Name: Lewis Taylor
Company: David Collins Studio
Position within company: Design Director
Website: www.davidcollins.studio

Tell us a little about your background in design (education, experience, etc)
BA – Product and furniture design, DeMontfort University
MA- Design Products- Royal College of Art
Nearly 15 years at David Collins Studio

How would you describe your personal interior design style?
Practical, layered, calm and comfortable.

Where does your design inspiration come from?
All around and from many sources, including art, fashion, food and architecture. I would say mostly from travel (which has been a little difficult over the past 12 months!), but even travel around the UK is very inspiring. At David Collins Studio we are lucky to design spaces all around the globe so travelling to see these projects is a real source of inspiration for me.

In what direction do you feel that design is moving towards in a general sense?
With the pandemic and the blurring of home and office life, I think that residential design will see more flexible and adaptable spaces within the home that can allow for working environments that don’t overtake your living space and can be closed off to maintain some division between home and work. In hospitality I also think we will see a lot more consideration for outdoor dining spaces and how these can comfortably operate throughout the year.

Name five key themes to consider when approaching design in 2020 and beyond.

1. Wellness- both in terms of general health and covid secure environments.
2. Sustainability- when specifying materials and detailing construction.
3. Flexibility-So many spaces now need to be multi-functional and adaptable.  
4. Longevity- Not designing to trends and using honest hardwearing materials that get better with age.
5. Operational efficiency- how an interior space functions and works is the most important component to its success.

If you could offer one piece of advice when it comes to interior design schemes, what would it be?
Always put yourself in the shoes of the user, whether for residential design, hospitality design or retail. Whatever the type of space you are designing, always consider how the space will be used. Take yourself through how you move around and use the space throughout the duration of your stay. From first touch point and the experience of revealing the interior, all the way through to leaving the space.

How important are The International Hotel & Property Awards as recognition of talent and achievement?
To be recognised on such an international platform would be amazing and we are very proud to be entering the awards with a project that we are so passionate about. Working with David Beckham and the Sands team was a real pleasure, and we hope that can be seen from the finished suites.

What projects are you currently working on?
David Collins Studio is working on several large hotel projects in the UK and internationally, and we continue to work with prestigious Luxury British brands such as Harrods and Cunard. We have such a broad mix of project types with retail, hospitality, maritime, private residential and commercial residential projects all being worked on simultaneously in the studio. It is this mix of projects which keeps the Studio so energised and an exciting place to be a part of.

What was your favourite project to work on and why?
The recently completed Harrods food halls are one of my many favourites. Four food halls all with different architecture and product offers but that still sit together so well and really complement each other. The Dining hall with its 7 food outlets is one of the most heavily decorated and protected historic rooms in London, so it was a real privilege to work in such a space.

What was your most challenging project to work on and why?
Retail projects are always slightly more challenging to work on due to the fast-paced nature of the industry and the strict requirements on design and budget. These challenging restraints mean that you must think about design and details from a more strategic and innovative point of view – something that is also very rewarding too.

Which products/services could you not live without when designing?
We are lucky to have an amazing library of auction catalogues in the studio which offer so much inspiration. There are so many one-off pieces and one unique imagery spreading over art, furniture, ceramic and textiles that you won’t find on the internet.  

What are your aims and goals for the next twelve months?
We are lucky to have a very busy twelve months ahead, with lots of amazing concept work. We are also looking forward to opening Phase 2 of the Nobu Hotel London Portman Square and the final few Menswear rooms at Harrods. The final Menswear rooms will complete a 3-year process of completely overhauling and master planning the Second Floor of Harrods, consolidating all of their menswear onto a single floor to create the world’s best menswear destination.

Your most treasured possession?
A walnut and leather Sergio Rodriguez lounge chair.

Your favourite holiday destination?
Sri Lanka. We went a few years ago with our two boys and travelled around the island, which was full of incredible scenery, food and the friendliest people.

Your favourite hotel, restaurant & bar?
Hotel- The Upper House, Hong Kong. The location and views over the harbour and into the rainforest.
Restaurant – Brasserie Zedel. Always feels glamorous and great atmosphere.
Bar- The Connaught Bar. Another DCS design, but great drinks and interior.

Your favourite book, film & song?
Book – Just Kids by Patti Smith
Film – Jurassic Park
Song- Fortune by Laura Marling

Your favourite food and drink?
My first drink is nearly always a Negroni, and my favourite food is pizza.

Your favourite way to spend an afternoon?
Waking along the South bank of the Thames from London Bridge to Westminster bridge.

If you weren’t a designer, what would you be?
I’d be a joiner or carpenter. I used to make furniture after finishing my masters so would do this if I wasn’t a designer!