Designing Dreams : A Conversation with Becky Harrison
Your spaces are characterful & packed with colour.
Where do you begin?
I love to give my clients a space that makes them feel at home but also special. We spend upto 90% of our time indoors in the winter and 45% in the summer so it is vital that our homes are a true reflection of our needs and personalities.
I prefer to avoid trends and encourage my clients to delve deep into what they really want from their home and to explore what it is they really like and enjoy in interior spaces. Ask a kid what their favourite colour is and they easily know, ask an adult and they are often baffled or simply haven’t thought about it for years. We need to rediscover the joy of childhood and channel that into the buildings in which we spend our lives.
Your spaces feel authentic but lived in. Do you have a particular style?
I don’t really have a particular style more of a process that works but is tweaked to each client. I mainly love to create spaces that make the occupants and visitors feel instantly comfortable.
How do you layer the spaces you design to add richness & texture?
We all want our homes to allow us to escape from the real world and when designed to be personal to us the impact on our wellbeing is phenomenal.
Your home should develop its character over time (just like we humans do!) and the fact you like it should simply be enough.
Depth is added though texture, objects and artwork and each home has a unique combination of these to suit my clients.
There is such pressure in the modern world to always be doing and our homes should support us to rest and recharge.
Would you describe yourself a collector?
My husband would say yes! I don’t intend to be but if I love something and it brings me joy it comes home with me. I have tried to add a question before I purchase, especially larger items to consider where it will go in my home but I try not to get to hung up on this because I will always find space for those special pieces!
How do you start your designs?
I try to learn as much about my clients as possible and then my ideas are mainly driven from instinct. I may have a piece in mind that forms the start of a design or I may need to gather inspiration from trade fairs, art galleries or even online before I put pen to paper.
I do usually start with space planning as this is crucial to the space working.
Which designers inspire you?
I love unique ideas, colour and pushing boundaries. I am always thrilled by spaces designed by Matthew Williamson, Beata Heuman, Kit Kemp, Joy Moyler, Barlow & Barlow and Anouska Lancaster.
Becky x