Have you just moved and feel your interior decor doesn’t quite work like it did in your old place? Or maybe you want to give your current home design a refresh. Here we speak to GRACE HOOPER, the woman behind Havana Interiors, about the ‘Designed in a Day’ service she’s just launched. It might be just what you’re looking for!
Tell us about yourself and your home design and interior decor business.
I’ve been operating my boutique interior design company since 2018. I’m an Australian expat with 16 years of experience in renovation and interior design. With entrepreneurial parents buying and developing property, I grew up on a construction site from a young age, and renovated my first property at 22. Since then I haven’t looked back, and I’m definitely at my happiest when at work on a busy and messy construction site seeing a transformation in progress.
Havana Interiors specialises in high-end renovation and interior design. We offer full renovation services for both interiors and exteriors, and landscaping including tennis courts and pools. We have an incredible team to get your project completed.
For clients who need a quick fix, how does your new service Designed in a Day work?
It’s perfect for clients who really need some interior design help, but the project isn’t quite so big. For a project fee, I come to meet you at your home, discuss all your requirements and see what’s working in your space – and what isn’t.
I’ll look at your current furniture and accessories and use as much as we can, assist with advising what items you can discard, and hand select some missing pieces to complete your home. With your help we can rearrange furniture and décor, style rooms and even have a handyman to move art, TVs and other home decoration as required. You’d be surprised how a few small changes can make a big difference!
Designed in a Day is a gift to yourself, as a home that is calm and well-designed is essential for your wellbeing and a happy family life.
Tell us about a Designed in a Day service you’ve performed for a client.
Recently I finished a Designed in a Day for a client at One Chatsworth condo. She had moved from abroad and needed help with getting her home sorted as soon as possible as she was being interviewed for this magazine. So having her home presentable was very important!
The living room
We started in the living room, which was the most important area for the client as she entertains a lot. The sofas were positioned incorrectly not allowing proper flow around the space, and the rug location needed changing to fit the room and sofa. We decluttered and styled the coffee tables and cabinets, and I had the client search in their cupboards for additional accessories we could also use around the home. I find sometimes that great pieces are put away in the back of cupboards and forgotten!
The dining and entry areas
We then moved to the entry to the home. As this is the first place guests see, it’s essential to make it feel warm and inviting. Following through from there were the formal and informal dining areas. We were keen to set the right tone for the purpose and functionality for each different space. We rearranged the furniture and décor accents and also rehung the art with some assistance from the handyman.
The bedrooms
Next, we headed upstairs to work on the master and kids’ bedrooms. Together we moved and rearranged the furniture, rugs, art, decor and accessories to ensure each space worked and felt cohesive. The client also wanted to ensure each bedroom reflected the relevant family member’s personality.
The outdoor area
For the outdoor area we rearranged the plants and discarded some pieces that were worn out. You’d be surprised how quickly the Singapore climate wears down furniture! We also discussed new pieces that could be added to the spaces to complete the looks. Luckily, this client’s home was quite well furnished so minimal new pieces were needed.
In the end, we worked on most spaces in the home, moved furniture and rugs between the levels, styled all the shelves and cabinetry and ensured that every space was looking perfect – and magazine-ready!
What feedback did you receive on the home design and interior decor?
It was such an enjoyable project, and I felt so grateful that the client left me the loveliest review:
“I recently had the pleasure of working with Grace for my interior design needs, and I couldn’t be happier with the results! She expertly transformed my space using mostly existing pieces, breathing new life into my home without having to purchase a lot of new furniture. Grace took the time to understand my style and preferences, suggesting clever ways to rearrange and rejuvenate my current decor. She provided thoughtful insights on colour schemes and textures, which truly enhanced the overall aesthetic and delivered areas which I now love to live in. What impressed me most was her creativity in showcasing my favourite items and making them the focal points of the room. The process was collaborative and enjoyable, and the final look was both fresh and uniquely mine. I highly recommend Grace to anyone looking to refresh their home while maximising what they already have!” – Nic Bertram
How can clients book in for your Designed in a Day home design service?
Being a boutique business, I have limited booking slots. Availability before Christmas and Chinese New Year is already limited, so advance booking is definitely required. Clients can WhatsApp me directly or contact me through my website or email to check for availability for this service. I look forward to working with them on transforming their homes!
Havana Interiors
WhatsApp 8559 0056 | grace@havana-interiors.com
havana-interiors.com
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