Salbini Experience: Vittoria Chiarilli from Australia
Our Australia manager Vittoria Chiarilli is an Interior Designer. She has a small studio called Marly Hemisphere which operates out of Melbourne Australia.
She has been in Milano for the Salone del Mobile and then we interviewed her in Pagani.
Childhood
She has always been artistic as a child.
“As a very young girl l would accompany my father to his work – he was a builder and l would find small objects on his building sites and make sculptures to take home and show my mum. I learned to sew at 14 and draft all my own patterns for clothes l made. I was happiest when l was creating and making things.”
Favourite design style
Some of her favourite design styles are: Neo Classic, Post Modern, Scandinavian, Midcentury Modern and Art Deco.
Functionality or appeal?
When asked if she prefers functionality or appeal she says she prefers to try to combine both.
“It means l can have something look beautiful but also importantly provide the client with an easy to use space that meets most of their needs”
What are a couple of questions you’d ask to discover your client’s requirements?
Some of the questions she usually asks a client are:
- what are you trying to achieve in the space?
- are we using some existing items/furniture you have
- how do you live in the space
- Are you looking for locally made furniture or are you wanting to consider furniture manufactured overseas
- And then most importantly what is your budget”
These are important questions to ask a client to begin a good collaboration.
Keeping up with industry changes and with the latest Interior Design styles
Keeping up with industry changes is at times difficult in a fast changing world.
“I try where l can to go to trade shows such as Salone del Mobile which often provide a great source of inspiration… I keep myself up to date with the latest design styles by following interior designers and architects on instagram and the internet that interest me.”
It’s also important working in collaboration with other designers.
Imagine your client asks you to design a room in a way that is visually pleasing but not practical. How would you react?
“If they are just wanting a room/space to look beautiful and it be never used then we don’t need to be practical, but if the space is an area that is used frequently it is my job to highlight to the client the disadvantages of being in a space that is not practical.”
It’s important to create spaces that are thoughtful, reflect the client’s personality and ultimately give the client great satisfaction to move within these spaces.
When a client rejects all your design concepts
The design process needs to be a collaboration between client and designer and in order to achieve this successfully there must be a level of trust from the client.
“When a client rejects all my design concepts it usually means they have perhaps not chosen the right designer for their project. Initial meetings with clients are crucial, they establish if we will be able to work together and if there is a potential to clash.”
Why Salbini for the supply of European design products?
Using a company like Salbini means that clients are dealing directly with an agent out of Italy. One of the benefits is that a customer can buy different type of products all through one agent.
Moreover, “Things are done more quickly if there is an issue or drama.” Another reason would be cost saving. It’s all advantageous.
With Salbini Experience we will open the doors of the best Italian companies to you.
