Margot Tsim Interiors have been shortlisted for  Interior Design Scheme – London Award & Living Space – London Award in The International Design and Architecture Awards 2021. Read more about Founder, Margot Tsim, below:

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Name: Margot Tsim

Company: Margot Tsim Interiors

Position within company: Founder

Website: www.margottsim.com

Tell us a little about your background in design:
I studied architecture at the Rhode Island School of Design – one of the top art schools in the US. It was a five year professional degree. I lived in New York upon graduation and worked for the renowned Rockwell Group for three years working on hospitality projects – spent also half a year living in Madrid in their satellite office – the best experience ever! I moved to London after that and worked for the super prime luxury developer Candy & Candy design studio. They developed the famous One Hyde Park development in Knightsbridge which I worked on a few of the show apartments as well as two of the penthouses. I also worked on many of their single unit development projects.

How would you describe your personal design style?
I am partial to clean and minimalist architectural design style due to my background in architecture. However, having worked for a high end developer for so many years, I have over the years developed a love for the layering of different materials and bringing warmth into spaces with the right kind of furnishings which sometimes lack in architectural spaces. It is amazing how dressing a space with the right furniture and accessories can transform a space!

Where does your design inspiration come from?
My design inspiration comes from my travels, visiting museums/galleries, looking at buildings/well designed products, admiring design projects by other designers as well as reading all the top notch design publications that are out there on the market.

In what direction do you feel that design is moving towards in a general sense?
We are definitely moving towards more sustainable strategies and designs in the future. Wellbeing is an important factor in all project types. With covid restrictions, more people are understanding the importance of having a comfortable home and how the family can use their home multi-functionally. Workplace design also needs to think differently in how the spatial planning needs to adapt to the current climate with more flexible working arrangements for small and large companies. Biophilic design has become a big topic in recent years where design takes inspiration from nature and where we try to integrate nature into interior/exterior spaces by bringing plants into our homes, workplaces and hospitality spaces.

Name five key themes to consider when approaching design in 2020 and beyond.
Sustainability, Well Being, Comfort, Haven, Flexibility

If you could offer one piece of advice when it comes to design schemes, what would it be?
I think it is important to see the design schemes as a whole and understanding how each room scheme will flow from one room to the next. It is also useful to lay out the materials that form the foundation first so that is the hard architectural finishes such as flooring, wall, joinery finishes then you can add on the fabrics and textures after that to complement each other.

How important are The International Design & Architecture Awards?
They are important in recognising emerging and established talent in the field of interior design and architecture and honouring those who have managed to create design work that are exemplary and outstanding.

What projects are you currently working on?
I am currently working on a five-bedroom multi-story terrace house in Belgravia, a two bedroom lateral apartment in the heart of Mayfair and a three bedroom lateral apartment in Notting Hill.

What was your favourite project to work on and why?
I enjoy working on all my projects as each project is so different in terms of size, scale, clients, ambitions, budgets. However, I have particularly enjoyed working on the Little Venice project which have been shortlisted for the awards because I had amazing clients who shared a similar vision to me and they were very open to my suggestions as well as knowing clearly what they liked and disliked. It is also the biggest project I have done to date.

What was your most challenging project to work on and why?
The most challenging project will always be those where the clients might not always agree with each other with what they like and dislike and my job as a designer is helping them find the best design solutions to reach a good compromise. There are also those projects where the clients are hesitant to spend on good quality, well crafted products due to budgets and costs. For me, it is always better to buy less but better quality even if it means not being able to buy everything immediately.

Which products/services could you not live without when designing?
Computer software, particularly CAD and Adobe products such as Indesign & photoshop as well as my pencils/pens for handsketching. My laser and measuring tape also!

What are your aims and goals for the next twelve months?
Continue to work on great projects and trying to educate myself with sustainable design/products out there so I can work towards creating better designs for clients that are also better for the environment/planet. I think it is important as a designer to always strive to do better and not become complacent with a set style or way of designing.

Final thoughts; tell us a little more about yourself and your daily inspirations:

Your most treasured possession?
Sketchbook

Your favourite holiday destination?
Spain, Italy, Southeast Asia

Your favourite hotel, restaurant & bar?
I have stayed at some really nice hotels in the past whilst travelling with my family when I was younger but the first hotel that really struck me in its architectural splendour was The Datai in Malaysia.

Your favourite book, film & song?
Too many to name. Great Gatsby is one. Sound of music is one. Smile is one.

Your favourite food and drink? Chinese & Japanese cuisine.

Your favourite way to spend an afternoon?
Homeware/furniture shopping or otherwise spending quality time with my family.

If you weren’t a designer, what would you be?
I probably would have studied art history…I don’t think I would have steered too far away from art/design!

Margot Tsim Interiors have been shortlisted for  Interior Design Scheme – London Award & Living Space – London Award in The International Design and Architecture Awards 2021.

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