DE S IGN CENTRE
LONIKA CHANDE
Lonika Chande is known for her warm, confident residential schemes that mix old and new. She set up her business in 2017, and now works alongside two fellow designers in her Chelsea studio.
How did you get started? I started out on my own with a combination of my first solo project, an apartment in Hampstead, while freelancing for an established interior designer at the same time, and it built up from there.
What inspires you? Travelling abroad is the best, but otherwise, just getting out at any given opportunity. It is so important for inspiration and clarity of mind, whether that is exploring the city we live in, visiting galleries, eating out at a restaurant in a different part of town or being in nature.
What projects have you got coming up? We are starting soon on site on a pretty house in Notting Hill’s Hillgate village, which hasn’t been touched for many years, as well as a townhouse in Hackney.
Is there any business advice you wish you’d known when you started out? I definitely underestimated how hard it would be, and the many hats you need to take on, especially at the very beginning. Also, the importance of having a cushion, and enough in the bank to take the rough with the smooth.
What’s your latest discovery at the Design Centre? We visited WOW!house in June and left feeling so inspired. Particular highlights were Rita Konig and GP & J Baker’s collaboration, Joanna Plant and Tissus d’Hélène’s beautiful bedroom design, and Brandon Schubert’s clever use of Morris & Co. fabrics.
YELLOW LONDON
Based a stone’s throw from the Design Centre on Lots Road, Yellow London is headed up by Cath Beckett and Liv Wallers. The studio creates cosy, inviting homes with a bold use of colour and pattern.
What’s the thread that runs through every scheme, regardless of the aesthetic? Layering. We always focus on layering colours, tones, textures, etc. to create an interesting scheme that makes you want to
touch something, or look a little closer.
Is there any business advice you wish you’d known when you started out? It’s more something we were taught early on – always have written proof of every decision, down to the last trim! Back yourself up in case anything goes wrong!
What projects are you working on at the moment? We’ve got some lovely ones: a new build on the north Cornwall coast and a Grade II-listed house in Hertfordshire to name a couple.
What’s your latest discovery at the Design Centre? We recently had a presentation of Schumacher’s fab abaca rugs. Also, ‘Arthur Stripe’ fabric by Cinny at Turnell & Gigon.
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