Interior Design for Hospitality Businesses
Client-first, contemporary interior design for the whole range of hospitality businesses.
First impressions count
My approach to interior design, and especially to interior design when it comes to hospitality businesses and their interior spaces, is to make the first impression count.
Research suggests that, regardless of business or setting, people form a first impression in about seven seconds and that seven seconds starts the moment someone walks through your door.
It’s not just about first impressions either, as creating an engaging atmosphere is key to ensuring that your customers enjoy their time with you and also encourages repeat custom.
Making My Experience Work
When working on interior designs for hospitality businesses, I draw on my early sales and marketing career. Getting aligned with brands and target customers is deeply ingrained in my practice. Combined with a passion for design history, delivered with a contemporary flair, this results in unique spaces that delight my clients and their customers.
Everything Starts With You
Regardless of what your business does, your interiors need to not just reflect your brand, but emphasise what makes you special to attract and retain customers.
My approach to interior design for hospitality projects starts in much the same place as any of my other projects – with you, the client.
My Process
01
Initial Consultation and Fee Proposal
All work starts with a complimentary 30 minute chat to learn more about you and your project. We’ll discuss which service suits you and then we’ll be able to send a fee proposal. For larger projects meetings will take place before fees are outlined.
02
Concept Design
Concept design defines the function and feel of an interior design project. Using the information from our conversations and my own research, I will enhance your ideas, experimenting with layouts, sketches and mood boards. This will help us to explore ideas for the look, feel and practicalities of your space, getting lots of feedback from you so we can agree a clear direction.
03
Detailed Design
Detailed design takes the concept we have agreed on and develops it into something that can be implemented. This is through CAD drawings, sourcing furnishings, joinery, flooring and paint finishes, switches and sockets and all details down to the most minute. This ensures that everything has been thought of and the end design will entirely meet your goals. At the end of this stage you will be able to seek tenders from contractors, and have fixed costings for your project.
04
Procurement and Implementation
Your design will come to life as it is implemented by your contractor and other specialists. We oversee the implementation of the design, ensuring the contractor and project coordination teams have the information they need. At this stage we may also provide a procurement service to obtain furnishings and fixtures for your project.
05
Completion and Styling
This stage adds the finishing style touches, elevating the final finish by helping place soft furnishings, decorations, artwork and other accessories to ensure everything is looking the best it possibly can.
FAQ
How long will the design process take for a typical hospitality project?
It varies enormously based on the scale and needs of the project. I would say a few months is typical – I require several weeks between the stages outlined in my process, so the minimum a design could be turned around for a small bar or restaurant is 6 weeks. A large and complex project like a hotel or a luxury restaurant may take a year or more. The earlier we are involved, the better the outcome.
How do you create a memorable customer experience in hospitality design?
Creating memorable spaces is about understanding who visits there and what will be memorable for them. We work closely with venue owners to understand their aims, their brand identity and who they want to attract and design for this.
How do you ensure that the design aligns with my company’s brand identity?
Telling brand stories and aligning with brand character is at the heart of my work. In this, I draw on my earlier sales and marketing career, chatting with your marketing team and fusing this understanding with interiors know-how to ensure the interiors are an extension and amplification of your brand. This creates a dialled in experience for your customers and your staff.
Can you create bespoke furniture or unique installations for my business?
We love to create bespoke pieces and have a network of expert partners to draw upon to assist.
kind words
We've worked with Gemma three times now, initially on tricky heritage projects. She was so good - positive, creative, reliable - that we engaged her again when working on our own home, a II* listed building, which again required thought and sensitivity. Gemma is great, not only does she have good instincts when it comes to design, but is also knowledgable and practical.
Gemma is amazing! In a short space of time she made recommendations for our interior decor that were perfect. Her plans were detailed and we followed everything - the results are brilliant. I recommend her highly!
Working with Gemma has been a wonderful collaborative experience and our first ever project engaging the services of an interior designer.
From an initial relaxed discussion developing our thoughts and ideas, Gemma came up with a cohesive design utilising some of the items we already owned, to transform both the look and the feel of the bedroom in our georgian flat in Bath.
The whole process gave us the confidence to go bolder than we perhaps otherwise would have, particularly with colour, and Gemma also assisted with sourcing some excellent tradespeople to execute the work required, thus ensuring a smooth ‘journey’ along the way.
I would have no hesitation in recommending her services.
From an initial relaxed discussion developing our thoughts and ideas, Gemma came up with a cohesive design utilising some of the items we already owned, to transform both the look and the feel of the bedroom in our georgian flat in Bath.
The whole process gave us the confidence to go bolder than we perhaps otherwise would have, particularly with colour, and Gemma also assisted with sourcing some excellent tradespeople to execute the work required, thus ensuring a smooth ‘journey’ along the way.
I would have no hesitation in recommending her services.
Gemma was really professional and helpful with our kitchen renovation.
