Sally Lines founded Urban Lounge Interiors in 2002. With her creative flair, expertise and industry knowledge, Sally has created an Interior Design powerhouse that is today one of the Bay of Plenty's leading and most sought-after interior design companies.
We sat down with her to chat about her design style, her tips for creating your own interior and the trends and items she is loving at the moment...
Description of your design style?
It's funny because we think we successfully do a wide variety of styles to suit all the different tastes and lifestyle habits of people, but when it comes down to it I definitely have a preference for slightly more contemporary finishes than anything too classical. Contemporary however doesn’t need to feel all hard and sterile, so finding the balance to having enough contrast in finishes so they still look simple but don’t need more dressing is a “thing” for me. I don’t tend to use lots of bright colour but more complex mixes of natural warm and cool tones layered – this adds layers, has a softness and more recently am trying to eliminate the need for too many patterns to tie things back in together.
What’s the latest trend or style you are enjoying?
I love and have always loved natural materials or as one client recently described to me “Noble Materials”, these are evident currently with organic shapes coming through, natural stones, marbles, textured wools and linens. Timber, concrete and stone work fantastically both inside and outside a home – giving it a longevity that whilst will eventually date, will certainly come back around again and hopefully because they are noble materials will still be in a fine state when that day rolls around. What are your top tips when creating a design scheme?
I like to get below the surface with someone and find out what their lifestyle is like (ie do they have a busy family life and are big entertainers), or are they professionals who come and go often, so surfaces and finishes don’t get a hard time. Then looking at or discussing colours, pattern and things that they have always loved so that we are not influenced too much by what is a current trend or fashionable. This means we are creating something specific to them and not necessarily what is readily available through magazines or pinterest but they feel very comfortable and proud of when we get to the end of the project.
Favourite design item you are coveting
1. Curves Curves and Curves – no longer does everything have to be square the Jardin Blue rug from Ted Baker London is a really interesting shaped rug and could form a central eye pieces for a foyer, reception, large entry or lounge, or Iviv Pink with the cutout edges. Love Love!
2. The K Wood Lounge Chair by Philippe Starck - mmm just wondering if I can fit one of these in my lounge,. Moulded wood, finely finished not chunky like weve seen in the past and you can even have a leather seat….
3. And my Christmas present last year to myself the Kartell Mini Bourgie Lamp something I will love forever.
What are your top flooring picks at the moment?
Every designer on this planet I hear is loving the wool from Bremworth - Transpire in the colour Evolve is gorgeous and looks like natural pebbles, and perfect colour tone. Check out the full range here
To find more out about Urban Lounge Interiors and the team view Urban Lounge's website here Follow their inspirational social media accounts here...