Friday Files – DESIGNER DISCOVERY – Q + A WITH MELINDA HARTWRIGHT

As Spring has just begun, we have interviewed the suitably fresh Sydney-based interior designer, Melinda Hartwright.

Q: What is your favourite part about being an interior designer?
A: I just love fabrics, the patterns, colours, textures and get such a thrill from playing with them and pulling together schemes. I do find it hard to stop though and usually come up with far more concepts than I need to. The choices and beautiful combinations are just so heavenly, I can’t stop myself! And of course the happiness on the face of clients when they see it all come together and you take a huge sigh of relief and think “Thank God, they love it”.

Q: What is your best-design tip?
A: Always choose paint colours last!

Q: What is your favourite product from Boyac
A: Thibaut fabrics and wallpapers are definitely my go to choices; they offer such beautiful colours and patterns and fit perfectly within my design style and personal taste.

Q: What colour do you naturally gravitate towards for interiors?
A: Blue. It’s in my decorating DNA. I always go for cool colours, blues and greens, beiges and greys, black and white. 

Q: What is your go-to soft furnishing piece?
A: I have an obsession with fabrics and cushions, so to me you can never have too many. And window coverings are really important, I don’t much care for shutters as I feel fabrics add so much more to a room as a window treatment in terms of softness, texture, warmth and cosiness. I’m big on rooms being cosy even if they are contemporary.

Q: Are you a wallpaper or paint girl?
A: Definitely a wallpaper girl. I would do every room of every house if given the opportunity. Even plain wallpapers just add a texture, richness and depth to walls that paint can’t. And the choices we have these days are mind boggling.

Q: Who is your design-mentor?
A: In Australia Lynda Kerry is both an inspiration and mentor. I am inspired by her style, work and talent as a designer but she has also been a generous mentor to me personally and professionally. In the US, designers such as Alexa Hampton, Phoebe Howard and LeeAnn Thornton are all time favourites.

Q: How would you describe your palate in three words?
A: Blue and White! Always has been, always will be. I’m a classicist through and through.

We have been privileged to work with Melinda over the years; the following images are from some of her projects featuring our Boyac products.