Olga Ashby Interiors Ltd have been shortlisted for Four Categories in The International Design and Architecture Awards 2021. Read more about Creative Director, Olga Ashby, below:

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Name: Olga Ashby

Company: Olga Ashby Interiors Ltd.

Position within company: Creative Director

Website: www.olgaashby.com

Tell us a little about your background in design:
After graduating from one of best schools of interior design in Russia (“Details” Design School), Olga started her own studio but still carried on travelling and studying interior design in different countries, such as Italy and the UK where she then decided to stay and open up a new office. From 2014, Olga Ashby Interiors became headquartered in the UK with a second office in Moscow. Olga’s studio also works in Monaco and Megeve, where several projects have been recently completed.

How would you describe your personal design style?
Tailored sophistication with a personal touch.

Where does your design inspiration come from?
Having an international background and the experience of living in different countries gives me an understanding and appreciation of different cultures, which is very important now living in such a cosmopolitan city as London. We love searching for interesting finishes and crafts overseas and bringing them to our projects in London.

In what direction do you feel that design is moving towards in a general sense?
We’re seeing that nowadays people care much more about the sustainability of the materials and furniture than say 5 years ago. Most of our clients are not following the trends and would love to purchase interesting pieces they can keep for generations. Vintage pieces are very popular and people see real value in them. National Lockdown has also made people think more about being truly comfortable in their own home, they think less about impressing someone else and more about the things they truly love.

Name five key themes to consider when approaching design in 2020 and beyond.
Sustainability, durability, comfort, open mindedness and personal touches.

If you could offer one piece of advice when it comes to design schemes, what would it be?
Be brave, use unexpected materials, be creative using simple things in an unconventional way and keep your eyes & mind open.

How important are The International Design & Architecture Awards?
I feel that IDAA are a fantastic and credible source for potential clients to navigate the interior design world and base their decisions on who to choose to work with. It is also always great to meet more people in your profession and to see what others are doing, as well as finding out what new trustworthy suppliers and products are available in the market. IDAA give us a great opportunity in this respect which is very important.

What projects are you currently working on?
Duplex flat in Regents Crescent for a Chinese super blogger in London, Duplex flat in Chelsea with amazing architecture for a French writer. Several residential projects in Moscow. Chalet in Megeve.

What was your favourite project to work on and why?
My favourite project is always my current project. It gives me a chance to try something new, broaden horizons and reach new goals.

What was your most challenging project to work on and why?
The project shortlisted this year (Penthouse in Moscow) was by far the most challenging project to date. We started the project from a concrete box and 90% of everything you see in it was designed in the studio. The level of finishes were extremely high, as were the list of expectations from the client. I must admit, we were all very happy to celebrate what we’d accomplished on the day the project was complete.

Which products/services could you not live without when designing?
I’m definitely a big fan of Chelsea Harbour Design centre, furniture fairs worldwide and vintage markets. I’m very visual and getting tones of inspiration from just browsing and touching different textures and finishes really help.

What are your aims and goals for the next twelve months?
The world is so unpredictable given the current situation, but I’m still planning to travel a lot and explore new countries and cultures to bring more interesting things to our design schemes. We also plan to get more projects overseas and grow a bigger team this year.

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

Your most treasured possession?
Vintage ink holder that I bought on Portobello market.

Your favourite holiday destination?
Sardinia.

Your favourite hotel, restaurant & bar?
Armani Hotel Milano (sleek and stylish), Pushkin Moscow (for traditional Russian food), The Blue Bar at the Berkeley Hotel (by David Collins).

Your favourite book, film & song?
Book: Waiting for barbarians and Great Gatsby
Film: Sabrina (1954)
Song: Jared Leto’s version of “Stay” by Rihanna.

Your favourite food and drink?
Breakfast (eggs and avocado) & black coffee.

Your favourite way to spend an afternoon?
Checking out a new exhibition or reading a good book.

If you weren’t a designer, what would you be?
Photographer.

Anything else interesting?
To become and interior designer I had to get two other degrees first as my mum was strongly against my choice of profession. So I had to secure a degree in linguistics and another in advertising, just in case Design didn’t work out.

Olga Ashby Interiors Ltd have been shortlisted for Four Categories in The International Design and Architecture Awards 2021. 

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