In Profile:
LPE Designs Ltd

How would you describe your personal design style?:
It is important to me that I do not follow trends or have a cookie-cutter house look that I roll out to each client. Our projects are very much inspired by our clients, the house, their existing pieces and listening to their input and how they want to live in the house. That way we create spaces that feel personal, functional, and timeless — interiors that truly reflect the people who live in them. In terms of my personal taste, I like strong colour but colour that feels a bit antiqued or dusky and not too vibrant. I think this thread runs though my interiors. They are smart without feeling too glitzy or done.

Where does your design inspiration come from?:
Everywhere! First and foremost from the client, the architecture and location of the property and any existing pieces that we are retaining. But you can get inspired from anything – art, food, hotels, bars, restaurants, fashion and nature. Visiting showrooms and design shows, magazines and of course Instagram and Pinterest.

In what direction do you feel that design is moving towards in a general sense?:
I have found that people are more likely to want to include a separate study and perhaps spaces that can be partitioned with pocket or double doors than fully open plan. I see more and more focus on the back-of-house rooms being more aesthetic and less of an afterthought in terms of finish and aesthetic. The emphasis on including natural finishes like jute, sisal, wicker, rattan, timber and strongly veined marble seems to be more than a trend and more of a long term appreciation for honest materials.

What was your favourite project to work on and why?:
This one – the Richmond Family Home! The Clients were just brilliant. They had bought a property with buckets of potential and knew that this would be their forever home and their one big project. They had spent a lot of time discussing what they both liked and didn’t like so had a strong brief for us. They knew they wanted to embrace colour, embrace and celebrate the original features of the Coach House and bring in plenty of personality. The Clients assembled a great team with Bygga as the Contractor, Richmond Bell Architects, Newton Wood QS & Project Management, Blake’s Kitchens and Rosebank Landscaping. It really was great teamwork, the clients included even during icy cold January site meetings!

What was your most challenging project to work on and why?:
A Country House Project in Hampshire as Covid struck. Zoom and Teams calls were new to us all and I had to oversee the furniture installation remotely.

Which products/services could you not live without when designing?
I love SketchUp. I always start with very basic pencil sketches for layouts and joinery ideas but take them into sketch up to test them at scale and ensure that what goes to our CAD team works. There are so many wonderful suppliers bringing out fabulous fabrics, finishes, furniture, ironmongery and lighting. I have some really great suppliers who I have worked with for years. I trust them implicitly and know that we can overcome any issues – my curtain maker is such a good example of this.

What are your aims and goals for the next twelve months?:
To continue to create interiors that are personal, practical and timeless for our clients and to share our portfolio with a wider audience. I have always wanted to design a Ski Chalet!

Your most treasured possession?
My dog!

Your favourite holiday destination?
Meribel, French Alps. Beautiful, fun and plenty of cheese!

Your favourite hotel, restaurant & bar?
Hotel: Limewood, New Forest
Restaurant: The Waterman’s Arms, Barnes
Bar: The American Bar at The Stafford

Your favourite book, film & song?
Book: Anything by Ken Follet
Film: Spy Game
Song: Start Me Up by The Rolling Stones

Your favourite food and drink?
Food: So hard! Ceviche to croquettas to chicken pie to a baked potato – I just love food!
Drink: A cup of builder’s tea or a lovely glass of wine

Your favourite way to spend an afternoon?
A dog walk with my family followed by a great pub lunch, preferably on a sunny Autumnal or frosty day

If you weren’t in this sector, what would you alternative profession be?
A Barrister