Interior Design & Lifestyle Journal

Designed by Woulfe is proud to be a winner at The European Property Awards 2020 for our project in Mallorca, Spain.

Designed by Woulfe is proud to be a winner at The UK Property Awards 2020 for our project in Doria Road, Fulham, London.

It is very difficult to engage in a conversation about contemporary British sculpture without examining Nick Hornby. With commissions all over the world and pieces that stand beside Barbara Hepworth and Auguste Rodin, it would be easy to understand if Nick were engrossed in the pretentious world that can capture a talented young artist.  Instead, he is calm and speaks in a rhythm that is pensive and precise; because the truth is that he is interested in the experience of reflection and learning from his audience.

Anyone who meets Calvine Harvey will immediately notice that she has a staggering attention to detail; those who know her well would say that this passion is born out of an enthusiasm for telling a picture’s story. I have known her for over ten years and have watched her study the smallest features of an image, or chased the most insignificant facts about a painting’s history, because she believes that every factor will expand a painting’s horizon into the world of the viewer. She works very hard to translate the fascination of a scene or an artist into a language that any spectator can absorb. Whenever I am viewing a sale at Sotheby’s, whether in New York or London, I ask Calvine - who is justifiably busy - to explain at least one painting to me. She always makes it a magical experience.

If you ever have the pleasure of visiting Adrian Sassoon’s stand at an art fair, you will be transported into a celebration of artists and their treatment of materials. Whenever I have seen his displays, I notice that Adrian constantly handles his artist’s pieces. It’s not that he is overly tactile, but rather that he feels responsible for, and connected to, the mediums that his gallery represents. This translates to the gallery holding a reputation for their extremely high standard. He is also one of the few dealers who brings his artists to his art fair stands because he believes that the artist should be explaining their own craft. This all illustrates that Adrian has what is, in my opinion, a rare yet treasured quality in the art world: he likes to listen.

Tom Smith of Dovecote Antiques stands out as one of the youngest dealers in porcelain and silver, but it is his encyclopaedic knowledge that hypnotises any interested party. He can recall from memory entire catalogues of famous workshops whilst making any viewer appreciate even the smallest of details.

We're ready to turn the page on 2020 and look ahead at what's to come but not before sharing a few things that will ensure you end the year on a high. Spending more time at home than ever before, we've discovered a new-found appreciation for the simple things - a delicious home-cooked meal, a comforting glass of wine in the evenings, a gripping TV show or film to provide us with a much-needed dose of escapism, and good music to blast from the speakers and dance around to when it all gets a bit too much. 

Effortless and understated interiors in this sleek principal bedroom make an impact without feeling contrived. Plenty of wood - hardwood floors and a custom walnut floating headboard - feel neutral and natural, while metallic accents and luxury soft furnishings add a touch of elegance. Multi-level lighting enhances the bedroom’s calming and soothing ambience.

Elspeth Pridham is a journalist who specialises in writing about interiors. She is currently editor of Studio, a magazine and website aimed at interior design professionals. We asked her advice on the best route to getting projects featured in the press.

Simone Suss of London-based interior design company Studio Suss is passionate about creating sustainable interiors which tell a story, look remarkable and are planet-friendly. Driven by her desire to create positive change within the interior design industry, Simone sits on the Professional Practice Committee of the BIID (British Institute of Interior Design). She is also a Patron of the Royal Academy of Arts and was a longstanding member of the British Fashion Council Fashion Trust.

Ossad Art Management is a bespoke registrar and art transport consultancy, working with galleries, private collectors, art advisors, artists, and interior designers. We caught up with Founder Tova Ossad, who has fifteen years of experience importing and exporting art in the United Kingdom, Europe and the United States.

Stuck for gift ideas for Thanksgiving and Christmas 2020? Find some inspiration in the luxury holiday gift guide below to spoil your nearest and dearest. We’ve curated a selection that’s fit for everyone, from lush-smelling candles to whisky tumblers that’ll make toasting to the festive season all the more chic.

Nothing evokes a sense of calm quite like natural, earth-inspired tones and natural materials. In this beachside luxury Mediterranean villa, you'll find a light and breezy bedroom that is timeless but still makes a lasting impression, with handcrafted, quilted soft-furnishings and beautifully textured wooden bedside tables. 

