Owners of lighting company Scabetti, Dominic and Frances Bromley, tell us about adding a little bit of soul to an interior..
What direction do you feel design is moving towards in general terms?
We try not to analyse trends/ predict design direction. Sculptural forms have a timeless quality and we rely on the eye and emotion to carry the desire to own a piece of our work.
What sort of projects are you working on at the moment?
Along side private residential projects, we’ve just installed a unique 3m diameter sculpture for the Dutch Ministry of Defence in Utrecht. Over a thousand fine bone china soldiers come together to create their iconic Lion logo.
We’re about to announce an installation in the heart of London, at a new high end Japanese Restaurant, Watatsumi, just a minute’s walk from Trafalgar square. In January we’ll be installing a sculpture in the reception area of the Hilton Docklands Riverside Hotel.
A designer’s work is so diverse – how do you manage to hold down a career and a life?
It’s hard to differentiate between career and life. Design is all about creativity whether in the artistic form or the solving of a technical problem. Design solutions might come while having a shower, or running to collect the children from school. They’re rarely time-tabled. We couldn’t do what we do without passion and dedication all the time. Luckily when one of us is slumping we get carried by the other.
If you could offer one piece of advice when it comes to design schemes, what would it be?
Make sure you add soul to your interiors.
How important do you feel Design Awards are as recognition of designers talents and achievements? Awards give designers added confidence that people have a belief in what they’re creating. You need so much self motivation when creating new works, that to then receive formal acknowledgement makes it easier to communicate your efforts further afield.
How do you relax?
We grab the moments we can. There’s less of an official schedule for relaxation. Reading to the children at night is a good leveller and on a Thursday evening we make home made pizza and have a glass or two of red wine. Food is very important in our lives. Dominic does more planned exercise than me: he boxes twice a week.
What are your aims and goals for the next twelve months? To keep open minded to new opportunities: … we employed a Japanese undergraduate this year and as a result we could well be taking our work to Japan.
Final thoughts; tell us a little more about yourself
The car you drive?
Fiat Multipla. Good practical family car and converts to a mini-van for travelling to installations.
Your favourite place to travel to in the world?
We were the guests of a client in the Seychelles earlier this year: the most amazing group of islands.
Different places have different qualities, so no real for-ever favourite. Exploration is key.
Your favourite hotel/ restaurant/ bar?
At the moment would have to be Konoba in the Seychelles.
The place that gives you the most energy?
Bed.
And the place that enables you to totally relax?
Bed!
Your favourite food and drink?
Shell fish, fresh from the boat, fried in butter with fresh garlic and parsley. Home-made elderflower champagne.