To begin I must start from the very beginning. I am not a trained interior designer nor do I claim to be one. My interior design work has simply developed over years of having worked in the creative design sector, by training my eye to the smallest of design details, having a curious mind and through simple trial and error. I have been extraordinarily fortunate to have formed my own style, my individual way of seeing spaces that make sense to others, and even more fortunate to have had wonderful clients who have believed and trusted in my capabilities with their own businesses and homes.
My ethos is always to deliver inspirational interiors that fully reflect the way my clients want to live, work or execute their business. Everybody and every project is different. It is paramount for me to connect well with a client in order to understand and thereafter interpret the aesthetic and lifestyle needs and aspirations. I pride myself on designing practical and beautiful in-budget solutions. No project is too small or too large. I am just as happy to spend couple of hours with you in consulting colours than I'm in taking on months long full-time projects.
Each of my projects is designed with close attention to detail and is managed and implemented with great care. I work with a team of trusted trades and craftsmen to create well executed and beautifully finished projects, delivered on time and on budget. My design skills encompass interior design, colour consultation and space planning through to creating bespoke furnishings, joinery and lighting design schemes. Because I am a retailer I can source all interior accessories with ease. I have trade access to vintage and salvaged pieces as well as a well established team of suppliers and agents to meet all requirements for any type of residential or commercial project.
Below is an outline of how I work.
How I work
IDEAS //
I start each project, even a tiniest little idea, with a no-charge initial meeting at your home, or at the property where works would potentially take place or in my studio if you are feeling shy taking me home on the first meeting. Sitting down together is a great opportunity to discuss the project you've got in mind in more detail and for me to take the brief or just get a better understanding at this stage on what might be required. During the IDEAS meeting I am looking to learn about your personality, what your style and individual lifestyle is, what your tastes are like, what your aspirations and inspirations for your project are - in essence, to learn what is most important to you so that the finished design is a true reflection of yourself, as much of "stuff of your dreams" as it possibly can be. I usually ask you to bring something visual to the IDEAS meeting that demonstrate your likes and/or dislikes - pictures, magazine cuttings, photographs, lists of places you love, hotel room or a restaurant you adore, your favourite Instagram feeds or Pinterest boards. Anything that would help me establish your individual style aspirations.
At IDEAS meeting we can also review all other aspects of your project like budgets, desired time scale and project management. Most importantly IDEAS meeting is a fun and informal meeting to discover what you have in mind and how I might be able to make it a reality. After our meeting I will estimate my Design Fees, with or without Project Management Fees, and give you a quote with my terms and conditions attached.
CONCEPT DESIGN //
By now you have accepted my quote, have paid the deposit and all of us involved are buzzing. I will organise a date to come and take measures and there after start my design work based on our IDEAS meeting (or two or three IDEAS meetings if those are needed for further specification). And then comes the fun part: I will present my first initial design ideas to you! We get together, sit down and I bring out my big portfolio. My designs might be presented in the form of draft layouts showing space utilisation, any structural modifications and/or furniture layouts, or they might be presented on mood boards to demonstrate colour schemes, wall and window treatments, soft furnishing options, timber samples etc along with options for actual furniture pieces and lighting. This all depends on what we're designing of course. I aim to always present you with three initial ideas from where I will then go and further refine the design. Since the budget has been discussed at the initial IDEAS meeting usually at this stage I will go through the sums more in detail so it all adds up accordingly and there will be no surprises involved.
DETAILED DESIGN //
Once all elements, features and details are agreed our project can move to the Detailed Design and Specification stage. At every design level you will always have three options from me; the design is not ready until you are happy with every aspect of what is being designed and I make sure to have as many of the exact materials samples at hand so that all finishes and details are just right and we can eliminate any elements of surprise. It is only on your go-ahead that any works will start. Detailed Design and Specification is the stage where the actual pieces of your project will be listed. You could almost see this stage as curating a shopping list where you will be able to see all ingredients that make your project move from ideas to paper and further to being realised.
If at this point you get excited about something else or want to change any aspect of the project we can still alter the brief with a variation order, tweak the quote, and get the changes looked into as required.
PROCUREMENT // BUYING
Once the Detailed Design and Specification has been agreed I will put together a detailed cost plan. This sets out the cost of each individual element per room and gives you a summarised total. To give you the best value, within the procurement (fancy word for buying) service, all items are supplied with the benefit of discounts as available. As a retailer in most cases I will be able to forward some of my trade discounts to you. I will never add any additional fees to anything purchased for your project and should the discounts not be available you will be charged the Recommended Retail Price, RRP. Occasionally there might be an additional delivery charge for some items which is unavoidable.
My Design Fee is the sole remuneration I receive for my work and I pass any discounts / commission on products and materials to you so this aspect does not influence my choices throughout the design process. It is not in my interest to inflate the overall cost of the project as I am not working to a percentage of the total cost. My priority is to deliver you both an inspirational in-budget design and great value for your money.
PROJECT MANAGEMENT // OPTIONAL
Depending on the project you might choose to manage it yourself or to leave it to me. I am personally a huge DIY fan so if you choose to do the works yourself I am more than happy to leave you to it and/or provide you with any advice and tips I may know. You may also prefer to work with your own tradesmen which of course is not a problem. Aim of the game is for you to achieve an interior you are completely happy with at the cost that suits you best.
Should you wish for me to undertake the project management I would quote you for that separately in addition to my Design Fees. I would then organise quotes from the trades for you to choose from and oversee all works on site and keep you updated on the progress.
DRESSING AND HANDOUT //
Oh the happy day has arrived! With all the construction and decoration completed I can now arrange a day, or more depending on the size of your project, for the dressing. I will coordinate the deliveries for all the parts of your puzzle to arrive as much on one day as is logistically possible, then position all furniture and furnishings to their designated places and dress the room. I often curate artwork and home accessories at this stage as well, do the bookcase or wardrobe styling to create the finished look, and/or dress your new interior with your own loved pieces, to make sure every room has your own personal stamp on them and the look you've always dreamed about.
I love designing interiors, taking meticulous care of every detail and working hard to make sure your new interior is nothing short of inspiring. It should be a breathtaking transformation on final handover. My dream is for you to love your new space, have a happy and comfortable life in it and to be proud of it also. If you cannot wait to get home end of the night, and let out a sigh of happiness on entering your newly designed space that is when I consider my design work to have been a success.