Lanassir Gunton is the Director of Swank Interiors, the latest Key Partner for Folk Features! Here, Lanassir shares the story of her Norfolk-based interior design business – and explains what we can look forward to with her regular column
First things first, who are you and what do you do?
I’m Lanassir (Pronounced la-nasa) Gunton and I am the founder of Swank Interiors. I design the Interiors of homes, workplaces, hospitality and leisure venues that are both functional and Beautiful. Working with local craftsmen we then bring those spaces to life.
What led you to founding Swank Interiors in 2009 and what is your background in interior design?
As a child, My Grandad was a builder and, as an only child and grandchild, I was surrounded by homes that were always under transformation. I was always interested in the process and spent weekends exploring DIY shops picking up paint charts and furniture brochures along the way.
After leaving school I worked in soft furnishings from 1994-2001 learning a lot about fabrics, window treatments and upholstery. I also gained qualifications in Interior Design during those years.
Having just bought my first house I then progressed into retail management and away from Interiors (although I continued to renovate my own homes!). At the end of 2006 I was given the opportunity to ‘stop and breathe’ and re-access my career.
Interior Design was such a natural choice and on my 30th birthday I enrolled on another course to update my skills. An Architect friend put me in touch with my first client and that was the start of Swank Interiors.
Are you Norfolk born and raised? What do you love about living and working in the county?
I am a proud Norfolkian. In fact, I have never lived outside of our wonderful county! Having grown up in Norwich and lived in various parts of the county I probably take it for granted having a vibrant city, beautiful coastline and open countryside on the doorstep but that is one of my favourite things about Norfolk as each area offers different types and styles of properties.
Norfolk is a small place when it comes to doing business and whenever I meet someone new there are usually common links – I really like that.
I genuinely love people and building relationships and have a network here that goes back many years – I work with craftsmen that I went to school with!
How would you describe your interior design style? You have a mix of commercial and residential clients across East Anglia and beyond?
My natural style is eclectic. I love colour and mixing old and new but when it comes to projects I let go of my personal preferences and ‘become my client’.
Developing their style and introducing them to ideas that push them beyond what they would have achieved alone while considering their property, surroundings and practicalities specific to their lifestyle.
Commercial clients are more varied. One day I can be creating super-efficient staff facilities for a factory and the next coming up with a creative scheme for a restaurant that will give diners an all-round immersive experience.
Most of my clients are within 50 miles of my studio allowing me to give a personal service and can easily be on hand during the install stage of a project.
What appeals to you about being a key partner of Folk Features?
Positivity is something that we all need in our lives. I love how Folk Features gets the good news out there. It’s not just a publication; it’s a community that shares Inspiring stories and Informative articles that are useful to many of us, and I’m really pleased to help support this.
What sort of subjects will you be covering in your monthly columns?
There’s so much imagery out there of Interiors and trends that it can be overwhelming as to know where to start and what are the right choices to make when changing your own space. I’m going to be sharing my thoughts and tips to inspire readers to create rooms that have longevity and not just look good but feel good too.
Visit swankinteriors.co.uk; follow me on Instagram: Swankinteriors and Facebook: Swank Interiors Ltd; and Connect with me on Linkedin: Lanassir Gunton.
Visit swankinteriors.co.uk; follow @swankinteriors on Instagram and Swank Interiors Ltd on Facebook and connect on Linkedin.
Featured images of Lanassir Gunton – supplied
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