I always want to challenge each project when it comes to the design.

Architect and Interior Designer Patrycja Rogala of Patrycja Rogala Architects Ltd. who are based in Rathfarnham, County Dublin has more than 20 years experience working on projects from inception to completion with her services including new build, remodelling, extensions and interior design.

“My job is amazing because even though I will have a plan of what has to be done in my diary every week, every day is different. A client will need some advice, some issue will occur on a site or a person will call me because they will have either found me online or know someone who I have done work for previously and that person has recommended me to them.

Usually my work comes from word of mouth as well as Instagram, it is so nice that the work is finding me and it is amazing how it has all worked out since I began my business in 2012,” explained Patrycja.

“I have been able to work from project to project and the most important thing for me is that I listen to my client and what they want and need. I don’t want to have a style, I want my work to be unique to each house, family and setting. I don’t want to copy and paste projects from house to house. I always want to challenge each project when it comes to the design. I create as I want the client to be happy with the end result and I also want to be proud to have it in my portfolio.

“It is difficult to be original now when it comes to design due to the accessibility to all of the media outlets now such as Instagram, Pinterest, Houzz etc and some of the ideas that are brought to me are coming from houses in Asia, USA, sunny Spain, but unfortunately those designs won’t work with the Irish climate!,” she continued.

As to what design elements home owners are looking for currently?

“Home owners are still in need of a home office and they still need a space where the family can hang out together but at the same time have a separate space to relax as a Mother, as a teenager, as a child playing; it is often that there is an open plan space in a house but there is a separate sitting room or space to accommodate those needs. A closet space is perfect to facilitate a desk as a home office space, but sometimes it is not enough.

“When I design houses, I am also thinking about the interior design of the house as you can’t just create an extension; without flow and function first, where each furniture has designated space, and there are no odd fillers. Everything has to be designed with interiors in mind. As difficult as it is to decide ‘where will I put my sofa or my dining table?’ unfortunately they are very crucial decisions as well as the electrical layout such as where you would like to install pendant light and where spotlights?

You have to make the decisions quickly and it is important for me that the clients understand what is on the drawings as well as the spaces. The design has to work for everyone. Home owners are still requesting various shades of grey! A feature wall in a room makes such a difference as it is a focal point in your room as well as a way of expressing yourself. Yes, you can have a neutral colour but with only colours in, cushions, picture frames, rugs or candles you will not get ‘personality’ out of the house. Different textures on the walls and colour to a space really brings it alive. By listening to my clients and by being with them throughout a project for a number of months, I will get to know them and their personalities so when I make suggestions to them along with a bit of trust, it works!, concluded Ms Rogala.