Welcome to the latest edition of Laskasas' Not-So-Secret Diary, where we bring you inspiring stories of the interior design industry's brightest stars. This month, we are thrilled to feature Carly Madhvani, the director & founder of NW3 Interiors.
With over two decades of experience in the industry, Carly's approach to design is centered around understanding her clients' unique needs and aspirations, allowing her to create bespoke spaces that are both beautiful and functional.
As the founder of NW3 Interiors, Carly leads a team of talented designers who are passionate about delivering exceptional results for their clients. From concept development to project management, NW3 Interiors offers a full-service interior design experience that is tailored to meet the unique needs of each client.
In this blog article, we will delve into Carly's journey in the industry, explore her design philosophy, and showcase some of her stunning projects. Whether you're an aspiring designer or simply looking for inspiration for your next project, Carly's story is sure to captivate and inspire you. So, sit back, relax, and enjoy this month's feature on Carly Madhvani and NW3 Interiors.
"A COMMON MISTAKE THAT PEOPLE MAKE WHEN DECORATING THEIR HOMES IS THAT THEY JUST PAINT EVERYTHING WHITE, AND I JUST FEEL IT'S A MISSED OPPORTUNITY."
Carly Madhvani
Source: NW3 Interiors | Carly Madhvani
What inspired you to pursue a career in interior design, and how did you get started in the field?
I was inspired to pursue a career in interior design from a few different sources. The first was that my father was a builder and I grew up going to site regularly at weekends, and then I did an art degree at University. Following that, I worked for a major furniture dealership in London and I became interested and passionate about the brands in which we were an authorized dealer for, specifically Knoll.
This company was the largest furniture dealer of Knoll in Europe. I appreciated their history, the iconic design and the organic shapes of the connections, so this inspired me to start my own interior design company where I became a dealer for Knoll and from there organically developed from offering our clients services for furniture, rugs, lighting, window dressings to growing and becoming an interior designer that's capable of large renovation work also.
What are some of the current trends in interior design that you find particularly exciting or innovative?
This new form of kitchen island is a game changer in terms of design and maximising space. The organic shape helps with flow in a mainly compact and linear room - which helps soften the aesthetic as kitchen units are so strong and structured : Curved kitchens.
Source: Espresso Design | Tangram new kitchen by Garcia Cumini for CESAR
We are often asked to add new lights to a room, however the installation can disrupt the existing electrics and be expensive and time consuming to put right (ie. chasing walls to add circuits and the cabling). However we have come across this remote control switch which enables new lights to be added and wirelessly connected - thus allowing for no additional electrical works to be done. Genius! Our clients love it!
"IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT TO START WITH A PRACTICAL SOLUTION AND THEN TO BEAUTIFY THEM."
Can you share some tips on how to create a cohesive and visually appealing colour scheme for a room or space?
How I create a cohesive and visually appealing colour scheme for a room, or a space is: I use a rule of a third plain, a third pattern and a third texture. I find this tends to have a good balance for visually aesthetically pleasing spaces. In terms of colour tones it does depend on how colour makes the client feel.
I tend to work with clients that work hard and wish to return home to have a calm environment, so my colour blend tends to be tonally neutral with accent colours that maybe trending or timeless depending on the client’s needs and I use natural materials.
Source: NW3 Interiors | NW3 Interiors' project.
How do you balance form and function in your design projects, and what is your approach to creating spaces that are both beautiful and practical?
Homes are very linear, strong and straight, and I balance form and function by introducing curves and more organic shapes into each space. I feel like it softens on the eye and that it's really important to start with a practical solution and then to beautify them. This is how I tend to order that.
I do feel that it's really important to address any practical needs for my clients, so I come up with solutions along the lines: if they've got children, where they're going to do their homework, how to include areas to enhance their lifestyle at the weekend and I then make them beautiful with soft