Philosophy

A few words on how we work

How do you start working with your clients?

I believe it is vital to listen. The first meeting is about establishing a connection with the client and understanding their vision. Many clients know what they want but find it difficult to articulate; that is where I can help them visualise their ideas. Others arrive with a clear brief from the outset.

With genuine empathy, the design process becomes an extraordinary journey. It is a privilege to help a client create their dream home, and nothing compares with seeing the joy it brings them.

How do you approach a project?

You must first understand how your clients live and ensure that the spatial layout works for them. This is incredibly important, as it allows them to move around their home effortlessly.

From there, you begin to build in layers of the owner’s personality until it becomes part of the very essence of the building. A scheme may begin with a painting, a favourite journey or film, a memory or a beautiful texture. This is the creative, enjoyable part of the process that most clients love.

Balance is essential. A home must be practical as well as beautiful if it is to create a true sense of wellbeing. You must also reconcile the often diverse requirements of the people who live there, while considering not only their needs today, but how they may use the home in the future, particularly where structural work is involved.

Once everyone is in agreement and the design has been finalised, I bring together the craftsmen and women who will realise it. I am fortunate to work with an exceptional range of highly skilled people, many of whom I have known for years. I trust them completely and continue to be in awe of their skills.

When working internationally, do your designs reflect the local environment?

That depends on the client. Some prefer the same AV system in each of their homes, wherever in the world they may be, enabling them to operate everything with ease. Others may want the same bed or familiar elements, but I have never had a client who wished to recreate their UK home in another country.

I believe the design and materials should respond to the climate and incorporate local culture without becoming pastiche.

A client may want their Caribbean home to feel very different from their home in Europe, but they are still the same person. Multiple homes allow them to express different aspects of their personalities.

How important is trust?

Trust and empathy are absolute requisites.

Almost all of my projects are completely bespoke, with meticulous attention to detail and every element tailored to the individual client. This means sourcing the finest materials and craftspeople while always achieving the best possible value for the substantial budgets entrusted to me.

You are responsible for creating the spaces that shape your clients’ daily lives. It is a considerable responsibility, and the greater the trust between client and designer, the better the result.

Absolute discretion is paramount. The more deeply you understand how your clients live, the better the outcome, so they must feel able to trust you with the details of their daily lives, particularly when they are in the public eye.