dk interiors have been shortlisted  in The International Design and Architecture Awards. Read more about Director, Debra Kacher, below:

---

Name: Debra Kacher

Company: dk interiors

Position within company: Director

Website: www.dkinteriors.uk.com

Tell us a little about your background in design:
Following a long and successful career in fashion working for a large high street retailer holding positions as a fashion buyer, member of senior management and running a large team I decided to pursue a career change after the passion for the fashion business started to wane following extensive restructuring in the business and the loss of emphasis on product and quality.

Utilising my broad management experience skills, flair for sourcing, styling, product and working with designers both in house and design teams, I pursued a transition into Interior design as I felt this path had the most synergy to utilising my existing skills as well as always having the passion for interiors. I retrained gaining a diploma with honours in an interior design course to ensure the technical skills were obtained to accompany the creative skills developed over a long period of time.

How would you describe your personal design style?
Classic with a contemporary twist with a broad appreciation of styles, a particular feel for textiles, eye for colour, appreciation of materials particularly natural.

Where does your design inspiration come from?
I draw design inspiration from many sources, with my background in fashion I love to reflect on new colour and fabric trends, forms and materials. I am inspired too from art in all forms particularly textural,  architecture of course, other designers in the business a constant source of inspiration, the past and the present.

In what direction do you feel that design is moving towards in a general sense?
There is a huge move to more comfort, more layering, less minimal, with people spending more time in their homes over the last 18 months a massive time for reflection and improvement. As well as the extension of the outside inside, making ones gardens if lucky to have one, another room to the home.

Name five key themes to consider when approaching design in 2020 and beyond.
Sustainability
Comfort
Nature/ natural
Form / function
Repurpose

If you could offer one piece of advice when it comes to design schemes, what would it be?
Trust your instinct, reflect your personality and style, do not slavishly follow trends but adapt to suit your lifestyle.

How important are The International Design & Architecture Awards?
The recognition of the work we all achieve by our peers and the industry specialist is vital to feel a sense of achievement and worth.

What projects are you currently working on?
Quite wide reaching from a Grade 11 listed arts and craft home, to a large family detached house to a refurbishment of a flat for a young couple in North London as well as an apartment for a lady starting a new chapter in her life.

What was your favourite project to work on and why?
The project we have submitted for the awards was challenging, rewarding and uplifting in so many ways. We designed all aspects from a living wall, water feature, relaxation room, gym and wine room to an infra red sauna and steam shower. The brief from the client was to incorporate all of these aspects in the most sustainable way with a Japanese / Anglo influence using as many natural techniques, materials and finishes.

What was your most challenging project to work on and why?
This project we installed during the lock down, it is a penthouse with many different restrictions but just so rewarding

Which products/services could you not live without when designing?
Firstly my Mac book just love it to pieces for designing, sourcing, researching then pretty devoted to my iPhone (sorry this is not an ad for Apple!) but both allow access to so much information and inspiration, Instagram has become an obsession!

What are your aims and goals for the next twelve months?
Firstly just need to photograph the work we have managed to achieve in the last year, we have been constantly busy through lockdown and now need to capture and reward all the hard work.

Final thoughts; tell us a little more about yourself and your daily inspirations:

Your most treasured possession?
My dog he brings total unconditional love on a daily basis.

Your favourite holiday destination?  
Italy, loves the colours, the food, the culture, Tuscany is just beautiful.

Your favourite hotel, restaurant & bar? 
Claridges in London, The Beverley Hills hotel in LA, The Four Seasons – Florence all have old world glamour in common

Your favourite book?
When the Crawdads Sing

Your favourite food and drink?
Japanese, love the simplicity and subtle combination of flavours. Gin and tonic after a long day not with Japanese food though!

Your favourite way to spend an afternoon?
Clothes shopping – not something I get a chance to do very often.

If you weren’t a designer, what would you be?
A dancer if I had time!

Anything else interesting?
Love to exercise, particularly Pilates, ballet and circuit training so good for the mind as well as the body.

dk interiors have been shortlisted  in The International Design and Architecture Awards.

---

design et al only work with the world’s leading designers.

If you think you have what it takes to complete in The International Design & Architecture Awards, submit your application by clicking here.

How to Apply  /  The Categories