Name: Cariane Isabel Kapswarah Hoffie
Company: Insignia Design Consulting FZ LLC
Position within company: Founder
Website: www.idc-insignia.com
Tell us a little about your background in design:
From helping my father in his business from a very young age, I graduated from an International Business school in German. Entrepreneurship came naturally and Interior Design was the avenue that I wanted to follow. I spent a lot of time going through design magazines and furniture catalogues when I was young, which developed to helping out friends refurbish their first homes until I started charging for my services as I got busier. The business just grew from there.
How would you describe your personal design style?
Elegance and sophistication. I use luxurious labels, accentuate gender-neutral designs, which create the perfect representation for clients no matter their individual preference. Attention to detail is paramount and careful consideration of different material combination effects on the final product is cornerstone to my designs. I favour pale or pastel colours, working with reflective metals and glass. Taking risks with unconventional installations, yet keeping it confident for the owners and complementing their lifestyles.
Where does your design inspiration come from?
It could happen anytime or anywhere. Inspirations come our way when we attract them. Exhibitions are essential, as is appreciation of specialist companies, which have invested for decades in innovation and technology. Using this knowledge and engaging 3rd parties is the key to success. Lastly, curated websites like Pinterest and other online sources are really helpful as trends all over the world evolve at a lightning pace now more than ever.
In what direction do you feel that design is moving towards in a general sense?
More sustainability. Luxury will always take the lead. However luxury brands are also paying more attention to recycled materials – leathers, metal and woods. Keeping in mind these aspects, more settled styles might reflect more the pulse of time.
Name five key themes to consider when approaching design.
- Lighting, getting the daylight factor right is essential. Allocate sizeable budgets to lights and prioritize ceilings too.
- Comfort: the manufacturers are often underestimating the seating height, and duration people are sitting nowadays. More consideration here is needed.
- Furniture sizes and multifunctionality: houses and apartments are decreasing due to population, furniture sizes haven’t been adjusted in the luxury segment, therefore that’s a big expectation.
- Sustainability and recycling options: it says it all, know the source and think where its ending its life span.
- Nature: It is essential. We need it to be part of our lives again. Introduce it to the interior.
If you could offer one piece of advice when it comes to design schemes, what would it be?
Be flexible, shift if needed, changes come by default, maybe you like it in the end, take a risk by doing something you feel might be uncomfortable. Without taking risks we can’t grow, not as people or as designers.
How important are The International Design & Architecture Awards?
They give a platform to recognise the hard work that goes on behind the final products. Plus also provides credibility within the industry.
What projects are you currently working on?
A luxury desert campsite, consisting of 7 tents. Each tent over 100m2 in size. Located in a remote Arabian Desert spot, accommodating up to 18 persons. And a 6000 m2 beach palace, accommodating a family of 9, plus approximately 30 staff members, situating on the Arabian Gulf on Bulgari Island.
What are your aims and goals for the next twelve months?
Completing these projects and maybe branching out with side products that might evolve. Continue to grow as a person and a business to better provide to my clients the best of Interior design and myself.
Final thoughts; tell us a little more about yourself and your daily inspirations:
Your most treasured possession?
Not putting limits.
Your favourite holiday destination?
Any locations with a palm tree, blue sea and fresh air. Sri Lanka, Sylt (Germany), California gives us inspirations. The snow-covered mountains of Switzerland are another source of energy. We love Tirol and Montana too, both very different and contrasting.
Your favourite hotel, restaurant & bar?
Not yet existing… we love the concept of luxury meeting family, sustainability, vegan options without sacrifice.
Your favourite book, film & song?
- Erich Fromm – To Have Or Be
- Aretha Franklin – Say A Little Prayer
- Four Weddings and a Funeral
Your favourite food and drink?
Japanese food and Coconut water/ Hibiscus iced tea
Your favourite way to spend an afternoon?
At the beach, not consuming
If you weren’t a designer, what would you be?
A nature activist or politician in the new era
Anything else interesting?
Happiness and sadness are an illusion, every moment in life is the exactly as it should be. Therefore make the best out of it, take the positive outlook.