Talk Shop: Elizabeth Hay // Elizabeth Hay Design
About Elizabeth
A Brit by birth, a Singaporean for over ten years, and time spent in the US and Africa make Elizabeth Hay a true citizen of the world, and that global inspiration is present in her beautiful designs. Hay started her interior design career at Sybil Colefax and John Fowler, the famous traditional UK firm, and was then a senior designer at another prominent British firm, Veere Grenney (who we interviewed for our Talk Shop series, too!)
When Hay moved to Singapore in 2013, she saw the potential of high-end design in the multinational and eclectic city and opened her firm, Elizabeth Hay Design, that same year. Hay and her firm manage projects all over the world, each project with its own specific style. For Hay, it’s all about detail and originality that comes out in layered interiors full of rich schemes of color, patterns, and textures. Hay is an invaluable bank of design knowledge, and we were so honored to have her sit down and #talkshop with us. We hope you enjoy reading about Hay’s start, outlook, inspirations, and more.
Describe your style in three words or less:
Layered, eclectic, and multicultural.
What have been the three biggest influences on your aesthetic in your life:
Growing up in England, Virginia (US), and Kenya; being formally trained by two great English interior designer houses (Sybil Colefax and John Fowler and then Veere Grenney Associates), and spending the last 11 years in Singapore living and breathing the culture.
How did you start your company, and/or what is your favorite thing about what you do:
I moved to Singapore in 2013 with my husband and I realized there was a huge gap in the market for high-quality interior design. Because Singapore is so international and I have a very international upbringing, the business really found a receptive audience here in Singapore. It eventually led to projects in the US (we recently completed one in Connecticut and next month we are starting another in Austin, Texas), Bhutan, Geneva, and France as well of course as my home country, the UK, where we will be opening a studio later this year. My favourite thing about what I do is seeing a finished project because it is tangible evidence of the previous months and years of hard work and effort. I also love seeing clients' reactions when they walk into their new homes after we've installed them!
Do you have a mentor in your career, and if so, how have they helped to shape your trajectory:
I learned the most from the famous Veere Grenney. I joined as a junior designer but was quickly given projects and advanced to senior designer handling very high-end and complex projects. It was here that I learned the importance of attention to detail. So whilst my projects might look quite relaxed and layered—in the same way a house and home gradually accumulate books, paintings, and possessions—everything is very tightly planned so the layered look is achieved immediately.
What does your home say about you:
My home reflects the story of my life. There are Japanese prints as well as African masks and English sofas with Asian cane furniture. In amongst are the toys and chaos of having 4 children under the age of 8!
Where do you find inspiration:
I get most inspiration from my travels. On every trip with my family, I make time to seek out antique textiles or see traditional furniture making so I can try to incorporate my interpretation into my future projects.
Who are your style icons:
Robert Kime, Trinny Woodall, and my grandmother.
What are your key ingredients for entertaining:
Having a variety of people from different walks of life in a room always makes for a more interesting experience. Then add delicious food and good wine.
Do you collect anything:
Where to start! I collect so many different things from Italian micromasiac frames to iron stone serpentine jugs to ceramics of which Kate Malone is my favorite.
Favorite Instagram accounts to follow for inspiration:
@masonandpainter, and @trinnywoodall for her honest and uplifting videos.
What design “rule” do you always follow, and which is made to be broken:
A rule I always follow is that you shouldn't have too many of the same scaled patterns in a room because they fight with each other. A rule made to be broken is that there are no fixed colour combinations.
What are you working on right now:
We are finishing a very cool project in Bhutan, and a house in Austin we’re about to start as well as a chateau in the South of France. We then have several cool apartments here in Singapore, and we are about to complete my new family home in Wiltshire, UK. We also recently launched the first lamp in our lighting collection which is based on 17th century Chinese enamelware. We have been working on it for a few years and we are thrilled with the outcome and the reception from our clients!
Wardrobe staples:
Veronica Beard, Doen, and Boteh.
Favorite fabric/wallpaper:
Christopher Moore and Grande Escailles (fabric and wallpaper).
Best interior advice you ever received:
Practicality is more important than aesthetics. You are creating a home for someone so make it feel like a home.
Best career advice you ever received:
My husband urging me to set up my own business.
Types of home purchases you invest in, and save on:
Ceramics and paintings. I avoid brands so I save here.
Your greatest extravagance:
Good bed linen and delicious soaps.
Favorite places to shop for home:
There is no one-stop shop for homeware. Maybe Saleroom or Etsy. Cutter Brookes, John Derrian, and Sybil Colefax are also great!
Most prized possession and why:
My Blackberry by Kate Malone.
Your interiors motto:
Beige is boring.
Your life motto:
Life is short, so make sure everyone around you knows how much you love and care for them, especially your children.
Advice for someone looking to define their own interior style:
Do what makes you happy, go with your instincts, and broaden your horizons by reading as many books and magazines as you can.
Take Ten: My Favorite…
Food: Little croute with sour cream and fish eggs and chives.
Drink: Guinness
Film: Stealing Beauty
Hotel: I generally don't like hotels but the Aman in Punakha, Bhutan is amazing
City: Nairobi
Bedding: Julia B
Tea or Coffee (and how do you take it): Coffee - milk in first
Playlist: Coldplay, Anoushka Shankar and Paul Simon
Weekend Activity: Going for a walk, preparing a meal with the family, and hanging out with my husband and children.
Design Book: Stamps and Stamps: Style & Sensibility