Senior Interior Designer Amy Land appointed to Associate

Amy Land has interior design in her DNA. The daughter of an architect and an interior designer, it was inevitable that she would carve her own career in the sector. To celebrate her recent appointment as Associate at Chow:Hill, Amy took time out from her 'to do' list in our Tāmaki Makaurau studio to share some highlights, words of wisodm, and sources of inspiration.

What have been some of your career highlights to date?

My first project that I saw from start to finish was special. Working on projects that my parents designed 30 years previously (like Starship Hospital) and working on jobs with clients that I’ve brought in to the company is also a highlight.  

How/Where do you see the design sector – or your career specifically – evolving?

I’m hoping it’s won’t evolve to the point where AI puts me out of a job!   

Where do you seek your design inspiration from – and how does the New Zealand design sector compare?

I use Pinterest a lot, and I follow a lot of designer accounts on Instagram which are sources of great inspiration. With the internet and social media there are less boundaries with design than there used to be. Designers can share knowledge and inspiration across the globe without boundaries, it’s not limited to where you live anymore. That being said good design is site specific so of course we make allowances for a New Zealand context and a New Zealand client.

What advice do you have for young designers embarking on their career?

Don’t let the computer dictate the way you design. It’s such a key tool for our industry but can sometimes take over our approach to everything. Also, walk away, take breaks, rest your eyes. Ideas can come when you give yourself space from the screen.

What’s your favourite day of the week – and why?

Saturday mornings, you have the whole weekend ahead of you

Do you like surprises?

No, I don’t like surprises. I’m not a spontaneous person and I generally like to plan for things and know what to expect.

Favourite food/drink/guilty pleasure?

If I could eat pasta and cheese and bread and pastries and tiramisu and wine for the rest of my life and still fit my jeans I would consider that winning in life.

Ideal type of holiday/holiday destination?

Probably sailing around idyllic islands in Italy/France/Croatia/Greece/Fiji/Tahiti eating fresh seafood with endless Aperol spritzs.

If you weren’t a designer, what would you be?

Writing a design blog, being an amateur artist (without worrying about paying the bills). I can’t go past the romantic notion of pottering away in a little studio without deadlines, away from the rat race of the city.

Read more about Amy's design career to date in her interview with Resene Magazine, BlackWhite