Meet the client... Ceri

What kind of home do you live in (eg. period property, apartment, new build, farmhouse?

Well, my circumstances are slightly unusual as I’m an ex-pat, so I’m rarely around for the work that Kelling Designs have done for me, but this ranges from a chateau in France to a Victorian flat in London and a few others in between.

I currently live in a Victorian flat in London. At one point we thought about renting it out, but after the way Kelling Designs has elevated each room, we decided to live there permanently. Emma just seems to know what people want and now, my husband, who vowed never to live in London, will not be moved.

How did you find Kelling Designs (eg. Google, word of mouth, recommendation, Instagram)?

We had a flat just off Sloane Square and a neighbour recommended Emma after having worked with her on a property in the area. We started this journey around 2006. Then we moved to Dubai and while we were living there, purchased a chateau in France. We needed someone to make it look the part! Interior design isn’t usually on my radar, so I wanted the expert eye of an interior designer I could trust. Later, with a staging project with the KD2 arm of Kelling Designs, we sold our Sloane Square flat. It went to ‘best and finals’ because of Emma’s work.

What drew you to the Kelling Designs look?

When we first worked with Emma, she brought a portfolio of estate work with her, but of course, her portfolio has expanded since then. Even then, her use and love of colour was immediately evident. It’s true to say I learned colour from Emma. I have lived in houses all over the world, but they have always been neutral. She taught me not to be afraid of colour.

Was there anything you owned already that needed a place in the new design scheme (eg. pieces of art, family heirlooms, etc)?

My writing table. I won’t go anywhere without it. It has a warm walnut frame with purple inlaid leather.

What was the most exciting part of the project?

Getting the keys to the Sloane Square flat was one of the most exciting moments when we’ve worked with Emma.

Any amusing anecdotes, hiccups or obstacles you remember?

Emma and I clash on only one topic, and that’s books. I cannot live in a house without shelves upon shelves of books, and Emma’s foible is too many visible (and un-colour coordinated) books. We come to blows, but in the most lovely, jesting way. The compromise we came to resulted in the building of some gorgeous big cupboards.

Did anything in the final look surprise you?

Working with Kelling Designs is a recipe for surprises, and there are too many to count. A catchphrase of Emma’s is, ‘trust me.’ When you do, the final look will be one of the best surprises you’ve ever had.

Tell us a story about one of the new pieces in your home…

In our London flat, we have this amazing wallpaper in the master bedroom. It has a very intense butterfly pattern, and I certainly gulped the first few times I saw it, but now, it’s one of my favourite things about the flat. The bedroom is visible as you come through the front door, so we always keep the door open and guests comment on it without exception. People always want to go in for a closer look!

What do you love most about your home?

As I mentioned, I’m not always local to the projects we do with Kelling Designs, but I always love the way the curtains turn out. I have never understood how to put patterns together, but Emma does and guides me through it with such enthusiasm and skill.