Name: JOAO BOTELHO
Company: CASA BOTELHO
Position within company: FOUNDER AND CREATIVE DIRECTOR
Website: WWW.CASABOTELHO.COM
Tell us a little about your background in design (education, experience, etc)
Before founding Casa Botelho, I enjoyed a 22-year career in global luxury retail, beginning my journey in sales for a prestigious Brazilian brand in my hometown, Belo Horizonte. With the ambition to explore the world and travel, I decided to move to Europe in 1994, making London my new home. Since then I have worked for Harvey Nichols, Nicole Farhi and Jasper Conran, opening Jasper Conran’s flagship Mayfair store in 2004. I joined Donna Karan New York in 2000 and I held a Managing Director for both Retail & Wholesale. Having worked with iconic homeware designers and travelled around the globe, I experienced style at its best, learned exquisite architectures and gained interiors’ know how which has inspired me to explore different sides of my creative personality through the redesign of a space.
How would you describe your personal interior design style?
Our signature style is recognised by the use of strong lines, neutral colour pallets, together with rich and natural materials that age beautifully, symmetry and optimal use of space and attention to extraordinary detail.
Where does your design inspiration come from?
I am inspired by all creative and artistic things – style, design and interiors. travel, food and people are also an inspiration. To me the inspiration is the inhale, you breath in the culture, the beauty, the richness, the style. And the designs are the exhale; the real life translation in to homes and furnishings.
In what direction do you feel that design is moving towards in a general sense?
Definitely custom. Most of our clients want something special, unique, exciting and made to measure.
Name five key themes to consider when approaching design in 2016 and beyond.
Warm metals, geometric rugs and wall papers, textured walls, clean designs with simple lines, luxe fabrications.
If you could offer one piece of advice when it comes to interior design schemes, what would it be?
MOOD BOARDS – One of the greatest and fun parts of this process is to put together mood boards by gathering information, pictures and materials from different sources and places.
How important are The International Design and Architecture Awards as recognition of talent and achievement?
The awards are a celebration of global design excellence with industry professionals and gives us an opportunity to showcase projects to an international audience and potential clients.
What projects are you currently working on?
Currently finishing an apartment in South Kensington, one in Bromptom Road and an office in Temple.
What are your aims and goals for the next twelve months?
I am aiming to develop our eCommerce business by developing our new website and creating new exciting designs. The goal is to balance interiors and furniture design and creating the Casa Botelho emporium.
Final thoughts; tell us a little more about yourself
Your most treasured possession? CROCODILE DONNA KARAN JACKET
Your favourite holiday destination? THAILAND
Your favourite hotel / restaurant / bar? PARK HYATT, DOVER STREET ARTS CLUB
Your favourite book / film / song? THE GIRL ON THE TRAIN, GLADIATOR, THE GIRL FROM IPANEMA BY ANTONIO CARLOS JOBIN
Your favourite food and drink? FRENCH, MARTINIS
Your favourite way to spend an afternoon? (in no more than 25 words) SITTING IN MY GARDEN WITH MY TWO COCKER SPANIELS AND MY HUSBAND ENJOYING COCKTAILS AND BBQ.
If you weren’t a designer, what would you be? DANCER
