KBDi Australian Bathroom Designer of the Year, Carmel Wylie sat down with TKBB to discuss her design philosophy and chart her journey through the industry.
Carmel is a qualified Interior Designer and has been working with GIA Renovations in Melbourne for the last 12 years. Her latest accolade – Australian Bathroom Designer of the Year – is a dream come true which still feels quite surreal. “I have so much respect for the other finalists in this category,” Carmel says. “To be on the stage with them and then take out the award was an incredible experience. I still can’t quite believe it happened”.
The project which won her the award (pictured above) was the result of a serendipitous confluence of the right client, the right space and the right time. “I met the client three years ago,” explains Carmel. “I quoted a laundry that didn’t go ahead but we developed such a rapport that, when it came time to renovate the ensuite, the client came straight to me”.
“In some respects, that’s what made it extra special,” says Carmel. “Rather than tinker with the quote to get the price down, the client was willing to wait, save and do it right. But it’s worth it when the client and the designer have the relationship to make it happen”.
Carmel says that she’s never wanted to be anything other than an interior designer and remembers informing her parents when she was still in high school of her chosen career path. They were dubious but couldn’t deny her years of painting (and repainting), accessorising and decorating her bedroom as well as many of her friend’s bedrooms. When she finished school, Carmel attended the Whitehouse Institute in Sydney which she describes as “the most intense course I could have chosen”.
The course ran for two years and Carmel attended school five days per week for long hours – sometimes 12-hour days – but she says this prepared her for the reality of working in a fast-paced industry. It was also a course requirement to work in the industry on weekends so she picked up work with an interior designer/decorator doing drafting and working in the showroom, and then at a tile showroom within a bathroom renovation centre which worked with high-end builders.
“It was an intense two years,” says Carmel. “But it was so amazing to go to school every day and be surrounded by such inspiration”.
A move to Melbourne saw Carmel take a role with a bathroom renovation company before she headed overseas for a time. Back in Melbourne, she started in an interior design role with a company that undertook large extensions and renovations but found the larger, more complex projects were less conducive to life with small children. This led to a suggestion by her cabinet maker to approach GIA Renovations as they saw an alignment of values within design and client management.
“The owner, Illan Elberg, has created an inspiring and fun work space,” says Carmel. “At GIA it’s like a big family where all the highs and lows of renovating are shared and worked through together with designers and trades to get the best outcome for the end result”.
Carmel’s personal design philosophy has evolved over the years but she says the key to a project’s success will always come down to the relationship between the homeowner and the designer. “The more I do this, the more I realise that you have to find clients who you can work with,” she says. “By that I mean finding clients who understand your role in the project and who appreciate what you can bring to the table. The best projects are those where the client trusts the designer to do what they know needs to be done”.
Carmel takes her role as a confidant and adviser very seriously and this comes across in her approach to building a rapport with the client. “My goal is to only quote a project once,” she explains. “It’s important as designers that we are responsible with our client’s budgets and that we don’t undermine the quality of the work by trying to cut corners to win work – especially in the bathroom”.
Carmel doesn’t believe she has a particular design style as she sees her role more as a collaborator and facilitator. “Homes are meant to be lived in and enjoyed, to be used and be messy at times,” she says. “I love the challenge of having to adapt my style to suit the client and the home, and to add value to that space”.
“But I do love colour,” she confesses. “Colour makes your soul happy and there has to be joy in our interior spaces!”.
When asked about how the industry has changed during her 22 years, Carmel says she has mostly noticed the change in the understanding of the role of an interior designer. She started in the industry around the same time that The Block hit our television screens and she feels this has had both positive and negative outcomes.
“I’m not a fan of them but reality renovation shows do showcase the benefit of design and the skills an interior designer will bring to a project,” she adds. “And it pushes the product suppliers to stretch the limits of the product applications as well as provides impetus for bringing in a broader range of products. This, in turn, educates the homeowner to be more adventurous and embrace new ideas”.
When it comes to the hot topic of registration of designers, Carmel agrees there should be the facility to make a distinction between stylists, decorators and qualified designers. In her opinion, any profession with the word “design” at the end should mean that person is skilled enough to be responsible for detailed plans, as well as specification of finishes – both hard and soft. “The process is about so much more than just shopping,” she expands. “You have to have the ability to draw your design concept but also to be able to communicate that clearly to the client and to those who will be bringing the project to life. It’s a very specific skill set”.
Carmel feels passionately about her industry and offers this advice to any newcomers: “Remember that you can do it! Trust who you are and find your own way,” she says. “Don’t try to imitate other designers. Take inspiration if you like but seek out what can be truly yours. Work hard and don’t be afraid of competition, as competition can push you further than you would normally go on your own”.
Carmel says she and workmate Olivia Cirocco continually challenge each other in a positive way and this helps both stay at the top of their game. She loves this part of their work relationship as they both win by continually improving and pushing the boundaries of what they can do. Together they are both keen to look at what the industry can do to support more women in this space. Particularly in the area of communication throughout the project, from the initial design process to handing over the job to the onsite team who are more often male, Carmel feels strongly about building relationships that provide the best outcomes for her clients.
In terms of future plans, Carmel has a number of larger projects that are coming to fruition in the second half of this year as well as balancing work and a busy home life with her three children. So, watch this space!
For more information visit https://www.giarenovations.com.au/ and stay in touch with Carmel via https://www.instagram.com/carmelwylie_interiordesign/
