ARCHIVE PHOTOS

A new request for archive photos has made me realise the importance of investing in a professional photographer. The nature of one's projects is that, by the time they are ready to be photographed, the owners have moved in. These are a few of the pictures I should have commissioned and resorted to snapping myself (hence the poor outcome). The above are only a few examples of past bathroom, kitchen and furniture designs, lighting layouts and children's bedroom and bathroom schemes. For additional information please contact me by telephone or email

OLD FAVOURITES: clean shapes for elegant furniture

When planning furniture layouts I find helpful to create a framework of simple, solid pieces. Clean shapes and good quality are the foundation of a design which will then allow "dressing up" or "down" with accessories. Here are some old favourites, furniture and upholstery design I revisit all the time given their versatile proportions:

Dark, nearly black, stained oak furniture with modernist inspired chunky detailing and proportions

Upholstery, unless you are designing an accent piece, benefits once again from clean shapes (whether including traditional scroll arms or 20th century square detailing)

The more detailed the piece the more crucial it becomes that quality is impeccable. If budget is an issue, simple choices always pay off.

Once a framework of smart pieces of furniture has been created... colour and accessories can be added.

It's a simple recipe but one that will allow future changes without too much disruption.

FURNISHING AT STARK'S: lucite & the age of jazz

Pick up a copy of Architectural Digest online if you have moment to spare. Stark's Manhattan's showroom must be worth a visit... especially so if you are inspired by the 30s and 40s and keen on Lucite!

VINTAGE LEATHER ARMCHAIR: one of the "musts"

Trendy as they may be, vintage leather armchairs need to be comfortable. Open the debate: do we sacrifice looks in the name of comfort (i.e. go for a reproduction) or do we make no concession to our nether regions and stick with the weathered and sleek look of an original early 20th cent. specimen (ideally a vintage Vanity Fair armchair by Potrona Frau)?

As always, there are added complications: repro is not only a concept to be avoided at all costs but it often fails to guarantee the very comfort in the name of which we sacrificed our design integrity!

Lets look at some figures to better understand the options available. At the time of writing the cheapest repro (top picture) could be bought for approx. £300 on the internet. Poltrona Frau were selling their Vanity Fair (new, as shown above in red) for ten times as much. I doubt a good vintage specimen of the Vanity Fair would cost any less. Time seems to have failed to alter the design as well as the price tag of this classic.

On that basis the sensible solution seems to be, as always, the most time consuming: finding an importer of French originals who is willing to work with you on therestoration process. Hopefully this will ensure the chair is re-sprung and restored where necessary and a gorgeous leather can be chosen if complete re-upholstery is required. Interior design: the art of seemless compromise...

Note: if money and time are no object you know what to do.