ISCD Alumni Success: Catmint Interior Design

This week we chat to ISCD graduate, Catherine Ashbridge about how she changed careers to be an interior designer, her favourite blogs, tips and what it’s like to start your own business.

What is your background? What were you doing before coming to ISCD?

Study initially started with Textiles and Design at the University of Otago in NZ. An adventurer, post-study involved travelling and absorbing. After a stint establishing a small clothing label, having 3 children, buying, renovating and selling a number of houses, and relocating the family to Sydney, an incredibly swift decision steared me back to full time study to gain a formal qualification and create myself a new career pathway. As a Lego-obsessed child, and hours spent on school projects, it all felt right.

What did you study at ISCD and what key skills did you learn?

At ISCD I studied Cert 4 in Design and Interior Styling. The major standout from undertaking the ISCD course was the confidence it gave me to launch out on my own and to have the base skills from which to start my own business. Gaining experience in how to develop concepts, present to clients and work to deadlines was invaluable.

How did you come up with your business idea?

It was a natural evolvement from a desire to get back into the workforce, inbuilt passion, natural skill strengths, family and flexibility requirements. Signing the lease on my office space seemed such a huge deal. I ensured one project was already on the go but knew the need to get a couple more pretty quickly. I have never looked back and by fully committing it only ensured the need to be more driven. It also gave me a professional base to undertake business, accommodate clients and store resources….sometimes we look more like a tile shop.

What has been the biggest challenge in running your business?

I suppose the biggest challenge would be staying across everything. Design concepts, implementation, client servicing, accounts, social media, managing workloads and staff, trades and project management. I really love it all and wish there were more hours in every day.

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How do you stay motivated?

Running my own business delivers great satisfaction and ensures I deliver above and beyond to clients. Mentoring others in the workplace is also a goal. If you really believe in something it will happen. Often just when you think it is all too hard it can be a turning point where you cross over and reach another level.

What would you say to others looking to launch their own business?

I have received a few phone calls from friends of friends who have decided to embark on an interior design degree/course and on completion are slightly disgruntled with getting into the workforce or establishing themselves. It’s not easy and often you have to start back at base level, contract work, retail work etc. to enhance skills and gain experience. The first break, along with combined passion, makes success.

How do you find dealing with clients? Any tips on how to grow your client base?

I really enjoy dealing with clients and developing the relationship. Of course each relationship is different but the same skills apply in terms of listening well to their needs and brief and delivering above and beyond in terms of service and finished product. Word of mouth is huge in the industry of course, along with keeping an ear to the ground, social media, any form of advertising.

What was the first project you worked on like?

I will always cherish my first client. She was and is my gorgeous neighbour. I remember living and breathing it and couldn’t believe how much work it was.

Were there any great mistakes that you made on that first project or lessons you’d love to pass on?

None of course (that they know about :)). I suppose I would revisit some tile choices, time spent on the entire project would be minimised, design ideas would be worked on and improved.

How do you stay current in the industry? What newsletters/blogs/social media tools do you read each week?

Staying current in the industry involves a mixed array… reading lots of industry mags, attending industry talks and trade shows, following social media, talking to industry and trades (architects and builders are invaluable), visiting showrooms and launches. Favourite blogs and online sites include IN/OUT Design Blog, sharedesign, est living, The Design Files, Dezeen, Archiblox, Decus, Whiting Architects, Karen McCartney, Herbst Architects, Clare Cousins, Tribe, Green Magazine

Who’s your favourite designer at the moment and why?

This is an incredibly hard question… I’ve narrowed it down to Australia and NZ. At the moment Australian company Whiting Architects… their use of colour, innovative and clever design ideas, refreshing use of left of centre specifications, overall completed concepts and designs. In NZ I love, love Herbst Architects. They design and create understatedly amazing beach and urban houses, use organic and bare timbers, and minimalist, clever designs that really incorporate their environments.

What is the big project you’re working on now?

I am currently working on 4 great projects. A couple are brand new builds, both coastal properties and both 3 level homes. It has been great working alongside builders and architects and as always adjusting design ideas as the build progresses. They are both due for completion in December.

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We will revisit Cath’s projects in the coming months to walk through how she puts the interior scheme together for these projects. In the meantime you can find her at;

 

Website: www.catmintid.com.au

Instagram: @catmintid

Facebook: Catmint Interior Design