Note from the owner.
Welcome to Vela Interiors! My name is Toni Maria Brown, and I’m an Interior Designer based in Edinburgh. I cannot thank you enough for taking the time to visit the VI website, whether you are here to browse blog posts, seek design services or looking for inspiration and advice, your support and engagement means more than you can know.
I’m a fully qualified Interior Designer specialising in the Commercial sector for over 8 years. VI was born out a desire to work closely with my clients to ensure I meet the needs of their users and explore every avenue to ensure they have a safe, productive, practical and inspirational environment to work in. I challenge my clients view on what they believe is possible and assist my clients in building a stronger work culture, both in office and working from home. I oversee rapid expenditure growth for my clients to maintain workplace culture and integrity through periods of change.
I began my own journey as a student at Edinburgh Napier University. I graduated with a B(Hons) in Interior & Spatial Design in 2017. Napier has a reputation for producing internationally successful Interior Designers (however I’ve so far found my Scottish routes to be deeply embedded!) in the commercial, exhibition and residential sectors. I began my first placement in a commercial design office in 2015, my third year of university. I worked full time for the next three years, alongside a full time university degree. I also had a weekend job at Palenque, a gorgeous jewelers based on the Rose Street with Mexican/Scottish fusions to their pieces, you should visit! You might wonder how I managed to maintain my studies and two jobs, and the answer is simply because I had to. The knowledge and advice I accumulated while working in a professional practice 2 years ahead of graduating was worth every minute of sleep I sacrificed. If you are interested in learning more about how I balanced this time in my life, you can read about it in my ‘how to make industry connections’ blog post.
The first company I worked for specialised in workplace design. I have been fortunate enough to work with some of the biggest clients in this sector over the past 7 years throughout the UK. My portfolio also showcases hotel design and educational environments. In 2018 I was nominated to become NextGen: Rising Star for Scotland by the British Council of Offices, an award which recognises under 35’s outstanding contribution to the office sector. In all honesty, to attend an award ceremony in London and be surrounded by the biggest names in the industry throughout the UK at 23 years of age, I couldn’t believe my luck they had allowed me to attend!
Having recently become a home owner (three cheers to anyone who manages to get onto the property ladder in Edinburgh!) I have found a deep passion and love for residential design. Having the ability to banish the magnolia walls of rented accommodation and truly explore who I am and who we are as a family has been an experience I honestly didn’t see coming.
Please don’t hesitate to get in touch, either through the contact form on our homepage or through any of the VI social media platforms. You can also email toni@velainteriors.co.uk. If you would like to comment on something you have read or share some of your own stories, I’d love to hear from you!
Keep in touch,
Toni Maria Brown