Kabuni Spotlight - Courtney Molyneaux
Story: Jennilee Marigomen and Sam Wink
Photography: Jennilee Marigomen
Courtney Molyneaux is an interior designer and Kabuni Ambassador with a strong passion for creating unique and functional spaces. Hailing from Vancouver, Courtney recently completed work on the Bailey Nelson store in Ottawa, and is looking forward to more commercial projects in the future. Best described as a forward-thinking modernist, we can’t wait to stay in a hotel she’s designed in the future.
I've always had creative bones in my body, but was never interested in painting or drawing or anything like that. Growing up my bedroom was always my parents favourite room in the house, so I guess it stemmed from there. I guess I just found my niche. I love that interior design enables you to create spaces that make people feel something. That in itself is one thing I want to strive for in my career.
What are the first things you look to for inspiration when starting a project?
Interior design books or blogs (DesignMilk, Ignant, Aestate, Room On Fire) or Pinterest.
Do you have a signature touch with your designs?
I'm still figuring myself out as a designer so I'm not sure that I have one just yet - but I can imagine based on my current aesthetic that it will have something to do with color.
What is one thing in the home that makes you the happiest?
I've recently learned how obsessed I am with color. Not a lot of it, but hints of it throughout my home puts the biggest smile on my face.
Who are some of your favourite designers (lighting, furniture, etc)?
FLOS, Normann Copenhagen, HAY, Muuto, Eames, Hans Wegner. My favorite design studio is Commune based out of LA.
Tell us about your project designing the Ottawa location Bailey Nelson. What was your process like? Did you have to adhere to a specific aesthetic because they are a chain store?
Designing Bailey Nelson's newest location in Ottawa is the first project I've done in my interior design career, which I feel very blessed to have done. It was really nice to design a space for a company I already work for and alongside people I've worked with for the past year. I was approached by my boss and he pretty much said "here's a space - design it for us." So I took on the challenge.
The challenge being that :
a) I've never designed a "real" space before,
b) The location was in Ottawa and I wasn't ever going to see the space itself
c) I had a relatively small budget.
As far as aesthetic goes, Bailey Nelson has some pretty eclectic stores in the UK which they've started to steer away from as the stores here in Canada are more minimalistic. I tried to make this location cohesive with the other locations, but I still had a lot of creative freedom during this project.
What's your dream project?
My dream project, or career path even, is hotel design. I don't even necessarily care where in the world the said hotel is, I just know it's something I want to do and it's one of my career goals. I would love to design a boutique hotel in a small European town. We'll see! ;)
Is there a trend in interior design that you are excited about?
Color! Colorful spaces are trendy right now and I'm obsessed. I've been so used to seeing such minimal, monochromatic spaces and it's so refreshing to see some color.
Above: Commercial Space Renderings
Do you have other passions or hobbies outside of design?
I spend a lot of time taking photographs and being outside. I also spent the majority of my teenage years dancing, so that will always be a passion of mine.
What is one thing you are excited about in the Kabuni App?
I like how easy it is for a designer and client to connect and collaborate. It honestly reminds me of a dating website just because you can do everything with the touch of your hand and weed out all the things you may not necessarily be interested in and find the good with little to no effort.
How are you trying to make better homes for everyone?
I think creating spaces that make people feel good is achieving better homes for everyone in itself. Regardless of how big or small a space is, if you feel good while you're in it - that's all that really matters.
See more of Courtney’s work on her website.
@courtmoly
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Article: Jennilee Marigomen and Sam Wink
Photography: Jennilee Marigomen
