Five Minutes With

www.jessicacoxdesign.com

Jessica Cox ~ Jessica Cox Design

Jacqui Priestley, owner and editor of Wokingham Local spends 5 minutes with Jessica Cox, entrepreneur and owner of Jessica Cox Design, a residential and commercial interior design company based in the South of England.

WL: What inspired you to become an interior designer? Talk to us about the journey from starting out to becoming an awardwinning designer. JC: From a young age I was very interested in design, and it was after receiving a secondhand dolls house one birthday - I then spent all the time that I could redecorating and renovating the rooms and then rearranging the furniture constantly! This grew into a passion and after studying and lots of years of hard work it became my career, one which I absolutely love and feel very grateful to be able to do every day.

WL: Were you artistic as a child? JC: I was always drawing, taking photos, and experimenting with crafting as a child (although I imagine some of the ‘projects’ are a bit questionable now) but it was all part of being creative and developing skills. Sketching and taking photos are a big part of what I do now, as well as occasionally painting artwork for clients if I struggle to find the right piece for a space. And crafting fancy dress costumes with objects from around the house is a challenge I’ll always gladly accept.

WL: Tell us about a project or two from your portfolio that you’re most proud of and why? JC: I recently designed the space for the ‘Fiona Parry Boutique’ which is in Wokingham and part of the new development in Elms Walk. Being able to get to

know and help a local business transfer and develop into a shop space was amazing and I am so proud of how it looks now. It also helps that the clothes in the shop are lovely too – it makes my job easier when the merchandise looks so good!

WL: What’s your most recent work been? JC: I have recently finished an agile working space at Bracknell and Wokingham College, a new café space that again was a project helping a first-time business owner, works on a new rock-climbing centre in Gloucester are well underway as well as transforming office spaces in London - and of course my many local residential clients too. It’s been a very busy time here at JCD!

WL: What is your own personal favourite design style? JC: I think styles develop and change with time, naturally I am influenced by trends and new advances in the industry – but I will always try to be complementary to the environment and style of property of each individual project, which I think is so important. Having said that, I will always try and incorporate natural textures, lots of greenery and some form of coloured velvet in most schemes – my coloured velvet sofas have become a bit of a trademark.

WL: What do you do to relax when you are not interior designing? JC: Well, I am currently working on my own home renovation which takes up any spare time

I do have – so it’s pretty much interior design all day, every day! I love it though and as much as it is my job it’s also my hobby so for me so I guess you could call it relaxing too (but remind me of that when I am next covered in concrete dust). Working on my own renovation projects gives me great experience for helping clients and puts me in the best position to advise on everything from digging foundations right through to hanging artwork in a finished space.

WL: What do you like most about Wokingham? JC: Wokingham is a fantastic area – the mix of independent shops, restaurants and cafes is great and there is a such a lovely community feel. Everything you need for day or night all in one place – or as I like to say, from coffees through to cocktails!

WL: What does the future hold for Jessica Cox Design, what is your ambition? JC: I would love to work on a boutique hotel project, with each room styled differently. Designing a hotel room is very different to a bedroom at home, the scheme can be bolder and more luxurious – as it’s a space that you aren’t in everyday, but for what is hopefully an occasional treat – and selecting all the different elements to help with this would be a challenge, but one that I would be excited to take on. It’s always been on my goals list ever since I started Jessica Cox Design and I am constantly saving ideas and photographing inspiration ready for the dream job! I would also really welcome working with local business owners to help create spaces that reflect them and their businesses. The importance of a well-designed space can never be underestimated, and is proven to increase sales and productivity, so working with a designer can really help achieve your goals.

All the team at Wokingham Local wish you the very best for the future, and we look forward to seeing more Jessica Cox interior design transformations in and around Wokingham.

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We are a multi-disciplinary Interior Design Studio, specialising in residential homes. Our passion is creating a design that’s right for you. We cover all interior aspects of your home, as well as having great connections for landscapers should you wish to carry the design outside. We have worked with a variety of styles so would be confident of achieving something you’ll love whatever your taste. Covering Berkshire, Surrey & parts of Hampshire. Quote WOKI22 to claim 10% off.

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