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Fiona Duke and Karen Knox, founders of The Interior Design Collective <\/em><\/p>\n\n The Interior Design Collective (IDC)<\/strong> is the brainchild of Karen Knox<\/strong> of Making Spaces and Fiona Duke<\/strong> of Fiona Duke Interiors. Karen and\u00a0Fiona have been running their own successful design studios since 2015\/14 with\u00a0their work being\u00a0featured in numerous editorials and online publications.<\/p>\n\n IDC is an exclusive invite only community that champions and supports the very best in independent interior design<\/strong>. It celebrates talented designers who offer professional, inspirational and flexible interior design services, making it easy to connect with someone close to home.<\/p>\n\n Accessible, client-led interior design has never been in greater demand, but finding the right person for you and your home is not an easy task.<\/p>\n\n Alternative Flooring is proud to be a Trade Partner of IDC.<\/p>\n\n\n The Interior Design Collective<\/em><\/p>\n\n Fiona:<\/strong> Not the most obvious path into design as I graduated with a French degree \u2026 which then took me into recruitment and marketing! After working in these industries for several years but having always continued to nurture my love for art and design<\/strong>, I finally decided to follow my passion for design and embark on a new career in Interior Design<\/strong>. After studying Interior Design and Creative Techniques in Interiors part-time at a local University, in 2014 I finally took the plunge and set up my own studio.<\/p>\n\n Karen<\/strong>: Daughter of a woodwork teacher and homemaker, my background in the arts and creative industries began at an early age and as a child was always more interested in making things than playing out. I\u2019m self-taught and launched Making Spaces<\/strong> in 2015 after seeing a gap in the market for achievable interior design with creativity at its centre.<\/p>\n\n Literally over the lovely little squares of Instagram<\/strong> where we began chatting about the interior design<\/strong> industry, the benefits and pitfalls of being freelance and our struggle to keep up with the growing demand for design work. We quickly realised we were on the same page and wanted nothing more than to break the stereotype that interior design was only for a \u2018select few\u2019. We identified a huge gap in the market for professional, creative and accessible interior design across the whole of the UK. Our response was simple: The Interior Design Collective.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n Top image shows interior design project \u201cMansion House\u201d by <\/em>Fiona Duke Interiors<\/em><\/strong><\/a> with Alternative Flooring\u2019s rug <\/em>Quirky B Liberty Fabrics Capello Shell Mist<\/em><\/strong><\/a>. Bottom left and bottom right images show interior design project \u201cRed Brick Detached\u201d by <\/em>Fiona Duke Interiors<\/em><\/strong><\/a> with Anywhere Herringbone Cocoa. All Images by <\/em>\u00a9Anna Stathaki<\/em><\/strong><\/a>.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n We launched the IDC<\/strong> to champion and support the very best in independent interior design<\/strong>. We painstakingly scoured the country and hand selected the UK\u2019s most creative designers, those whose own work and ethos echoed our own. Independent interior designers working in real homes<\/strong>, with realistic budgets<\/strong>, creating unique interiors\u00a0<\/strong>nationwide.\u00a0The reasons \u2018why\u2019 and \u2018how\u2019 our members got into interior design varies greatly and as a group we are slowly breaking down the myths about interior design.<\/p>\n\n Some members have studied design and others are self-taught. We all bring something a little different to the table which makes for a wonderful community! The community openly shares experiences and advice\u00a0which is invaluable when you\u2019re working independently. We celebrate and connect like-minded designers so we can support each other as community and so we can offer a platform for exceptional design services<\/strong> across the UK.<\/p>\n\n Every member has a unique portfolio. We look for designers that are just a little bit different. Creative, unique interior designers that have developed their own distinctive look. It\u2019s not just about qualifications, membership or industry accolades, we are excited and inspired by innovative interior design. We are there to showcase the work of our amazing designers but we also want our designers to get involved too as we are also there to offer a positive and effective form of communication via our online platform for our online community.<\/p>\n\n IDC member Justine Hodgson-Barker, founder of <\/em>Barker Design<\/em><\/strong><\/a>. Images show Justine\u2019s design of a <\/em>Victorian house renovation<\/em><\/strong><\/a>that included<\/em> Alternative\u2019s Barefoot Ashtanga carpet<\/strong><\/em><\/a> used in the master bedroom. Photos by Mollie Manning<\/em><\/p>\n\n Yes \u2013 we have designers in England<\/strong>, Scotland<\/strong> and Wales<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n Absolutely. We literally have created a \u2018hive mind\u2019 of really supportive fellow members. Being part of the IDC<\/strong> allows members to share experiences and learn from one another which really benefits their work with their clients. When you suddenly face an element of doubt or indecision, having such a responsive and knowledgeable community really helps and gets you back on track. Members agree that it\u2019s a great \u2018font of knowledge and help!