What’s your design philosophy?
Our studio designs interiors that provide a sense of escapism. I want people to enter our interiors and have an emotional reaction to them – whether that be excitement, nostalgia or relaxation. Our interiors are designed and crafted with longevity in mind. They are interiors that will live with you and beyond.

What do you find inspiring?
I’m inspired by lots of things: scenes in books, the colours of a piece of fruit, the natural formation of a shell or the texture of a wall. I am subconsciously absorbing everything around me and storing it up for future reference. I believe anything can inspire you, even the mundane. It just depends on the way you choose to adapt that object, texture or colour.

When you first started the Brasserie of Light project for Selfridges, what was your design approach?
It was to be glamorous yet comfortable and provide a sense of escapism. Our first job was to make sure that when guests arrived in the restaurant, they would be able to navigate their way through intuitively. Once the flow was established, we were able to select materiality that would work in harmony with the modern architecture and huge Damien Hirst [sculpture], ‘Pegasus’, which was encrusted with thousands of Swarovski crystals. We decided a bold colour palette of blue and yellow would work well and accented this with pops of pink and lots of antique mirror and brass, all of which would reflect the natural light coming [in] through the double-height windows.

A restaurant or social club venue has to balance both design and function with wear and tear. How do you tackle this?
We work with wonderful suppliers who advise on the best options, and many items are treated with a specialist finish. This means we’re able to design beautiful spaces that can withstand extreme conditions: upholstery can be reinforced so it can withstand people dancing on it, for example.

How do you go about creating an environment that sets a celebratory, party mood?
Using luxurious materials such as marble, brass, velvet and leather all helps to create a seductive interior that makes people feel special and glamorous. It’s also about the way a room is lit: lighting is such an important factor in any project, and we always want to make it just right. Low-level lighting is mixed with chandeliers, wall lights and lights set within furniture (like bookcases). I never use LED lights as they are so harsh, and I avoid overhead lighting that isn’t a chic chandelier.

The Brasserie of Light toilet may just be the most Instagrammed loo in London…was this something you factored into your initial design of this space?
I don’t deliberately design with Instagram in mind, but it seems I’ve managed to create a number of ‘Instagrammable’ situations! The bathroom at Brasserie of Light is really a simple room. But, to make it more interesting, I decided to focus on using beautiful materiality to lift it and transform it into a space that feels as exciting and glamorous as the rest of the restaurant. The focus is on a beautiful pink marble, which is heightened by an all-pink scheme. This saturated pink look is really striking and seems to capture the mood perfectly. Just because you’re going to the bathroom doesn’t mean it needn’t be a chic experience!    

When it comes to decorating your own home, what’s important to you?
I have a flat in London and [an] apartment in New York. Both are small, but I have designed them in a way that makes them feel comfortable and spacious: they are both flooded with natural light, which is a great way of injecting life into a space. I also believe that a home should be filled with objets and artwork that reflect your personality and life. My walls in both homes are covered in paintings and sketches, and I have a bookshelf heaving with my favourite novels, poems and catalogues. I’ve collected lots of objets from travels over the years (like glass fruits, brass sculptures and handmade ceramic bowls). It’s items like these that make a house a home. 

Lots of us are currently spending more time at – and working from – home. What adjustments would you advise to make this a slightly easier experience?
I actually think it’s more to do with changing your routine and attitude rather than changing up your interiors. Now isn’t really the time to be moving furniture around or buying new carpets. Now is the time to take stock of the situation you’re in and adapt your life to it. I’ve enjoyed taking a bath in the middle of the day and indulging in a drawn-out lunch with lots of nibbles. I’ve also introduced aperitif hour every day, so now, at the end of the work day, my partner and I get dressed for dinner and enjoy a cocktail and some cicchetti before the main event.    

How do you switch off after work?
I find cooking quite relaxing, so I may help out in the kitchen and prepare dinner, or I like retreating into my dressing room where there is a desk and armchair in the window, and I can read for a while before eating. Television, though not a glamorous activity, is an easy way to switch off. I’m currently enjoying ‘Belgravia’ and have recently dipped into the archive of ‘The Camomile Lawn’.