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2. Why do you use vintage pieces? Vintage brings a different quality of luxury- a“ quiet luxury” that isn’ t showy but feels deeply considered. These pieces carry their own stories; the slight wear on a leather armchair, the softening of a rug’ s colours over decades, the way a hand-carved detail catches the light. In commercial projects like hotels, where there’ s often pressure to source in bulk, vintage offers individuality and depth. It ensures no two rooms are identical, and it creates the same kind of emotional connection you might have in your own home, where every piece has been collected over time.
3. How does sustainability fit into your approach? Sustainability for me is about progress, not perfection. I’ m learning more with each project, always finding ways to improve my approach. Reusing and repurposing items with history is one of the most meaningful ways I can design more responsibly- it avoids unnecessary manufacturing and waste, while preserving craftsmanship that might otherwise be lost. Many of my projects also involve breathing new life into existing buildings, which is inherently more sustainable than starting from scratch. It’ s about working in harmony with what already exists, rather than replacing it without thought.
4. How do you define luxury in your projects? Luxury, to me, isn’ t always about the price tag- it’ s about the emotional response. It’ s the comfort of a chair that fits you perfectly, the richness of a handwoven textile, the way light moves across a space at different times of day. Vintage and antique pieces bring a rarefied quality because they can’ t just be ordered from a supplier catalogue-they’ ve lived lives before they reach you. That’ s a form of luxury you can’ t mass-produce.
5. What role does craftsmanship play in your design philosophy? Craftsmanship is at the heart of everything I value in design. I love pieces where you can see the maker’ s hand- a dovetail joint, hand-stitched leather, carved timber. In an era where AI and automation are becoming part of every corner of life, those human touches are more precious than ever. I also believe authenticity will be one of the most important forms of value in the future. A first edition book, a piece of 1960s pottery, a handwoven rug- these are the kinds of things people will increasingly choose to invest their time and money into, because they carry permanence, history, and soul that technology can’ t replicate. Preserving that is important to me, and incorporating it into spaces gives them a richness that lasts.
6. How do you approach sourcing? Sourcing for me is part detective work, part instinct, and part serendipity. I have my favourite places- auctions, vintage markets, and Lots Road which is close to home and has been a constant source of inspiration. The way pieces are arranged there is often delightfully unplanned; a marble lamp beside a brass mirror, a velvet chair tucked under a rustic table. Those accidental combinations spark ideas you’ d never get from looking at a supplier’ s website.
ISSUE 72 2025 THE ART OF LUXURY