At Bella Living we enjoy sharing the design journeys of new and established industry professionals, to celebrate their passion for design, find out more about their work and get their top design tips. This week we are excited to share our Q&A with Southern Highlands designer Madalyn Fleming.
How and why did you get started in interior design?
I started interior design three years ago. My attraction to the profession was that you could truly transform a space, not necessarily structurally but by understanding design elements and through that creating a design with purpose and function. I also loved the idea of working on my own time, being expected to travel and interact with clients. It’s not entirely a desk job. A mixed exposure of working inside and outside the office is what anyone would love!
How would you describe your business today?
I would describe my business as a small business catering to the needs of those who need a designers guidance to optimise their space.
What are your favourite types of projects and why?
My absolute favourite projects are those that truely capture my clients identity in the design, where throughout the entire designed space you can see how well they have taken to everything you have designed. You get to tackle various projects right from office spaces to homes to restaurants. I also love how each project comes with a challenge and this is where you get to test your creativity and technical skills. In this way you not only meet the requirements of the client but also develop a bond.
What inspires you?
Definitely when I see a well thought out very functional design, that is not only aesthetically pleasing but improves the users life, for example storage built into spaces that are usually not used like under stairways. I also gain great inspiration from fellow designers, I love seeing and learning new ways to convey ideas in a more understandable way.
What are 3 of your top tips for great interiors?
My first tip is, when in doubt, dulux white on white. This colour to me is like magic and anyone who has worked with me will know its a strong suggestion where needed, this can be used on your ceiling, walls, trims, architraves etc. If there’s ever a time where you’re revamping your home and trying to make a more concise design. Go with white on the walls and use colours and textures through your furnishings.
Tip 2, if there’s a style or certain colours you are unsure of them working together, type the description of the room into Pinterest and see how others have utilised the colours and textures.
And my third and final tip is actually and old but I solemnly stand by it, the easiest way to update a space while on a budget is changing handles and door faces, whether it be in the kitchen, bedroom or bathroom, a change and fresh lick of paint (white on white) or any colour really will update the space, the handles can be metals or even resin pulls. These can be bought on the cheap through eBay or Amazon.
If you could take on any project next what would you like it to be?
I would love to work on a whole house revamp, where the budget allows for high-end finishes, I love when a client has the means to incorporate a nice veined marble somewhere in the design.
How can people get in touch with you if they'd like to work with you?
My email is maddy.fleming@icloud.com, my phone number is 0421 376 567 and I can be contacted via my website madalynfleminginteriors.com.
