Interiors

July 23, 2025 – Published in Design & Decor Spring-Summer 2025 issue

Rachel Balzan Demajo answers your questions about the interior design process

Words Rachel Balzan Demajo – SAKS Interior Design & Decoration

Have you ever asked yourself whether you need to engage the services of an interior designer? Do you know what the process entails? Are you worried about costs? And how involved will you be in these major decisions concerning your home? With all this in mind, we sat down to get some guidance from Rachel Balzan Demajo of SAKS Interior Design—one of our regular contributors and a talented professional in the interiors industry.

First of all, what does SAKS stand for?

SAKS is an acronym for Style, Art, and Creative Services (KS). I’m an interior designer and decorator, and I also paint for fun, so much of my work in this field is based around artistic and stylistic inputs required when a client engages me.

 

Every designer has their own process—what is yours at SAKS?

I cannot speak for other designers, but I like to keep things simple, organised, and functional. I quote on the basis of my time—typically, a flat fee—and from the start, I promise my deliverables within specifications and time limits. Because I work alone without handling project management, I can control my input and safely deliver within my pre-set timeframes, which is convenient for the client who wants to know where they stand. 

I offer a holistic pack of mood boards, encompassing the style direction of the intended space, as well as actual sourcing of products, down to the tiniest of details. I hand these over together with a floor plan of items proposed and a thorough inventory of where each item can be bought, its cost, its availability, relevant contact person for each outlet, and much more. 

This ensures my client has everything they need at the onset of the project to make the necessary purchases whenever they are ready. It allows the client to have peace of mind on selected colours and choices, whilst structural works and water and electricity are being completed. It enables the electrician to know what lighting has been decided upon for each space, so that the necessary points can be made. It ensures the painter knows which wall is being painted in which specific colour code and from where, and it also facilitates bathroom and kitchen suppliers in making their own technical drawings based around my plans.

In the simplest of terms, when shopping around, clients will buy products and accessories that will work for the intended look of the space. By providing them with a colour scheme, even if it is a neutral one, we bring all stakeholders on the same page to address much of the doubt and questions my clients often face at this stage. I remain a point of contact and reference for my clients over the course of time, so that, even if certain things do change, they know they can feel comfortable asking for my advice.

 

Many people shy away from using a designer, as they feel it is expensive and think they can do without. What are your thoughts?

It very much depends on the nature, scale, and scope of the project, as well as the type of client. When they know exactly what they want, we work closely together. My stylistic mood boards show us the direction we are taking and allow us to make changes before we commit to any purchases. 

Some clients have no idea what they want or are in disagreement with each other about what they wish. My role here is to bridge that gap and try to mediate by finding out their preferences, both aesthetic and functional, and coming up with something that appeals. 

Charging a reasonable flat fee enables me to dedicate said hours to the project, the result of which will be unique to each client, cohesive in its thought process, beautifully stylish, and good value. We do not always need to push for the top-end brands—certain projects require affordable choices, with solid workmanship and high-quality after sales. 

The décor and accessories do not have to be super expensive either. It takes a good eye to see what fits, and you’d be surprised what you can find if you take the time to observe. Anyway, most of the journey involves the smaller pieces which bring individuality, homeliness, and uniqueness to each space. These come in all shapes, sizes, and forms and are often a collection of our life travels: art, ceramics, and paintings that we picked up along the way.

Finally, tell us something about yourself.

I’m an entrepreneur by nature, and I love being busy. Apart from SAKS, which fuels my energetic creative mind, I run a boutique recruitment firm, so I spend most of my mornings dealing with candidates and bringing people together. I also have a side consultancy in social responsibility, mentoring SMEs on how to become more sustainable in their operations. 

And on the day to day, I practise and teach fitness yoga three times a week from my home studio, I dedicate time and structure to my health and fitness regime, l am a mummy to a thriving 13-year-old daughter, and I enjoy spending time and travelling the world with my family and friends. 

I believe life is a collection of aspirations and goals worth striving for, and through discipline and positivity, memories and achievements can be built and enjoyed along the way. 

The concept is a fun photo shoot in newly designed and installed bathrooms, tiles and fittings by a leading bathroom supplier in Malta. Styling models own.

Contact SAKS interiors for a consultation on your next home project. 

www.saks-design.com

www.facebook.com/SAKSDESIGN

+356 9947 4988

saksconsultancy@gmail.com