Last week we welcomed Mariam to the team. Mariam graduated from Northumbria University with a degree in Interior Design before moving to the Emirates. Now back in the north east with her young family we asked her to share some insight into her busy home life and design inspirations…………
Who inspires you in the design world?
My inspiration and style are ever changing, everything inspires me! I am currently into Japandi styles (aka Japanese and Scandi) and earthy tones. Last year I was into contrasting colours, heavy patterns and textures. It’s never a set style. As a designer, you never know when inspiration will strike. I am inspired by Peter Zumthor. It’s not just his designs and architecture that inspire me but how he uses nature and the surrounding elements, integrating everything together creating a masterpiece.
How are you settling into studio life?
It’s been fabulous. It hasn’t taken me long to settle in, everyone has been welcoming and super friendly from the moment I started.
What has been your career highlight to date?
I will never forget the first project worked on after graduating from university. I was part of a team that was assigned to transform an existing streetscape. Seeing the client happy with the concept proposal was a real highlight in my career. Overall client satisfaction and exceeding their expectation is something that I will never be able to get over. Seeing the client happy with their transformed space is a motivating factor for me.
What do you get up to outside of work?
When I lived in the Emirates, I always enjoyed spending time outside exploring new places and finding hidden gems. Now in Newcastle, it’s all about family. Spending time with my little boys, exploring places in the north east. My kids love water and climbing so definitely the beach and forests are our go-to places
What’s your favourite thing about living in the north east?
It’s the balance of everything – a combination of countryside, beach and forest. There’s always something to do in Newcastle but by far it’s my family being in Newcastle.
