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Would you hire your interior designer from a blog? Charlotte Minty’s advice for creative blocks?“Be persistent. Be patient. Be open. Be true to yourself” “I often sit, staring at the computer screen thinking about putting something up. In those moments I walk away. I never want to force myself to be creative. It should flow naturally.” Charlotte Minty started her blog, charlotteminty.blogspot.co.nz in June 2009 as a visual diary for herself and a design source for her clients to find useful and inspiring interiors. After starting Charlotte Minty Interior Design in 2003, the Wellington based entrepreneur began a blog for two reasons… “People wanted a place online to see my work but I disliked the static nature of a website. I like that when people go to my blog space there will always be something new to greet them. Its second purpose was to collate all my inspirations and offerings for clients. I love that I can direct clients to my blog and it acts as a source of inspiration for them too. “When people read the blog they are channelling me. Everything on it I love.” Whilst there are many people who ‘overshare’ in their blogs, Charlotte will occasionally post snippets on her family and personal life. “I do not give too much away. I’d never blog about what I’m wearing or having for lunch that day.” Growing up with an architect father it seems inevitable that the Minty children all turned to architecture and design as their career paths. “My brother has a Bachelor of Design in Industrial Design, my sister did architecture and I did a Bachelor of Design, majoring in Interior Architecture and Design. At one stage all three of us were gaining degrees in the same building. My mother is equally as creative… anything she touches is amazing… cooking, sewing, knitting… you name it. “I’ve had a friend call us the Kennedys of architecture and design. We’ve always joked about starting a family business. One day that may happen. “When we were growing up Dad never pushed us into this career and being self-employed he was always busy in his office at home – otherwise we may have never seen him. Maybe that’s why Mum always said – never marry an architect. There’s no such thing as a 9-5 job in architecture and design. It’s a lifestyle.” Is the internet opening up work for interior designers or are more people sourcing ideas for DIY jobs? I’ve gained a lot of work through my blog. People are nervous about employing an interior designer. The blog allows people to get a feel for my style before they meet me. It breaks down a barrier. Why is Wellington a great place for an interior designer? Wellington has a fantastic resource – the Wellington Design Library. All the fabrics are stored here so rather than Auckland where you have to go to James Dunlop showroom, Mokum showroom or Newnext showroom which are all over town you have everything at your fingertips. It is a fantastic resource that I think we forget how lucky we are to have this. 5 blogs I follow regularly: Remodelista www.remodelista.com The Design Files thedesignfiles.net Emma's Design Blog emmas.blogg.se The Sartorialist www.thesartorialist.com Nordic Design nordicdesign.ca |
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