Silks LOVES Lucy and our clients do too….

Meet Lucy Goodall: Bold, Brave, Brilliant. Transforming spaces into havens of design excellence. Discover the new name in interior design. Despite her packed schedule, we caught up with Surrey’s own as she found time to speak exclusively to Silks about her design secrets.

What inspired you to pursue a career in interior design?
Quite simply, it’s a combination of creativity, aesthetics, practicality and problem solving.  I assist clients in creating beautiful spaces which ultimately enhances their lives. Interior design is a collaboration of self expression and idea sharing, meeting new people and taking inspiration from the every day.  It’s just great fun and I can’t imagine doing anything else.

How would you describe your design style, and what are some signature elements that clients can expect when working with you?   I would say my design style is functional sophistication. Balancing aesthetics with design concepts is a vital component in my approach. I strive to create spaces that not only look beautiful but also meet the practical and lifestyle needs of all my clients.  But I’m a sucker for a big pop of colour too.

When starting a new project, what is your process for understanding the client’s needs and preferences?    Each project is completely unique.  It begins with an initial consultation followed by a site visit where I learn more about the client and the way in which they live their lives.  We share ideas, discuss lifestyle, and work together.  Collaboration is great and I really enjoy it but sometimes I’m given full design freedom which is always exciting. “The most crucial factor in bringing someone else’s vision to life is to  listen….we are good at that”  

What inspires you and does travel play a part in this?     Absolutely – I love to travel.  I’ve lived in the USA and spent much time over the years in Southern Spain the Balearic Islands and later in Mexico so I would say travel for me has been huge in terms what inspires and influences me.

Which designer would you choose to design your own home?  Kit Kemp every day of the week.  I adore her boldness and the juxtaposition of classic and contemporary. There’s something comfortable about her style that makes me feel super nostalgic like returning to my childhood home.

How do you stay updated on the latest design trends and innovations in the industry?   I stay ahead of the curve by regularly attending trade shows and networking with fellow industry professionals. I also try to participate in podcasts, talks, and interactive events whenever possible. The Chelsea Design Centre hosts an excellent program for these types of events. This approach allows me to deliver a bespoke service to my clients at competitive prices.

What other design service can you offer? For example, can you source art to compliment the concepts? What about home staging?   We offer a range of services from decorative consultations and space planning to full-scale design, building and project management as well as staging and presenting for sale or rental.  This includes collaboration with architects, contractors and other professionals to ensure that the design is executed flawlessly, within budget and on time.

Additional services may also include custom or bespoke furniture design, procurement of art and accessories, space organising and decluttering – all can play an essential part in any project.

Can you walk us through a challenging project you’ve worked on and how you overcame obstacles or creative blocks?   Whilst renovating a house in Surrey and in the process of demolishing the old conservatory, we uncovered a Victorian well.  The well was dry and unused for many years and our immediate instinct was to either bridge it or simply fill it in. However, if a well is still filling with water, you need to be careful of filling it in, as this can cause what’s called “heave” essentially where the water forces the filling outwards and upwards and it’s necessary to drill boreholes which can be a lengthy and very costly process. Eventually, once we’d established that the structure was sound and there was no water still present, we sealed it with a glass lid, added some cool lights and incorporated it as a design feature in the patio just outside their new kitchen.  In the end, this turned out well, (no pun intended!) but it was a big lesson for the client in ring-fencing a contingency budget for any unforeseen problems or challenges.

In your opinion, what are the key elements that can transform a house into a home, reflecting the personality and lifestyle of its owners?   A home is all about being comfortable, feeling at ease and surrounding yourself with items of furniture and accessories that make you happy.   It’s quite simple – if YOU love something, you should have it!!

What advice would you give to homeowners who are looking to refresh their space on a budget?   Firstly, don’t be afraid to contact an Interior Designer.  It doesn’t have to cost a fortune and could perhaps save you money as they will have ideas, contacts and ways of streamlining which may not have occurred to you.   If you are going it alone though, think about these watchwords…

Plan, Prioritise, Declutter, Organise, Repurpose, Upcycle & Second-hand

When you’re not working where can you be found?   In the gym – keeping fit is very important to me and I get my steps in walking my dogs in Esher Woods or Molesey Heath.  I also love cooking, so I can often be found creating for friends and family in the kitchen!!

For a no obligation consultation contact:

Lucy Goodall Interior Designs – www.lucygoodallinteriors.co.uk

Tel: 07786 932825 – Email: lucy@lucygoodallinteriors.co.uk