Introducing Louise Booyens Interiors

 
How did you get into the interior design world?

I grew up in South Africa, and as a little girl I loved visiting other peoples’ homes. I have a very vivid memory of a family friend’s floor covered in overlapping Persian rugs and I’ve had a thing for these ever since!

As a child, there wasn’t really any money for redecoration or new curtains, but I used to move the furniture in my bedroom around at least once a month – I drove my parents crazy!

After leaving school, I obtained a law degree in South Africa, but shortly afterwards, my husband and I moved to the UK and I became a full time mother.

Once my children were grown, I decided to pursue my dream of becoming an interior designer and went back to university. I eventually obtained a BA (Hons) in Heritage Interior Design. Louise Booyens Interiors was born and I have never looked back.

Have you been always drawn to period homes?

Growing up in South Africa, I wouldn’t have known anything about period properties or heritage houses, there simply isn’t the same amount of history and sadly, there is hardly any system in place for the protection of old buildings. We are extremely lucky in this country to have so many old buildings that are protected.

When I came to England in the nineties, I started visiting English Heritage and National Trust properties and that is where my obsession with old houses began. I find heritage houses and their architecture very inspiring.

What is your favourite project so far?

Very difficult to choose a favourite! I’ve been lucky to have worked on some incredible houses, but my favourite project is one that we have been working on for the past year or so. It is a stunning 18th century country house in Ireland that the owners are sympathetically restoring.

You recently introduced a retail online shop to your business. What led you to the idea to expand into retail?

Expanding into retail has always been something I have been interested in and I have absolutely loved the process of designing and sourcing our items for the home. Our Iris Side Tables and Lamps in particular have been so much fun to design and I love the fact that customers have the option to choose their paint finish, it’s always so exciting to see the design transformed each time painted in a different colour!

Can you tell us more about some of the products within the shop?

We wanted to create and source unique and also bold and colourful pieces that can be added to any period or contemporary space – something to add a pop of colour or pattern to lift and brighten a room.

All of our pieces are made and sourced locally in Norfolk and the wider East Anglia area and we work closely with our local carpenters, framers and upholsterers designing and sourcing our items, which means we are able to control a lot of the design process and create really unique and special pieces. It also means we are able to offer a lot of custom and bespoke options, as with the colour choice of our tables and lamps for example, and also with our bespoke upholstery, which I think is really useful for both homeowners and interior designers who are creating a scheme with specific colours and fabrics in mind.

Best advice you received as an interior designer?

“Don’t ever assume anything”  This is one of the best pieces of advice I’ve received, it’s always better to ask questions and explain exactly what it is you mean – I can never assume that the client, electrician, painter or upholsterer understands what I’m thinking!

For more information about Louise Booyens Interiors and to see their portfolio and online store please visit louisebooyens.com

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