Q: What does a typical day in your world look like?
Every day brings new challenges so no two days are ever the same, however I do try and make sure that I do something that inspires me each day.
Generally most of my days are taken up working on new business concepts and design proposals, client meetings and presentations, team de-briefs, assisting the media team with publicity efforts, management reports and meetings, overseeing installations at projects and last minute packing for unplanned business trips, and …. then of course continuously looking for inspiration and finding new and exciting concepts and people to work with.
I love working with our team and am always amazed at the enthusiasm with which they tackle each project. Their energy and design skills are very motivating.
Q: Is there something about yourself that many people don’t know? (That you don’t mind sharing of course)
I am a bit of a hoarder but I would rather call myself a collector. This obsession has led me to enrich my life with art and I started buying art from a very early stage in my career and have built up a wonderful collection of South African art over the years. The hoarder in me has not allowed me to sell a single piece. My other obsession is shoes, again …. amassed collection, but hey it’s shoes.
Q: Who inspires you in the industry?
There are so many great designers out there whose work I really love and these include Kelly Wearstler, Christophe Delcourt, Charles Zana, Vincenzo De Cotiis, Joseph Dirand and Axel Vervoordt. Our interiors and designs draw on a rich architectural tradition of regional modernism; Oscar Niemeyer in Brazil, Luis Barragan in Mexico. The Case Study Houses in California, Paul Rudolph and Gawie Fagan in Cape Town.
We are also very inspired by our sister company, SAOTA and the extraordinary architectural work which they are doing internationally. We draw on this inspiration to create life-enhancing spaces for our clients that stay true to ARRCC’s core design philosophy.
Q: How would you describe your design style?
ARRCC has a global, contemporary style. Our designs include raw minimalism, organic materials with shape and form, layered luxury using soft curves within rigid structures. Our spaces capture the essence of ‘barefoot luxury’ and we play with flowing shapes using organic forms and design elements that float and slide.
Our designs seamlessly integrate inside and outside living. Our interiors meet the international standard of being modern, luxurious and seductive while at the same time remaining understated and timeless and in tune with the delights of quality living demanded by our discerning clients.
Q: Do you have a favourite and least favourite colour, and what are they?
It used to be green but I am crazy about dark blue right now, especially the deep tones of indigo velvets and the bold patterns of Aissata Namoko’s Mali textiles. I would say my least favourite colour is orange, not for any specific reason but it does seem to be the colour that I use the least.
Q: If you had to choose one material that you had to use in all your projects going forward, what would it be?
Timber is always my default. It is one of our most versatile materials which we use on floors, walls and ceilings. My favourite woods to work with are French Oak and Bleached Walnut.
Q: Do you have a favourite project that you have worked on and can you tell us about it?
Miami Star – This is topped to be one of our iconic interiors and is our first project in Miami. Working closely with SAOTA, this project’s design has gained a celebrity following which has led to many more projects in Miami and Los Angeles.
The villa is located on Star Island, the most sought after real estate in Miami and involved the complete uplifting of the existing house and re-locating it at the entry to the property, to create a separate guest villa and to allow the new house to be built on the water frontage.
Q: Are there any industry specific events that you hope to attend this year?
Unfortunately I cancelled my trip last week to the Paris Maison & Objet Fair but I will be attending all the big ones including the Milan Furniture Fair, London 100% Design and Miami Art Basel. Locally I am also really looking forward to the Cape Town Art Fair, the Design Indaba, the opening of the Zeitz Museum, and Johannesburg 100% Design and Business of Design are also on my radar for this year.
Interested in seeing more?
ARRCC in the top 100!
Furthermore, we just received notification that ARRCC has been selected as one of the top 100 interior design companies in the world!
Boca do Lobo, a luxury furniture design company from Portugal, in partnership with US COVETED Magazine, have selected an exclusive list featuring the most influential interior designers in the world. We are pleased to announce that ARRCC is the only South African design company to be included in the list.
The Top 100 list is curated to give appreciation and recognition to interior designers who are the visionaries, trendsetters and ground breakers of the industry. The selection was made through a collaboration of product designers, chief editors, journalists and marketers who get inspired daily by the talent of the recognised designers.
Mark Rielly, Director of ARRCC, says “At ARRCC we have always believed in the spirited crafting of unique interiors. We are thrilled to be recognised globally for our design innovation and to share the list with respected designers across the globe. To be counted as a leading designer amongst our peers is a huge honour and a brilliant reflection of the world class standard of work that is being produced by our design team. We are currently working on several exciting projects that will be completed in 2017 and we look forward to sharing these with the world.”
The full list can be downloaded here.