Kim Williams and Nadine Tong run Layered Space, an interior design studio based in Coledale.
Please tell us a bit about yourselves.
We are both based in Coledale, passionate about the design and building process and have also both completed a Bachelor of Interior Design. Kim moved to the Illawarra at the beginning of high school and has called the area home ever since.
She has a deep appreciation for the local natural environment with its ever-present escarpment and ocean edges. Nadine grew up in the coastal town of Mount Maunganui, New Zealand. She studied Textile Science before travelling, and eventually settling in Wollongong’s Northern Suburbs in 2001.
When did you launch Layered Space, and what’s in the name?
Kim: Layered Space was launched in early 2020. Our name encapsulates what we desire to achieve through our interior design and collaboration process with other design professionals and craftspeople. A typical space, whether interior
or exterior, is composed of multiple vertical and horizontal planes, so by thoughtful placement and layering of materials or objects we create places that encourage you to linger or move through depending on the desired result.
2020 turned out to be a very tough year for small business. How did you cope?
Nadine: We certainly did not see a global pandemic coming! Like many, we suddenly had to juggle working from home while teaching our children. Due to the required restrictions this year many people have been spending increased amounts of time inside their homes, which seems to have led to a drive and desire to start their renovation projects.
We have been extremely fortunate to be working on projects within a few kilometres of our homes and our local community has certainly made the jump into business an enjoyable one.
How did the two of you first meet?
Nadine: Kim and I were involved in personal building projects at the same time and were utilising many of the same talented local craftspeople, so our paths would cross indirectly. Eventually we happened to meet in a bathroom showroom and cemented our friendship by chatting incessantly about all those details that need to come together to make a successful room.
What do you admire about Nadine and her work?
Kim: Nadine has a natural eye for composition. She can bring a range of materials into a space and artfully balance them to create either interest or calm. It also helps that she is fun, fair and has a healthy dose of compassion.
And what do you like about working with Kim?
Nadine: Kim is meticulous in her work ethic and her sustainable design ethos is always factored into our design process. We complement each other’s strengths to produce considered, functional and beautiful spaces for our clients. Working with Kim is always enjoyable and her sense of humour is a bonus.
What are your plans for the future?
Kim: We will continue to enjoy problem-solving and seeking efficient ways to improve a room or building for our clients. Whether a partial renovation, complete home or a commercial space, our designed spaces will always seek to balance function with aesthetic. As a new business we look forward to some level of normality resuming in 2021 and plan to continue with some current projects and start some new ones.
After the chaos of 2020, have you seen an increased demand for serenity in the home? And what are your tips for achieving this?
Kim: We have certainly seen people seeking to increase the serenity in their surroundings. This calmness can be achieved by improving the organisation of your home and by adjusting your existing spaces to become multi-purpose.
Customised joinery is one solution which helps improve the organisation of your home by maximising underutilised spaces and enabling more efficient use of existing areas.
Calmness can also result from creating a better flow through a space by moving walls to improve the location and function of rooms, which may also result in an increase of natural light. So many benefits are achieved through smart design and spatial improvements.
Please look into your crystal ball and give us your predictions for interior design trends in 2021.
Nadine: Connection to our natural world will continue to increase in importance. Biophilic design bridges the divide between inside and out, with plants becoming integrated with internal joinery and outdoor rooms being added. Plants supply us with oxygen and filter out pollutants; micro-organisms in the soil also contribute to this process, thereby being beneficial to our health.
Colours will be earthy in 2021 to help ground us; with tones of rich rusty reds, calming soft blues and a range of greens. These will be complemented by warm neutrals and gentle greys. Materials will continue to be considered for their environmental impact and robustness for longevity.
