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Michel Colaço Interior Architecture and Design

Michel Colaço

Designer in Profile: Michel Colaço, Michel Colaço Interior Architecture and Design

Michel Colaço Interior Architecture and Design have been shortlisted for Residential £1-2.5 Million (Project Value) AwardLuxury Residence – Global Award & Interior Design Scheme – Americas Award in The International Design and Architecture Awards 2021. Read more about Director, Michel Colaço, below:


Michel Colaço

Name: Michel Colaço

Company: Michel Colaço Interior Architecture and Design

Position within company: Director/Designer

Website: michelcolaco.com

Tell us a little about your background in design:
I studied Interior and Spatial Design at Chelsea College of Arts for 3 years and had previously studied at Central St Martins as I was looking for a course which offered me a mix disciplines – architecture, furniture and space design. Once I graduated with a BA (Hons) I went straight to work for Areen Design and had an amazing experience as part of the hospitality team designing the most incredible hotels. I stayed with them for 5 years where I learned a huge amount and developed my eye for detail.

How would you describe your personal design style?
Cool understated Scandinavian modernism combined with touches of Brazilian flair and colour.

Where does your design inspiration come from?
It comes from my early experiences coming from Brazil but I would also say that these last 20 years living in Europe has made an enormous contribution to the way I look at things and given me an appreciation of history to add to my love of the contemporary.

In what direction do you feel that design is moving towards in a general sense?
There is no doubt technology is allowing us to be more intelligent, enabling us to make better decisions about the materials we use and also be more creative.

Name five key themes to consider when approaching design in 2020 and beyond.
Sustainability, new approaches to working, flexibility, greater collaboration between different professionals and doing more with less.

If you could offer one piece of advice when it comes to design schemes, what would it be?
Be flexible! In all senses, with clients, suppliers and with yourself.

How important are The International Design & Architecture Awards?
Extremely important. It allows us the professionals to engage better with one another and also challenges us always to strive in what we do.

What projects are you currently working on?
– A small villa in South of France
– An Edwardian flat in Knightsbridge
– A 30’s house in Westminster
– A Victorian villa in Kingston-Upon-Thames

What was your favourite project to work on and why?
I would have to say a project in Miami which has been nominated for this Awards, I was so lucky to be involved on this right from the beginning and had the opportunity to select all the interiors for each part of the house.

What was your most challenging project to work on and why?
The first project I worked independently was my own home and that was very challenging as I was project managing it too but had no experience in doing so at the time.

Which products/services could you not live without when designing?
I absolutely adore Italian furniture and lighting so I always try to incorporate them on my design schemes.

What are your aims and goals for the next twelve months?
Conclude my current project and get to work on more exciting ones!

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

Your most treasured possession?
My garden

Your favourite holiday destination?
Brazil

Your favourite hotel, restaurant & bar?
Delano Miami
Kettners
Scarfe’s Bar

Your favourite book, film & song?
Selected Cronicas by Clarice Lispector
Vertigo
Ain’t got no, I got life – Nina Simone

Your favourite food and drink?
Any prepared by my partner, Gin and tonic

Your favourite way to spend an afternoon?
Watching movies

If you weren’t a designer, what would you be?
A ballet dancer

Anything else interesting?
I love horse riding and been in Richmond for long walks by the river or parks.

Michel Colaço Interior Architecture and Design have been shortlisted for Residential £1-2.5 Million (Project Value) AwardLuxury Residence – Global Award & Interior Design Scheme – Americas Award in The International Design and Architecture Awards 2021.


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