Interior designer Brooke Copp-Barton believes in designs rooted in simplicity and practicality, and that the creative process should be driven by your own personal requirements and sense of style. She spoke to Sara Walker about colour, inspiration and what makes a good designer.
SW: Could you tell me a little about your background before you re-trained, and why you decided to change careers? You’ve obviously built up a successful business now – how hard was that to do? How did you get your first client?
BCB: I worked in advertising/marketing for years before I retrained at the KLC School of Design to become an interior designer. As well as having a passion for interiors, I wanted a career that allowed me more flexibility and the ability to work from home – and one that allowed me to indulge my love of interiors and be more creative. It was definitely hard to go back to basics and to effectively start again at college. And quite daunting when you leave the security of work/college – the nagging self doubts are always in your ear!
But I interned/freelanced at a few established practises when I left KLC which gave me invaluable experience, and my first client actually came through a friend of my daughter – her and her mum were over regularly for playdates, and having seen what I have done with my home the family asked me to help them when they moved house. It was the perfect first job – a client friend who had already bought into my design aesthetic. I am eternally grateful for such a fantastic opportunity.
SW: What would you say your personal style was and what inspires you?
BCB: I think my style is one of lived-in, laid back comfort. I like homes to look like they are loved and lived in, not show homes, and I always try to bring in warm and characterful touches – usually lots of vintage or antique finds that add charm and imperfection. Ultimately I like to work with clients to help realise their ideas, and help shape a space that is effectively their home and a reflection of them.
You find inspiration from everywhere, but with a young family I am particularly loving at the moment visiting some of the beautiful National Trust properties and seeing the amazing colours, shapes and attention to detail in the rooms. A recent and local find is Osterley Park – the ceilings in particular are simply stunning.
SW: Could you give me an idea of the services you provide, and what each one includes?
BCB: I offer a full interior design service, but clients can buy into whatever aspects work for them. This could include the interior design and project implementation of a whole house or just a single room. And services within that include space planning, design concepts and layouts, 2D/3D rendered drawings and models, joinery design, lighting planning, window treatments and sourcing.
An interior designer is able to look at your space and make it work best for how you want to live your life. That means coming up with a solution that not only looks fantastic, but one that is also practical in terms of the day to day – e.g. clever storage solutions, lighting schemes that create mood and ambience, and inventive ways of making your existing furniture work together.
A good designer will chat to you about your lifestyle, family requirements, hobbies, interests, practical considerations and above all how you want the space to feel – and then turn this into a visual concept, which includes mood boards, floorplans, fabric samples and elevations. And these days there are so many choices out there from colours, fabrics and furniture to light switches and door handles! A designer is able to take this hassle away from you and help guide you to recommendations that work for you and which are within your budget. And yes, as a designer you come with a wealth of contacts and trade accounts that clients can benefit from.
I work on a fully transparent basis, so pass on all my trade discounts direct to clients (typically between 10-40%) and simply charge a blanket 10% commission – so it is a win/win – clients have access to a wealth of services and products that they wouldn’t otherwise be aware of, and I am rewarded for the time, hard work and experience it has taken to build up this knowledge.
SW: What’s been your favourite project to work on, and why?
BCB: My favourite so far has been a beautiful Grade II listed property in Bedford Park, where we have just completed the first phase of two reception rooms and hallway, and are currently working on the second phase of kitchen, bathroom and bedrooms. The brief from the client was to restore the house in keeping with its Arts and Craft heritage, but they have a young family so it also needed to be practical, laid back and friendly – so we have put back in original fireplaces, used rich heritage colours, added loads of soft furnishings and texture, and filled it with stunning vintage and antique one off pieces. And the kitchen’s going to be a stunner – beautiful pinks and greens, and gorgeous zelliges (artisan mosaic) tiles. It is a project I am loving working on.
SW: What are your favourite design tips for brightening up a tired interior?
BCB: I like to add pops of colour, particularly with accessories – these can make the world of difference in brightening up a scheme and are easy (and cost effective) to do. Cushions, rugs, throws, lamps, vases, pictures – all easy to change. I also like to have my most-loved things out on display as they cheer me up – so always good to have a rummage around in your cupboards to see if you have any forgotten gems hiding away!
SW: What’s the favourite part of your job?
BCB: Making people happy with the space they are living in. When people come to me they are usually simply overwhelmed at where to start. I love showing people that it is not as hard as they think, and I get enormous satisfaction from helping them turn their dream space into reality.
To find out more about Brooke and her business and see more examples of her portfolio, visit www.home-interiordesign.co.uk.
Photo credits:
Main image shows Brooke’s work for DreamHouzz by Houzz UK. Nine designers were selected to transform an empty warehouse in Bermondsey into eight inspiring roomsets – where everything on display was available to buy in the online shop. Brooke’s room was themed on ‘the perfect masculine retreat’. Photo: Katya de Grunwald
Great interview. Love hearing about people’s “second act” who are loving their new path.
I love all the color that’s created with the tiles!! In each photo there’s some eye-catching tile and I’m such a fan. It’s creative and adds a pop without being too loud. Beautiful!
Beautiful design work, I’m in my second career as an interior designer also! Great Interview!
I adore that chiswick kitchen!! An interior designer would be my dream job…wish I could re-train!
Great interview and I always find it inspiring to hear about people who have left the safety of an established career to follow their dreams. Some great ideas and loved adding unique pieces to give character.