As Fame Rugs, our first mission is to improve any interior design of our customers’ space, while always making them feel at home. Today, we are pleased to share our interview that we have done with the lovely Gillian Zanre, for all of our dear readers to see and comment on. Our goal is to target interior designers and architects everywhere who will enlighten us with some of their knowledge and experiences. So, let’s get started. Enjoy!
What determined your passion for design? Tell us about the moment when you decided this is the way to go.
I grew up in Montreal and both my mother and aunt are Interior Design Consultants - They had a business together and as a child, I used to go accompany my mom to meetings with tradesmen, suppliers, and clients. I can say my environment helped me somehow to be introduced to the Interior Design world. Besides that, my field of study was Psychology & Criminology, which made me love working with people more and more.
As an interior designer who studied Psychology and Criminology, can you remember your first design project ever?
Yes. When I was 12 years old, I redecorated all of my room by myself, giving attention to all the small details. That was my first experience in the Design world. I redid it again at age of 16 too, that’s when I started to grow that passion in me.
What inspires you the most?
My first inspiration is my children. Their imagination, innocent beauty, and smart moves have always inspired me and pushed me forward for more creativity. What else? I can say it’s mother nature. You can find all the beauty you are looking for all around us in nature. But what I’m particularly taken by is the colors and textures of the desert. They are just so special.
What is that you consider your driving force?
That exact moment when you see the happiness reflected in your people’s eyes. When I see that we could simulate their inner souls and represent them in our interior design, It drives me to always give all of my best and unleash my imagination for more gorgeous and breath-taking results.
Now throughout your career, you must have come through something unusual as a designer. Do you have such experience?
I had many experiences related to your question. Most of them are about the weird and awkward requests I get from some of my clients. But we mostly laugh it out and make our clients satisfied with the final product they get. Besides this, maybe it’s the fact that I worked in criminology & criminal justice before unleashing into the interior design world.
Let's move to one of the most asked question by our clients: Are certain types of rugs better for certain types of rooms?
For sure. It depends on preference and style, obviously, but It’s really important to know how rooms will be used and who will be using them. Plus, each rug is special in itself and has its own vibe. It takes a little bit of knowledge and a designer’s intuition to make the best choice for your room.
As a designer yourself, how do you choose rugs for your clients?
By combining all of the above. It's not a random choice we can make. As a designer, our job is not just putting fabrics and colors together all day long. Choosing the right rug, or any other furniture piece is a combination of art and science. That's what most people cannot understand and see. Rugs, especially, are unique pieces of art. So finding the one to pair with our client's order is a well-defined process to follow.
If you could collaborate with any Interior Designer—Who would it be?
I would love to meet Kit Kemp - her use of color and ability to layer patterns, creating such texture and depth to her interiors. Locally, I’d love to collaborate and work with Jackie Fisken of Ampersand Interiors in Edinburgh. I think she is a brilliant designer and has created some beautiful furniture - the Arran chair is a favorite design of mine - a perfect mix of boho luxury that can work in any décor style from traditional to modern.
Any projects for the future?
The world has been through so much and there’s so much uncertainty. I’m looking forward to collaborating with brands and designers on Instagram, hopefully making mood boards and designs accessible to many in these strange times.
What advice do you have for young designers reading this interview?
To follow my 3-D rule: Determination, Driving sense, and Discipline. Focus on these three notions to have a bright career in general, and in this business in particular.