In this time’s Master Class, Brahman Perera introduces the importance of color in interior design and the significant trend he sees in today’s field. Brahman Perera starts the Master Class talking about the minimalism and eclecticism, the two part, as he thinks, are connected in nature or have same origin, in which he prefers eclecticism. He enjoys embracing complicated decoration. In his view, atmosphere is usually regarded as the character, feeling and emotion of the space, also the key point of designing a successful project. During his sharing, except the analysis of colors in projects, he dissects the project from conception to the final part. 

Yinjispace：How much your fashion design background affect your work?

Brahman Perera：I think my fashion design background has a great influence on my design and the way of using colors. I am of Sri Lankan origin, absolutely in our culture we dress in colorful clothes. And I grow up in Australia, there are various colors in my family. I take a few years adapting to colorful clothes. I do not think much difference existing between fashion and interior design. When people put on their clothes in the morning, it’s self-expressing. Your own brand image will show on your appearance.  How you wish people to accept you, how you think of yourself, of your work, that’s what I called brand image of oneself. So I accept more colors in my unique way. To me, what important is my very identical work. I wish to complete more projects, and they are absolutely done by me. I don’t think I have any specific design aesthetics that can be pinpointed. But I do hope to design in a timeless way, not just follow the trend. As for the clients, it’s the same thing. My clothes will reveal what kind of person I am.

Yinjispace：What influences the studio of Fiona Lynch gives to you?

Brahman Perera：When you work for another designer with special aesthetics, it could be a good thing sometime. For in some extent, it will draw your mind to your action. I admit my work is very different from Fiona’s, but they all have developing space. I learn a lot from the cooperation with Fiona. And I form a unique design method in some extent, which is more clear. Several years with Fiona teaches me a lot. You can see from her works what she is interested in: her cooperation and support for local designers, especially the compliment for those new designers. There are wonders In many her works, this perhaps relates to her art background. In connecting with all these, My interest for design is imbued, which encourages me to see things by my own way. 

Yinjispace：How to transfer the inspiration into your own design?

Brahman Perera：I read a lot of books. I think everything is digitized now. You know, people are always playing their mobile phones. I think it's a wonderful thing to slow down and read a book. I have collected a lot of old books about photography, fashion photography and architectural photography, which is a major source of inspiration for me. This is a cookbook I just bought. I think the way we describe food is very important, and everyone likes it. We should describe interior design in the same way: soft, crisp and salty. I think all they are talking about the same thing, but one is food, the other is interior design. So I try to find various sources of inspiration, and then absorb them before talking with the client. I don't often take cookbooks to clients’ house, but it's good to let them know that I have other interests. Inspiration can come from anywhere, but I do think. Look, I'm just sitting at the table. There are books on the table. Here is a beautiful collection of Van Gogh paintings that amazes me. There is a beautiful picture. I should be able to find it. There is a gorgeous portrait. For example, this is the blue that I can match when I want to find a sky blue. So inspiration can come from many different things, and I can transform it when it appears.

Yinjispace：What is the best way to improve color using ability?

Brahman Perera：I think as I said before, what I want to do is to limit the reference from other interior design and try to get more from nature. For example, I try not to only read a lot of interior design magazines and find inspiration from them. But to find inspiration from the changing things of art and nature. I think when we talk about nature, especially Australia, the sky has a very unique and unusual color. Obviously, the earth is very special. I think the environment you live in is very different. This may be the best way to find color combinations, which is certainly the next trend I expect. This is the method I follow, and I suggest that everyone do so.

Yinjispace：Could you share with us some vintage books?

Brahman Perera：These two books are always on my desk. The first one is this, a very good-looking book with many amazing photos. This is a photographic book. For example, when I saw this picture, these beautiful patterns and prints on the cloth, beautiful and vivid black skirts and black hair, I think these are very inspirational shapes. In short, it is very beautiful, so I adore this book. This is another book I bought, by Rei Kawakubo. This book is called comme des Garcons.

There are designs and paintings in it. I think it is a very delicate book. There are very inspiring photography works in it. The photos were taken in 1996, not long ago. But still so valuable, so beautiful, the color is simple And these shapes, you see, what beautiful shapes. I think it's really enlightening. I highly recommend these books. I think they are worth starting with. Be close to these books, not just on the shelf. I will keep my book by my side so that I can read it at any time.