\u2019. \u2018We are a supportive group and together we are stronger.\u2019 We run various CPD events<\/strong> for our members and many regularly meet up at various design shows<\/strong> or design events<\/strong> as well as our annual Christmas \u2018do\u2019!<\/p>\n\n Interior design project \u201cEdwardian Detached\u201d by <\/em>Fiona Duke Interiors<\/em><\/strong><\/a> with Alternative Flooring\u2019s stair runner <\/em>Anywhere Herringbone Ice<\/em><\/strong><\/a> and <\/em>Anywhere Panama Ice<\/em><\/strong><\/a>. All images by Fiona Duke. <\/em><\/p>\n\n As we said, we look for designers that are just a little bit different! Designers that have created their own distinctive look and unique, individual style. Self-employed interior designers<\/strong>, working independently. The designers have to have a professional website with clear, professional quality images, a portfolio showing at least two recent residential projects (not own home), a Houzz<\/strong> account, an Instagram<\/strong> account and a willingness to join and contribute to our support network.<\/p>\n\n At the IDC <\/strong>we work hard to support our members whilst also making good design accessible to our clients. We have teamed up with some of our favourite brands to secure exclusive levels of trade discounts. Trade Partners<\/strong> are brands we love and are inspired by.<\/p>\n\n Interior design project \u201cThe New London Restaurant\u201d by <\/em>Fiona Duke Interiors<\/em><\/strong><\/a> with <\/em>Alternative Flooring\u2019s carpet Quirky B Geo Black<\/em><\/strong><\/a>. All Images by <\/em>\u00a9Anna Stathaki<\/em><\/strong><\/a>.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n We have used Alternative Flooring<\/strong> on both residential and commercial projects<\/strong>. With such a wonderful selection of designs and collaborations with leading designers they\u2019re always pushing the boundaries in new flooring design<\/strong> which makes them exciting to work with and introduce to new clients.<\/p>\n\n We want to continue scouring the country for more creative, unique designers<\/strong> as we aim to become even more nationwide and aim to make our online community platform more and more supportive. We want to continue to support our wonderful trade partners and develop and grow these amazing relationships whilst also establishing pathways with new potential partners.<\/p>\n\n Alternative\u2019s Quirky B Fabrics Capello Shell Mist carpet<\/strong><\/a>.\u00a0 A design that Fiona has used in one of her Mansion House projects.<\/p>\n\n Our studios are based from home so this is not something new to us but the current circumstances are completely new to us! Home schooling children does make the home work environment<\/strong> a little more \u2018challenging\u2019 but we are \u2018adapting\u2019 as best we can and taking each day as it comes.<\/p>\n\n Kate Watson-Smyth at home with Enid the cat. <\/em>Alternative\u2019s Quirky B Zebo in Black <\/em><\/a>\u00a0rug.<\/em><\/p>\n\n One of Alternative\u2019s collaborators the interiors journalist and author Kate Watson-Smyth, is a great advocate of IDC and regularly shares their members work on her award-winning blog.<\/p>\n\n \u201cSuch a genius idea – a network of some of the best interior designers in the UK all able to access each another for support, advice and inspiration, as well as sharing knowledge and contacts? Who wouldn\u2019t want to be a part of that? And on the flip side, as a customer, if you find a designer whose work you love but who is based miles away, the collective can put you in touch with someone who may have a similar aesthetic but in your area. The IDC is one to watch.\u201d \u00a0<\/em>Kate Watson-Smyth<\/strong><\/p>\n\n www.madaboutthehouse.com<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n See more of our designs and explore our collections\u00a0here<\/a><\/p>\n\n Follow us on\u00a0Instagram<\/a>\u00a0for inspiration.<\/p>\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.alternativeflooring.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/AF-Blog_Image-2.png\")
<\/p>\nThe <\/strong>co-founders tell us more about the IDC and break down some myths about interior design in our Q&A\u2026.<\/strong><\/h4>\n
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Tell us about yourselves<\/strong><\/h4>\n
How did your paths cross?<\/strong><\/h4>\n
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<\/a><\/p>\nWhy did you launch the IDC and aims?<\/strong><\/h4>\n
What do you look for in your creative network?<\/strong><\/h4>\n
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<\/a><\/p>\nIt is a nationwide community?<\/strong><\/h4>\n
Does the community support each other?<\/strong><\/h4>\n
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<\/a><\/p>\nHow do you become a member?<\/strong><\/h4>\n
What about Trade Partners?<\/strong><\/h4>\n
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<\/a><\/p>\nHave you used Alternative Flooring?<\/strong><\/h4>\n
Future plans for IDC?<\/strong><\/h4>\n
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<\/a><\/p>\nHow are you finding WFH?<\/strong><\/h4>\n
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