FdA Interior Design -

Kerry Lyon

Interior Designer

What was your background before KLC? 
Completing my law degree and then working in the legal field was something I was steered towards but never something that I really enjoyed.

Why did you decide to study Interior Design?
Always drawn to moving furniture around my room from a young age, and painting my walls at university in fuschia and turquoise, my interest in interiors, design and the significant impact they have on the utilisation of space and their effect on people's happiness has been a natural path for me. When at a point when I thought that I would have the time to diversify, I took the opportunity to study part-time with KLC with the online degree. 

What did you think of the course?
The experience of the online study was fantastic. Managing it with a family and a full-time job was without a doubt the most challenging time of my life! But the sense of satisfaction each time another module was passed, the next exciting project or topic began and seeing the progress that I was making was enough to keep me going. 

What are your design interests/strengths?
I've always been quite a practical and organised person which I thought would be detrimental to the creativity required of a designer. And whilst I still don't think I'm as creative as some of the other fantastic students on the course, I know that these traits are desirable. The aesthetics of a design are of paramount importance, but so is it that the space works seamlessly. A client investment in the use of a designer deserves a space that works without them thinking about it, a place for everything in a beautiful and calming aesthetic. 

What space inspires you?
Visiting Copenhagen to experience a part of Scandinavia was a formative part of my inspiration as a designer. The Dinesen flooring showroom, designed by Thomas Lykke of OEO Studio was the most heavenly and creative space. The creative use of the Dinesen planks was highly inspiring and the contemporary use of colour with existing architecture brought a complete sense of timelessness.

Who is your favourite designer?
David Thulstrup is a designer that I would love to work with. His work often combines elegant craft and comfort with modern design which is all highly influenced by his Scandinavian heritage. The projects that he has worked on result in what could be described as a simple aesthetic with a strong attention to detail and a highly tactile finish.

Where to from here?
I was fortunate enough to be offered a role in Hampshire with a small design studio. Our current project is a beautiful 36-bedroom Grade II listed independent hotel. It's fantastic to be able to put my newly acquired skills from the course into practice whilst learning a lot about the real life of a designer!

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