DESIGN FLOW

A love of creativity has long shaped the personal and professional life of Christchurch architectural interior designer Angelique Armstrong.

Her practice, Armstrong Interiors, is just five years young but fast gaining attention for the calibre of its innovative design, being named a New Zealand bathroom winner at the 2017 Trends International Design Awards and a finalist in NZ House and Garden’s best living space awards.

Interior design was a career that Angelique decided to pursue around the time of her third child.

‘Previously, I’d owned an art gallery and enjoyed being an artist,’ Angelique says. ‘Painting was something that worked well around the children when they were young.’

With a penchant for renovating homes – either her own or those belonging to family or friends – enrolling in interior design at the Design and Arts College of New Zealand felt like the right next step for this Melbourne-born aesthete.

By the time Angelique graduated, she already had her first five jobs booked starting with full kitchen, bathrooms and interiors.

‘It was quite challenging at first. The creativity came easily, with many ideas flowing, but initially it was hard knowing where to source everything I was looking for. We now have a good base of suppliers in New Zealand and around the world. Fortunately, those first clients were so understanding and supportive.’

As Angelique also observes, success has not been achieved alone but in conjunction with her staff, as well as supportive local suppliers, manufacturers and fabricators.

Angelique believes the secret to good design ultimately lies in being able to establish a good rapport with clients. From that comes a deep understanding of what design and layout will work best for them, with form and function, product and colour working harmoniously together.

‘We never double-up on design. Every person is an individual. The goal is to give them something they will love.’ 

WORDS Kim Newth PHOTO Nicky Kerr