Gomm Studio Ltd has been shortlisted for Interior Design Scheme – London Award in The International Design and Architecture Awards 2022. Read more about Founder/Director, Lou Gomm, below:

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Name: Lou Gomm

Company: Gomm Studio Ltd

Position within company: Founder / Director

Website: https://www.gommstudio.com

Tell us a little about your background in design:

Having spent nearly a decade working in sales and media, I decided to follow my passion for design and enrolled on the KLC Diploma of Interior Design. I then spent time working for various design houses before setting up my own company in 2015. Seven years later and we have grown, along with the projects that we now take on. 

How would you describe your personal design style?

Timeless. We incorporate the personalities and history of our clients in the projects, whilst ensuring each design will stand the test of time. We create homes that are designed to be lived in, not looked at like a showroom, so we have a strong focus on the family make-up and who will be using the space day to day. We love to be especially creative when it comes to rooms that children will be using as we believe good design should be inspirational and fun for all ages.

Where does your design inspiration come from?

I take design from many places, including travel, the natural environment, and shapes, patterns and colours that I might see just walking around. In particular, I love American design, especially New York. That definitely carries an influence in my designs, as do boutique hotels and restaurants with personality.

In what direction do you feel that design is moving towards in a general sense?

I believe design follows two paths. There are designers and clients who want to be on trend and to showcase new concepts and furniture. Whilst we would describe our style as contemporary, we create spaces that stand the test of time and will still look as good in ten years time. One thing we’ve also noticed is the rise in popularity of home bars and evening entertaining areas. We’re designing a cool drinking area in our current Wimbledon Village project and we love this aspect of design as it allows a bit of playfulness and allows us to draw on our inspiration from the best bars and restaurants we’ve visited over the years.

Name five key themes to consider when approaching design in 2022 and beyond.

1. Functionality. From a clients’ perspective, we encourage real thought about how they want to use the spaces in their home. No-one we work with just wants a showcase home; they want to live in the space and interact with it. Therefore we ask for as much background information as possible to get the design spot on.
2. Lifestyle. Since COVID, the home has become even more the centrepiece of life. You need to eat, sleep, work and party there as people have done a lot more home entertaining and asked us to create luxurious bars and dining areas! We love considering distinct spaces and creating niches and separate areas where the whole family can get their own space as well as socialise all together.
3. Nature. Over recent years we’ve noted the desire for the home to be an extension of nature. The natural environment provides big inspiration for us and we love nothing more than bringing in hints of blues and greens and natural textures to create a feeling of relaxation and togetherness with the environment.
4. Flow. Perhaps the most important factor in designing whole homes is that each space is individual yet it must flow. You should be able to take each room in isolation and lay them out on a table, and someone could come along and piece them all together as part of the same project. We work hard to ensure this is central to our designs.
5. Individuality. The true concept of bespoke interior design is that each project is individual. We spend considerable effort at the start of each project to get to know our clients. Their lifestyles, their likes and dislikes, their history, their inspiration, their passions. Often, a scheme will start from a single piece or concept – for example something the clients have picked up on their travels, or a particular hotel or destination they’ve visited on holiday and fallen in love with. We then build around this to ensure the home is a true reflection of the people living in it.

If you could offer one piece of advice when it comes to design schemes, what would it be?

The more input the clients bring to our initial concept meetings, the better. That way we can understand them in depth and the design will naturally flow from there. From there, trust us to bring that concept into reality and create a truly bespoke home that they will love.

How important are The International Design & Architecture Awards?

The International Design & Architecture Awards are one of the showpiece events of the design industry. They only attract and select the very best, and that is why we are so delighted to be shortlisted in the 2022 awards. Most importantly, they are taken seriously by the industry, giving credence to everyone nominated for an award. It is also a great way to catch up with suppliers, clients, and friends and learn what everyone great work everyone else has been doing over the past year.

What projects are you currently working on?

