Liam Mooney steps into a new hyper-focused design era creating a sense of home in hospitality. Following a move to the Boland and award nominations and accolades for his recent work on Bosjes’ Die Stalle spa it’s never been a more fitting time for designer Liam Mooney to solidify his design direction and venture into new creative territory.
A natural affinity for creating comforting spaces with boatloads of character has made him a sought-after talent. With a range of current projects on the go that run the gamut from a new build in Camps Bay, renovations in Muizenberg and Oranjezicht, a decorating project in Somerset West and a project in Zurich, he’s setting his sights on expanding his international portfolio.
With decades of experience under his belt and an impressive portfolio, it’s an accurate description to call Liam something of a design industry veteran, and the next phase in his professional evolution will see him stepping into his strengths. “We have been editing our offering a bit more every year. But the human need for practicality, comfort, safety, inspiration, peace of mind and excitement are universal, regardless of the space you’re designing,” he notes. Always layered and anchored with a sense of gravitas, each space has its own personality, but all share a deep passion for creating designs with depth.
An increasing focus on hospitality-led and residential work is the result of successful projects that have garnered public and industry acclaim. His recent work on the award-winning Bosjes is perhaps the most known and exhibits his signature seamless blend of contemporary and traditional elements, and his artful curative touch.
He brings this same signature to a wider audience as he establishes his new HQ in the Boland. Now based between here and Cape Town, this will allow the designer to explore new design opportunities and projects, a challenge he’s excited to take on.
Approaching every project through the lens of ‘homemaking’, Liam believes that all projects – from hotels, to restaurants and spas, even offices – should feel like you’ve come home. Like great design, great designers evolve too and Liam has over the years – but chalks his success and growth up to being ever curious and always willing to learn. “The interior design industry is a service industry – as long as there are new people to work for, there are new things to learn. It would be mind-numbingly boring if there wasn’t so much to be curious about.”
But – befitting a designer of his calibre – he approaches every project with new eyes, according to its own unique requirements and each client’s personal taste and style. “Our style is a little idiosyncratic, in so much as we are not driven by rules, schemes or too much so-called ‘perfection’. We like that our interiors evolve, grow and develop a patina of a life well lived,” he explains.