Aware Interior Design is a career that requires both education and experience, I decided early on to enjoy the experience of getting there. I started as an assistant to a furniture buyer, learning how to recognise quality furniture and where to find it.
As an admirer of beautiful craftsmanship, I spent a year learning stone and wood carving as well as gilding and polychrome work. Working for restorers, I gained knowledge and appreciation of European antiques, which I still use today.
Graduating with a degree in Architecture, tutored in the Corbusian manner, I joined the Prince of Wales Institute of Architecture where I gained a classical training. I worked in various architects’ offices, including the award-winning Hampshire County Architects. I had an opportunity to find and design an apartment for an architectural critic, and took the chance setting up on my own in 1993.
With years of valuable experience, the BIID has recently appointed me as Director of Continuing Professional Development. I am a guest tutor at the KLC School of Design and have worked as a trends consultant for Dulux. I often give talks at trade shows such as Decorex and 100% Design. I regularly write about design for a number of magazines and presented a series for Channel 4 called “Britain’s Best Homes”.
I am happiest, however, working on projects either in the Studio, on site, or meeting with clients.