Student Profile: Helena Borg

Student profile is back after a long break. I am so excited when embracing our future talent, so this month the spotlight falls on Helena Borg, which in my opinion is an extremely talented lady. Here is her profile and descriptions on some of her projects.
Name: Helena Borg, 

Location: Currently living in Ilkley, West Yorkshire.

Currently Studying: KLC.

Previous Background: If I hadn't chosen languages for my university degree, I would have studied either architecture or design. Languages brought me to the UK from my native Slovenia, and it is here that I decided to give it a chance and pursue my life-long passion in interior design.

About Me: Funnily enough, doing the course made me realise that there has been an active interior designer inside me as long as I can remember. All my old scketchbooks, magazine clippings, drawings, plans, memories of converting vintage furniture into something new, decorating adventures, oh yes, and I should not forget my very first isssue of Homes&Gardens which I have kept religiously for all these years have come to life now. Project managing the build of my own house abroad has also given me an enormous amount of experience and not to mention design opportunities and challenges it has offered!

Favourite Designers: My favourite designer has to be Alessi then Phillipe Starck and oh yes, I love Italian design, especially their kitchens.

Dream Job: Just being an interior designer, as simple as that.

City Apartment

Subtle blues to connect with the blue sky outside and yellow to suggest sunlight for when the skies are not so blue. In combination with off-whites, cream tones and luxurious finishes a harmonious and elegant room scheme can be achieved.

Classical Elegance

Neutrals, cream and gold, architectural elements, timeless resistance like those marble columns in ancient Rome...

Country Charm

Warm pastel tones in green and pink work together a cosy relaxing environment and retain that traditional feel.

Living Room in a Town House

Bring the memories of your travels to exotic faraway places to your living room, or, create them in it at least. The 'wow' wallpaper and richness of the floor covering will let you indulge in the luxury of your home. Surround yourself with cushions in copper silk and blue crushed velvet.

Study

This is a sample board for a colour scheme in a library/study. The elegant browns and greys (walnut floor, grey velvet upholstery), are uplifted by splashes of yellow on curtains and cushions. Imagine tall ceilings, walls covered by striped wallpaper in light reflecting stripes of light beige and off-white.

Do get in touch if you would like a chance to appear on 'Student Profile'.

Student Profile

Let me introduce to you today a new series of mine which I am extremely excited about called 'Student profile'. A place where I will be showcasing students/graduates portfolio on my blog in order to help them make that giant leap into the real world. My blog is not only about beautiful finds but also about keeping the interior community together and by helping one another. If you are a student or recently graduated and would like to feature on the series then do get in touch, I would love to here from you!

Here goes my first student profile from a lovely and very ambitious and determined lady.

Name: Mary-Ellen Paul
Location: London

Currently Studying:  Open Learning Diploma in Interior Design and Decoration at The KLC School of Design based in Chelsea Harbour. on-course to graduate by December 2011.

Previous Background: Studied a BA degree in Advertising & Marketing Communications, then went on to study An Introduction to Interior Design at The Chelsea College of Art and Design in 2007. The last three years has been working for Admissions in the Education Sector. Having worked for institutions such as King’s College London and City University, currently works for The London School of Economics as an Admissions Administrator.

About me: 'I have an immense passion for interior design. I always incorporate my simple yet opulent style with both balance and harmony when designing. I am very keen to expand my skills and experience further in interior design within a design assistant role.I adore travelling and find different cultures allow you to expand your knowledge of design and creativity. You’ll catch me looking for inspiration EVERYWHERE and at the trade shows, with 100% and Decorex being my favourite.'

 Favourite Designers: Kelly Hoppen -for her innovative design and evolution. I am a huge fan of her entrepreneurism, her style and work ethic. I am particularly drawn to both the Murmuri Hotel Project and the ‘Home Style’- IPhone application. The application is fresh, informative and fun allowing the user to play successfully with scheme ideas.
Gush Design - Their interior design embodies the essence of luxury, beauty and chic style. I particularly like their Mayfair Apartment project.
Target Living - I love the way in which they incorporate ‘Brit Chic’ with opulence and elegance. Each design is finely sophisticated and always pushes design to a superior standard.
 Dream Job: My dream job would be to be given the opportunity to start my career as an Interior Design Assistant. I am very keen to expand my experience and skills further and this role would be an exceptional opportunity to both develop and grow as an interior designer. I undoubtedly have the passion for it.That said, ultimately I would like to progress to a Creative Director. That’s the big dream.

Project one

'This project is for an office space. The concept behind this was from the name of the company ‘Purple Reign’. The idea of a powerful workforce. This scheme also works alongside the brand image. The brief was to create a luxurious, rich and elegant scheme for an office. This was achieved by using rich velvet fabrics with studded Swarovski crystals, an elegant feature wall with a soft look and feel accompanied with a smooth charcoal black oak floor to give a sense of richness.'

Project two

'The brief was to design a home office space for a high-end Wedding Planner. A bold statement was requested by the client on this scheme. I went for ‘Alice in Wonderland’, the idea that marriage is the next chapter in a woman's life - an adventure. The bold red from the concept has been pulled into the scheme through the cushions and accessories. As red is a powerful colour I didn't want it to overpower the scheme thus introduced it into the scheme as splashing of bold colour. I added a touch of glamour with the velvet pewter fabric (for some of the cushions) with studded Swarovski crystals. This concept and scheme works for the space in functionality and style'

If any designers are interested in knowing more about Mary-Ellen then please contact me here for more details.