STYLISH INTERIORS

13th January 2017

Award-winning, Scottish-born Interior Designer, Amanda Rosa, gives us a glimpse into her creative mind and offers up some interior design tips. Words by Nina Ghita.

So Amanda, we’re sitting here in the new Dakota Deluxe Hotel and I have to say the interior is beautiful. How did you come up with the concept and design?
First of all thank you, it’s lovely to hear. The original Dakota’s are now ten years old so when the opportunity arose in the city centre of Glasgow, we knew it was time to move the design on. It was time to take Dakota to another level by creating Dakota Deluxe. The design is sophisticated, elegant and timeless but still the spirit of Dakota… and fun! We have looked to create a hotel that doesn’t feel as if it has been designed, ‘design for design’s sake’, instead we prefer to create a feeling that it couldn’t have been any other way.

You have designed such contrasting venues. How do you get yourself into the right mindset for each project?
Each project is different, but the philosophy remains the same – style that lasts, not fashion that fades.

Where does your inspiration come from?
Many sources: travel, fashion, art etc. Sometimes it can be as obscure as a colour or piece of music. No two projects are the same.

Did you always know that you wanted to be an Interior Designer?
I headed off to Art College not knowing what I wanted to specialise in. I kind of fell into interior design as the application form to Art College had asked what you wanted to be in 4 years time, I had no idea, but to answer the question, for some reason, I put Interior Designer. When I arrived on the first day of college I was told that I had been enrolled into the Interior Design course, which I hadn’t expected. If I wanted to change, it wouldn’t have been possible to revert back to Interior Design, so I decided to stay and give it a go! Let’s call it fate.

What is your own personal style, in your own home?
Our home is our sanctuary; it has an amazing feeling of calmness. It was built in the 1930’s, so hint of Art Deco with a modern twist. It has soft neutral tones, with great lighting, art and sound.

What do you love most about your job?
I don’t always love my job! There are days when I find it can be totally exasperating. However, on the flip side, when a project is finished, and everything is in place, it is very rewarding and worthwhile.

You are of course married to famous hotelier, Ken McCulloch, and have designed hotels together. Is it difficult to work so closely as a married couple?
Ken and I work very well together because we are of “like minds” with very similar taste. We recently wanted to change a particular piece of furniture at home and unbeknown to each other, we had both been looking at the same piece. Sometimes it’s quite uncanny! We’ve been doing it for a long time, so it works for us.

“EACH PROJECT IS DIFFERENT, BUT THE PHILOSOPHY REMAINS THE SAME – STYLE THAT LASTS, NOT FASHION THAT FADES.”

We need to know… what is “in” right now for interior design styles?
I don’t really follow trends, I tend to work on what feels right for the client space. Trends come and go too quickly for me.

And what would you say is a definite no-no for home interior?
Be careful when buying on impulse, invariably they don’t last. Also, give a new home time and eventually it will tell you what it needs. Don’t rush it!

You are clearly very stylish yourself. What is your favourite kind of jewellery?
My favourite jewellery is very simple, a great watch. I am currently wearing a Bremont Solo 37 (by brothers Giles and Nick English) with a simple diamond eternity band. We have a passion for watches and are currently intrigued by Bremont, a relatively new company which appears to be going from strength to strength.

ROX is all about Diamonds & Thrills… so we have to ask… how do you get your thrills?
Visiting new places… and old favourites. Fabulous art, driving interesting cars, listening to great music and walking my dog in the rain.

You can see Amanda’s latest design project first hand at the new Dakota Deluxe Hotel in Glasgow.

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