Good design depends on colour and lighting

By JECKONIA OTIENO

1. What is involved in interior design?

Interior design — and design generally — involves the use of colours and colour schemes to create impressions. This, of course, depends on individual tastes. Some prefer traditional tastes, while others like the modern, so it is all a matter of taste.

2.  What trend is the design industry taking?

Most people want to go for modern designs with American seats. The traditional style is not a darling of many people any more. Traditional look is closely associated with the English design borrowed during colonial times. Other people are also going the African way.

3.  So design is all about colours?

The use of colours creates mood and ambience. There are colours that can only be used in a specific place. For example, if you were designing a kitchen, you would not use purple but colours that go with food like orange, yellow, green and blue.

4. In your opinion what is coming into the market?

I have realised that South African designs are really finding their way here really fast. Judging by the TV programmes from the south, one realises that many people are currently using cool colours a lot with drop of warm colours like orange against a background of purple on the seats.

5.  What constitutes a good interior design?

As I said earlier, colour is the most important aspect of any design. It is colour that tells the story. Fabrics also matter like curtains, and cushions.

For instance, it would not be wise to use heavy material for a curtain over a small window because of the need to allow in enough light.