5 MINS WITH Alicia Xiberras Interiors

 

 

Describe your style in 3 words?

Luxurious. Monochromatic. Timeless.

 

When & what made you start Alicia Xiberras Interiors?

When I was a child, I would build houses for my Barbie dolls, but never actually got the Barbies out of the toy box - I was more engaged with creating their rooms! From that point, I knew I wanted to be an interior designer; it was something I was born to do.

 

 

Working on both Residential and Commercial projects, what are your top style tips to make a space feel inviting, unique and inspiring?

Today’s residential style of architecture generally follows an open floor plan layout. The pros of this layout are that it encourages family communication and unity, and brings “the outside in” to give that over-scaled feeling throughout the home.
However, if not accomplished correctly, it can leave this oversized space looking and feeling clinical and cold.

Our trick with open plan is to incorporate centralised focal points and borders to help visually divide the layout. This might include a rug to frame a lounge room, or a dropped ceiling above a kitchen to centralise the space and add character. Adding feature lighting above the dining room is another great way to create a focal point by establishing a sense of intimacy and independence in that particular area.

To give commercial designs an inviting feel, we like to add elements of texture throughout. This can be accomplished by applying wallpaper, textured paint or a specific aesthetic to the walls. It is also important to understand the brand of the business, and ensure the design reflects the essence of that brand. We recently designed a Lebanese restaurant and incorporated natural olive trees into the design, as the restaurant’s vision was about diners feeling like they are in a Lebanese courtyard.

 

 

What’s the one piece of advice you would tell your younger self?

Don’t ever under estimate the worth of your work.

 

 

What’s your favourite part of a work day?

Interacting and developing concepts with my team - they are so important to the foundation of Alicia Xiberras Interiors. We all bring incredible talent to the company and each designer has their own personal style that we draw upon to create masterpieces.

 

 

 

If you could style anyone’s home, who’s would it be?

We would love to design Chris Hemsworth’s home in Byron Bay.

 

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What’s your go-to rug?

The Rug Collection – Denver Silver.

 

 

Any key pieces, trends or colour palettes you are loving at the moment?

We are loving the “natural elegance” style in interiors at the moment.

It’s working with materials such as rattan, matte finishes, stones and organic looking textures. We then dress up the concept with selecting luxurious furniture pieces and styling elements with earth based and natural tones. We always add a black accent to our interiors; it’s our signature stamp.

 

 

What’s your biggest design no-no?

We’re not fans of exposed rangehoods.

 

 

What couldn’t you do without when creating a space?

I can’t do with out my sketch and trace paper. In today’s age of technology, pencil and paper is still the quickest way to bring ideas to life during meetings with our clients.

 

 

If you could have one super power, what would it be?

To never get tired.

 

 

What’s on your design wish list at the moment?

We’d love to design a boutique Hotel.

 

 

Who do you instagram stalk for style inspiration?

Steve Cordony

 

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

Website: www.aliciaxiberrasinteriors.com.au

Instagram: @alicia_xiberras_interiors

Facebook: @alicia.xiberras.interiors