Audi Snÿman Interior Design has been shortlisted for 3 categories in The International Design and Architecture Awards 2022. Read more about the Founder and President, Audi Snÿman, below:

Name: Audi Snÿman
Company: Audi Snÿman Interior Design
Position within Company: Founder and President
Website: www.audisnyman.co.za

Tell us a little about your background in design (education, experience, etc)
I commenced my design career some 25 years ago. I made the life-changing decision to discard the white laboratory coat as a microbiologist to pursue my dream career – interior design! This was one of the best decisions I have made and have never looked back. The creative world inspires me, and since a child, I have been passionate about design, embroidery, and needlework. Today I live my dream and design interiors for the most beautiful residential properties, exclusive boutique hotels, safari lodges, medical day clinics and entertainment venues.

How would you describe your personal design style?
I am particularly fond of the Georgian style, I appreciate details, details, details! Fabrics, woodwork, light fittings, hand-made rugs and carpets, art pieces, embroidery patterns in fabrics, fire surrounds, details in marble, balustrades… for me it’s all about details as they enrich the final look and feel of the space. I love fabulous fragrances too, they create the ambience of the home, like the smell of roses, for example. The home should be a story of who you are and your family. Life is made up of all these little stories, together they form the canvas of your life and reflect who you are.

In what direction do you feel that design is moving towards in a general sense?
There is a definite move towards sustainability, which is great. We all need to be working towards preserving our precious planet. There is also a shift towards quality, we should not be replacing too often, and buying good quality from the get-go will preserve the piece and ensure it lasts, which is also a more sustainable option.

If you could offer one piece of advice when it comes to design schemes, what would it be?
Planning, planning, planning; I cannot overemphasise this crucial point!

How important are The International Design & Architecture Awards?
The awards bring industry recognition which is highly valuable as a designer. This mark of approval also enhances credibility whilst also bolstering the image and reputation of winners. Being a global award, the competition provides a good measure of benchmarking on an international scale which is a great way for us all to learn from one another. And of course, the entire process provides excitement and inspiration in the interior design space!

What projects are you currently working on?
We are currently involved in residential projects as well as a retirement home at the coast.

What was your favourite project to work on and why?
Maison Benie, my recent project, is a firm favourite. The clients were very involved, and so passionate and excited about the project, placing their complete trust in me, which makes it very rewarding. They wanted the best quality, customized pieces and lots of detail. Right up my alley – a dream project!

What was your most challenging project to work on and why?
It is always challenging when working with clients that struggle to accept advice and consequently, ultimately want to change things because they see that there was a more effective or creative way of achieving goals. The best way to avoid this is to spend a lot of time getting to know the client, their lifestyle, dream home and wish list upfront. It all starts with a conversation.

Which products/services could you not live without when designing?
1 – Lights… they create different moods.
2 – One of my most valuable services Audi Snÿman Interior Design provides, is the opportunity to be involved in the project from the get-go, this is a really important step in the process and quite crucial for the entire project to flow seamlessly.
3 – The trust between the client and the designer – whilst this is not a tangible service, it is a critical value in the process

What are your aims and goals for the next twelve months?
We are hard at work extending our footprint into new territories outside of South Africa. I am currently working on a project in another country which is very exciting and hope to tap into even more international opportunities!

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

Your most treasured possession?
Family and family heirlooms.

Your favourite way to spend an afternoon?
My favourite pastime is to relax in a beautiful garden filled with scented flowers – just to be surrounded by nature is my favourite way of spending a leisurely afternoon. Don’t forget the cup of tea!
I am blessed to have a gorgeous, widespread garden filled with a host of flowers, ranging from magnolias, lilies and jasmine to gardenias. I have made it more interesting by adding alcoves and benches that are well set into the various nooks and crannies. My favourite spot is the formal rose garden, where I can sit and be peaceful, enjoying the most incredibly sweet fragrances… what a treat… to sit back and smell the roses!

If you weren’t a designer, what would you be?
For sure a landscape architect.

Anything else interesting?
I enjoy being creative with my hands, that could be gardening, needlework, knitting, decoupage, beadwork, crochet, macrame…  all inspire me, I enjoy creating things from nothing. From the onset of the pandemic we have been creating knitwear for people suffering from mental health issues; it forms part of our social responsibility initiatives to support local communities.

If I could take a month off between projects, I would love to tap into the explorer in me and jet to Europe to visit cathedral upon cathedral, absorbing the architectural lines and appreciating the historical significance of these beautiful buildings. To top it off, it would be an awesome experience to move back in time to the era of Marie Antoinette and to experience the grandeur, pomp and ceremony of court life in Europe and indeed, in the United Kingdom during the Tudor period. To experience palaces and old country mansions set in the countryside, to understand the fuss and frills, all playing out in scintillating historical periods is totally intriguing and fascinating to me. A holiday of this nature would be like a dream come true – but it needs to unravel back then in the authentic time frame!

Audi Snÿman Interior Design

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

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