Interview: Retro design house

Expert interview with lighting gurus Retro Design House

Tell us a little about how you came to establish your company?

I noticed a gap in the market. Thoughtful design can drastically improve spaces often at little cost. Unfortunately, this is still viewed as elite only, and so not enough people benefit from it. On a personal level, I take great pleasure in getting to know my clients in order to create a space tailored around them. I find it meaningful to create spaces that I know improve peoples’ living experience on a daily basis.

So you specialise in creating bespoke lighting and furniture pieces give us some examples of what’s possible?

I am fascinated by the range of effects that lighting can create, enhancing space and setting the mood. Recessed lighting is very flexible and can be seamlessly integrated into many surfaces. Combining it with wall, ceiling, floor, table and natural light can create unique spaces as pleasant for the soul as for the eyes. UK houses often, due to their age, have oddly shaped corners, which also contribute to their character. Bespoke furniture can add more charm to these imperfections and when possible, turn these corners to be used efficiently for storage.

Tell us about the process customers experience when they contact you?

The first step is getting to know my customers as designing the right space for them is very personal. Through conversations and going back and forth with ideas, we can establish their needs, preferences and lifestyle priorities. Tailoring these around their budget and considering suitable contractors is the next stage. I help my clients so that they can visualise the result and make the right choice. I don’t want there to be any chance that they won’t be happy with the project or they end up making changes during the construction process that would create unnecessary costs.

In terms of your lighting service, is it more open off pieces or will you work with customers to create a lighting plan for a whole house?

My aim always is to enrich each space with deep thinking and narrative, to ensure its lasting appeal. Weaving that story into the characteristics of the space it may be possible to achieve substantial results with off pieces. Depending on the client’s vision, we can create a lighting plan for a completely bespoke experience.

Tell us about a project that gave you the most satisfaction?

A client inherited her grandmother’s home. She wanted a very modern living space for her and her two daughters whilst keeping several antique pieces of furniture that had been passed down to her. By creating colour profiles of all the different elements, we used tinted glass, table lights and mirrors to blend the furniture in. I was especially happy that the result was a home that provided a minimalistic contemporary living experience whilst connecting the different family generations.