Asheni Alwis is an interior designer based in Columbo, Sri Lanka and founder and head of design of The Woodbury House.  Described as an Experience Centre, The Woodberry House showcases design ideas and settings to help clients visualise how they can create their dream space.  The spaces combines interior, furniture, and accessories which combine traditional Sri Lankan craft and production techniques alongside contemporary and innovative design approaches.

I met Asheni during a visit to Sri Lanka with my partner Monica in October 2024 as part of a Flying Faculty visit to teach interior design at the NSBM Green University.

In this episode we discover how this unique experience centre in Sri Lanka showcases bespoke furniture and cutting-edge design concepts.   We learn about the blend of traditional techniques with modern aesthetics, and how this approach creates stunning interiors for their clients.  We hear valuable advice for aspiring interior designers and the importance of gaining work experience when studying interior design.  And why, when working with contractors, you need to know the detail and be able to speak the language.

LinksAsheni on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/asheni-alwis-9b1b41142/?original_referer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww%2Egoogle%2Ecom%2F&originalSubdomain=lk

The Woodberry House on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/Thewoodberryhouse/about

The Woodberry House on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/thewoodberryhouse?fbclid=IwY2xjawHQzzZleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHQCf0B_QO9eN93C58jx4vse48HJSK_gdin8NVp-pYZrTnaww6A6qu-OsZA_aem_GYynvRmzxP-S7-oYadqENg

Concept Interiors http://conceptinteriors.lk/

How to be a kick-ass Interior Designer. 

Come and join us on the Interior Design BA(Hons) course at the University of Plymouth.

https://www.plymouth.ac.uk/courses/undergraduate/ba-interior-design

or in Sri Lanka at the NSBM Green University https://www.nsbm.ac.lk/course/ba-hons-in-interior-design/

Thanks to

Dave Clarke from @iamthehow (http://www.iamthehow.com) for production support and invaluable advice in the setting up this Podcast.

Kay Hanson (https://www.instagram.com/kay_v_hanson/) for her planning support and co-hosting for these and our educational podcasts for the University of Plymouth

Mark Frith (https://www.markfrith.uk/) for composing the music and your support and advice along the way.

I’d really like to hear feedback on the podcast.  Leave a comment or get in touch via the website or Instagram.

Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/forster_jonathan/

Websitehttp://www.multistorythinking.com/contact

Thanks for listening.  Bye for now.