Brisbane Interior Design Client Interview

‘Make my external reality reflect my internal reality’ was the brief Carrol Helander gave Andrew Loader Design when she contacted us to redecorate her Brisbane seaside townhouse.

Was it successful?  A resounding ‘YES’ from Carrol.

Andrew understood what I was wanting and he was able to translate that into a physical space that reflected me and my lifestyle. Andrew’s philosophy of design is to listen to the client, or as he puts it “to get inside their head”.  Once he understands what they want, he works at giving them what they had in mind, only better.

“Good design reflects the client. So many people are afraid that a designer will come in, look around and then tell them what to do. That is not good design; it is imposing a specific view on a space. I want people to be inspired and uplifted in the comfort of their own home.” says Andrew Loader.

Gone were the utilitarian tiles, replaced with polished wood floors and warm natural fibre floor rugs. A glass dining table with clean, classic white Eames chairs replaced the heavy wooden set. An elegant curved Noguchi-style glass coffee table opened up the space in the living room, and the curves softened the angular lines of the walls.  White marble bench tops brought more light into the kitchen, and flowed through to the dining/living spaces.

White walls created a backdrop for the modern sofas and plantation shutters that open out onto the colourful garden.  A stunning feature wall of deep, rich gold, created from six layers of Dulux Yellowstone provide the perfect frame for Carrol’s extensive collection of paintings.  As Andrew says, “A feature wall has to feature something, it can’t just be a different colour”.

Natural materials were used throughout, reflecting Carrol’s connection to the earth and Andrew’s love of simplicity. The feeling of light, warmth and comfort creates an incredibly welcoming and peaceful space.