Combining their individual talents, Liz Moloney and Rachel Fayman of Amber Design Group have worked on projects ranging from warehouse conversions to golf club refurbishments. Priding themselves on their close relationship with clients, Liz and Rachel give WLL an insight into how they work together to create personal and practical interiors.
Do you work on each project together?
Liz: We work on most projects together depending on the scale of the job. Generally we divide and conquer and together generate a balanced approach to design. Rachel is more creative and whimsical—she enjoys fabrics, soft furnishings, styling and accessorising.
Rachel: Liz is more technical and architectural in her approach—she loves creating joinery, beautiful and practical kitchens etc. The combination means that the creative ideas will never be too impractical to live with or unachievable.
What is your personal speciality?
Liz: Rachel lives for sourcing items from all over the world—new pieces to antique. If you ever see something in a magazine and are interested in it, she will find it no matter what! My speciality is kitchen and joinery. I also really enjoy sourcing art, it is an important part of an interior—it makes a home—and I am looking up new up-and-coming galleries across London, France and NYC.
What are each of your key influences?
Rachel: Steven Gambrel, Eric Cohler, Vincente Wolf—generally more masculine influences than female, though I also love a bit of glam i.e. Kelly Wearstler.
What is the most important thing to keep in mind when designing a space?
Rachel: We believe that liveability/comfort and scale are two of the most important things. Scale can make or break a space. The right size of furniture defines the space and also how people use it. Of course a wow factor is important, but ultimately our clients really want to live in their space. No room should ever be unused—it should be designed and beautiful but also practical.
What is your favourite project so far?
Liz: We have been lucky enough this past year to have had a wide variety of projects, ranging from a Covent Garden Italian-style pied-à-terre, a great warehouse conversion in west London, to a large family home in Maida Vale and even a golf course clubhouse!
Rachel: It’s hard to say—they all were amazing clients with a wide array of requirements. We love to take influence from our clients and west London surroundings and then we work together with them to achieve a look that ultimately they love living in.
What do you find most challenging about your work?
Rachel: Accepting that sometimes you can do everything to try to get something on time for a client, but it can be completely out of your control. People want things quickly and perfect, which is natural as it’s their home. However, often things are on a long lead-time in the UK, especially specialist finishes or bespoke upholstery. We do always try our best to manage expectations and time leads.
Which trends can we look out for in the future?
Liz: I would say on the whole people are moving toward mixing patterns, styles and materials. This year we’ve seen much bolder choices for walls and trimmings—greys, navys and even blacks. Also, lucite furniture mixed with natural materials.
Rachel: People moving away from geometrics and adding in more feminine patterns mixed with raw finishes. Mixing of metals and woods is coming into their natural finish.
What are your favourite brands?
Rachel: We love Lindsay Adelman Lighting, Balineum—the bathroom specialists who bring together a multitude of must-haves—Flexform Sofas, Threads fabrics, Portobello Market for super finds and inspiration, Flair NYC—everything in their shop is fabulous!
Three items you couldn’t live without?
Liz: I can speak for both of us and say Pinterest, dark chocolate and Lululemon.
What would be your dream building/property to renovate?
Liz: We would love to do a restaurant in an old London property. Your limitations with creativity are endless.