A conveyancing expert, Johnny Drysdale of Keystone Law acts for private clients on their Prime Central London sales and purchases. In our conversation, he discusses what to expect when enlisting a conveyancing expert for the purchase, sale or mortgage of high-value residential property. Johnny also shares his insights on how the events of 2020 have impacted the property market for UK and overseas buyers, and what we can expect in 2021. 

Dee Gibson is a British-Sri Lankan interior designer, avid traveller and first-time hotelier. She is as passionate about craftsmanship, antiques and sustainable design and founded Kalukanda House, a private, luxury villa in Weligama on Sri Lanka’s south coast in 2017.

Aiveen Daly is a multidisciplinary artist, upholsterer and designer who works with top interior designers and architects worldwide to provide specialist finishes and embellished surfaces.

Putting a project team together is no mean feat. Join Interior Designer Brian Woulfe, Lighting Designer Lucy Martin and Home Automation Consultant Tas Kyriacou to discuss creating the 'dream team'.

There’s nothing quite like waking up by the sea and having the sound of crashing waves and the smell of salty air on your doorstep. Some of us are craving the warm waters of the Caribbean, while others prefer to stay a little closer to home on the UK coastline. However far you are willing to go, here is our selection of the most intriguing and note-worthy coastal homes available to buy or rent.

Whether you’d like a weekend escape or are looking to relocate for more space and a quieter, calmer life, there are endless idyllic country properties which make fabulous investment, purchase or rental opportunities. From illustrious estates with sprawling grounds to historically owned homes boasting stunning scenery and rural retreats, here is our curated selection of the finest properties in countryside locations around the world.

A colourful and characterful London townhouse fit for a growing family, a modern and minimalistic home in sunny Los Angeles, or a sumptuous open-plan penthouse with epic views of the New York skyline. Explore our pick of international luxury properties for city living in style.

This week we visited Adrian Sassoon At The London House Of Modernity, a joint art, design and furniture exhibition from London-based art dealer Adrian Sassoon and the Stockholm-based Modernity Gallery. 

A pioneer of lighting design, John Cullen is an award-winning architectural lighting company based on Chelsea’s Kings Road. Their world class lighting schemes span the luxury residential and hospitality industries.

This chic, spacious villa in Mallorca is a classic yet modern holiday home with breezy interiors that immediately bring about a sense of calm and relaxation.

To us, the ideal spa experience promotes a sense of wellbeing and relaxation. You want to feel at ease from the moment you walk in and hopefully feel lighter and uplifted upon leaving. Our curated selection of the most gorgeous spa interiors from around the world will have you wanting to book a long weekend away immediately.

Webinar on how interior designers can be thought leaders and affect change in the industry’s campaign to deliver ethical and sustainable interiors for a healthier and happier future.

Panel discussion on the logistical, business and ethical factors interior designers should be considering beyond just the purchase of an artwork, in this ever-changing world of Pandemics and Brexits.

Designed by Woulfe is proud to be a Finalist for The British Homes Awards 2020 for our project in Doria Rd, Fulham, London.

Tas and George Kyriacou are experts in sophisticated living. Their company creates efficient, instinctive and innovative experiences in the home through integrated technology.

In this online discussion, Elspeth Pridham, editor of Studio magazine, will be joined by BIID members Lester Bennett, Harriet Forde and Brian Wolfe to discuss how to grow your interior design business in a post pandemic world. 

They say you eat with your eyes before a forkful touches your lips, and we wholeheartedly agree. Food aside, the interior design of a restaurant sets the ambience and has the power to define the mood and tone of your meal. Here is our selection of mouth-watering restaurant interiors that we’d visit whether we’re hungry or not.

Tom Faulkner has been designing and making striking contemporary furniture, mirrors and lighting for over twenty years. His innovative designs predominantly incorporate metal, glass, wood and stone and are handcrafted in the company’s Wiltshire workshop.

Inconspicuous entrances, moody lighting and plush soft furnishings...these bars are on our hit list because of their impressive interiors as well as their cocktail menus. Browse our favourite bar interiors from around the world, which still look stunning (albeit a little blurry) after a martini or two. Then enjoy a double espresso the morning after in our favourite cosy cafés.

