Name: Debra Kacher
Company: dk INTERIORS
Position within company: Director
Website: dK Interiors
Tell us a little about your background in design:
Having had a successful career as a fashion buyer with a passion for product, colour, texture, I wanted to have a career change using my background and skills but applying them in a similar but different way. I took the decision to re train, gaining technical and professional interior design qualification with a honours in a diploma I joined an interior designer company to gain practical and professional experience before taking the plunge to establish dk INTERIORS in 2008, and have been practising and growing since!
How would you describe your personal design style?
My personal design style can be described as classic with a contemporary twist, refined and quiet luxury, style over substance.
Where does your design inspiration come from?
My design inspiration comes from so many sources but with a fashion background I look to fashion trends to see how they can apply and interpreted to interiors especially for colour and texture but not slavishly as we aim to design timeless, understated, elegant designs which have longevity but never boring !
In what direction do you feel that design is moving towards in a general sense?
Exciting, definitely a greater use of colour, pattern and texture, more luxurious and interesting finishes, less minimalist for sure, greater emphasis on materials finishes, surfaces.
Name five key themes to consider when approaching design presently and in the future.
• Natural finishes and materials
• Sustainability
• Colour – new neutrals, ranging from camel to beige, greyish not grey
• Crafts and crafts people – individualism – reflecting the feel for nature
• Luxury with a rustic edge
If you could offer one piece of advice when it comes to design schemes, what would it be?
Balance, we always start with a base whether it is the flooring, wall finish, joinery finish and work from there up. Mixing materials finishes and colour is great but there needs to be balance, flow and harmony
How important are The International Design & Architecture Awards?
To be recognised in the industry is so key, there is so much competition in the interiors and design world, we all want to achieve the greatest amount of satisfaction for the work we love whether it is from our peers, clients or industry specialists, we all need to feel valued!
What projects are you currently working on?
3 large residential projects currently all of which are full renovations at various stages in the design process, one near completion which is repeat business for an old client, another the renovation of a Grade II listed family home and the 3rd a full renovation of lateral penthouse apartment including raising the roof and joining two apartments to achieve one !
What are your aims and goals for the next twelve months?
Growing the business, introduction of new suppliers.
Final thoughts; tell us a little more about yourself and your daily inspirations:
Your most treasured possession?
My phone, running from day to day with all of our projects contains my life ! Actually my dog !
Your favourite holiday destination?
Safari, what a way to escape and be close to nature
Your favourite hotel, restaurant & bar?
Aman hotels are my favourites, lucky enough to stay at the Amangiri in Utah, amazing, as well as Cambodia and Vietnam, the simplicity with always a reference to the country and their surroundings. My favourite bar has to be the polo lounge at the Beverley Hills Hotel in Los Angeles.
Your favourite food and drink?
Japanese food for sure, love the simplicity and flavours
Drink, a gin and tonic goes a long way !
Your favourite way to spend an afternoon?
Walking my dog !
If you weren’t a designer, what would you be?
A photographer, a hobby but love it
Anything else interesting?
Love art, theatre, film, find inspiration from all !