In Conversation with Kerry Holden
Based in Kent, Kerry Holden Interiors’ aim is to bring your vision to life. Kerry offers a personal interior design service, ensuring that all of your practical needs are fulfilled, paying attention to every detail and creating unique spaces which reflect your personality.
What inspired you to be an interior designer?
I have always had a love for nature, art and design. At a very young age, I would often create colourful drawings of butterflies that visited our garden. After many years of working for international law firms in London, I realised that I needed a change of direction, as my creative side had taken a back seat for such a long time. However, I do believe that my legal background gave me an eye for detail and the professionalism to communicate effectively with people from all walks of life. I am still very much inspired by nature and wildlife and I usually incorporate this somewhere in my designs, be it with a quirky wallpaper or a gorgeous fabric which has caught my eye, or even a picture or an ornament.
If they were to make a toy action figure of you, what would your accessory be?
My accessory would be a Florence Knoll ‘Barcelona’ chair, that’s if I could have a toy made that was seated of course! I adore these chairs and I would love to own a 1929 original.
To what degree have you actually controlled the course your life within the design world has taken?
I guess I didn’t go down the normal route of studying interior design at an early age or working as an intern at design companies. I was constantly changing the decor in my own home and I was very fortunate that my sister-in-law, gave me the opportunity and a free reign to design rooms at her house, whilst studying interior design. She loved everything that I did! That instilled the confidence in me to continue along this path.
What would be your dream interior project?
A dream project would be to design a boutique hotel, in a beautiful old building, full of period features. I love mixing old with new whilst retaining the charm and character of a period property. My own style is quite eclectic and for me, that’s what adds personality and character to a space, making it unique.
What’s something you know you do differently than most people?
I make fabric or paper-covered lampshades to coordinate with interiors. There is something very therapeutic and satisfying about making them yourself and I am constantly sourcing beautiful and unusual fabrics and paper to tie in perfectly with a design. I even make them for my own home and change them around when I want a different look.
If you could go back in time and speak to your adolescent self, what advice would you give them about the design world?
I would say take inspiration from the colours and beauty of nature, travel as much as possible, be confident, think outside the box and follow your dreams!
Kerry Holden Interiors
www.kerryholdeninteriors.co.uk
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Photos courtesy of Kerry Holden Interiors