Industry Insights: Marcella Coia

Let's start at the beginning. How did you get to this point in your career?

I graduated in 2014 from Glasgow Caledonian University, after which I got a job at 10 Design. With 10 Design I gained a lot of experience working on big-scale commercial projects, smaller family-run hotels and some bigger brand hotels as well. As things moved on, after COVID we leaned towards more high-end residential and local property, as well as buy-to-let properties and some private residences, too. So my experience over the 10 years has spanned quite a bit.

And now you’ve made the decision to found your own practice, Dimora Interiors?

Last year I got married and I’m hoping to start a family, so I thought if I'm not going to do it now, then I'm probably never going to get the chance to do it. And I've always wanted to be self-employed since I was studying interior design, so it felt like the right time. I learned a lot from 10 Design, it's a great company to work for. My thinking was, ‘I've learned so much in my time here, I would love to finally start a company of my own.'

If you had to give some advice to the next generation of designers, what would that be?

I would say being adaptable. Try not to panic when things dramatically change. There’s a lot of problem solving and often nothing goes smoothly. Just taking your time to work through the problems and bringing your personality into as well. Obviously don’t bring emotions into it, but making your project more personable really helps the client and the contractor and the relationship work.

When a client approaches you with a brief, what's your process?

My first day with a client would involve a visit to their home, or a space where they're comfortable. I want to learn more about them and, whether it's commercial or residential, how they use their space. What happens in their day? How do they work? How do their clients use their space? From there, I would show them imagery and based on what they like, I’d draw a concept board before finalising the proposal. 

Then we get into programming it. We handle all the ordering side of it as well. It's another additional service that we like to do that takes that pressure away from the client. And then it's just fitting into their time schedule. 

What is it about Agua fabrics that keeps you using them on a repeat basis?

Over the time I've used Agua fabrics, you have definitely evolved as a company. But even from the start, I've always worked with Agua because the fabrics are available at a really good price point. And there’s a really good range of different products that I would use, whether for domestic, residential or commercial. I can't remember a time when Agua fabrics didn’t have stock. I'm a really big fan of the recent Bouclé fabric. I think it's gorgeous. And it's definitely keeping with trends at the moment. 

What's the most important thing that you think you've learned in your career to date?

To always be adaptable and prepared for the unexpected, but also not letting that get in the way of enjoying it. Interior design is fun! One of my favourite things about what I do is seeing the end product and the client’s reaction. Whether it's residential or commercial, it's an amazing feeling to know that you've changed their space for the better.

It’s also important to keep up to date and go to the shows and places like Material Source to see what’s new. I think keeping in touch with the industry is really important. If you make time for it, it's really beneficial, both to your clients and your business.

Learn more about Marcella’s work at dimorainteriors.co.uk