walk along a beach or river, or a sunny afternoon spent gardening.<\/p>\n Each experience provides the colours, textures and scents that are reflected in her creative work.<\/p>\n Travel is her other muse.<\/p>\n \u201cI love to travel and of course long to travel to places I\u2019ve never visited, but in the meantime, we have so many diverse environments in Australia that I\u2019m content to spend more time on my back door for a little while,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n \u201cAnd books \u2026 I\u2019m always reading and have a crazy library of all topics \u2013 but lots of historical design, architecture and art.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n When working with clients, Rebecca likens the job of an interior designer to that of a detective.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ve seen clients in a state of design paralysis because they love everything, but there\u2019s no way it can all work together,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s our job to edit all the ideas and come up with a core concept and that is often as simple as starting with a piece of art that they love, or a rug, or a ceramic and you can work from there.<\/p>\n \u201cThere\u2019s always something \u2026 it\u2019s a bit like detective work!\u201d<\/p>\n Natural materials are a constant for Rebecca and a starting point for any project.<\/p>\n \u201cNatural stone is infinitely varied and beautiful, the colours are outstanding and often surprising,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n \u201cTimbers feature in a lot of our work as the warmth and connection to nature brings so much to a space.<\/p>\n \u201cI find these materials are also quite timeless so you have less risk of creating a space that will date.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n With this in mind, Rebecca\u2019s advice is to avoid being a slave to trends and to surround yourself only with the things you love.<\/p>\n \u201cColour plays a really important role in our feelings, moods and wellbeing and once you realise that, it can inform so many of your choices,\u201d she explains.<\/p>\n \u201cDon\u2019t feel you need to reinvent a space to reflect the latest trends or expectations of your peers.<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s always a trap and it will never feel like home \u2013 unless of course it also happens to be your personal style.<\/p>\n \u201cThe other tip is to reduce the number of pieces of furniture you have in a room.<\/p>\n \u201cMove things around until they \u2018feel\u2019 right \u2013 sometimes you can completely change a room by moving one piece.\u201d<\/p>\n Which leads to her other key piece of advice \u2013 less is more.<\/p>\n \u201cI have always promoted the \u2018buy well and buy once\u2019 idea to our clients, and now I think it\u2019s even more important to invest in our homes and create lasting spaces,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n \u201cI am really enjoying the more rustic elements that are emerging for interiors.<\/p>\n \u201cVenetian plastered walls; zellige and terracotta tiles; repurposing old roof tiles as floor tiles, and reupholstering beautiful vintage furniture to give it another life.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n For seaside homes, Rebecca says it is important to recognise that coastal environments in Australia are some of the harshest in the world.<\/p>\n \u201cWe have salt, wind and temperature extremes that really ask a lot of the finishes we use on exteriors and also interiors,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n \u201cSo, the practicality must take priority \u2026 after that, the aesthetic is crucial.<\/p>\n \u201cThe colours of the coast are so varied that it\u2019s very easy to create a mood board to start a concept and somehow the imperfect, rugged nature of the coast seems to give you licence to be a bit more fluid with the design.\u201d<\/p>\n For those determined to tackle a project on their own, she suggests creating concept boards of images that you like\/love so you can identify themes in those images.<\/p>\n \u201cNext step \u2013 drill down into those images and look for the essential elements that appeal,\u201d she advises.<\/p>\n \u201cThat becomes the basis of your materials board. From there you can visit retailers, tile stores and start a collection of materials that will work in the spaces.\u201d<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/timesnewsgroup.com.au\/surfcoasttimes\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2021\/09\/REBECCAJANSMADAY_99922_tn-200x300.jpeg\")
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