Julia Amadi Obi is an artist and interior architect. The amiable woman is the better half of famed photographer, Kelechi Amadi Obi. She graduated as a painting major and over the years she demonstrated her love for the palette through jewelry and later ventured into creating beautiful interiors for her clients. In this interview with Yetunde Oladeinde, the CEO of OMA collections talked about life as a motivated designer, providing design solutions for her clientele, family and more.
What are the things that occupy your time at the moment?
I am an interior designer and landscape artist. I do this through my company known as OMA collections and designs. It’s has been a very interesting journey and I derive pleasure when I give my clients what they want and they are satisfied with the outcome of our services.
How long have you been doing this?
I have been in the sector for over ten years and you learn new things every day. I was trained as an artist at the University of Benin. I have always been interested in the look of interiors. That desire actually prompted my self training and self development.
I went online and in the process I learnt a lot from what other people had done or were doing. It is actually the same principles and once you know what should be done, then you can adapt to what the environment and get the desired result or even something better. So, I just applied what I learnt to interiors and added that to my landscaping business.
What was it like at the beginning?
Initially, I would say that it was challenging in the sense of finding the right suppliers for the thing that you wanted for each job. Also there was also the challenge of trying to meet the demands of our clients and even surpass their expectations. Over the years, this changed gradually and now we have mastered the art and we understand all those areas that were a bit problematic at the beginning.
How would you describe the sector now?
It is booming at the moment. I will also say that in spite of the economic challenges, the sector is really booming. Also, you will find that more people are more informed; they know what their needs are and they are ready to go for it in their own way. The truth of the matter is that many are very comfortable with Made in Nigeria Products, unlike what we had in the past. That has also helped the industry to grow locally and a lot of people have discovered their talents in different ways.
What are some of the challenges you encounter while doing this?
There are a number of challenges and one of such challenges is getting good finishes. The second challenge would be getting trained hands to do the job, skilled hands who can properly install certain finishes. However, I would say that things are improving and getting better. You can see a lot of creativity at work and things are really better than what we had in the past.
Who are your targets?
I have numerous clients in the industry. Interestingly, this includes my private clients who really like to be private as well. I work mainly on residential projects and mostly my clients are private clients.
What would you say makes your brand different? What’s unique about the things that you do?
There is a lot of competition in the sector but I think that the ability to showcase the lifestyle that you are portraying and that naturally make the job interesting for me. Here, you have to make your design meet up with the lifestyle and standards that your client wants to be projected. You also must be versatile and take their needs into cognizance and make a difference in the things that you do.
Your husband is known as an artist and a popular photographer. How does this influence the things that you do?
Are you talking about influencing his work or mine… Talking about blending the two, I would say that my husband is a great source of inspiration. When it comes to documenting my work, my husband is very supportive and that has really help. It is quite interesting because we are both in the creative sector.
How did you meet your husband? Did you meet in school?
No, we did not meet in school (Laughs). We met as professionals, as artists. I trained as one and the experience is very interesting.
What are some of the things that you share in common with your husband?
Creativity is something that we share in common. In addition, he is also a very caring and good husband.
He is a busy man and you are also busy travelling to meet up your clients demands. Is it easy creating time for the family?
Yes. We just try to find a balance and that is very important for couples. No matter how busy you are, you must strike a balance.
If you have to advise Nigerian women today, what would you tell them?
It is actually about striking of balance in whatever you do. Your career is about what you love, it is about what you are trained for and you obviously want to make a difference. The family comes first for me. So, I always try to strike that balance where I make sure that I meet the needs of the family as well as the needs of my career.
Are there some Nigerian women that you admire?
Yes. Lots of them. Our women are doing a lot of great things and they need to be appreciated. Where do I start from? I would say that from my industry, I admire Mrs. Jumoke Adenowo, the award winning African architect, entrepreneur and philantrophist.
I also admire Titi Ogufure, the immediate past president of the Interior Designers Association of Nigeria (IDAN). Ogufure is also the CEO and Creative Director of Essential Interiors Consultancy and publisher of Essential Interiors Magazine: Essential Traveller, the inflight magazine for Aero Contractors and Essential Woman, a magazine for women in business.
How has being a member of Interior Designers Association of Nigeria (IDAN) influenced what you do?
There are a lot of advantages and being a member means that you can get whatever information that you are looking for in the industry. In addition, you are sure to be sorted out , if you run into any problems or difficulties that you need answers to in the business.
Who or what inspires what you do?
I would say that I am inspired by creative minds from all over the world especially in the world of intelligent interiors and landscaping.
What do you consider as the greatest influence in your life?
I consider family and friends who spur me on to be the best as the greatest influence in my life.
What do you treasure most in your life?
Family. That is what I treasure most in life.
How do you relax?
I usually relax with meditations and retreats.
What do you like to wear?
I am comfortable with decent and creative fashion.
What would you not do in the name of fashion?
In the name of fashion, I would not wear anything that is tacky and clueless.
