NEWS

ANNE JAMES - A DESIGNING WOMAN

The newest, smartest and most comprehensive interior design shop is to open soon in Ringwood High Street, called Design Interiors at 37 The High Street and is run by Anne James of Roban James, the elegant Ringwood Lynes Lane lighting emporium.

Anne, wife of Rob James, is an interior designer and studied Art and Design at Lancaster later qualifying in interior design at the National Design Academy in Nottingham. Now she is in charge of the soft furnishings and interior design aspects of their business.

Said Anne. "I decided to open the design side of our business because I would go to people's homes to discuss their lights, and would be asked to completely redesign their rooms and I loved it. Lighting is so important to every aspect of interior design, whether it is the natural light through windows or artificial. It is fundamental to all home design and must be taken into account with everything you do."

Anne works with her soft furnishings expert Dawn Moses who has been 16 years in the business. When they go to people's homes the first thing they must find out is the real function of a room. Then they look at the shape of the room where the light comes from and what the focal point is.

Part of the design service is taking pictures, offering professional advice, talking about the room's function, the styles, fabrics and colour preferences and producing three colour drawings. At this point the client has the option to proceed on their own or call Anne back to continue the work. Estimates, shop consultations, and a measuring service, are free of charge.

Anne said "Being able to source at wholesale means that our prices are very competitive. The style I am most often working around is 'contemporary cottage'. Most people love the idea of a little cottage, but they don't like the traditional look that goes with it. I help them to achieve the contemporary look they want.

"At the moment I am working on several styles, a minimalist penthouse in Poole, a converted barn, art deco bathroom and a traditional English residence, all very different, each with their own exciting challenges."

Anne is rather different from the run of the mill interior designer. As the daughter of a builder, Anne was always involved in the building business. Her father regularly took his two little daughters Anne and Rishy around with him on site. Their father encouraged them to learn various skills and work on his property developments. Anne is justifiably proud of her tiling, bricklaying and plastering skills. So this interior designer really knows when a job is being done properly.

A chance meeting with Rob James, who was then studying business management in Southbourne, and a formidable team was formed. They decided to open the lighting shop together in Ringwood two years ago and now Design Interiors is born. The Shop will be officially opened by the Ringwood Mayor Cllr Michael Thierry on Friday January 28th at 6.00pm and a brighter future for Roban James, Design Interiors and their rapidly expanding band of delighted customers is confidently expected.

From Belinda Charlton 01425 473813 - www.bcapublicrelations.co.uk

3 January 2005