Storytelling in Design
Storytelling through home design
I say that I am a designer who seeks to incorporate storytelling into interior design. But what does that actually mean? And what does it look like in practise? Take a moment to dive in and dwell on the art of storytelling as we reflect on a considered approach to home design.
We all have experiences that have shaped us. The travels, the relationships, the education, the cultural experiences – and each of these has left an indelible mark on our internal narrative that forms a foundational part of the paradigm through which we see the world. If you were to sit at a dinner party with a new acquaintance, chances are that once you’ve passed the small talk of the weather or world events, you would quickly move onto your shared and contrasting experiences of the years that you have lived – that trip to South Asia in your 20s, the jobs that you have had (for better or worse), the gigs, the theatre performances and exhibitions – even the sports teams that you’ve loved over the years. We collect experiences like Girl Guide badges and they contribute to our sense of identity in profound ways. Understanding how to bring these stories and experiences into your home design can really elevate the sense of meaning in your space, helping to shape your family life and to curate the sanctuary that you are craving.
I care about my clients. I care that when I get to know them I focus on listening to what matters to them – the experiences that have shaped them, the things they love about their life and the hopes they have for their future. That’s why I use both consultations and questionnaires to really get to know the families I am working with and why I value time spent at the initial stages of a project. When I meet my clients they are often at a point of transition, about to embark on a project to overhaul a new or existing home so that it better serves them and their family. Function, flow, aesthetic and lifestyle come together to create a harmonious space – but what we need to imbue is a strong sense of identity, through visual storytelling, that really helps to reflect the family and their life in that space, so that their home really starts to sing. Understanding from the outset that the stories my clients want to share form part of this process, makes a world of difference to the final outcome.
Stories can be reflected back in a number of ways. Through materiality, artwork, colours and tones, photography and even spatial design. Working with my clients to understand the places that have impacted them allows me to draw on those experiences – whether the use of a beautiful Moroccan tile in a bathroom splashback, or the use of a particular wood that reminds them of the beach huts they dined in on their honeymoon in the Maldives – there are subtle ways to bring references into the space that will enable them to reflect on the things that have made them. Recently I have begun working with a photographer who restores meaningful photographs from family albums to create stunning artwork designed to work with the scheme that I am working on. I am also a great fan of incorporating small inherited items into a scheme – I have an old tiled pot stand from my granny which I use regularly and feel the connection to her each time I lay my eyes on it. When I embark on a project, I love to hear the stories that matter and help you to find ways to bring them to life in your home.
Would you like help bringing your stories to life in your home? Get in touch for your free discovery call and let’s start the conversation.