From the first impression which comes the moment you walk through a lobby, to the bedding you tuck into at night, hotel interiors can make or break a holiday or trip. We’ve selected the most extravagant, unique or simply beautiful hotels from around the world which in our opinion, are well worth a visit.

Retail interior design can make or break a shopping experience. Quirky layouts, impeccable use of lighting and innovative design are some of the factors which make these stores worth visiting whether you’re purchasing or just window shopping.

From kitchen gadgets to the design books currently on Brian’s coffee table, here’s a curated list of our Managing Director’s latest obsessions. This evolving directory of quirky gift ideas, objets d’art, collectibles and curiosities will be sure to inspire a purchase, or two!

Serving up a good dose of escapism at a time when it’s needed the most, we’re sharing our pick of the best interiors and property shows. Makeovers, masterclasses, life-hacks and decluttering tips, there’s plenty here to inspire you.

Luckily for us, cultural institutions are opening their doors to the internet so that we can be educated and entertained from across the globe. Watch the Metropolitan Opera perform Carmen in your pyjamas, or pick up some acting tips from none other than Dame Helen Mirren - there's plenty to explore online.

Despite being sky-high, this luxury penthouse in the Hell’s Kitchen district of New York has a grounded and peaceful feel, owing in part to the neutral, earthy palette and subtle contrast of natural textures.

As London’s property market continues to grow, residential, commercial and other multi-use property developments of varying scales are cropping up across the city. From much sought after luxury new homes in the heart of town to incredible new real estate that’s putting otherwise overlooked areas firmly on the map, there’s definitely a lot to be excited about. We’ve rounded up our favourite 25 new developments in London for 2020 and beyond. 

Now that staying in is the new going out, we’ve called on some of our trusted clients and friends for their recommendations on how to make the new normal a bit more bearable. We all need a bit of healthy distraction from the news every now and again, so we’re sharing binge-worthy TV shows, books to bury your head in and podcasts to help you fill your time. We’ve also thrown in a few design pieces to make the Netflix and chilling more cosy.

As many of us have more time to spend in the kitchen, we’ve also curated a list of our favourite food suppliers, if there was ever a time to support sustainable producers and local businesses, it’s now. From farm-fresh fruit and vegetables to grass-fed meat that's perfect for Easter, these ingredients will inspire you to sharpen your cooking skills. 

This modern, classic bedroom is small but perfectly formed. Set within a multi-award winning property, the interiors we have created here show how an efficient use of space doesn’t have to mean compromising on style.

"The sumptuous style of ‘Mad Men’ reflects the current zealous appetite for mid-century modern furniture” says Maria Fitzpatrick.

When Clare Gaskin Interiors and Designed by Woulfe decided to collaborate on a room set for DreamHouzz 2018 we looked no further than the classy interiors of the late Fifties and Sixties.

Outsourcing has always played an important role in how Designed by Woulfe operates and has allowed our luxury interior design studio to undertake projects in various countries at the same time. In the run-up to Decorex 2018, Brian reached out to three industry peers to discuss outsourcing with them.

Brian Woulfe sat down with Luis De Oliveira, founder of De La Espada and host of 'A Place To Talk' podcast to discuss his work, the design process, and more.

“We can all be better designers and business owners,” say industry experts at eporta’s Design Leadership lunch. Last week, at a spectacular house in London’s Clerkenwell, eporta hosted a round table discussion with some of the most experienced and prominent voices in interior design. The candid conversation revolved around some of the most important issues affecting the interior design industry today, including fees and transparency, design leadership, sustainability and ethics. Over two-hours, 12 interior designers and architects shared their knowledge and ideas on how to advance the industry.

When I launched my interior design business I spent money on shit I did not need. I changed my services way too regularly and I was running around chasing the knowledge I hoped would make me a star!

Hosted by eporta with Joao Botelho (Casa Botelho), Clare Gaskin (Clare Gaskin Interiors) and Jenny Jones (Studio Jenny Jones)

Interior Designers Brian Woulfe, Sophie Paterson (Sophie Paterson Interiors) and Laura Hammett (Laura Hammett Interiors) join Martin Waller at the Andrew Martin showroom on Walton Street.