Q1 Firstly allow me to congratulate you on being nominated for the second time as a DOTM recipient. You will go down in our history as being the first to achieve this. How do you feel about this?

Kelvin: I am deeply honoured and overjoyed to receive this nomination once again. It is truly rewarding considering the immense competition within the industry. There are countless talented and deserving designers out there who are equally worthy of this recognition.

You are quite humble. 

Not at all, the design industry has its fair share of both design heroes and those who fall short. However, it's encouraging to witness the growing number of talented designers who are making a positive impact on the industry. I feel immensely grateful and appreciative that our work is being recognized alongside these remarkable individuals. 

Simple, elegant but with subtle emotions when you look at Kelvin Cai’s works.

Q2 What inspired you to become an interior designer, and what continues to inspire you in your work today?

As a designer, I strongly believe that maintaining an open mind and thinking without limits is crucial. In the realm of interior design and creativity, every designer strives to surpass their own achievements. Personally, I wholeheartedly embrace this approach in my work as an interior designer. With the ever-evolving design trends and an array of new products emerging, there is a perpetual opportunity for learning. Each home project presents its own unique set of challenges and possibilities to explore. For instance, even with a similar layout, every homeowner possesses distinct personalities and specific requirements. It genuinely excites me to contemplate how my design concepts will merge and evolve with their lifestyles, culminating in a home they will love and cherish. This is what truly inspires me, and the chance to continuously learn from the job itself, as well as collaborating with contractors and tradesmen, serves as a constant motivation.

Q3 How do you approach the design process, from ideation to execution, and what steps do you take to ensure your designs meet the unique needs of each client?

Initial meetings are pivotal as they serve as an opportunity for discussions and gaining insights into the personalities and lifestyles of the homeowners. This crucial understanding significantly influences the form and function of the design. Interior design work revolves around effective collaboration, particularly with the homeowners, to ensure their desires and preferences are clearly communicated and understood by us. By fostering open lines of communication, we strive to create a harmonious partnership that enables us to translate their vision into a well-executed design. This ultimately means we listen more than we talk.

So you don’t propose and lead in the discussion?

Of course, we do, but the initial phase of our work is centered around active listening. It is crucial not to make any assumptions during this stage. While some clients may share a similar age range with us, it primarily affects the ease of communication in terms of lingo and formats. However, when it comes to the design process, our primary focus is on learning and absorbing information from the clients. This allows us to gain a comprehensive understanding of their needs and preferences before we begin forming a design direction. Our role is to lead the discussion and propose design solutions based on the insights we gather, ensuring that the client's vision is effectively translated into the outcome.

This is a 3D rendering of a Japanese theme project that Kelvin produced after he was challenged by his Client to get out of his monochromatic style.

In truth, homeowners often struggle to articulate their desires in a clear and concise manner, which leads to us gathering fragmented pieces of information to understand their vision. As designers, we take on the role of guiding and assisting homeowners in forming a cohesive vision by piecing together these bits of information. To aid in visualization, we utilize 3D software and mood boards, which prove to be invaluable tools. These visuals and renders play a significant role in helping homeowners identify their preferences and provide valuable feedback.

However, it's important to note that the design process remains collaborative throughout. We engage in ample discussions and explanations to ensure that homeowners comprehend the reasoning behind our proposed design choices. This approach allows us to strike a balance between respecting the homeowners' wishes and incorporating our unique design approach. By maintaining open lines of communication and providing clear explanations, we foster an environment of mutual understanding and trust, which ultimately leads to the creation of a design that exceeds expectations.

 The simple design is made delightful with interesting details, like the use of tassels as handles in the cabinet doors.

Q4 What is your philosophy when it comes to designing interior spaces, and how do you balance aesthetic appeal with practical functionality?

Hmmm, this one is indeed a challenging aspect to address. In the realm of design, there exists an inherent stubbornness. Let me illustrate this with an example. As an advocate of fluted panels, I may strongly believe in their aesthetic appeal. However, some may argue that these panels tend to trap dust and are difficult to maintain. This presents a struggle between form and maintenance.

When homeowners prioritize practicality and ease of maintenance, it becomes necessary for us to ease our stubbornness and accommodate their needs. As a design firm, it is in our best interest to strike a balance between our design intervention and the homeowners' requirements. This allows us to maintain elements of our design language while still ensuring that the homeowners' needs are met. Ultimately, if our design philosophy clashes entirely with the homeowners' preferences, it may be more appropriate for them to seek alternative design services that align better with their vision.

The dark apartment – while not everyone can accept a totally dark hall such as the one above, it is important to note that, designers who often have a flair for dark colours will use a mix of textures to make the design look richer and layered.

Q5 How do you stay up-to-date with the latest design trends and techniques, and how do you incorporate these into your work while maintaining your own unique style?

