C R E AT I V E CARDIFF MAKING SPACES
Leanne Rudman is an interior architect at Portabella, working on exciting and innovative projects around Cardiff. She looks at the spatial planning of Portabella’s residential projects and creates designs for both bathrooms and kitchens within the developments. What do you think is meant by “creative”? I would define creative as something fresh, something that hasn’t been done before and is original. I think creativity comes from thinking outside the box and allowing your imagination to generate new ideas that will inspire others. Can you tell us about what you would consider to be one of your most creative projects? Our Churchills development in Llandaff is the most creative development we have undertaken. This residential development incorporated old and new with the addition of seven new-build properties to complement the existing two listed buildings that stood on the site.
In addition, we currently have our Brickworks development underway. This is our largest development to date, with 100 apartments in the rapidly emerging South Central district. As part of the development, the ground floor on Trade Street will house independent businesses with the fifth floor boasting a west-facing social roof terrace for residents and their guests. What do you think of the creative scene in the city? I think Cardiff is a capital that is always developing and bringing to light new and creative experiences for the public. We recently held our This is Us event in conjunction with our Brickworks development, where we were lucky enough to utilise some of the growing creative talent that Cardiff has to offer.
DESIGN FOR LIFE
Sian Elin Thomas runs homewares brand Sian Elin, which is Scandi modern in style, pastel bright in colour, and all hand-drawn and designed by Sian herself! How would you define “creative”? An ability to think completely outside of the box and solve problems that others can’t. Who or what is your biggest inspiration? I am really inspired by some of the surface pattern designer greats such as William Morris and Joseph Frank. They both completely changed the world of design where it stood in that moment in time. What’s been your career highlight so far? One of the most memorable is when my designs featured on the front cover of the London Evening Standard during the London Design Festival. I had started the business less than a year before and so it was incredibly exciting and amazing to have my designs acknowledged in that way. Any upcoming exciting projects you’d like to tell us about? I have a new collection coming out in the next couple of months. I am really excited about the designs as I have had loads of fun creating them, and they are a slightly different direction than before. What do you think of the creative scene in Cardiff? I think it’s young and dynamic – there are a lot of new creative scenes, companies, and groups popping up all over the city. And I think that’s going to gain even more legs over the next five years. w www.mediaclash.co.uk I CARDIFF LIFE I 55