12 minute read
INTERIOR DESIGN Verity Woolf on interior design, inspiration and why she’ll never have a signature style
by MediaClash
Design is an intensely collaborative process, says Verity. Everyone in the team has something to contribute to the final look
LIFE AT THE HIGH END Verity Woolf of WOOLF Interior, Architecture & Design talks luxury design, trends, and her dream bathroom Words by Lydia Tewkesbury
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Verity Woolf, the founder and residential and commercial design director of WOOLF, is a new face on Bath’s interior design landscape. With 25 years of experience and a flourishing London office already, she is returning to her roots with her move back to the city, where she attended Westonbirt School as a teenager. The Bath office is a welcome addition to our high-end design sector.
WOOLF has an office in London and now has this Bath addition – why did you chose Bath? For me Bath is uplifting, it is grace and beauty every day. It is a magnificent city full of 18th century buildings, sweeping crescents, classical architecture, gorgeous landscapes, Roman history and modern structures. I could not possibly live anywhere that is not absolutely beautiful.
We love the work that you’ve designed for private clients and hotels; what are you working on at the moment? We have been really lucky with the variety of recent projects; a gorgeous country house in Cork, Ireland, a Victorian family home that we are converting into a modern residence and an art deco penthouse in London. We have also been working in Bath and surrounding areas on residential projects and we are in the process of appraising some local hospitality ventures.
Have you seen the shift to home working reflected in any of your projects? Yes, in particular hotels and members clubs have been opening up co-working environments within their settings. These kinds of environments are emerging as alternatives to working in a traditional office setting. It has really opened up working environments for all of us. We previously converted a Manor House in Oxford into a boutique hotel and during the lockdown, we were undertaking a second phase of works creating a great co-working space for guests.
What’s your WFH set up like? The creative industries – and the interior design especially – require space to develop schemes and to design. Working together is still an essential part of our working method and the collaborative element in our studio is still at the core of what we do, which is why I have a studio
Verity has noticed that the pandemic has brought with it something of a turn away from the trend for open plan living
At WOOLF, Verity rejects the notion of a signature style – she and the team would rather work on a variety of projects
in Bath and London. When not in my studio I have a quiet office to work in at home. My desk faces the garden and I am surrounded by history and design books, fabrics and ornaments – it is a great space for focusing on our projects.
Many are now struggling to keep work and home separate – what advice would you give from a design perspective? It’s interesting because British Victorian, Edwardian or Georgian houses have traditionally been designed to be incredibly compartmentalised. During the last few decades in the UK, we have been influenced by the notion of having large, light, open-plan spaces with little compartmentalisation, except for in bedrooms and bathrooms. Now that we find ourselves living slightly differently, it is interesting to consider the balance between designing open spaces, alongside more compartmentalised spaces. We probably all benefit from creating some private and quieter spaces and to allow for larger, noisier spaces to coexist.
Is there a particular area of Bath would you recommend to someone looking to move here? The thing I love about Bath and the surrounding areas is that the city undulates with unexpected streets, shops, alleyways, coffee shops, a new view or landscape. The momentum in Bath is extraordinary given its historic roots and there is a constant discovery of new landscape, which is hard to capture. A new arrival might prefer the historic momentum of the city or the sublime tranquillity of the countryside. One thing is for sure, no matter where you move to, you must have a pair of walking boots and an umbrella.
You can such an array of interior design work to your portfolio. Can you single out one project you have absolutely loved? What motives us and what we love is working on a variety of design challenges. For that reason, we deliberately do not have a signature style and we tailor our design work to either the brief of a private commission or hotel brand. This means that each project we work on is completely different and that is what makes the work interesting for us. A type of project I do love is where we take on an historic building and we restore really great period details, textures and tones whilst curating
above: Verity Woolf, founder and commercial and residential design director of WOOLF; left: It’s all about the small details
some contemporary art work – this combination creates a stunning setting. When our client is undoubtedly happy with the result, that is a golden project.
Tell us about your own home. What do you love about it and why did you design it the way you have? Not very many designers or architects ever truly finish their own homes. We are exposed to so many amazing suppliers, products and innovative ideas every single day, which makes it incredibly difficult to ever complete your own home. In a sense a designer’s home is a constantly evolving work in progress. My homes are based upon texture and lighting layering. Artwork is essential too, it really lifts my spirits.
My house is filled with kids and dogs, and my husband is in the music business so there has to be a space for sound and play. My home environment needs to be super practical and in no way precious. I love a dining room – a good space for eating with family and friends is really important to me. From a style perspective, I like to be fluid with ideas and that is probably when I am most comfortable.
What’s your dream project? That is a hard one. My dream project is probably where we enhance the innate aesthetic of a building with a fantastically intriguing history – one that we can convert into something that is beautiful, relevant, comfortable and super elegant. That brief could be a country house hotel or a very urban residence. Design is collaborative; a dream project happens when you work with an exceptionally experienced and passionate team.
Georgian V Modern: where do you stand on how they work together? It is generally accepted that you can introduce modern design into a traditionally Georgian environment, or you can introduce Georgian elements into a fantastically modern space. Some individuals want to strip the Georgian feel out of an interior but retain the Georgian exterior, while others will want to retain all the Georgian characteristics and restore the history of the building in a precise and exacting manner. In many senses when you live in a Georgian house you are ultimately the custodian of that space. In our Sion Hill project for example, we retained and enhanced the inherent Georgian features of the house but decorated it in a really contemporary manner so that it was fitting for a modern young family.