We were feeling very overwhelmed with decisions. Gemma was able to help us compartmentalize our ideas and give us the confidence to make brave decisions. We learnt alot along the way and Gemma's contacts and recommendations were all super useful!
We would definitely use Gemma again and highly recommend!
We were feeling very overwhelmed with decisions. Gemma was able to help us compartmentalize our ideas and give us the confidence to make brave decisions. We learnt alot along the way and Gemma's contacts and recommendations were all super useful!
We would definitely use Gemma again and highly recommend!
We had never used an interior designer before and I wasn’t entirely sure we needed one. However, having seen everything that Gemma has added to our project, I would now always recommend people consider using an interior designer when undertaking a building project of any substance.
We chose to use Gemma as she clearly understood the result that we wanted to achieve and we seemed to be on the same page when it came to design. She took what was quite a broad brief and narrowed it down to a coherent overarching vision. She then supported us throughout the decision-making process, providing a sensible number of options for us to choose from in each instance. The completed project provides everything we wanted, both from a functional and a design perspective.
Gemma liaised really well with our builders, ensuring that nothing slipped through the gap in the construction phase. She provided detailed design drawings to the builders, sourced and procured furniture and fittings and picked up on details we wouldn’t even have considered, which added a huge amount of value. I wouldn’t hesitate in recommending Gemma; she was great to work with.
We chose to use Gemma as she clearly understood the result that we wanted to achieve and we seemed to be on the same page when it came to design. She took what was quite a broad brief and narrowed it down to a coherent overarching vision. She then supported us throughout the decision-making process, providing a sensible number of options for us to choose from in each instance. The completed project provides everything we wanted, both from a functional and a design perspective.
Gemma liaised really well with our builders, ensuring that nothing slipped through the gap in the construction phase. She provided detailed design drawings to the builders, sourced and procured furniture and fittings and picked up on details we wouldn’t even have considered, which added a huge amount of value. I wouldn’t hesitate in recommending Gemma; she was great to work with.
Gemma has been a wonderful help in the renovation of my central Bath apartment. The Georgian features of the apartment dictated somewhat the style the apartment needed. It was quite daunting for me, as I wasn’t used to this period and so I approached Gemma to help.
Gemma has been professionally trained which I specifically wanted, as I had already interior design experience but needed some extra expert guidance.
There were several space planning issues and her spatial planning was brilliant, so I had the confidence to buy furniture items that I knew would fit.
Gemma sourced some AMAZING PIECES that I would never have found on my own. One of these was a rug that brought my whole scheme together brilliantly. I think that is a special talent to find something that integrates with all of someone’s personal items . The living space just looked fantastic after she added the rug!
Gemma was good at giving honest opinions on my choices. She wasn’t afraid of saying things wouldn't work and instead gave some good alternatives . She was especially good at suggesting decorative lighting. She also introduced some contemporary items that blended seamlessly with the Georgian features, so creating a really gorgeous, eclectic space.
Gemma was super friendly and approachable and it was a real joy to work with her. She maintains a professional manner though in her work, maintains deadlines and you can tell she really cares about getting an excellent result.
I’m looking forward to working with Gemma on future home projects and would highly recommend her to anyone!
Thanks so much Gemma!
Gemma has been professionally trained which I specifically wanted, as I had already interior design experience but needed some extra expert guidance.
There were several space planning issues and her spatial planning was brilliant, so I had the confidence to buy furniture items that I knew would fit.
Gemma sourced some AMAZING PIECES that I would never have found on my own. One of these was a rug that brought my whole scheme together brilliantly. I think that is a special talent to find something that integrates with all of someone’s personal items . The living space just looked fantastic after she added the rug!
Gemma was good at giving honest opinions on my choices. She wasn’t afraid of saying things wouldn't work and instead gave some good alternatives . She was especially good at suggesting decorative lighting. She also introduced some contemporary items that blended seamlessly with the Georgian features, so creating a really gorgeous, eclectic space.
Gemma was super friendly and approachable and it was a real joy to work with her. She maintains a professional manner though in her work, maintains deadlines and you can tell she really cares about getting an excellent result.
I’m looking forward to working with Gemma on future home projects and would highly recommend her to anyone!
Thanks so much Gemma!
Working with Gemma on this project helped take the stress out of this large renovation and got me to view the house as a whole rather than looking at one thing at a time. Everything was really clear and organised which helped a lot with the builders. Gemma had great ideas and a lot of creative solutions which really helped me get the most out of my budget. Everyone who visits has such lovely things to say. I am so delighted with the outcome and still can’t quite believe this is my house!
I asked Gemma for help designing my sitting room and hall wall. I already had some ideas of what I wanted which she really helped me develop, giving me the confidence to take things further with colour and styles. She also had some really creative and practical ideas as to how to transform a relatively dark space into a welcoming entrance for my home. Gemma understood what I needed and I’m delighted with the outcome.
Would definitely recommend.
Would definitely recommend.
