If the 2016 edition of renowned furniture fair Salone del Mobile in Milan is any indication, home decor trends are heading in a cheerful direction. “This year, we felt a renewed excitement about the fair,” says Christina Caredes, group CEO of Space Furniture. She was particularly struck by Kartell’s innovative Organic Chair, and tickled by the “sense of fun” in pieces like Moooi’s chunky Compression Sofa and delicate Perch lights.

There may be no better person to forecast decor trends than the woman who has helped to solidify Space as Australia’s leading designer furniture retailer. However, this vivacious champion of great design actually believes strongly in the importance of having a mind of your own. “I think it’s important to remember that you are creating your home; it’s a reflection of who you are, so draw inspiration from things you love and that resonate with you, rather than follow what the trend reports tell you,” she says.

The decor of her home in Sydney for instance, reflects the fact that “we are always open to friends and family”. Christina explains, “We have a big dining table, a big sofa — it’s very welcoming. We also have an appreciation for things of quality, that are simple but a little playful.”

Born and raised in Singapore, she relocated to Australia 15 years ago and now lives in a century-old Federation-era house with her husband, who works for a building company, and their two children, aged six and eight. “I was attracted to that type of home because the newness of buildings in Singapore made me gravitate to things that have history,” she says. “When we bought it, it was a dump that had been left untouched for 60 years. We spent a year fixing it up, and there is a joy in restoring the old parts that have character and charm, and blending that with simple contemporary finishes.”

Playfulness in her home comes in the form of iconic pieces like B&B Italia’s Big Mama chair by Gaetano Pesce, and the Ball pendant light by Verner Panton, a statement piece made up of red and orange balls. “It had all these nylon strings that took me hours to untangle and it casts this amber light that my husband said makes the room look like a brothel,” Christina quips. “But he’s come to accept it. We’re quite good at allowing each other to have our spaces, and his passion is for the outdoors so he is in charge of the garden.”

A former accountant, Christina made the leap to Space, where she has been for the last 12 years, because “I wanted to see what it would be like to grow and develop a business rather than play a reporting and statutory role”. A key chapter for Space’s growth began this year with SP01, the company’s first foray in nurturing its very own brand. “We were already successful within our existing markets, and wanted to find a way that lets us stay true to our values and still grow internationally,” she says.

“Good proportions make all the difference. This is why the best brands work with the best designers, because they understand this innately.”

SP01’s target customer is the citizen of the world, and the understated chic of the pieces — courtesy of Italian designer Robin Rizzini and his Milan-based award-winning studio Fattorini + Rizzini + Partners — is meant to sit well in a Tokyo apartment, a London terrace or a Manhattan condominium, says Christina. “This is a challenge as we all live so differently. In the design process, we looked at the best of Scandinavian, Italian and Japanese design.”

She believes her role is to set the creative strategy and direction, but also preserve the purity of the design process. “It’s important to allow the creative team to have the freedom and space to put together a collection with integrity. I always have my personal opinions, but I am respectful of the team around me.”

Her personal favourite from the SP01 collection is the Thomas Chair, because of its refined silhouette and elegant finishing. “Good proportions make all the difference,” she believes. “This is why the best brands work with the best designers, because they understand this innately.”

Photography: Max Chan/101teamwork
Hair and make-up: Vinna Er