Kate Alexander is the founder and creative director of Places and Graces, a home staging, interior and event styling firm based in New Zealand. Kate grew up surrounded by art and style, as her father is a designer - it is this early exposure that has shaped her creative outlook. She now enjoys a vocation that draws on her natural talents for composition, colour and design. Kate loves nothing more than sourcing furniture from boutique and local stores. So we are proud to bring you the Designer Insights of Kate Alexander.
Image Credit: 1) The Sunday Kind 2) Citta 3) Georgie Maylon 4) Koskela 5) Retro Addiction
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1) In your own words describe your unique style and creative aesthetic?
Colour choice and art is a large part of my work. I also have a desire to bring love to old things and spaces. Random, eclectic and colourFUL is how I would describe my aesthetic.
2) When starting a new project, what is your creative process?
I sit in the space. Photograph it from multiple angles. Search online and save relevant images. Then I pause and just think on it while in the shower or walking the dog : - ) Finally I bring it all together in a moodboard.
3) Out of the creative people you have worked with, who is it that you respect and admire the most?
My dad, Grant. I worked with my dad for 15 years. Even more if you count the years of going into his office in the weekends as a child. He taught me the importance of drawing, ideas and creative rigour. He taught me how to run a business selling creative services. I admire his belief in design. I admire his knowledge of history, both artistic and social. I respect how he respects himself and his skills. He taught me the value of creativity. I admire that he still gets excited by creative opportunities and random visual sightings.
4) When looking for inspiration is there a particular thing you do to get inspired?
I go to my local cafe and have random conversations. Connecting with my community makes me happy and if I’m happy the work and inspiration flows easy.
5) What has brought you to this point in your career? And what is your advice for people looking to follow in your footsteps?
After working as a graphic designer for 15 years I made a change to create a job that was flexible and most importantly local. My advice is if you want to be something, you have to create it. I started telling people I was an interior stylist, created my own projects, made connections. I also surround myself with wonderful people who believe in my creative ability.