What does your dream bathroom look like? My dream bathroom is the bathroom that I don’t have to share with anyone! We have designed many bathrooms and have learnt some golden rules. I prefer a bathroom that has got sympathetic lighting, incredibly forgiving mirrors, perfect climate control, a large, powerful shower, hot towels, wide counter tops and good storage capacity. Ideally it has a great view and space for a comfortable piece of beautiful furniture. I am a huge fan of artwork or wallpaper in a bathroom, too. One of the best bathrooms that I have experienced is in Eastnor Castle in Malvern. They just got it so right.
What about kitchen design? Are there any trends we should be on the lookout for? Kitchen design has evolved from the room being a functional peripheral space, to the most important and sometimes largest room in the house. That is because people want to experiment with food and they want to be able to experience eating together and to commune in the kitchen as much as possible. In the last few years kitchen design has become less standardised and more characterful – customers are now able to personalise their kitchens as they never have before.
above: Verity takes visual references from a range of sources; left: Artwork lifts the spirits
Are there any designers whose work you have been particularly influenced by? WOOLF was conceived somewhere between Carlo Scarpa’s detailed innovative use of materials and John Minshaw’s harmonious design of contemporary interiors in a period setting. They were designers who specialised in ‘Interior Architecture’ and whom I could consider our predecessors. Over the years we have looked at designers outside of the UK in America, Australia, North Africa, the Middle East and in Russia, where we have also worked. I think you can take your visual references from a plethora of sources.
What inspires you? I am inspired most by working collaboratively. WOOLF was set up more as a studio collective and less as a design practice based upon my own signature style. The most inspiring work that we have done has been when we have collaborated with amazing architects, consultants, artists and the incredibly talented individuals who work in our studios. Craftsmen across the UK and indeed globally, who are immersed in their own specialism are inspiring in the work that they produce for us. Inspirations can be derived from all around us. In Bath, the architecture of the Georgian, Victorian and Edwardian era is intriguing, particularly when we consider the history of the buildings and how they have changed use over time.
For more: WOOLF Interior, Architecture & Design Broome House, Upper Lansdown Mews, Bath; tel: 01225 445670; www.woolfinterior.com
Got an amazing local home? Want it to feature in Residence? Contact lydia.tewkesbury@mediaclash.co.uk
Verity says her favourite work has been born of collaboration
FOR THE HOME Our local businesses are poised and ready to help with all your home needs for winter
KUTCHENHAUS Kutchenhaus have opened a brand new showroom in the heart of Bath bringing their beautifully designed and highly engineered German kitchens to the city. Owner Rob Cash and his experienced and talented team look after every customer through the journey from enquiry to completion, creating kitchens of the highest standard at affordable prices. 5 Saracen St, Bath BA1 5BR; Tel: 01225 634025; www.kutchenhaus.co.uk/showroom/bath CLAIR STRONG INTERIOR DESIGN Clair Strong Interior Design is a small, creative company based in Bath, providing a wide range of services for both residential and commercial clients. Her portfolio of projects includes the design, project coordination and sourcing for some of Bath’s most beautiful residences, as well as sports clubs, offices and other commercial venues. Contact Clair on 01225 426906 or 07855 79731 www.clairstrong.co.uk MENDIP FIREPLACES Bath’s leading fireplace, wood burner, gas fire, chimney and flue specialist. From classic to contemporary, concept to completion, their team of experts can work with you to achieve your perfect interior. Brands include Chesney’s, Barbas Belfires, Hwam, Stuv and Jetmaster. Get in touch or visit the showroom. Mendip Fireplaces, Monkton Combe, Bath BA2 7HD. info@mendipfireplacesbath.co.uk, Tel: 01225 722706; www.mendipfireplacesbath.co.uk
KELLY MARIE KITCHEN INTERIORS Working from her beautiful showroom and with over 15 years’ experience in the kitchen industry, Kelly Marie has built a strong reputation. She combines technical aspects of design with an intrinsic creativity, producing functional yet beautiful spaces. Her portfolio includes luxury German made kitchens and Italian painted shaker kitchens. Full design and installation service. Tel: 01225 481881 www.kellymariekitchens.com BATH KITCHEN COMPANY Based in the heart of Bath and specialising in bespoke, handmade kitchens, Bath Kitchen Company become personally invested in every kitchen they design and build. It’s about attention to detail at every stage – creating a beautiful space that enhances the way you live. 7-9 North Parade Buildings, Bath BA1 1NS; Tel: 01225 312003 www.bathkitchencompany.co.uk ETONS OF BATH Founded in 2006, Etons of Bath is the UK’s only specialist interior design practice focussed on refurbishing, renovating and reinvigorating Georgian and Regency homes and hotels. Their team of 12 interior designers, planners and project managers can help you design and deliver classically inspired interiors that add value, turn heads and improve the use of space. Tel: 01225 639002; www.etonsofbath.com
WESTSIDE DESIGN Westside Design is a family-run Bath based company offering a tailored design, manufacturing and installation service for all aspects of cabinet making and joinery. Specialising in contemporary bespoke kitchens and interiors. Contact Michael on 01225 330843 or 07976 268458 or email info@westsidedesign.co.uk www.westsidedesign.co.uk CHEVERELL Cheverell is set in the heart of Wiltshire with a stunning showroom and workshop, offering a full bespoke design, manufacturing and installation service in kitchens, bedrooms, and interiors. Established in 1989 it has over 30 years of experience to guide you through the whole process. Cheverell, Waller Road, Hopton Park, Devizes, Wiltshire SN10 2GH; Tel: 01380 722722; www.cheverell.co.uk BONITI Boniti is based on the outskirts of Bath and offers a wide range of quality interior and exterior products: natural stone and timber flooring, Everhot range cookers, garden furniture and Kadai firebowls. As well as the vast selection of products on offer, a friendly and personal service is at the heart of all that they do. Dunsdon Barn, West Littleton,Wiltshire SN14 8JA; Tel: 01225 892 200; www.boniti.com
