17 Jan Friday Files by: BOYAC – Designer Discovery – Leigh Boswell of Highgate House
BOYAC sits down with Leigh Boswell of Highgate House. Highgate House is a well-respected Brisbane interior design studio specialising in residential design and boutique commercial projects, with a 20 year history. Their beautifully appointed studio in Clayfield provides a base for projects which are centred in south east Queensland but have extended to cover a large proportion of the east coast.
Talk us through your career path up until now.
I grew up surrounded by design and beautiful things – my mother is an interior decorator and my father built high-end residential properties. I opened Highgate House in Brisbane as a partnership with my mother over 20 years ago, after returning from working in an interior design studio in London. I am still as passionate today about creating beautiful environments for our clients, as I was when I began my training with John Black here in Brisbane.
What are some of your methods to staying motivated, focused, and expressive?
I don’t seem to have trouble staying motivated. With each new job comes the same motivation and passion .Every project is different, and we are newly inspired by every client we meet and home we visit– sometimes a client’s treasured possession, a key piece of art or furniture can be the pivot point for a new scheme. Our approach with our clients is collaborative; we work very closely with them to interpret their personal style. In return they trust us to create beautiful spaces, and be creative.
What has been your favourite project so far?
It’s so hard to choose, we have been involved in some amazing homes lately. It was wonderful to receive the HIA Interior Design award recently for a project we completed in Bridgeman Downs, a large renovation in which we were involved in from planning stage. It was an amazing transformation.
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What is your favourite BOYAC brand and why?
We love using the bold and beautiful patterns of Thibaut wallpaper and fabrics.
What trends do you see in interiors at the moment and what do you forecast for the future?
Lots of layering and detailing, which are what, we do best. Homes will generally have a lot more interest with the use of wallpaper, drapes and custom furniture pieces made in beautiful fabrics, back to a more decorative era.
What’s next – can you share with us your vision and some of your goals?
I am always planning and setting new goals, this year sees our team expanding, enabling us to streamline and personalise our service even further.