Author: Jane Valentine

Hotel Crowne Plaza Lift Lobbies

30 30 October, 2023
Designing distinct spaces within the lift lobbies of Crowne Plaza in Hobart was an incredibly exciting project for us and one that we are very proud of. A diverse and immersive experience for guests as they move through the hotel.
 
Designing colour schemes, selecting and curating furniture pieces, and Tasmanian art from local galleries allow guests to ‘linger’ and feel like they belong in the hotel.
 
A highly considered design that infuses local influences and positions Crowne Plaza in Hobart as a destination that offers guests a fresh and dynamic experience during their stay.
 
 
Artists / Zoe Grey, Alex Davern, Mish Meijers, Jamin, Vika Fifita, Tim Burns, & Neil Haddon
 
Furniture / DesignByThem, Anaca Studio, Stylecraft, Cult, Featherston Interiors, Grazia & Co, District
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Inspiring the next generation

11 11 September, 2023
Emilie from Guilford Young College and Abby from Woodbridge School joined us for our work experience program. A real world, hands on experience that encourages and inspires the students to consider a career in interior design.
 
The students joined our team on supplier visits to Featherston Interiors, Poytec and a site visit to our current Waggon & Horses Pub fit-out.
 
Sharing experiences and lessons we have learned can be the most valuable of all.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Prestigious Hadleys Art Prize

8 8 August, 2023
An insightful, informative, and inspiring tour seeing the finalists and the winning entry of the Hadley’s Art Prize, awarded to Vicki Yatjiki Cullinan.
 
The prestigious Australian landscape prize celebrates excellence in art, community, and the promotion of cultural tourism in Tasmania.
 
Our team was fortunate to have a guided tour of the Hadley’s Orient Hotel exhibition by Dr Amy Jackett, Curator of the Hadley’s Art Prize. Amy has so much knowledge and passion for the works, and her understanding of the meaning behind each piece is incredible.
 
The building is a work of art in itself with so much history and grandeur. We loved walking through, immersing ourselves in art, history and colour.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Perfect blend of glamour and camping

8 8 August, 2023
Dani’s recent exploration of the term ‘glamping’ has ignited our curiosity, especially knowing her family’s involvement in a glamping venture in Colombia. As she delved into the concept, she uncovered its essence and benefits — a perfect blend of glamour and camping for nature enthusiasts seeking modern comforts without compromising on the beauty of the outdoors. It’s an eco-friendly, cost-effective alternative to traditional housing with minimal environmental impact.
 
Through her parents’ dedication, Loma de Piedra Glamping came to life with thoughtful space planning, lush foliage, and meticulously crafted tents by the town’s seamstress. Now, it welcomes individuals, couples, and friends to a haven of relaxation, connection, and grounding. Fauna and flora flourish in all directions, with birds nesting in trees, turtles, and even a small alligator on the lake.
 
With each passing day, Dani and our colleagues continue to learn and grow, embracing their uniqueness and expressing it through their designs. Their empathy and understanding play a pivotal role in sharing and realising our client’s vision. At the heart of it all, they strive to create a space that leaves a lasting impression, just as her parents have done with the magic of glamping at Loma de Piedra.
 
Photography courtesy of Dani
@lomadepiedraglamping
@clavijo_jimmy
@simpleflight_
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Landscapes have functional geometries

8 8 August, 2023
‘It’s our landscape that defines our identity.’ 1
 
Our Mount Nelson design draws inspiration from the myriad of surrounding landscape colours and those who make it a home.
 
Studies show that natural landscapes have functional geometries; however, the forms, patterns, and colours are never the same. Inspired by this notion, our kitchen creates a landscape that adapts to the family’s needs.
 
Robust materials that endure the conditions of a young family. Terrazzo aggregate mimics the jagged lines typical to bushland, while accents of colour add a playfulness that’s evident in family life.
 
A layered response to a layered landscape.
 
1. Mick Dodson (Aboriginal Australian Barrister)
 
Design / Valentine Interiors
Photography / Loic Le Guilly
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A culinary feast

8 8 August, 2023
Elite Appliances and Siemens, you have excelled. Our team was treated to a culinary feast prepared and magically cooked by Tom, the Siemens guru. As we explored and discussed all things relating to steam and partial steam cookery, combo ovens, self-cleaning, and the precision of induction cooktops, we relished sumptuous dishes cooked to perfection using the Siemens steam ovens.
 
Our team is serious about ensuring we are completely immersed in knowledge and have the best understanding of appliances that we specify for clients. After all, that’s part of our role, to be generous and rich in knowledge. To ensure we are solving problems and selecting the right solution for you and your family, all while seamlessly merging function and aesthetics.
 
