Imraan Ismail Interiors Have been shortlisted for 2 Categories in The International Hotel and Property Awards 2021.

Name: Imraan Ismail

Company: Imraan Ismail Interiors

Position within company: Proprietor

Website: www.iiinteriors.co.uk

Tell us a little about your background in design:

I originally trained and practised as a solicitor working in house for a reputable banking institution. A few years ago I decided to follow my dream and went back to school to study architectural interior design. I
graduated from world renowned Inchbald School of Design in London, UK and worked for a brief period at a number of interior design practises prior to launching my own interior architecture design firm. I have not looked back since and can safely say I am living my dream.

How would you describe your personal interior design style?

Eclectic liveable layered interiors

Where does your design inspiration come from?

Mostly through my many travels. I was fortunate to live across 3 continents in my lifetime and have travelled extensively worldwide over the years. I have had and continue to have so many unique experiences and it is astounding to see how art and design lives and thrives in different shapes and forms in communities around the world.

In what direction do you feel that design is moving towards in a general sense?

I think living in a pandemic has enabled so many to explore and experiment with design. The luxury of time during successive lockdowns has I believe made people more design savvy. This is wonderful as we all have a personal sense of style but perhaps not everyone had the time to express it. I think this can only mean good things for our industry as people begin to take more pride in their homes which they are increasingly spending more time in as well as becoming more attuned to being in well-designed spaces. Design is entrenching itself more into our lives and we are paying more attention to our surroundings, how we live, where we eat, shop and importantly how we would like to live in the future.

Name five key themes to consider when approaching design in 2021 and beyond.

Comfort, Affordability, Durability, Style, and Sustainability

If you could offer one piece of advice when it comes to interior design schemes, what would it be?

Find creative ways to infuse your personality, your interests, and passions into your designs – we all have a history, lets embrace it.

How important are The International Hotel & Property Awards as recognition of talent and achievement?

I think it’s a wonderful opportunity for talent worldwide to find expression and recognition in what may otherwise be a difficult area to be celebrated as an artist.

What projects are you currently working on?

An Apartment in Marylebone London, a Tudor family home in Kent, UK, a Barn Conversion in the English countryside.

What was your favourite project to work on and why?

Port Hotel in Eastbourne, UK, our recent boutique hotel project for which we are shortlisted. We enjoyed the scale of the project and working so closely with clients for whom this was a true passion project. We loved being part of something that we hope will be ground-breaking for the town and surrounding areas.

What was your most challenging project to work on and why?

Port Hotel in Eastbourne, UK. We had to work within the confines of a tight budget yet be forward thinking in our design. Our brief was to create a unique young viby space which would ultimately help support the
regeneration of old British coastal port towns. We worked tirelessly to engage local artisans on the project and take pride in the fact that even the artwork on display in the common areas and the restaurant is by local artists.

Which products/services could you not live without when designing?

My resource library stocked with hundreds of paint and fabric swatches and samples and importantly, the support of my CAD team.

What are your aims and goals for the next twelve months?

To continue to grow our practise and take on more commercial projects. We thoroughly enjoyed the challenges of hotel interior architecture and design and are hopeful for more projects of this nature.

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

Your most treasured possession?

My Hermes pocket square which belonged to my late father.

Your favourite holiday destination?

A skiing trip in France, ideally Courchevel 1850.

Your favourite hotel, restaurant & bar?

Hotel: La Reserve in Paris, France

Restaurant: Kiki’s Tavern in Mykonos, Greece

Bar: Nomad Bar in New York City, USA.

Your favourite book, film & song?

Book: Less, Andrew Sean Greer

Movie: Muriel’s Wedding

Song: “I Wanna Dance With Somebody” by Whitney Houston

Your favourite food and drink?

Food: Lobster Linguine

Drink: Eastern Standard, courtesy of mixologists at Soho House

Your favourite way to spend an afternoon?

Walking my 2 cavapoo dogs in the English countryside

If you weren’t a designer, what would you be?

A chef!

Anything else interesting?

I can recite the alphabet backwards – well, I used to be able to!