5 Minutes with Katharine Pooley

My upbringing in Bahrain shaped my sense of style… I was incredibly fortunate to travel from a very early age and was exposed to a variety of cultures, different ways of living and styles that have naturally influenced my approach to interior design.

I collected a vast amount of treasures from around the world…and then set up my Boutique on Walton Street. Not long after I opened, I was approached by a client to curate their home and the rest is history!

A client once told me… I left a piece of me in their home and it resonated with me so much. There’s a huge amount of love put into our projects and each one will always carry a very special meaning. Once you hand the keys over to the client, it’s not very often you go back to see the space being used. However, after the Château de la Croix des Gardes was completed a few years ago, my client has invited me to a number of their parties and it was the greatest honour to see it come to life.

Design is personal but you have to listen to the client… you want them to express themselves comfortably with you, but they have also come to you and your team for your expertise and guidance. So, we will always keep the clients’ wishes, wants and needs in mind and meet in the middle. If the client really wants to include a fabric, piece of furniture or artwork that’s not necessarily to our taste, it’s our job to ensure the rest of the space is balanced.

The interior design cardinal sins for me are… poor furniture layout is top of the list. There’s also the issue of lampshades that don’t fit the lamp properly or small, deflated cushions - I much prefer to see large, plump cushions.

My top three tips for someone redoing their home are…to hire an Interior Designer! Also, observe and analyse the different light settings before you do any decorating work. Analyse the rooms you use the most, looking out for any circulation problems. Lastly, you need to set your budget and identify how much work you want to do and when. Having a budget or programme in mind are key. 

My signature style always… displays a great attention to detail. The layering of the materials and the consideration of the layout, plus using great artisans and quality manufacturers. We use every surface as an opportunity to display textures, artisanal craftsmanship and an opportunity to showcase the client’s personality.

I work with The Childhood Trust…a cause that holds deep personal significance for me and resonates with everyone at my studio. Each year, we are proud to support its life-changing mission by reimagining spaces for children who need them most. We approach every room with the same care and creativity we bring to all our work, but with an even greater sense of purpose. Creating a space where a child feels safe, comfortable and inspired to learn and dream isn’t just important; it's essential. Every child deserves that sanctuary and it’s a privilege to be part of making that a reality.

A small change that can instantly elevate a room… is to add some beautiful trimmings. Another very obvious addition would be to integrate lighting within joinery, or to add artwork or mirrors to the space.

I find myself drawn to... tassels and trimmings time and time again. I love embellishing with them. I gravitate towards detail and beauty, hand-painted and embroidered wallpaper, tactile and fresh textiles with plenty of texture and depth, utilising colours that bring joy or an immediate sense of calm or the detail of veining in marble such as verde cipollino.

My dream project would be in…Asia. I have such a history there and will never bore of travelling to the region. The more projects that open up that side of the world for me, the better.

I balance aesthetics with practicality by… thinking about zoning spaces. Creating designated spaces for the children and adults, respectively. Enhancing everyday items to integrate storage and choosing suitable fabrics that are durable, stain-proof, imbue texture and are in a colour that works well long-term.

Quintessential British style to me means… utilising the very best of British craftsmanship in each and every project. I am a proud champion of British craft and no matter the location of a project, a British craftsman or artisan will be supported.

My favourite home of mine in the UK is… Forter Castle, it’s an historic, 16th-century castle in the heart of the Highlands, which was built in 1560, then burnt to the ground in 1640. In 1988, my Father bought the site of ruins from the Earl of Airlie with a vision to restore it to its former glory and ever since, it has been an idyllic retreat for our family. When it came to the interiors, I thoroughly enjoyed spending time sourcing antique furniture, fabrics locally and utilising incredible artisans and craftspeople to imbue specialist skills and techniques that were likened to those used in the time that the castle was built. I commissioned an incredible Scottish artist, Jennifer Merredew to hand-paint the ceiling of the Great Hall, depicting the castle’s history. It’s a very special place for us all and it's a privilege to be a part of its legacy.

My favourite places to eat, shop and drink in London are… Jak’s on Walton Street for my go-to takeaway juice. I’ve also been going to Daphne’s for years – it’s the perfect light lunch. Shopping-wise, I will often pay a visit to my boutique for special birthday gifts for friends. Bonadea on Pimlico Road is great for dinnerware and embroidered napkins. It’s always so beautifully curated and hard to resist bringing something home. William Yeoward is my go-to for crystal glassware

Visit katharinepooley.com