Interior Designer
What were you doing before KLC and why did you decide to study at the school?
I originally studied law at university and worked in legal recruitment in the City for ten years. I had always had a passion for interior design and was giving advice to friends as well as receiving compliments for my own home. The next step was to follow this drive and embark on a design course.
Can you identify some of the highlights and challenges of your time at KLC?
The main highlight for me was being able to do something I loved and learn new skills in it every day. The full time one year course is very thorough and the workload at times was immensely challenging. The rewards, though, were pronounced and I graduated with Honours and won the Nina Campbell Award for Best Classical Interior Designer.
How has your career evolved since graduating? Tell us about your professional experiences and employment?
After graduating I gained invaluable work experience with Kelly Hoppen and Nina Campbell before embarking on two different full-time roles in established design practices in London. Whilst working for one very high-end design company I was involved in designing projects from a Park Lane Penthouse, Mayfair apartment and even a Polo Club in Berkshire. Whilst working for my second employer I was responsible for the design of a family home in Wandsworth, a penthouse in Kensington and a family home in Berkshire.
After gaining such valuable experience I established my own company in 2008 and haven’t looked back since.
What kind of projects have you been working on recently?
I have recently completed a manor house in Surrey, a 5-bedroom Edwardian family home in Wimbledon and the updating of the ground and first floor of a home off Wandsworth Common. I am currently designing a two-bedroom apartment for my client in Fitzrovia, London with an art deco influence.
Do you have a favourite project you can share with us?
I recently completed a project for my clients, a family of 5, who live in a Victorian home just off Wandsworth Common. For this client, I created mainly neutral backdrops with a mixture of contemporary and traditional pieces.
For the double reception room, I designed a blue/grey scheme (my client's favourite colours) to enhance a calm feeling. They wanted part of the room to be an adult only, quite glamorous space and here I designed rich velvet curtains, a comfortable sofa and armchairs with bespoke fabrics, a glamorous chandelier, a sculptural coffee table and, of course, the bespoke built in bar.
For the rear of the room, the colours were continued, but with slightly more contemporary fabrics, as this was to be used as a family media room. We have a contemporary corner sofa, a beautiful bespoke media unit to house my client's TV, books and vase collection and a link with the same curtains and chandelier. I also furnished the family area of my client's kitchen and the master and guest bedrooms upstairs, which included bespoke headboards, new storage and soft furnishings.
What advice would you give anyone starting out in the industry?
Persistence is key. It can be a tough industry in which to start at times so I would say to try and gain as much work experience as possible while you are studying, if time allows, and straight afterwards. Make sure your skills are up to date, for example AutoCAD, SketchUp etc. Most of all enjoy such a rewarding career!
