Designed to Delight
KNOWN FOR THEIR KNACK FOR CRAFTING BESPOKE INTERIORS, DESIGN INTERVENTION HAS CREATED AWARD-WINNING PROJECTS THAT PAY TRIBUTE TO THEIR UNIQUE SETTINGS AND THE OWNERS’ PERSONAL STYLE
To say Design Intervention has a flair for striking detail would be an understatement. The firm’s masterful and meticulous approach to interiors has resulted in a collection of inspiring, awardwinning projects that have drawn them a loyal following across Asia. Nikki Hunt, principal and founder of Design Intervention, says designing homes began “by accident”, when friends and acquaintances started approaching her to design their abodes. Through successful word of mouth, Hunt soon embarked on more projects, which gradually turned her passion project into a successful career. In 2010, Hunt met Andrea Savage, an Australian interior designer who brought a fresh perspective and energy to the firm and the duo soon formed a partnership in 2012. Design Intervention quickly went on to win its first international design competition in 2013, and the last four years have seen the firm explode on the global scene, scooping up numerous accolades for their residential and hospitality projects. Together with their multicultural team of designers and architects, the dynamic duo works extensively across Asia, offering a holistic approach to design. The firm often undertakes the project from inception to completion, through architectural consultancy services as well as interior, furniture and rug design. “We believe design is a passion,” shares Hunt. “If you are truly passionate about design, then inspiration will be found in everything around you, whether it’s the set of a TV show, the details on a friend’s dress or the colours in a garden.”
ORIGINAL SPIN
From a botanically themed apartment to a bungalow with an eclectic, Chinoiserie-inspired look, the homes designed by Design Intervention are known for their quintessentially original aesthetic. Design Intervention proudly makes no claim to a single look, but relish their ability to draw out qualities of their clients’ personalities and sense of style in their design concepts. “We believe the role of a designer is to help each client achieve the best version of their own personal style and consequently our portfolio is as diverse as our clients are,” says Hunt. “We are constantly striving to personalise our interiors to reflect the culture, passions and aspirations of each owner.” The firm’s bespoke approach can be seen in award-winning projects such as the Modern Chinoiserie house. While sticking to strict fengshui requirements in the bungalow, the designers creatively paired bright colours with Eastern elements inspired by the owner’s antique collection; the result is a cheerfully personalised interior.
Infusing homes with character and subtle glamour has become second nature to the firm. It’s a feat accomplished by the clever use of colours, patterns and textures, set against a luxurious material palette of marble, velvet and metallic details. Witness their irreverent aptitude for colour shine in a penthouse with a sunset-inspired colour palette; while in a hotel-inspired apartment, the duo’s creative knack takes a more subdued elegance by embracing the delicate beauty of blossom trees.
BESPOKE BEAUTY
The crowning touches for Design Intervention’s projects are the bespoke furniture pieces that they create for each home. When designing these pieces, Hunt believes that aesthetics should never prevail at the expense of comfort and function. “Design should be more about fostering an atmosphere than forging a look,” she says. Capturing the spotlight in recent years is the firm’s Ridout Console, which makes a statement with its layered design and glamorous mix of materials. It won the accolade for Best Table Design at the International Product Design Awards in 2016. “This was our first global win and we were thrilled to be showcasing Singapore design on the global stage,” says Hunt. Homeowners can also enjoy taking their picks from the firm’s collection of best-selling pieces. One of Design Intervention’s most popular furniture is the Cameron Sofa. The curvaceous oversized sofa offers generous deep sitting to encourage relaxation, even allowing space for the entire family to sink back and enjoy conversation.
THE NEXT PHASE
With Design Intervention’s repute well-established locally and on the international stage, nurturing the next generation of home designers is on the agenda for Hunt. She established the Young Designer Award in 2015, an annual initiative that aims to mentor up-and-coming talents. Now into its fourth year, the competition invites entries from design students in Singapore, challenging these fledging designers to create inspiring interior concepts based on the brief provided. “We established the award as a way of getting the students to think like a residential designer, to consider the needs of a client,” shares Hunt. “We hope it will inspire them to continually aim higher and give them an insight into what it is like to work in the industry.” The firm’s ability to create tailormade homes also caught the eye of local producer Donovan Chan of Beach House Productions, who tapped on Hunt’s and Savage’s expertise in a new TV series for HGTV. Entitled Come On In, the reality series offers insights into the dynamic duo’s creative process, as they transform interior spaces into dream abodes for homeowners in Singapore. With its eye for detail and ability to bring design visions to life, Design Intervention is geared to set new benchmarks in residential homes for Asian homeowners seeking that sense of exclusive luxury.