Since Guthrie and Kirkwood was established in 2015, Elle has put her heart into her personalised service, uses the highest quality products, can offer the finest bespoke joinery, and strives for the best for each and every one of her clients.
Having lived in Chislehurst for 14 years with her family, we catch up with Elle who reveals she will never tire of client’s reactions when work is complete, her tips for your interior design project, and why she would be more than happy for someone else to do the hard work in her own home!
How it all began and who inspired you?
Elle said: 'Both of my parents are extremely creative and were most definitely a huge influence throughout my childhood and later years. My father was an artist and so I have fond memories of endless conversation with him concerning colour and how best to use it.
'My mother remains a strong influence and continues to encourage me to work hard, be consistent and to follow my path with courage, determination and enthusiasm.
'Guthrie and Kirkwood was born following a huge leap of faith after working for many years in a creative professional capacity. The business has evolved from its conception to my preferred offering of an "under one roof service" that includes working from the ground up to complete full renovation of homes utilising my established and trusted trade team which includes builders, joiners all relevant trades and supply of fixtures, fittings and equipment. There really is nothing we cannot do, and I am now working on the exterior of properties too.'
'I was fortunate enough to meet a master joiner at around year two of my business and that meeting really changed the direction of my business for the better. My collaboration with Lee Purdom from Purdom’s Bespoke Furniture means we are able to create beautiful, long-lasting, perfectly fitted ways to enrich and add value to homes. It might be dressing rooms, media units, cabinetry, fitted wardrobes, bars/entertainment areas, a new staircase or perhaps a unique dining table and bespoke kitchens designed and built for client’s homes. I am enormously proud of the design work and final pieces we have created to date and will never tire of client’s reactions when they see projects coming to life.
'I should also mention Chaplins who supply furniture for many of my projects and offer a white glove service as well as Love Your home, an excellent, quality brand. The list could go on and on as I work alongside some fantastic businesses.'
'This would be a current project of which we are now in the third phase. The second phase saw the completion of a garage conversion into a stunning entertainment space including a beautifully designed bespoke bar area. The clients have been an absolute pleasure throughout and I have admired their enthusiasm and continued involvement in the design process. Their profession means they have an extremely keen eye for design and detail and so have a great appreciation for the creative process.'
Who and where you gather inspiration from?
'The everyday colour palettes that are all around us, artwork and continued inspiration from clients and how they want their homes to feel and to be used.'
'Without a doubt, yes. Considering the lifespan of materials to be used and their longevity requires designing durable spaces that will still be functional for years to come. Over time we do grow and change and that’s why it’s important to create spaces that can adapt with us. I have never been a lover of fast furniture and prefer to work with designs/products that will stand the test of time.'
Favourite part of your job?
'I have always said that in the very early stages of a project there is an almost invisible click of the fingers when my ideas and design work come together and take pace. It continues to be a privilege to be employed and trusted with anybody’s home and its transformation. My work is personal to each and every client and no two clients are the same and so each project requires my undivided attention from conception to completion. There really is nothing better than hearing my work has made a positive difference to how people enjoy and live in their homes.'
More about Elle
Her home…
'I spend an awful lot of time working on other people’s homes and therefore have a huge wish list for my own home. I’d actually love for someone else to take it on as a project and work their own magic so I could sit back knowing someone else was doing all the hard work!
'But a recent, small project I have achieved in my home was a wc. It had been neglected for far too long and so albeit a small area, I was beyond excited to give it some attention. I included a fun wallpaper which has been a point of interest for anyone who’s used it!'
Any celebrity commissions?
'None yet but I’ve always got my fingers crossed!'
She’d take a peek around…. 'the renowned Spanish architect and designer, Patricia Urquiola’s home. I have a great appreciation for her work in its entirety.'
Elle’s top tips
* Be brave.
* Push boundaries.
* Trust the process.
* Invest once and do something well.
* Consider using good, quality light switches, sockets and door handles in your home. We often overlook the small details and finishes, and this is a mistake.
* We are told to follow rules concerning interior design and as much as I like a rule, I am not scared to break them to yield good results.
* Take time when considering colour. We often rush to get rooms decorated when in actual fact, we should take time to consider colour and sit with our options before decisions are made.
* If you move into a new property, again, take your time. Get to know the property and how it performs throughout the day - where does the light sit at different times of the day, the more we sit and consider a space, the better our decisions will be in the long run.
* I always say it’s unusual to see a person wearing neutrals every single day, yet the idea of using colour in a home is often a scary one for clients and so I pride myself in helping clients to understand the way it can transform a space without overwhelming it.
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