"Donnie strives to create interiors that capture light while adding extra warmth with natural textures and elements. Donnie believes that for a room to look beautifully curated it is important to mix styles while sticking to this clean and bright aesthetic."
To kickstart our DESIGNER SPOTLIGHT series, today we’re talking to South African-born London interior designer Donnie Wales-Wright about her journey to becoming a well-regarded name within the interiors industry, where she draws her inspiration from, her latest projects, and her favourites from the latest Hunter & Co. collection!
LET'S START AT THE VERY BEGINNING. WHAT MADE YOU DECIDE TO BECOME AN INTERIOR DESIGNER?
I’ve always felt my mood is influenced by my surroundings - if my house is a mess, my brain feels scrambled and I can’t seem to concentrate. I think a lot of people feel the same way. I love creating beautiful spaces that contribute to the way a client feels in their home. It’s one of the reasons I think the way a space functions is just as important as the way it looks, because your home needs to accommodate for the way you live in it.
WHO IS YOUR BIGGEST INTERIOR DESIGNER CRUSH?
There are so many but my top three are:
WHERE DO YOU DRAW YOUR INSPIRATION FROM WHEN YOU'RE STARTING A NEW PROJECT?
If my client has Pinterest I always start by looking at their boards and what they are pinning. I have found my clients often struggle to articulate their preferred style and can find it quite intimidating to try and do so. I prefer to see what organically catches their eye and from there, build a scheme that I think reflects their tastes and personality.
WHAT ARE YOUR TOP 3 FAVOURITE ITEMS BY HUNTER & CO.?
So hard to pick as I love the whole collection but here goes. The Denya wooden pots, the Portland vases and the Monte Carlo bone box.
TELL US ABOUT YOUR LATEST PROJECT?
I am currently working on a family home in Blackheath and a flat in Hampstead. The Blackheath home is a balance of modern and traditional elements designed with a family in mind – expect kid-friendly fabrics, plenty of storage and pops of colour. The Hampstead flat, meanwhile, is the perfect mix of modern, mid-century and art deco influences. It is going to be a crazy transformation and I can’t wait to share the before and after!
WHAT IS THE NUMBER ONE MUST HAVE ITEM THAT YOU RECOMMEND EVERYONE TO HAVE IN THEIR HOME?
Statement light fixtures! Think of it as the ‘jewellery’ for your home as it can either elevate or ruin a space.
WHAT ADVICE DO YOU HAVE FOR ANYONE WANTING TO RENOVATE OR REDECORATE THEIR HOME? WHERE’S THE BEST STARTING POINT IF THINGS FEEL A LITTLE OVERWHELMING?
My biggest piece of advice is that, for a room to look beautifully curated it is important to mix décor styles. Even if it takes you longer, take your time to source items that you LOVE even if they are across difference styles, so your home becomes a representation of you and your family’s personality. Also, don’t underestimate the power of texture - natural wood elements, layered fabrics and mixed metals keep things interesting.
NOW, FOR OUR QUICK FIRE ROUND!
Early bird or night owl? Early bird, everytime!
Favourite film? Housesitter
Ultimate travel destination? Bali
Guilty pleasure? Real Housewives of ANYWHERE and diet coke!
View the full Donnie Wales Interiors portfolio at www.donniewalesinteriors.com, and don’t forget to check out behind the scenes footage over on the designer’s Instagram @donniewalesinteriors.