Behind the Design with Design Council Interiors

Tell us a little about Design Council Interiors and what led you to pursue a career in interior design?

DCI is a mother/daughter owned interior design studio. Sharon began DCI 30 years ago after a successful career in Fashion Design. Alicia was trained in Visual Arts, followed by a career in the textile industry and initially wasn’t keen to follow in Mum's footsteps. However, during lockdown, working together from the dining room table, it became evident that their combination of skill sets made joining forces a natural progression. DCI has never looked back.

Can you tell us about this project and the brief you were given?

This home was a new build in a popular leafy Auckland suburb. We had worked with the clients on their previous home, and we were excited to work with them again on this new project. Our clients engaged us following the development of their architectural concept plans. The architectural language was grounded in a midcentury modern influence and the clients expressed a desire to soften this expression and create a calm, relaxing interior space to retreat from their busy lives.

Initially we undertook a series of considered minor adjustments to the floor plan, refining spatial relationships to support the dynamics of young family life. Functionality and longevity were key drivers informing layout decisions while mood, aesthetics and practicality were foremost in the considered selection of materiality throughout this home.

We placed particular focus on the kitchen as a central hub within the living area. This space required a balance of a highly resolved, elevated design whilst meeting the robust demands of a young family. Our overall brief was to elevate all areas of the house to meet a careful balance of durability with an enduring sense of quiet and tranquillity.

When it came to selecting the flooring for this home, what were the most important factors to consider?

The two most important things we always look for in a floor are durability and good looks. It was critical that the floor for this home was both robust and practical, meeting the demands of young children and pets, whilst setting the tone for the overall look and feel of the design aesthetic we were wanting to achieve. We knew we needed the floor to run seamlessly from the entry to the living area, into the WC, kitchen and scullery, so it was important the flooring selection met the demands of all these areas without compromise. The Parky range was our natural “go to” right from the beginning.

What do you love most about the flooring chosen for this project, and how does it contribute to the overall feel of the home?

The flooring in this project was a large contributor to the feel we wanted to achieve in this home. Parky ticks all our boxes and meets the rigorous demands we expect from a flooring product before we would specify it to a client. It is both beautiful while technically sound and for us has repeatedly stood the test of time.

Were there any challenges during the design process, and how did you overcome them?

Our main challenge was achieving our design goal in the front entrance and hallway. The long hall from the front door through to the main living area features a double height interior brick and glass wall on one side and a soft polished curved plaster finish wall on the opposite side with the Parky flooring running all the way. We were adamant both the brick wall and the plaster wall met the floor seamlessly without trim. We were aware this was a tricky junction to manage, no skirting meant there was nowhere to hide. But collaboration with the builders and flooring installers very early on in the build process enabled us to realise our vision.

Which space in the home are you most proud of, and why?

We are both most proud of the kitchen. We loved the refined material palette we selected with careful intention. The kitchen sets the tone for cohesive material selections throughout the entire home. We are very proud to have delivered a home that more than meets the brief and delivers our client a home they love.

Do you have any tips for creating flow and cohesion throughout a home?

Flow – Imagine how you will live in the space day to day, does the layout meet your needs?

Cohesion – Do your homework before you start, know how you want the finish to look and stay the course.

Looking ahead, what interior design and flooring trends do you see emerging over the next few years?

A continued prevalence of warm colour palettes. Less gallery-style white walls en mass. Natural products like stone, solid wood with natural oils. Watch for more mixing of woodgrains.  Wooden flooring is growing in popularity as is a return to wool carpets. We think we will see a move towards highlighting craftsmanship, bespoke finishes and furnishing. Layered natural textiles and a shift away from mass produced or matching  “sets”. We want our homes to speak about us, to feel lived in and a retreat from the world.

Finally, what advice would you give to homeowners embarking on a new build or renovation project?

Get really informed and clear about your own personal style before you start so you know the end look you want to achieve for your home. If you are not sure what your end look is, engage with a professional so at the very least they will help you define your own style. Decision fatigue will set in, and it’s easy to get persuaded with new trends leading you off course. Every decision should be made collectively and not in isolation. We are constantly checking in with ourselves - “Does this item belong in this house? Will this contribute to or confuse our end look”? And most importantly, have fun and enjoy the process.