Name: Deirdre Dyson  
Company: Deirdre Dyson LLP
Position within company: Owner & Designer
Website: www.deirdredyson.com (Contemporary Exclusive Carpets)

Tell us a little about your background in design (education, experience, etc.)

I spent two years at Byam Shaw School of Art studying foundation & fine art. Then three years at Wimbledon Art College specialising in Graphic design and illustration.

How would you describe your personal interior design style?

Clean, classic and contemporary/ expertise in colour and bespoke requirements

Where does your design inspiration come from?

Inspired by everything and personal evolvement from one design to the next, but concentrating on themes.

In what direction do you feel that design is moving towards in a general sense?

Away from minimalism and beige and more towards some softness, colour and individuality.

Name five key themes to consider when approaching design in 2017 and beyond.

1. Find ways to bring the outside in
2. Think of mood when deciding on lighting
3. Detail and finish are more and more important
4. Experiment with colour
5. Texture with structure

If you could offer one piece of advice when it comes to product design, what would it be?

Try to mix periods as one easily gets tired of an overall design era and making one or two changes to update is better
than having to redo everything. Also allows much more individuality.

How important are The International Design and Architecture Awards as recognition of talent and achievement?

These awards promote a sharing of disciplines/ inspiration/ possibilities that are to everyone’s benefit and help to
shape the direction of future design.

What projects are you currently working on?

Apart from all of our individual commissions, we are designing for two large prestigious residential and commercial
development sites and two interlinking building of four floors of office/ meeting space.

What are your aims and goals for the next twelve months?

Exhibiting at Maison and d’Objets in Paris with a new exciting stand and launching our new collection in our gallery in
the Kings Road.

Final thoughts; tell us a little more about yourself

Your most treasured possession?
Family Photos

Your favourite holiday destination?
Still exploring

Your favourite hotel / restaurant / bar?
The Beaumont hotel London – Restaurant Lucio’s Fulham Road

Your favourite book / film / song?
Favourite composer – Handel

Your favourite food and drink?
Italians are best with fish

Your favourite way to spend an afternoon? (in no more than 25 words)
Painting in my studio at my easel

If you weren’t a designer, what would you be?
If I weren’t a painter/ designer I would be a singer

Anything else interesting?
I am a trained singer and still sing