Meet The Designer Behind Our New Pilates Studio
Hi PPF Fam,
Today, I want to introduce you to Angie, owner of Interior Tailor Co and the designer behind our new Premium Pilates & Fitness studio in Coorparoo.
If you've been to either of our studios, you have seen Angie's incredible work, which perfectly merges the elements of wellbeing and design. She might also be a familiar face to some, as Angie has been a member of Premium Pilates & Fitness for nearly seven years!
We have had so many questions and compliments on the new Coorparoo studio design, so we decided to catch up with Angie to answer some of your questions. We hope you enjoy our Q&A below!
Q: Hi Angie! Tell us a little about yourself and your business, Interior Tailor Company
A: Interior Tailor Company came about after yearning to fill a creative void in my life and find a career better balanced with a young family. Throughout my childhood I was always being creative whether drawing, sewing or painting. I toyed with the idea of fashion design out of high school but decided a career path in hotel/events management was a more sensible choice. I worked my way around all areas in the hotel before settling on ‘events management’ and following a career that spanned 20 years. After having children the appeal of long hours and stressful, high-pressure events started to wane.
With a love of interiors, experience renovating five homes and a passion for beautiful design, I decided in 2012 to carve out a path to become an Interior Designer. I spent five years working for a Brisbane designer, learning the ropes and gaining experience whilst completing a Cert IV in Design and a Diploma of Interior Design & Decoration. I decided in 2018 that I wanted to focus on developing my own design aesthetic and started my own design firm.
Our focus is on small commercial projects and residential interiors. I absolutely love everything about my job, It is such a privilege for a client to trust me with their home or business and help them achieve something special. Looking back on my working life, my experience in project management and ability to deal with clients in all walks of life and pressure situations has really helped me with running my design business.
Q: That is such an inspiring story! Can you walk us through the design process for the new Pilates studio. Where did you start?
A: The starting point for me with all clients is to take the time to understand what is important to them, what they like/don’t like and what they are hoping to achieve out of the design process. It’s not about me pushing my design style on them, rather using my experience to help guide them to achieve something special and personal. With Emily and Chris that was relatively easy, I have been a client of PPF for around 7 years and have seen them grow both professionally and personally.
Emily and Chris are such kind, hardworking, passionate and genuine people, I have always felt so welcomed and relaxed in their studios. Being able to weave this personal element into the physical design of the studios was really important to the overall success.
Colour was key, selecting soothing tones of green, adding interest to the walls with the VJ paneling to make it feel less stark. Layering texture and tactile elements through sheer curtains, wallpaper, rugs, different timbers, lighting and rattan elements. Storage and functionality was a key element of the design, to give everything a place so it felt organized and effortless. We also spent some time on the floor plan in the Coorparoo studio to make sure the spaces flowed. Overall I think the end result is a fresh, relaxed and a happy space and a place people would love to hang out in together.
Q: What do you feel really differentiates the studio?
A: I think the studios at Camp Hill and Coorparoo are both beautiful and functional, not something that always goes hand in hand with the interior of a fitness studio.
I firmly believe that beautiful way in which Emily and Chris run PPF is what really set’s this business apart from other studios. They offer such fabulous mix of classes and have a great team of instructors who are always cheerful, encouraging and welcoming.
I love that there is such a mix of ages, body shapes and ability so that everyone feels at home. I hope that the interior setting now just enhances the wonderful job they were already doing.
Q: What do you hope people feel when they enter the studio?
A: I hope when clients enter the studio they feel warm and welcomed, a relaxed and beautiful space they feel comfortable to return to time and time again. A place they can make new friends and have a laugh along the way.
Q: You’re a regular in our pilates classes. Did you draw inspiration from your practice?
A: I love the flow of movement and energy on the reformer so translating those elements into a balanced design was definitely an inspiration.
Natural light is so important in any space and it is particularly beautiful at the Coorparoo studio. The addition of the sheers was an absolute must to enhance and filter the light so effectively.
Q: What’s your favourite feature in the studio, and what’s the story behind it?
A: My favourite feature in the design is most probably the reception desk, lighting and wallpaper (Camp Hill only). The reception desk is a clever little Ikea hack - we had a lot to achieve in our fit-out budget and sadly a beautiful custom reception desk was not going to make the cut.
So after trawling through Ikea with Emily we found a storage cupboard, which was pretty much the perfect proportions. I sent a message to our lovely builder Chris from Zou Build with my idea to wrap the desk in the same VJ paneling as the walls…..its these kinds of crazy ideas that are sent with in trepidation on my behalf as can often be met with allot of eye rolling from the trades.
But to his credit Chris was up for the challenge and he constructed two fabulous desks for a 3rd of the cost of a custom piece. The lighting really finishes it off, adding so much texture, warmth and visual appeal, such an affordable solution from Ikea.
Q: What advice can you give our readers about creating a warm and peaceful place in their own homes?
A: Creating a peaceful mood and warm environment in a home has a few key factors. Lighting is really important, natural light is great but also artificial low lighting, adding a lamp and being able to switch off your overhead down lights to create a soft mood makes such a difference to the feel of a space. Make sure you always select a globe with a warm white! Comfort also adds to a space, a lovely chair or sofa can be made all the more cozy with a warm throw or some lovely cushions in a mix of a fabrics and patters – it will feel so much more inviting than an empty sofa. Fill the space with personal pieces that make you feel happy or remind you a beautiful experience… and if all else fails give me a call and I’ll come and help you!
Q: And finally, you’ve been a part of the #PPFFAM for years now! What’s your favourite class and your favourite Pilates move?
A: I love love love the reformer and enjoy anything that challenges my balance. My favourite move is the tendon stretch….it looks quite impossible but really fun and very challenging. I have recently been enjoying the toughness of the Barre classes too – although I really don’t have much ballerina grace in any of my movements!
Well that wraps up our chat with Angie and Interior Tailor Co. Make sure you swing by the new Coorparoo studio to enjoy the welcoming design Angie and her team created.
If you're looking for design advice and inspiration, you can reach Angie via the Interior Tailor Co website. Want to stay inspired with the latest design trends? Follow @interiortailorco on Facebook and Instagram
