Already well established in Phnom Penh, Beyond Interiors recently opened a sophisticated showroom in Cambodia’s tourism centre Siem Reap to enthuse the increasing number of Angkor tourists for Cambodia’s uniquely classy designs.
Beyond Interiors, a sustainable design company that makes unique furniture, textiles and interior design, recently opened a centre in Siem Reap, aiding and evolving with the nation’s tourism industry.
Already well-established in Phnom Penh, the design group create spaces for offices, hotels, serviced apartments and commercial spaces, with a focus on creating a “feel” appropriate for the venue, from relaxed and pampered at the day spa, to refreshed and focused in the office.
Having already worked with some of the biggest companies to create these happy, open environments to work and live in, Beyond Interiors are constantly changing with their environment.
“The beautiful thing about [how new design in Cambodia is] is that we are evolving as our clients and the city evolves,” said Bronywn Blue, founder of Beyond Interiors. “We need to work within that so that we are harmonious with the context that we sit in and not just a cherry on top.”
Some of their biggest and most diverse projects have included offices in the Vattanac Capital Tower and a range of shops in Aeon Mall, including children’s clothing, eyewear and stationery, through the simple variation of tasks, the small yet close group of designers are constantly finding themselves challenged.
Using only renewable resources, namely wood from houses that have been torn down, Beyond Blue pride themselves on being a sustainable company, although this comes with some new challenges. “Many people want to order ten of the exact same product,” explained Blue, however no two pieces are the same, with variation from the tones in the wood and the way the wood joins, to the actual design.
“For us, it a learning curve into really understanding what it is to take responsibility for working with renewable resources, it’s also about educating our clients, our designers and ourselves that when we work with materials already existent in the world, we are going to have to be a little more flexible,” said Blue.
Blue, an Australian expat, credits the small team of mostly Cambodians for the style of the company, “I think everyone brings their own flavour and flair to the way we work,” she said. Having only been open since 2008, she credits her team for helping build such a successful company. “I have gone from teacher to co-worker,” she said, also praising her team for inventive designs and a strong work ethic.
The opening of the show room in Siem Reap marks the growth in their company. Located at the heart of Cambodia’s tourism industry, Beyond Interiors aim to bring a uniquely Cambodian feel to visitors from around the world – with modern and traditional designs for Cambodians and foreigners alike.
