My Approach
My Philosophy
My approach is designed to ensure that I deliver you something that exceeds your expectations. Something that brings you daily delight and pleasure. Yet it needs to also make your space flow, to have a purpose and to be practical.
I do this by bringing not just my 30 years of design experience to bear, but also in the way that I look to blend your existing pieces together with some of my refreshing ideas. This is never about design for design’s sake but it often means starting by looking at the space differently, bringing a fresh pair of eyes to your home or sometimes it can be as simple as “holding your hand” and inspiring you to try something different.
OUR First meeting - Exploring how we can work together
For the first meeting, I come to visit you and explore your ideas and vision for the space that you want me to help design. That first meeting is a chance for me to listen and learn about you and what you like. Perhaps you want to build a design around a particular feature ofamily heirloom or perhaps you want something new and different. I will ask questions to explore your ideas, and also to offer some thoughts and suggestions that allow you to sense how I work, to judge whether my experience and approach is right for you. Getting a great outcome for the project is as much about establishing this early chemistry and trust as it is about the space itself. Following that meeting I will then put forward a proposal for your consideration.
THE Design Meeting
Once you have agreed to proceed, then the planning of creating your home or room begins. Together, we can discuss how the space will be used, what the flow to adjoining rooms might be, whether you wish to redefine the space or make structural changes. Its a chance for us to really be creative together … to ask lots of “What if” or “have you thought about” type of questions! But there is also a practical side to the internal architecture that we will explore - considerations such as lighting, electrics, wine storage, sound, floor finishes, joinery.
Design CONCEPt and DESIGN VISITS
Great design is often about simplifying things, but also about exploring how textures, colours, styles, fabrics and light need to work together. Typically I do lots of research on fabrics, textures, furniture and floor treatments at this stage to present a series of options for you where we can explore together the potential “look and feel” of each room. Part of this process can be time together - often in London - visiting some of the key suppliers or design show rooms, so that you can sit on sofas, touch fabrics, and be stimulated by different ideas. Not only is it fun, but it really helps me to calibrate your initial thoughts and ideas with my design vision. At the end of this stage, we sign off the design concept.
DESIGN COORDINATION
Once all the design decisions have been made, then the work begins. This is a mixture of offsite activity such as sourcing items, following up with suppliers, or onsite - such as measuring up for curtains, bringing you samples of fabrics or furnishings to get your approval.
I visit you regularly throughout this phase. I oversee every detail, but also use this opportunity to update you on the project and double check all is well. Problems may occur that need to be overcome and potentially some re-thinking will be required. I will stay involved, and I am happy to work along side your builders and architect, ensuring that the design concept that we have agreed is delivered to your satisfaction.
