29 Aug Friday Files by: BOYAC – Designer Discovery – Claire Stevens Interior Design (C.S.I.D)
We have pleasure in introducing a wonderful young and extremely talented Interior designer from Brisbane, Claire Stevens from Claire Stevens Interior Design. Claire was achieving awards even before her design career had begun. Studying at QUT, with a Bachelor of Built Environment in Interior Design, upon graduating she was awarded ‘Head of School’ and the next year was named Design Institute of Australia’s ‘Queensland Emerging Student Designer’ of the year. After working for a couple of leading design firms, Claire stepped out on her own and has never looked back. She is an absolute delight to work with.
Most interesting part of your job?
One of the best things about being an Interior Designer is the interesting people that you get to meet. Whether they be clients or suppliers, I have made some wonderful relationships over the years. It is also a job where every day is different. You spend days in the office designing and days out and about sourcing products and attending meetings – It is great not to be chained to a desk!
When did you first become interested in design as a career?
I always wanted to do something creative. When I was younger I was fascinated by the floor plans advertised in the property section of the newspaper and thought that I wanted to be an Architect. However, I decided last minute that I much preferred the smaller details and the space planning involved in interior design.
Who/what would you consider your biggest design inspirations at the moment?
There is so much inspiration easily available to us these days through Instagram and Pinterest. It is thrilling to discover a new designer or collection via these channels and it is important to keep up to date with them in order to stay relevant.
Currently I have been admiring the work of Decus Interiors and Alexander & Co. (both from Sydney), as well as Articolo for gorgeous lighting and Pampa for their amazing rugs.
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What has been your greatest achievement in your career?
I have been very fortunate with my career so far. After finishing university, I won Queensland’s Young Emerging Designer Award from the DIA and worked for Rowena Cornwell where I learnt the necessary skills to start my own interior design business. Starting my own business (almost 3 years ago now!) has been a huge achievement for me. There is nothing more rewarding than reflecting on how C.S.I.D has grown to be the business that it is today – I have just hired my first staff member and am looking forward to passing on all that I know to another young designer!
Where do you plan to take your career from here?
I don’t know what will be around the corner for C.S.I.D but whatever it is, I am excited! For the moment I am just focusing on the multitude of projects I have in the works, creating beautiful spaces for wonderful clients – I would be more than happy to keep doing this for a fair while longer!