March 19, 2015

INTERIOR DESIGNER PAMELA MAKIN






When asked about her design philosophy in the latest Vogue Living magazine, interior designer Pamela Makin referenced Orson Welles: “Create your own visual style... let it be unique for yourself, yet identifiable to others.” There is no better way to describe her work, which has been making a big impact on the Australian design scene for the past 10 years. Pamela was born and raised in Sydney but moved to the USA where she worked in the fashion industry as a buyer and forecaster. While she was based in California, Pamela travelled regularly around the world, attending fashion shows and meeting designers. After 20 years she returned to Australia and decided to embark on a different career, which got off the ground after she opened Les Interieurs in Sydney’s Palm Beach. The interiors studio became a calling card for her design services and since then many of the homes she has designed have featured in leading interior magazines, as well as publications such as the Andrew Martin Design Review. Two years ago Les Interieurs moved to Paddington, where it showcases not just wares from around the world but art photography too. And the homes she designs, continue to be featured in Vogue Living, such as the 1870s renovated apartment above.


Which five words best describe you? Passionate, creative, driven, determined, loyal, honest.

How did you get your career start and what path have you taken since? In my first career I lived and breathed fashion - travelling the world as a fashion buyer, then as a fashion forecaster. It was while traveling within the fashion industry I had the opportunity to appreciate other cultures - I was fascinated by the unique, the unusual, the old and rare handcrafted objects and exquisite furniture from Africa, Turkey, China, India. Each trip I would find something special and that special piece would find a place in my home. But rather than having a home filled with artifacts displayed with Chinese or Indian furniture I preferred a low key approach where global objects are integrated seamlessly within a contemporary space.

What’s the best lesson you’ve learnt along the way? To listen to your heart, to be brave and to explore the world.

What's your proudest career achievement? When our white beach house in Sydney was photographed and appeared on the cover of Marie Claire Maison.

What's been your best decision? I believe travelling the world as a fashion buyer taught me to edit and look for the unique and the unusual.

Who inspires you? Rick Owens.

What are you passionate about? I am passionate about many things, including classical music, ballet, architecture, artworks, travel. I am also fascinated by nature - I could sit and look at the ever-changing ocean for hours. I love flying low over the ever-changing desert, or walking through the jungle.

Which person, living or dead, would you most like to meet? There are a many people I would have loved to have met - the Chinese-born American architect I.M. Pei and the architect Geoffrey Bawa.

What dream do you still want to fulfil? That's a difficult question - perhaps to live in Paris.

What are you reading? Interior design magazines, of course.

images courtesy of pamela makin; photography felix forest (1, 2), michele biancucci


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