Demand is growing for top-notch interior designers who are capable of turning living space into an unforgettable experience. Innovation is the key in a fast-growing profession.
'Property investors and buyers once believed that interior design should be included in the construction fee and didn't think about paying for it,' says Clifton Leung, creative director of Hong Kong-based Clifton Leung Design Workshop.
'In the last 10 years, people have begun to appreciate design more and recognise our services, as well as the value of innovative ideas. Interior design has developed into an industry and has split off from construction.'
Leung states that the strength of the local property market, which, according to the Land Registry, recorded 14,300 transactions last month, has heightened the need for designs that add value. This has accentuated the need for skills and artistic vision that break the mould in a market that, Leung says, is embracing better materials and ideas as properties sell for higher prices.
'People are aware that they need something long-lasting that can be lived in or rented out. They don't want a living space to be like a show flat. They are buying expensive properties that need to be maximised,' he says.
'Designing space is our priority and that might mean shortening a corridor, working out the cabinetry, [deciding] how many hangings are needed and decorating the walls. But, ultimately, we need to conceptualise. Designers always need to offer different experiences. We need to have a well-rounded knowledge about properties and we need to fit our vision with a client's vision.'
