From moveable exhibitions to curating, nail art and illustration, this year’s cohort is a multifaceted representation of women visionaries conquering the design space on the African continent and abroad. Here, we speak to the leading luxury interior designer, renovator and decor specialist, Tammy Holmes who boasts a long list of impressive homes, corporate spaces and lodges as clients.
Tell us about your background briefly.
I am a born creative, entrepreneur, wife and mom of two little girls, who has dabbled in cheffing, marketing, PR, advertising, fashion, ceramics and Interior Design. I am currently an interior designer, renovator and decorator working in the Cape Winelands, Atlantic Seaboard, Johannesburg and the UK.
What advice would you give a young emerging artist/curator/designer constantly facing barriers in an attempt to get their work recognised?
If you’re in it for the right reasons – i.e., what you’re doing is your passion – this passion and inspiration will eventually be noticed by those around you. It’s contagious! Also, engage the services of expert PR and social media people to elevate your profile and get the word out there so that while you’re busy doing what you’re good at, they’re letting the world know.
What inspires your design approach?
Nature constantly inspires me, and colours excite me. I am so incredibly grateful to do what I love and feel like I’m plugged into the source when I am putting together a scheme for a project.
How would you describe your design style?
Stylish and homey. I love creating spaces that make those who live in and visit them feel like they’re getting a gentle hug on arrival and feel inspired, excited and comforted by the pieces that surround them.
What are the most important aspects of your creative process?
I start each project scheme by landing on an anchoring piece – whether it be a fabric, artwork or décor object - and this item then influences the rest of the scheme. I can go for days working on a mood board without finding “the” piece, and then when I find it, it’s like a deep sigh of relief and rightness.
