Recently we were lucky enough to catch up with Danielle from Enoki and have a chat with her about her thoughts on Australian Design. 

What will an event like Maison Instyle mean to the interiors industry?

It’s wonderful to finally have an Australian trade show geared specifically for designers, makers and representatives of original designs in furniture, lighting and floor coverings. This show will be a manageable size with handpicked offerings of some of the best work out there. It is a show that the interiors industry has been craving.

What colours do you think will be on trend in 2012?

This year, colour is not limited to saturated vs. muted, or even to particular tones. Enoki is not much for sticking to one look or trend. We’re using various colours and combinations, including deep blues, orangey reds and saturated yellows and softer tones like celadon, duck-egg blue and dove grey. Feature colours, set against neutral backgrounds and either very rich, dark timbers or very natural, light timbers create spaces that can be either quite striking or comfortingly subtle.

What was your biggest fashion faux pas?

I ran this past everyone in the office and came up with a few goodies: a bright blue velvet jumper, snap pants, fringe plastered down with gel, an outfit with as many stars as possible and a haircut/perm à la Annie (in the musical).

Apart from Maison Instyle, what will be the next big thing in interiors in 2012?

“Geometrics!” says our Alexandra, and we all say more offerings of pure and paired down design that’s still warm and inviting.

What is/was your favourite piece of furniture ever?

We could be here all day, but here are a few: The Jarvis chair by Jardin, a long, cream leather Diesis sofa by B&B Italia, Jean Prouvé’s Cité Chair, Harry Bertoia’s Diamond chair, the Coco Pendant by Coco Flip, Eames’ ‘Hang it All’, Hella Jongerius’ Polder sofa. We could go on…

In three words, sum up the Australian interiors industry.

Diverse, quirky, genuine

What inspires you?

Great food, beautiful fashion, design blogs with a twist, abstract art, our children, music, nature

What blogs or magazines do you read on a regular basis?

Dezeen, Cool Hunter, Design Boom, iMagazine, It’s Nice That, Elephant magazine, yellowtrace, The Design Files, Found, The New Yorker, Booooooom, Dwell, Vogue Living, Inside, Artichoke, Belle…

What challenges face the Australian interior design industry in 2012?

Fear about the economy which breeds safe design choices.