Calm , Eclectic Living
Known for her calm, elegant schemes accented with antiques, textures and artwork Clive Christian recently partnered with UK interior designer Louise Bradley. Whilst working on a styling project for their Weybridge showroom, Louise shares her inspirations and thoughts on the latest interior trends
You & Your Home
What was your journey to become a designer?
I started my career in fashion but found it very transient. This led me back to my passion for interiors, with the opening of my showroom on Walton Street, it was shortly after this that my first client asked that I design their home and from there the business has grown to where it is today.
How would you describe your signature aesthetic and has this changed over time?
I have been designing the classic contemporary aesthetic and neutral colour palette as the heart and soul of the design style, since starting the practice. This aesthetic provides a timeless solution for interiors, unfettered by passing trends. For every client the balance between the classic and contemporary elements of the design is different and it might mean working with original features of the property, introducing antiques found in our favourite Parisian markets, or contemporising the space with interesting textures and surface finishes. I choose a neutral colour palette for our clients’ homes to create elegant and calm homes. I’m very particular with the paint shade and fabric hues we choose for our palettes - although they are neutral, they are vibrant with various textures and tones, often taking inspiration from nature.
Which room do you love the most in your home and why?
It has to be the open space on the basement level of my house. Whilst the property had an existing basement kitchen and dining space, I increased the footprint of both spaces and achieved higher ceilings by digging down and back. The resulting open plan kitchen/dining area/snug became the core of my home, perfect for both relaxing and entertaining.
If you had to save one item within your home what would it be?
It wouldn’t be an item but my beloved miniature dachshund Ellie.
What is your personal style signifier?
My go to outfit is normally leather trousers and a neutral-coloured cashmere jumper. I need always be comfortable as so often you will be on site!
What’s your most recent “find” and where do you source your feature design pieces?
When it comes to our feature design pieces, we design these in-house bespoke for our clients. Some of the pieces are then introduced to our collections, launched annually and available from our Knightsbridge Showroom.
For accessories though, nothing beats Parisian antiques markets for unique pieces and object d’art.
Trends & Spaces
What is one interior design trend you’re really enjoying at the moment?
Together with the design team, we don’t follow fleeting trends. What I’m enjoying at the moment, is noticing how more and more new designers focus on a more eclectic look and understand the mastery of putting together a neutral and timeless interior scheme. It takes practice and dedication, to carefully layer interiors, with art and accessories to give a calm and relaxed space.
When embarking on a project, such as your own recent home project, where do you start when it comes to space planning?
We start each of our projects with getting to know our clients, their lifestyles and how they will use their homes every day – from morning family breakfasts to the evening entertaining. The same rules followed designing my own home – I have quickly become my own toughest client. When it comes to the context, we considered the location of the home and its natural surroundings. Thanks to this, we can create beautiful indoor-outdoor spaces, which aid wellbeing and a sense of calm when at home.
What do you consider to be the added touch of luxury in a kitchen?
There are so many ways in which you can add luxury to a kitchen – from state-of-the-art technology, through carefully sourced natural surfaces, to bespoke cabinetry, creating a space for everything.
Do you see any particular trends emerging in the way we live and use the spaces in our homes?
I feel like this year we all got to know our homes intimately and the way we use spaces has changed dramatically. This will develop further as we negotiate new work-life habits and we spend time with family and friends differently too. I’m excited for everybody to use their spaces in line with their lifestyles, understanding how we spend our days, do we have our own spaces in which we can recharge, do we have quiet work environments and do the common spaces work for our socialising needs.
What does a beautifully thought out kitchen mean to you?
A beautifully thought out kitchen can quickly become the heart of the home, especially when it’s effortless to use, thanks to clever spatial planning and aesthetically pleasing design solutions, it should always be a pleasure to spend time in. I love kitchen designs which are directly connected to the entertaining spaces, making for a fantastic evening with friends and family.
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