You have such a wide variety of experience. Can you tell us how you first started out?
I always had a passion for interiors and renovated my first small cottage in my early twenties. With a fashion degree completed, I got a job as a buyer and product developer which included homeware products, too. My partner and I then moved to Belgium for ten years where we renovated a derelict farmhouse and a small derelict village house in the south of France. I worked for an interior designer with a shop in Maastricht in the Netherlands – this was my first foray into interior design on a commercial level and I loved it. When we moved back to the UK, we took on the renovation of a Grade II listed house in Suffolk, and since then I have renovated a house in Andalusia, Spain. When I moved back to Market Harborough I worked for Joules for ten years, followed by two years at Cath Kidston in London. Then, in 2019, I decided it was time to stop the gruelling commute and go freelance, in order to balance home life with consultancy work, and I started up on my own. When we went into lockdown in 2020, my interior business was born. I had a captive audience and quickly started offering digital design services to help people figure out how to better utilise their home for well-being, whilst everyone was working from home and home schooling. What drives your passion for interiors? I just love seeing the impact on a client when their space has been transformed. I don’t think people put enough emphasis on their built environment and the impact it has on their well-being. It’s vitally important. My home has always been my sanctuary. Having lived abroad with homes in different countries, as well as travelling for work, I have collected a lot of items that make my heart sing. Things that bring me comfort and add personality to my home. I have a natural eye for pieces, and having helped friends in the past, they encouraged me to turn my passion into a career. There are a lot of misconceptions around working with an interior designer not least the idea that it costs the earth and that they will spend your money as fast as you earn it! It couldn’t be further from the truth. Working with a professional interior designer can actually save you money and avoid mistakes. What inspires you? I love Dutch style and the Swedish have a similar approach. They are so good at mixing old with new for a sophisticated pared-back and relaxed look. My favourite city for inspiration right now is Copenhagen with its unique blend of modern design, sustainability, and effortless style. It’s not just about pretty rooms; it’s about repurposing and sustainable living, which has to come high on our agenda. I have a black book of contacts hand-picked for their design credentials. It’s not just about making your home beautiful, it’s about working collaboratively with my clients and looking at the pieces that can be re-purposed and up-cycled to bring personality to your home. What services do you provide? Full end-to-end project planning including space planning, extensions and planning applications, through to build and complete re-fit, working collaboratively with local trusted trades for a seamless flow for my clients. 2D room plans and furniture layouts. 3D room visualisations. Colour schemes, visualisation and mood boards. Product sourcing and procurement. I also offer a Design Dilemma Power Hour, which is conducted online to discuss a particular issue and outcomes to resolve it. Once the call is booked, the client sends photographs of the room and a summary of the problem so I can prepare for the call and spend the time resolving any issues and giving you as much information as I can to help you. I also offer an online design course, which can be found on my website. What makes you different from other interior design consultancies? I work very collaboratively with my clients as it’s their home and therefore it must reflect their personality. I will challenge (where appropriate) and guide them as I want to ensure they are investing wisely and not making expensive mistakes. It’s important to think about future- proofing homes and the growing, changing needs of a family. I don’t push trends as they come and go. Instead, we focus on bringing the clients’ personality into the home and creating a space they love. That way they will still love it long after the trends have moved on. I’m not just a design enthusiast; I’m an accredited member of SBID (Society of British and International Interior Designers), which gives my clients the confidence that they are working with a trained designer. Which type of projects make your heart sing? I’m always up for a challenge – whether that’s changing a cold, stark room into a beautiful family space or converting a ‘beige’ client to colour! What makes my heart sing is seeing the joy the transformation brings to the client and the absolute pleasure they get from their new surroundings. What has been your most memorable project? I worked on a converted barn project in early 2023. It was one large living space, which was used as a living room and office, but it had no storage to speak of. It was cluttered and didn’t really function as either a living space or a working space – and it certainly wasn’t relaxing! I created a plan to zone the room with bespoke cabinetry that allowed for loads of storage, creating a designated working area and a lovely living area around the fireplace. The fireplace itself got a complete makeover with a lovely new moulded fire surround and a huge log burner. The room was dressed in rich deep colours. A complete transformation. I am about to embark on a kitchen and master bathroom transformation with the same clients this year. Get in contact with Andrea to realise your next dream project, visit andreayorstoninteriordesign.com, call 0330 090 4240, or email [email protected].
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