See inside Co-founder Gail TAYLOR’S HOME in Richmond
Image: Paul Massey
1. What drew you to buy the house you now live in?
When we came to view this house for the first time we pulled up outside the gate and, before setting foot inside, I just knew this was the place for us. It just “felt” right. The location was perfect, and when we stepped inside we could see the potential but knew that it needed lots of work, which is an interior designer’s dream come true.
2. How would you describe your personal Interior Style?
The most important aspect for me, over and above style, is that people feel comfortable when they walk into spaces I design. I want them to feel like they have come “home” and just want to kick their shoes off and settle in. I am told that people feel a sense of peace and calm walking into my projects which must be the greatest compliment.
Personally, I am drawn to soft and welcoming shapes, textures, and tones. If you had to put a name to my style, I suppose you might call it understated chic. I love using organic materials and colours that reflect nature, blending tones & colours that work in harmony.
3. What was the reason behind the interior refresh?
We have been living in my current house for 17 years. My 3 children are all grown-up and we have gained a dog along the way. Running a busy household for that long does impact on the finishes that were once pristine. As we have grown older our lifestyle and home life has evolved, so I wanted to change how we used some of the space to work for our, now, grown-up family.
Image: Paul Massey
4. What was something you learnt through your own home renovation that you take in to your professional life ?
It is always a good investment to get the “bones” of your house right at the outset. When we first bought our home, we spent much of our budget changing the layout, opening up rooms to link spaces and orientating things so we maximised the views out into the garden and nature beyond. This stood us in good stead, so we have not needed to change the basic workings & layout of the house even after 17 years.
5. What are the key priorities when considering the design/refresh of a home ?
I always try to maximise light -both natural and artificial, and so this has also been a priority in my own home. As I have got older I am even more drawn to a fresher palette to help with light, I use “warm” rather than “cool” tones and lots of textures so that the overall feel is fresh but inviting.
6. What is one of the most important things your 30+ years in the interior design industry has taught you?
People come first. Listen to what your client says, interpret the unsaid and observe the vibes people give off. If the people around you are not happy then nothing works.
Image: Paul Massey
7. What is your favourite space in your own house & why?
It used to be my hidden yoga room which I still adore but I now must queue to use it as it is so popular amongst family and friends! However, I have recently changed the dining room into an office/study space which looks directly out to the garden through huge glass doors. It is in the centre of the house, and I can hear the gentle trickle of water from the water feature outside when I work in there, which is very relaxing. I have recovered some super comfortable armchairs so anyone passing through can flop and chat. It has become the hub of the house and perfect for mixing business and pleasure.
8. What design tricks do you use when updating a home?
Oh, so many! One of my favourite tips is to really look at your existing pieces and see how you can give them a new lease of life. Don’t just rush out and buy new things. Whether repainting, restraining, recovering and reupholstering a tired piece of furniture or room can be given a whole new lease of life - the history behind it makes it so much nicer than a brand-new piece. Just moving a piece of furniture into a new space or hanging a piece of art in a new place will give it a refresh.
9. The world is learning to be kinder to its planet, was sustainability /repurposing something that was important to you when carrying out this renovation?
Definitely. We were very conscious that we wanted to look at the impact our home was making on our planet, so we have ensured that we updated all the lighting to be more energy efficient and replaced leaky old windows with new ones that let in more light but don’t let out the heat. As well as this we tried wherever possible to re-use and refresh furniture we already had rather than just buying new.
Image: Paul Massey
10. What are your three favourite furniture pieces in your home?
My 5m sofa, which I designed and had made when we first moved in 17 years ago. It is located where our TV watching happens and is often crowded with people and dogs. It gets a lot of wear, so I have just changed the seat and back cushions and left the base, so they are in different textured fabrics but using the same colour-way – the existing Dedar velvet base is now paired with some super practical but stylish Kvadrat fabric on the cushions. It has given it another new lease of life.
A pair of vintage armchairs I picked up in a flea market on the edge of Paris 20 years ago. They used to be covered in a lilac velvet which had faded over time, so I recently had them re-covered in a gorgeous deep teal green linen from Elites. They have buttoned arms and are deep and comfortable – you can sink into them and curl up. I have added a pair of cushions in a lovely De La Cuona paisley which has a hint of teal in it blended with caramels & cream.
My bed, a contemporary four poster that we had before we moved to this house, so it must be over 20 years old. It is still the most comfortable bed I have ever slept in and even after a wonderful holiday or trip I cannot wait to get in to my own bed.
Image: Paul Massey
11. What is your current paint pallet inspiration?
Choosing paint colours is one of my favourite parts of my job. I love nothing better than pouring over a selection of paint charts. In my own home, I have gone for two different ends of the chart – warm but fresh neutrals to maximise the light throughout but with some rooms painted in rich organic deep colours for a bit of drama. In key rooms I have also added some lovely contemporary textured wallcoverings in key spaces from Holland & Sherry and Oxemco
12. How important is space planning when starting a project?
Good space planning is the make or break of any project. This is where it is particularly wise to get some professional help from a designer or architect. If the spaces do not flow and all those extra considerations like storage, light and ergonomics aren’t thought through properly a home will just not function properly in the long term.
Image: Paul Massey
13. Do you have any favourite home décor shops / showrooms in London you like to visit for inspiration?
We are so lucky in London as there are so many wonderful places for interior inspiration. I love Pimlico Road in particular at the moment, especially the De La Cuona showroom, which is Pinch and Rose Uniacke’s lovely shop. The development of Newson’s Yard by Grosvenor Estates is a great addition to this area with new interior shops opening up there every time I go back.
14. What advice do you have when it comes to storage in a family home?
Make it a priority and plan more than you think you need!
Image: Paul Massey
15. How do you get the right balance between character & clutter in a family home?
My general rule is “less is more”. Just keep the pieces you really love around you, items that give you energy. If you find there are too many pieces you just don’t want to get rid of, try moving them to a new location where they can be seen properly. Stand back and try and look at your room with a critical eye or take a photo on your phone and look critically at the photo to see if you can really appreciate what you have on display.
I like to arrange things in groupings – blending colours, or shapes or types so they feel like they belong together. I am a great one for putting items out straight and not on an angle – this is a very personal thing but I think it looks more contemporary.
Finally, there is nothing more cleansing than a good de-clutter. Take any opportunity to sort and sift – change of season, moving house, redecorating. Whenever you have a clear out you will inevitably feel better afterwards and will really appreciate the items you have kept, giving them more space to be seen. There are so many worthwhile ways of passing on items these days – to other family members, friends, charity shops and those less fortunate or selling items on to be re-loved by someone else.
Image: Paul Massey