Island Style

Lulie Fisher, born and raised in the small seaside county of Essex in the south of England, has always had an affinity for the seaside, coastal views and vast open spaces. Her creative parents and grandparents instilled a passion for art, architecture and literature in her and, following in the footsteps of her grandmother – the first ever female architect to study at the Architectural Association in London – she went on to make a name for herself in the world of architecture. More recently, she’s added interior design to her considerable talents. After her studies at Liverpool John Moores University, she joined Foster and Partners’ studio in London in 1991, where she worked as an architect for 16 years on many prestigious, award-winning projects. It was during her time at Foster and Partners that Fisher developed a real love for interior design.

As a result, Lulie Fisher Design Studio was established in 2016. It is a multi-awardwinning boutique studio specialising in interior design, and a creative force to be reckoned with. Just recently, Lulie Fisher and her incredible team of creatives have been appointed to design the luxury beach and golf front villas as the first phase of Blue Amber Zanzibar’s Private Villa Collection – a luxury tropical community, master-planned to host a variety of exclusive residency options, from beachside villas to private islands. We caught up with Fisher to find out more about her vision for what will soon be Africa’s largest mixed-use development on the tropical island of Zanzibar.

SLOW: Since the inception of Lulie Fisher Design Studio in Dubai, you have won a number of prestigious awards, including Best Concept Design 2017 at the Middle East and North Africa Interior Design Awards for your work at the Abu Dhabi Tourism and Cultural Authority. What sets Lulie Fisher Design Studio apart from the rest?

Lulie Fisher (LF): We are a small, friendly and dedicated team and have gained our experience from large, well-known, international architecture and interior design studios. We are able to bring with us the wealth of knowledge and best practice learnt in these environments, into a boutique studio. Due to our small size, we are able to offer our clients a very personal service and one which is delivered with a real passion for design.

We are a globe-trotting, international bunch and between us have worked in London, Milan, Los Angeles, India and Dubai, whilst working on projects across Europe, the Middle East, South East Asia and the USA.

We approach all our projects with a completely open mind. Together with my small team of designers we brainstorm ideas and a concept, always looking for a fun and unusual angle to provide design inspiration. Our design style is quirky, colourful and eclectic. These traits are not necessarily appropriate for all projects and design solutions, and we sometimes have to work at controlling them! Our team is passionate about all fields of design and this is vital to being an interior designer. I know that sounds obvious but reading, visiting exhibitions, visiting buildings, traveling and fashion – all provide important and rich sources of inspiration and inspire all our projects on a daily basis.

SLOW: Your team has recently been appointed to design the luxurious interiors for the tropical island resort Blue Amber Zanzibar’s Private Villa Collection. What is your vision for the design of this luxurious space?

LF: Blue Amber is a place to unwind and soak up the tranquillity and beauty of its natural surroundings. The colours and textures of this extraordinary site have been translated into a design language through the use of natural, earthy palettes and textured surfaces, reflecting the rugged land and the tranquil and impossibly blue waters. These natural palettes are juxtaposed with elements of luxury and sophistication and some playful touches to create elements of surprise. These features combine to create an interior design which is casual yet refined, and simple yet luxurious.

SLOW: What is the overall design language you want to bring to the space that incorporates a true African feel? What are some signature pieces you want to include?

LF: We knew that we wanted to create a very contemporary, timeless and luxurious atmosphere, but also integrate elements

from the history and aesthetic of Zanzibar that provide the development with a strong sense of place and unique attributes. We sought to create an elegant, neutral backdrop using rich materials and finishes. We still wanted to add key “feature” walls and furniture pieces that either incorporate or are directly inspired from African design, colours, textiles and textures. These came, in part, from the dynamic Moroso M’afrique collection which employs traditional weaves in ultra-modern ways to create delightful and intriguing forms.

SLOW: How have you incorporated the history and aesthetic of Zanzibar in your vision?

LF: The spicy and earthy colours, intricately carved doors with their brass detailing, the sometimes rich, sometimes weathered timbers, and colourfully patterned fabrics that embody the vernacular of Zanzibar have provided strong inspiration for the design. Local handcraft and art pieces will be used to accessorise, creating an unmistakable Zanzibarian feel.

Lulie Fisher and her team’s vision for this luxury resort development, blending contemporary living and world-class facilities with the history and aesthetic of the tropical African island of Zanzibar, is nothing short of inspiring. Her affinity for the seaside fuses seamlessly with her passion for creating beautiful interiors that speak boldly of the spirit of the land and its beauty. Watch this space.

For more information, please visit www.luliefisher.com. For more information on Blue Amber Zanzibar, please visit www.blueamberzanzibar.com.