Visiting New York from Oxford in 1994 with my art and design foundation course, and that year of creative exploration in general. My eyes opened wide to modernism, contemporary design, and what was new and stimulating culturally at that moment in time. There were so many interior experiences that I remember vividly from that trip. The Tunnel night club, The Guggenheim, Starck’s Royalton Hotel, walking into the grand art deco lobbies of the city’s skyscrapers, wandering the streets of NYC soaking up the sounds and grit. What really sparked my passion for furniture, though, was my first job in Islington 4 years later selling early edition 20th century design pieces. It was like living in a design archive. 

By the mid 90’s there were a lot of subcultures and genres at, or nearing their pinnacle, it felt really rich and there was a general sense of anticipation of experience. Without the drip feed of the internet it was exciting to get the hits of stimulation in waves. You had your regular sources that you had to show up for and be present at. My particular poison was the drum and bass scene. The experiences were internal and about a shared intimacy and connection with others, less about the visual aspect of the space you were in. Finding that subtle, but stimulating layered richness is something I try to bring into the work I do now by drawing on memories from that time. Where things meet, touch, and transition is an exciting area to work in. Where is the edge or right contrast before it tips too far, how do you leave enough space for all of the information to be processed deeply. 

Amazingly. It has really blossomed and I’m honored to have been along for the ride over the last 10 years. It’s balancing that you no longer need to be in New York to feel a part of what’s new and current. Los Angeles has become a center in its own right and is full of varied work with its own character. I’m really excited to see it all progress and develop further, there is a good mix of design emerging with no set dominating style. 

I started Small Office when I moved to the US in 2005. I wanted to bring what I thought was good design from London to here, making it easier for people to access as well helping the people I was connected with in London sell their work in the US. I now work with companies from England, Finland, Italy, Japan, New Zealand, and Sweden. It’s a design resource that provides a connection with a set of companies that align with my core design values and sensibilities. A direct and personal service in both directions. 

I have always struggled with how to express my creativity in the world of design, it didn’t seem to fit into one particular box. Over the years I have played with doing custom interior design projects, or assisted in specifying and designing the furniture on large commercial projects, but it didn’t feel right to settle into one consistent practice. Based on those experiences and my knowledge of the design industry, I decided that I would like to try shifting the focus from the design product to the person and space. Working with them to bring out what is a fit creatively for both of them. It’s taking my taste off the table and getting to the root of what is right for the space and person that will be spending time there. This comes by forming a creative relationship with them where the right choices emerge through discussion and questioning. The idea is that the style is what feels like a fit subconsciously rather than a visible set style based on trends and external sources. 

They are many writers that have inspired me lately – Adam Phillips, Marion Milner, to name a couple, but Donald Winnicott’s concept around the Potential Space, or the space between that we play in particularly resonated. That’s the creativity that I’m interested in expanding. 

If overall well-being is considered and practiced then the spaces naturally feel right and timeless. We need different experiences from spaces for different occasions. I believe for well-being and creative play it should feel like a fit that you can wear for a while, but that isn’t to say we don’t need to be in spaces that help push us out of, or challenge our comfort here and there. I like the idea of finding the right levels of contrast and rhythms that push the peaks of the creative waves as far apart as possible before they need to snap back and cross over. 

Haha, no. I would like to speak to more people in person and get to know them that way. 

If I’m feeling fancy then a walk to Holy Basil for their shrimp curry is a nice lunch treat.