We have a very full project list at the moment, including whole home rebuilds / refurbishments in Wimbledon Village, Wandsworth Common, Teddington and a large office refurbishment in Central London. We are busy photographing recent projects too and can’t wait to show you one of our favourites that we completed during multiple lockdowns(!) – a new-build large beach house on Kiawah Island, South Carolina, USA. This really was a project close to our hearts and we loved doing it.

What was your favourite project to work on and why?

We take huge enjoyment in all of our projects. In particular, as well as the Kiawah Island beach house, we loved working on the Wandsworth project for which we’re nominated. Seeing the family move in and enjoy the space has been a particular highlight.

What was your most challenging project to work on and why?

The Kiawah Island beach house was completed during COVID. After initial trips out there, we had to co-ordinate the remainder of the build and installation from our office in Wimbledon Village! However, this worked out well and it enabled us to discover new ways of working and new processes. It ended up making our business and process more streamlined and robust. It also made us confident in our ability to handle projects across the world, no matter what the situation.

Which products/services could you not live without when designing?

George Smith sofas and armchairs! We just adore them. They also epitomise the value of a designer: it’s almost impossible to see the value and quality of design-picked suppliers without knowledge gained through experience over years of design. As soon as we take clients to sit on them, to feel them, and to see their quality of manufacture in person, they understand the value in our service and our experience in recommending the suppliers we do.

What are your aims and goals for the next twelve months?

We have had a hugely busy last couple of years. Over the next twelve months we’re looking to expand our team and grow along with the demand we’ve seen coming in recently. What keeps us hugely excited is the knowledge that the next great project is just round the corner, unbeknownst to us. Only when a prospective client calls with a new project enquiry do we find out what’s in store, and that keeps getting us out of bed in the morning.

Final thoughts; tell us a little more about yourself and your daily inspirations:

Your most treasured possession?

My Cartier watch my husband bought me for my recent (significant!) birthday. Oh, and my Mulberry leather backpack!

Your favourite holiday destination?

So hard to choose, as I love to travel and experience new places. New York at Christmas is magic. Diving out of the snow and cold into a beautiful, characterful bar or restaurant and settling down with a cocktail is my idea of heaven.

Your favourite hotel, restaurant & bar?

Hotel: The One Hotel, Brooklyn, NYC. They’ve nailed everything: the incredible views of Manhattan and the Brooklyn Bridge, the natural materials they use, the greenery and texture that they’ve incorporated into their design. The best and most distinctive feature is the smell of their bespoke candles that hits you as you walk in. We treat ourselves to one every time we’re in NYC to bring a bit of that feeling back home.

Restaurant: Hide, Piccadilly, London. Incredible design, built around the concept of a tree. The natural, trunk-like spiral staircase is unbelievably beautiful. The whole restaurant epitomises great design: well imagined and well executed.

Bar: The bar at Heckfield Place, Hampshire. It’s cosy, inviting, tempting and lavish in equal measure. It draws you in and once you sit in the beautiful armchairs with the fire crackling and a cocktail in your hand, you never want to leave.

Your favourite book, film & song?

Book: Jo Malone. I love reading about inspirational women in business, and she is one of the best.

Film: The Notebook. The sense of period, style and texture, as well as the beautiful house. Oh and Ryan Gosling!

Song: All of Me by John Legend. It’s corny, but it works.

Your favourite food and drink?

I like sampling food and drink from all cultures. In summer there’s nothing better than fresh fish washed down with a crisp white wine, whereas in winter a slow cooked lamb on a cold evening and a bottomless glass of punchy red is divine.

Your favourite way to spend an afternoon?

With my family, by the sea. I grew up near the beach and it always draws me back. When I’m happy or sad it’s the sea I need to share it with.

If you weren’t a designer, what would you be?

My original passion was textiles. Growing up I found them fascinating; the limitless variations of colour and texture. I place high importance on textiles in my design.

Anything else interesting?

COVID has shown how important it is to travel and to broaden your horizons. I can’t wait to take on some more international projects and challenge myself and my team into delving deep into whichever location and culture they’re based in, whilst bringing a touch of our own style to the project.

Gomm Studio Ltd

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