5MINS WITH ANOUSHKA ALLUM FROM SMARTSPACE INTERIORS

September 19, 2018

Designer & owner Anoushka Allum of SmartSpace Interiors takes 5 minute out of her busy schedule & just moving into a new home, to shed some light on her top style tips, design no-no’s, if she could style anyones home who’s it would be and more...

Describe your style in 3 words?
Classic
Relaxed
Timeless

Interview with Smartspace Interiors Designer Anoushka and The Rug Collection with flatweave rug
Designed by SmartSpace Interiors | Rozelle Project | Featuring a Braid Waffle flatweave rug


What are your top style tips to make a home feel inviting, unique and inspiring?

Curate your home over time. Even if you’re using an interior designer to assist with sourcing décor, I always start my clients off with some key pieces but I leave space for them to add more. It’s important that they get a chance to inject some personal items from travels, gifts from family and friends and treasured pieces. This is what tells the story of the person or people that live in a home, and that’s what really makes ‘home’. That’s what I find inspiring about a space.

 

Would people be surprised at what your favourite room to style is?
Maybe yes, I love master bedrooms. This is definitely my favourite room to furnish and style. It’s such a personal space and you can also really have fun with décor, colour, textures and general design in a master bedroom.

 

Interview with Smartspace Interiors Designer Anoushka and The Rug Collection with flatweave rug under couch
Designed by SmartSpace Interiors | Rozelle Project | Featuring a Braid Waffle flatweave rug

 

What’s the one piece of advice you would tell your younger self?
Always do something creative. It doesn’t have to be for work, it could be a hobby but never fall out of that.

I studied fine art and art history. I was very much an artist growing up, never without a pencil or paint brush in hand. Somewhere along the way other things got in the way, and even my career was taking me down a less creative path. That’s why 8 years ago I made a change and set up my own interior design business. Haven’t looked back since and wish I’d done it sooner!

 

If you could style anyone’s home, who’s would it be?
That’s a hard question….but I think it would have to be Jamie Oliver. He’s my absolute idol in the kitchen and so I would love to style his personal kitchen at home. Wow, that would be amazing!

 

Interview with Smartspace Interiors Designer Anoushka and The Rug Collection with elegant Provence Rug
Designed by SmartSpace Interiors | Rozelle Project | Featuring a Provence rug in Barley

 

What’s your “go-to” rug?
Subi for sure. I’ve owned one for many years and I use it in different colourways time and time gain in client designs. I don’t think there’s a colour that I haven’t used in that collection. It’s so versatile in any space.

 

What’s your biggest design no-no?
Cookie cutter, everything to match. I don’t work on hospitality projects for that very reason. When working on residential projects you can’t use the same style, approach, pieces time and time again and that’s what makes it interesting.

 

Interview with Smartspace Interiors Designer Anoushka and The Rug Collection with Subi Flatweave rug
Designed by SmartSpace Interiors | Lindfield Project | Featuring a Subi Collection flatweave rug


What super power would you have and why?

To manifest anything I needed at any time. How amazing would that be?

 

What couldn’t you do without when creating a space?
Peace and quiet, space in my home office to sit and think about what I want to put together. It’s that early contemplation time that really sets up the design. Get this right and usually the design comes easily.

 

Interview with Smartspace Interiors Designer Anoushka and The Rug Collection with durable flatweave under table
Designed by SmartSpace Interiors | Rozelle Project | Featuring a Braid Waffle flatweave rug

 

What’s on your design wish list at the moment?
Don’t ask. I’m renovating a new home. Just moved in a week ago and we start the reno early next year. I’m treating it like any other project, but we plan to reno the whole home internally initially and then move externally. This time around I won’t compromise on my timber floors, or my tiles in the bathrooms. These have to be perfect and just what I want. I’m thinking a terrazzo style for the floors in the bathrooms.

 

Who do you instagram stalk for style inspiration?
Genevieve Gorder is my fav interior designer, love her style and her personality.

 

Interview with Smartspace Interiors Designer Anoushka and The Rug Collection
Designed by SmartSpace Interiors | Rozelle Project | Featuring a Provence rug in Barley

 

How can we stay up to date with the latest from SmartSpace Interiors?

Instagram @smartspaceinteriors and also through my weekly blog posts on my website www.smartspaceinteriors.com

Quick links to follow Anoushka at SmartSpace Interiors on:
Instagram @smartspaceinteriors
Facebook SmartSpaceInteriors
Website www.smartspaceinteriors.com

 

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