Name: Nikki Bisiker
 Company: Nikki B Signature Interiors
 Position within company: Owner and Chief Designer
 Website: www.nikkibinteriors.com

. Tell us a little about your background in design
My background has been self taught from passion, style and hands on experience over thirty years. From 13 I decided I was going to restyle and design my small bedroom using some money that was left to me by a Jamaican Great Uncle. It became a white and purple design haven, and the daisy on my logo is representative of the design that was in that room at the time. My education was based on languages and business studies, which then led into the restaurant and hotel industry which combined my love of design, business and people interaction in beautiful luxury environments. I designed and oversaw the project management of restaurants and hotel interiors and then proceeded to run them and then ventured into solely the design business.

. How would you describe your personal interior design style?
My business ethos is to create homes from my clients that are personal and unique to them. My personal style doesn’t really enter into these creations, although I always create interesting backdrops as the base to the canvas and inspire them with colour combinations and layers of interesting features. Unique pieces of furniture and a big emphasis on lighting and art, and valid uses of previously empty and unused spaces. My personal design style is very eclectic, slightly bohemian and quirky but with opulent sexy fabrics, creative art and heavenly lighting – give me a log fire and candles, and panoramic window views and I am somewhere near paradise!

Where does your design inspiration come from?
As with all designers, our environments near and far, man made and natural are inspirational, as well as constant delving into new suppliers of all products. The moments when I am the most creative are when I am still and on my own, and my mind can wander down unexplored avenues of possibilities. A notebook and pen are always with me.

. In what direction do you feel that design is moving towards in a general sense?
I think this is subjective to the culture where the design is being undertaken and cannot be answered generally. It seems that people like metropolitan luxury but on an industrial, pared down level, using natural materials and creative furniture pieces. More emphasis is finally being given to the importance of lighting, and art creativity in all areas, whether it is the wall finishes, floor coverings, etc etc. Beach life with the elements of wood, and stone are appearing in the cities also, whilst country life is becoming more contemporary in the design look. Living in the centre of the world stage for all cultures and therefore tastes and lifestyle, I see trends from gloss and gold and shine, to natural metals, cottons and wood.

. Name some key themes to consider when approaching design in 2015 and beyond.

– To treat lighting as the integral part of the project and to make clients realise the value to the finished home.
– Using natural materials that create comfort, calm and bring you back to nature.
– Less cluttered environments, as people seek to de-clutter and streamline their lives
– Being more creative in all finishes to bring the elements of surprise and drama into future interiors
– Creation of different unexpected colour combinations that still work!
– To create furniture design that is not only unique and beautiful, but functional for each purpose that it is created for. Some furniture at present, does not tick all three boxes.

. If you could offer one piece of advice when it comes to interior design schemes, what would it be?
Always have a cohesive plan incorporating all elements from the beginning, get excited, get inspired, think outside the box. Make changes as the creativity flows, but never move away from the initial concept as it will always be the best!
In one piece of advice…trust your initial instincts.

. How important are The International Design and Architecture Awards as recognition of talent and achievement?
Its important for me to gain recognition on a global level within the industry, to be able to showcase my company and its achievement, and on a client level to provide instant credibility, not just from previous clients’ testimonials and referral work but to see there are huge industry standards to attain out there and that we are reaching them. It is a strong international award with excellent brand recognition.

. What projects are you currently working on?
Two Villas in the elite Emirates Hill area of Dubai
One villa on The Palm Jumierah
A beach house in Sri Lanka
A dacha house set in the woods in Russia
A villa in a new residential are in the capital of U.A.E…Abu Dhabi
An apartment in Mayfair

. What are your aims and goals for the next twelve months?
My aim is to create some inspiring interiors, that exceed the clients’ expectation in the time frames given, and to continue to seek clients who have a wide range in their lifestyles and tastes so we can continue to experience new design concepts. I would like to become recognised globally within the industry and work in new countries. My other goal is to complete the marketing of the custom made furniture that I manufacture, so not only my clients have the benefit, but I can sell to individual customers around the world. In the next twelve months on a personal level I plan to take a trip to Buenos Aires to discover the birth place of tango, and further my dedication to this passion I have.

. Final thoughts; tell us a little more about yourself
Your most treasured possession?
I cannot pinpoint just one, so here is my list of treasured necessities:

My tango dance shoes that go everywhere with me and get used every day
A traditional cast iron sauté pan that just by looking at it makes you want to cook something amazing!
Notebook and pen…work is always beside me
My passport, so I can travel when ever I want
My ipod for music, which I always like to surround myself with
My phone for communication

Your favourite holiday destination?
Isola di Ponza in Italy. A little island set in the Mediterranean that is a fantasy of beautiful water, simple but delicious food, and people full of character and life – Mediterranean simplicity at its very very best.

Your favourite hotel / restaurant / bar?
I love food, so there is more than one!

Favourite Hotel, The Amagani Hotel in Jackson Hotel Wyoming. I have a fantastic memory of sitting in the outdoor pool in minus 35 degrees with ice encrusted hair, sipping champagne, and gazing at a view of breathtaking mountains. The interiors were very contemporary, but remained warm and cosy with an abundance of teak wood and stone walls and architecture that seamlessly blended into the environment.

Favourite Restaurant, Jacqui O’s Love Beach in Antigua – A chilled out restaurant that plays a stunning music selection against a backdrop of fabulous food and fun impeccable service whilst gazing at a diamond studded ocean of sunshine and sunsets. One hammock between the trees…nowhere else to be!

Bistro de la Grille in Paris. A tiny bistro in the back streets of St German de Pres, oeufs en meurette and coq au vin to die for.

Favourite Bar, Hotel de Paris Monaco – A traditional bar experience in terms of service and cocktails, and ceiling décor that is a delight. A soothing haven of luxury

Your favourite book / film / song?
Favourite book is Shantaram by Gregory Roberts – set in India and is a tome of philosophy, culture and adventure. Vivid descriptions that carry you away into another world.

Favourite film, a true romantic – Gone with the Wind

Favourite Song – my constant is White Shade of Pale Procol Harum. My present favourite that I cant stop playing is Yasmin Levy, Una Noche mas.

Your favourite food and drink?
Italian, French or Spanish Red Wine in the evening, Watermelon juice and Evian water during the day.
Favourite Food – Freshly grilled sea bass with deep green olive oil and lemons from Italy, with a green green salad and rose wine St Madeleine, followed by 85% dark chocolate that is chilled to the max and a bowl of cherries and for go to comfort food, Roast chicken with tarragon…

Your favourite way to spend an afternoon?
Tango Dancing to beautiful music
Cooking
Swimming in the Ocean
Reading/winter storm outside a log fire
Laughing with close friends and my son

If you weren’t a designer, what would you be?
There was never any thing else…it was written!