The mere thought of remotely setting a timer for that lamb roast in your home oven, then monitoring the cooking process from your phone at work, has our mouths watering.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

One by One

8 8 August, 2023
One by one / told by Dani.
 
Seventy-two thousand tiles, bending and lifting for days, each a different shade of blue. Exhausted from morning till sundown, laying mosaics for our family swimming pool was a vision that was not my own.
 
Perseverance, detail, and collaboration fused to bring this vision to life.
 
My father, a creative soul with few boundaries, ignited this endeavor. The driving force of our family, he has generated countless ideas. I was part of every stark raving idea that crossed his mind during my childhood. From a resourceful hotel concept to a Colombian restaurant on our land, 20 minutes from the city.
 
The restaurant called for a lake, an island, and a swimming pool. So, my father hired a backhoe, dug a lake, and boxed a hole for the pool.
 
As a child, I don’t recall how long the pool remained that way. But we didn’t mind; my brother, cousins, and I enjoyed bathing in that little box of mud.
Over time, the pool took shape. It expanded with actual walls, a floor, and a fresh coat of paint. Unfortunately, its rough concrete finish caused scratches. This motivated my father to have mosaics laid at the bottom.
 
After having 45 square metres of mosaics laid, the first hurdle was encountered. The water pressure from the lake lifted up every single piece.
 
The long days of labour began.
 
First, we pumped and bucketed water to drain the pool. Then, we scratched off old grout and meticulously laid 72,000 mosaics, one by one. This time, we ensured we used the correct grout and left gaps for the water pressure to flow without lifting the mosaics.
 
Eventually, the pool was completed with perfectly aligned tiles. It no longer caused knee scratches when swimming close to the bottom. This experience solidified the importance of planning, researching, and sketching for a seamless project.
 
My father continues with impulsive grand ideas, while I adopt a more methodical, well-planned, and cautious approach. Working tirelessly on the pool taught us that it was more than just a construction project.
It unveiled a deep understanding of the possibilities that emerge when individuals converge, collaborate, and relentlessly pursue a shared purpose.
 
Pool image / Dani
 
May be an image of 1 person
 
 

Meet Daniela whose name doesn’t fit on our business cards

8 8 August, 2023
It’s OFFICIAL. It’s finally happened.
 
We’ve employed an interior designer whose name doesn’t fit on our business cards.
 
But luckily, we like solving problems (it’s what we do best).
So, meet Dani.
 
Daniela joins our team with a Bachelor of Interior Design (Commercial) from Torrens University.
 
With six years in hospitality venues across Melbourne, Sydney & Hobart, Dani has a strong understanding of human-centered design and how it can enhance functionality and productivity in a commercial setting.
 
Dani knows hard work. After all, she had to pull up an entire swimming pool of mosaic tiles and re-lay them with her family back in South America, piece by piece.
 
A vibrant and effervescent personality with a determined and meticulous streak, we are chuffed Dani has joined our design team (even if it required a tweak to her name).
 

A place and process to be proud of

8 8 August, 2023
A design-build.
 
The public sees a completed commercial design job. Polished, ready to walk into, to enjoy (or critique). What they don’t see is the process.
 
Hours and hours and hours of thinking. Hours and hours and hours of sketching, designing, redesigning, and then compromising. Solving many problems, working together, pushing, pulling, frustrations, triumphs, and adhering to budget constraints and regulatory requirements. All while still maintaining integrity and attempting to push boundaries to have a compelling solution.
 
A design-build involves a multitude of professionals from various disciplines coming together to bring the vision to life. Architects, interior designers, building surveyors, engineers, builders, tradespeople, and consultants work in unison.
 
Every single junction, every single wall, every single piece of materiality, and every single regulation has been analysed and evaluated. It is tight. It is highly regulated. It is a place that needs to be compliant and safe to enter. It also needs to be a place that considers history, modernity and a place that has heart and soul. A place that functions ergonomically, acoustically, and most importantly, makes you feel at home.
 
It is a rewarding process and, at times, a frustrating one. But in the end, we have a space that we have all created. One that has character, one that is considerate of the surrounding precinct, one that celebrates the locals, and one that simply works.
 
The Waggon…a place and process we can all be proud of.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Contemporary Collection from Cult Design

8 8 August, 2023
Isabelle from Cult introduced us to their contemporary collection, featuring rich textures, bold colours, and distinct designs.
 
From lighting to furniture, fabrics and individual pieces…they have it all! It is clearly evident that we are moving away from the blacks, whites and greys and embracing colour! 
 
At Valentine Interiors, we stay current with all the latest ideas, constantly seeking unique and compelling outcomes for our clients. This approach enables us to draw inspiration from diverse sources and cater to a wide range of design preferences.