5 QUESTIONS WITH KATHARINE POOLEY
We sit down with the always in-demand designer for some tea and conversation.
It’s practically stating the obvious that Katharine Pooley is very much in demand. Her interior design business, first started in Singapore in the early aughts and now based in London has grown to a 40-strong team of experts that executes projects all over the world. For a discerning segment of society, she is a trusted expert for their homes around the globe, attracted by her refined yet eclectic aesthetic that has cemented her reputation as a designer of some of the most noted commercial and residential projects in the world.
You mentioned that you’re not much of a trends person when it comes to design. What to you would be the principles of good design?
Good design is a delicate balance of form and function, a perfect equilibrium of visual beauty and practicality. In the sphere of interior design, be it villas, castles, chalets, urban residences or marine and aeronautical design, the client brief, location and architectural style will all feed into my unique vision for the individual project.
Please describe your creative process. How do you start working on a project so that each is always as good or as inspiring as the first?
I start by visiting the space and consulting with the client in detail as to what it is they hope to achieve. Each client is an individual with exceptional and distinctive passions and requirements – understanding these is the critical first step. I then spend time visualising the space, drawing together conceptual imagery and sketches, and working on spatial layouts, elevations and
3D models. Finally I, and my large team of designers and interior architects, will start to draw together architectural details, joinery designs, furniture ideas, luxurious finishes and fabric and trimming options to present to the client for discussion alongside the broader vision.
My inspiration for each project is always completely unique and can be highly conceptual but we work in a very structured environment to ensure that the design is technically and functionally effective, as well as aesthetically beautiful.
As a follow up to the previous question, what inspires you the most?
My travels are the most important inspiration behind my designs, and within those travels specifically the detail and variety of the natural world. With projects across all the corners of the world (Katharine currently has projects in Singapore, Hong Kong, UK, France, Kuwait, Qatar, China & the US), and a deep-rooted love of travel and adventure, I am forever on the move. I photograph and collect as I go, and all the colours and details I come across feed into my design vision.
What advice can you give for people who would like to take a crack at designing or decorating their own place? What are the things that they should do or consider?
Your first step should be to create a visual diary or pinboard of images, interiors, colours and objects that you are drawn to. Then sit with a scaled floor plan of the space and be completely ruthless as to what could actually work well and where. Choose one or two favourite feature items and build the design around them – this could be a chandelier, impressive piece of art or even a “wow” fireplace or furniture piece. Remember less is more, especially in small spaces. I like to use a neutral base with accent colours added in art, cushions, accessories and flowers.
Many clients use the Katharine Pooley Limited boutique’s Home Dressing service where they can try items in their homes and see what works best. It is a really effective way of transforming an interior without the stress or hassle of ordering items unseen.
Where do you go to recharge? Are there places that you go to just to relax, help you think and find inspirations?
Having lived in Asia for so many years, I love to return as often as my frantic work load will allow – at least once a year. This spring, I stayed at the Aman Villas at Nusa Dua, and after a super busy threeweek work trip to see clients and projects throughout the region, it was the perfect place for total peace to plan out the rest of the year.