I am recognized for my “stubbornness” in creating dark and monochromatic looks. However, I recently had the opportunity to work on a project with a specific Japanese-inspired theme called Japandi. This style is inherently different from my usual body of work, and it has presented a unique challenge for me to explore different materiality in order to achieve the desired effect for the homeowner.

When it comes to design trends and techniques, constant research and experimentation are key. I am continuously studying materials and surface treatments that would be ideal for each project. It is essential for a designer to step out of their comfort zone and embrace challenges. I am grateful for the opportunity to be challenged by a client who pushed me to move away from my usual style and instead experiment with a lighter palette. This experience has allowed me to grow as a designer and expand my creative boundaries.

When you have a dominant wallpaper as a focus point, you do have to take note on all the other parts coming together in the space to form an overall balanced composition.

Q6 How do you collaborate with other professionals, such as architects or contractors, to ensure a seamless design and construction process?

We’ve had partners and collaborators working with us for quite some time and these team of tradesmen are instrumental to the success The Local Project (TLP) has today. As such the synergy and ease in communication really helps in the processes in each of the project we undertake. This is important as no homeowner wants their home to be “experimented” upon with new contractors working on their project. 

As our working hours in our industry is quite hectic, our daily routine revolves around answering questions with our Clients and contractors to make sure everyone is aligned. We will have to meet Clients regularly to update on progress and manage everyone’s expectations. I believe that communication is key and that will eradicate doubts and guessing.

What happens if you team is quite packed and the Client wants to recommend a new group of contractors into your team?

We have a strict policy of not accepting requests when we are uncertain about the capabilities of a contractor. As responsible custodians of the project's end result, it is our utmost priority to ensure that we can deliver on our promises. We are not willing to compromise the welfare of the project or jeopardize our company's reputation by taking shortcuts just to ease our workload. We firmly believe in upholding our standards, and if it means declining a job, we are prepared to make that decision. Before committing to any project, thorough consideration is given to ensure that we can confidently deliver exceptional results.

Q7 How do you incorporate sustainability and eco-friendliness into your designs, and why is this important to you?

The availability of certain supplies is often contingent on sustainable suppliers, which influences our choices. We make a conscious effort to propose green alternatives to our clients and provide them with informed advice on available options. It's important to note that some of these eco-friendly products may involve additional costs, but we advocate for equivalent alternatives that maintain the desired aesthetic while promoting efficiency and sustainability. Looking ahead, I remain hopeful that we will eventually have viable alternatives to wood, as it can introduce harmful substances like formaldehyde and TVOCs into indoor spaces.

Q8 What advice would you give to aspiring interior designers, and how can they develop their own unique style and approach to the field?

To all the aspiring designers out there, I want to share a personal message: "Don't be afraid to think outside the box and dare to try new things." In today's world, we are fortunate to have access to an array of modern technology and visualization tools that aid us in bringing our design visions to life. Unlike our predecessors, who had to rely on imagination and hand-drawn concepts, we now have the privilege of leveraging advanced tools to visualize and communicate our design intent effectively.

As technology continues to evolve and expand, it is crucial that we embrace it wholeheartedly. Let's fearlessly utilize digital prototyping and experimentation as valuable tools in our design process. This allows us to push boundaries, refine our ideas, and bring forth innovative and captivating designs. So, future designers, harness the power of technology and let your creativity soar without hesitation. The possibilities are limitless, and it's through daring exploration that we can shape the future of design.

Well said!

You can almost imagine the homeowners fussing about in their wet/dry kitchen preparing breakfast, in this well design modern country style kitchen.

Q9 What do you hope to achieve in your career as an interior designer, and what are some of the long-term goals you have for your work?

This career is really about my passion with this craft.  I honestly do not have great ambitions other than to build a career around what I love, which is this industry. My clients’ happiness fuels me.

Wow! That is commendable and humble all at once!

My character is as such. Throughout my journey as the founder of TLP, I have always embraced a hands-on approach and maintained a deep involvement in every project. Being actively engaged and participating in the process is what truly motivates me. This level of commitment is essential because our primary focus is on delivering exceptional results. I firmly believe that if we consistently excel in our project execution, growth will naturally follow.

While I cannot predict the future with certainty, I envision integrating technology into our work as we progress. One potential endeavour could involve developing an app that builds a comprehensive customer database. This innovative tool would enable us to forge stronger connections with both new and existing customers. However, for the time being, our primary goal remains cantered on doing what we are passionate about. We believe that by prioritizing our passion and staying true to our vision, the future will unfold organically, leading us down the path that is meant for us. Whatever will be, will be.

Que, sera, sera

Yes, whatever will be. Thanks for the DOTM, again!

Posted on 2nd June 2023

Interviewed by Daniel See and 

written by the Designerd,

SIXiDES Editorial Team