Basel · Interior Design · Katie Lane · Katie Lane Interiors · Milola Meets ·Jan 03, 2025

Milola Meets - Interior Designer Katie Lane Botteselle from Katie Lane Interiors

When we renovate our homes we often try to let the home continue to tell it's story, keeping key attributes or reusing elements in a clever way in the new design.

In this month's Milola Meets, we meet Interior Designer Katie Lane Botteselle, who like us when starting Milola, decided to fulfil her dreams and like we do in design took key elements from her previous endeavours and combined them with her true love, interiors.

Read on to see where that successful journey has taken her and discover her style & inspirations.

I am Katie, a passionate Interior Designer with a mission to create personalized homes that are not only aesthetically pleasing but also functional and tailored to my client's individual needs.

I am energized by the process of transforming spaces for my clients and I feel personally connected to each project and treat every space as I would my own.

“Personalized Interior Design services that elevate your space.”

Katie Lane

TELL US MORE ABOUT YOUR BACKGROUND AND HOW IT INFLUENCES YOUR APPROACH AND MAKES YOUR WORK AS AN INTERIOR DESIGNER SO SPECIAL?

After many years of a career in marketing and then teaching at a bilingual school, I made a bold decision to take a drastic change and follow what my heart desired most, all thing interiors. In 2021 I began building Katie Lane Interiors, a boutique Design Studio based in the Swiss German part of Switzerland.

I am a strong believer that our surroundings significantly influence our moods, productivity, and overall well-being. I felt if I could help positively shape others surroundings, my life would be more fulfilling. This is how it all started.

YOUR OBJECTIVE IS TO “MAKE EVERY ROOM IN YOUR HOME A SPACE THAT RADIATES YOUR PERSONALITY, LOVE AND PASSION FOR LIFE”. TALK US THROUGH WHAT THIS MEANS…

I believe good interior design is about feeling invited into an environment that is both functional and beautiful. Beyond making the best possible use of every nook and corner, a well designed home should radiate personality, love and passion. It should represent who you are, or perhaps who you want to be, as well as delighting those who enter into it.

WHAT’S YOUR INTERIOR DESIGN PHILOSOPHY?

My design philosophy centers around the belief that every space should be a true reflection of the individuals who inhabit it.

In order to reach that, I make it a priority to actively listen to my clients needs, ideas and visions, then my creative thinking process starts based off that.

WOULD YOU SAY YOU HAVE A PARTICULAR STYLE YOU FAVOUR IN YOUR INTERIOR DESIGNS?

I favour the style of “Modern Warmth” with my interior designs. A clean line which you can then incorporate soft textiles, plush throws, large area rugs, cushions etc. My personal favourite colour palette is Neutral Earthy. Whites, greys, beiges then adding warm shades like terracotta, muted greens, soft browns and of course plants, plants, plants.

To me, this combination is so welcoming.

Sofa with thick pile rug and marble coffee table

WHERE DO YOU GET YOUR INSPIRATION FROM?

Working with clients from all over the world, it is important as an interior designer that I gather interior design inspiration from their individual cultures and lifestyles. Their taste as well as their hobbies and aspirations play a strong role in my inspiration.

I also find that I am greatly inspired by personal travel experiences. Being exposed to different environments, styles and cultures seems to spark new ideas for me.

Contemporary kitchen setting with walnut chairs

DO YOU HAVE A STAND-OUT PROJECT YOU’VE WORKED ON?

This year I was given the incredible opportunity, by a brave women living on the other side of the world, to take on her full house interior design and renovation here in Switzerland.

From the early stages of initial concepts, to gutting the entire apartment, to the final stages of fully furnishing, this was certainly a stand out project for me. We took down walls, moved walls, designed bespoke furniture, and took some bold design choices. I worked mainly in the German language which was a big push ahead in my career. This project is in its final stages and I feel so lucky that I was able to further enhance my capabilities as an interior designer and project manager.

I believe that this once dated 1930s apartment is now a fresh elegant inviting home in which this client will be overjoyed to enter in the coming month.

Contemporary bar area with Kristensen Kristensen Ram Counter Stools

Herringbone wooden floor in warm hallway

IF YOU COULD GIVE ONE PIECE OF ADVICE TO SOMEONE ABOUT TO RETHINK OR RENOVATE THEIR HOME WHAT WOULD IT BE?

If you are overwhelmed at the mere thought of a renovation or redecorating project, my advice would be to hire a professional from the very beginning. Early involvement can really be invaluable. It doesn't mean you have to take on a professional for the full project, you can also find great value hiring someone for a design concept, or as a consultant whom you bring along to vendors to help with choices (floors, tiles, armatures, colours etc).

This early clarity will massively benefit your overall outcome.

Contemporary kitchen with marble worktop

AS AN INTERIOR DESIGNER IS THERE EVER A PROBLEM THAT YOU FREQUENTLY NEED TO OVERCOME? HOW DO YOU ADAPT YOUR DESIGN IN THESE SITUATIONS?

Very often I am faced with the challenge of redesigning smaller apartments in the Basel city which have awkward shaped rooms, no entryways and rooms that need to serve a variety of functions.

This requires a lot of creativity and innovative solutions to be able to maximize these spaces and overcome restrictions. Precise measurements from every angle becomes extremely important. Making scaled floor plans to visualize the space allows my clients and I to experiment with all the possible layouts. Sourcing pieces that serve multiple functions also becomes an essential part of the design. If the budget allows, custom built-ins are a great way to fill in unique shaped rooms, or allow for a more organized entryway for example.

Candle and ornament on marble side table

WHAT IS ONE SPACE THAT YOU PARTICULARLY LIKE TO WORK IN?

I really enjoy the interior design challenge of creating spaces for children and find that majority of my clients are in need of this. Whether it is a full redesign of a room or dividing space between living and kids play areas, I find it quite a unique, fun way to explore designing. I think its important to not forget the needs of children when redesigning or decorating a home.

Well-designed kids spaces can significantly influence a child's mood, behaviour and development. It can also give them a sense of security and ownership. It does not always mean you have to go for bespoke furniture, and high end furnishing, often DIY solutions work just great.

WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE PIECE OF FURNITURE WE OFFER AT MILOLA AND WHY?

It’s hard to choose just one, but if i had to i would say The Sydney Extendable Dining table. It's not only gorgeous in design it is an incredible versatile and practical choice for various spaces. With the easy access to extend it to sit 10/12 guests it truly makes it a perfect choice for smaller or difficult spaces.

Round tables in general take up less space than rectangular tables. Kitchen and dining spaces are often consumed with rectangular and square furniture so I think round tables like this one give a beautiful visual contrast.