A Studio conversation with Founder Charlotte Stuart

Welcome to The Studio Journal, and thank you for being here. This is a place to explore what makes a home feel authentic, characterful and lived in. From the instinct behind how we decorate to insights from the world of interiors, we’ll share thoughtful guidance and our insider industry knowledge.

We begin with a Studio conversation - reflections on the journey so far and the foundations of the business today. It offers a closer look behind the scenes, the thinking that drives what we do, and the passions that continue to shape my work. I hope you enjoy reading, and do join us for what’s to come.

What led you to establish Charlotte Stuart Interiors?

I grew up in a very stylish environment at home, but it wasn’t to do with acquiring new things. We simply worked with what we had wherever we lived, and made it unique. Often I would return home to a new furniture layout, which taught me about scale, space and changing the feel of a room. Once, I came home to discover a faux marble fireplace in our living room that wasn’t there that morning. Interiors were exciting, fun, and something to explore. Having previously owned a fashion accessories business, it felt like a natural progression on my career path to transcend into style for the home. It was what I grew up with, and it felt part of my DNA. That instinctive beginning led me to train professionally, work as a colour consultant with Farrow & Ball, and eventually establish my own practice five years ago.

Where do you get your inspiration?

Design for me is like a passionate love affair – I often find myself in an embraced clinch seduced into an obsession with a particular colour, style of pattern or even era, the list can be endless and random. Luckily, I am married to a man that is open minded, particularly when he came home to find the kitchen walls painted black as I simply had to get it out of my system. Such a cliché to say inspiration comes from here, there and everywhere, but truly it can be a flash moment that can linger for days, months and even years.

How would you describe your style?

Always an interesting question as my style is forever evolving, and I feel as a designer it's important to be fluid and constantly adapting. There are many sides to my design personality and in some ways I have to cater to each. Having trained as a costume designer in my younger years for the National Youth Theatre, on some level there will always be a dramatic room in my house. Whether that is a bold wallpaper in a cloakroom, or a midnight hue for the sitting room walls when I was channelling my Studio 54 moment. Yet, it's often a surprise to find the other side of my design personality in need of a calm neutral for my bedroom that is pretty in an old English way. When it comes to working with my clients I am always aware of their personal style. It's about creating a home akin to their comforts, and fulfilling their zing. A client has their own personality to unfold and stories to share, I am the conductor waving my baton in the right directions.

What do you like about your job?

Sometimes I ask, what’s not to love about my job? Working with stunning designs, colours and creations, let alone incredible projects that could not vary more in scale, history and architecture - really is a privilege. I have been lucky to work with some amazing clients that have been open minded and taken bold leaps of faith when it comes to being brave with colour. Every project is different from an Interior Consultancy project to a full end-to-end build, it’s a cliché but it's really the people that I enjoy working with most.

What are the challenges?

Designers have all faced delays, shortages and price increases, often driven by conditions beyond our control. I’ve learnt to focus on what I can influence. Day to day challenges can include access to the property, beams in the wrong places and a long list of anything and everything else! Sometimes I think people presume that interior designers wave samples of fabric in the air and skip around in their own self importance. However, it couldn’t be further from reality - a good interior designer’s character is gritty, adaptable and able to pivot quickly to respond in the moment, despite the glossy veneer.

What are some of your favourite looks?

I have to confess that I am currently in my element with the revival of colour in the home. Yes it's true, I went through a grey phase, trying to blend in and pretend that I was cool with the kids. However, I moved on and out of that era and more or less fell down an 80’s rabbit hole. Again, something I had to try included the scalloped blinds and frills. It brought a comfort of childhood and a sense of detail and polish to a scheme. Aside from that, other looks I am currently crushing are lots of layering of patterns, something I think is a strength of mine.

How do you manage a work life balance?

When you run your own business you are constantly juggling work and home life. A project can go through several stages of intensity at any one time, and you might have several projects on the go. I am a perfectionist and love what I do, so that can mean it's hard to know when to stop. However, as things are evolving in the world of work I think it's important to have conversations around this theme, to ensure we move towards a culture that recognises the impact on our health and wellbeing when we get the balance wrong.

What does a perfect day look like?

In the design world I think my perfect day is spent in my studio with the rain lashing down, a good radio programme on in the background and having the time to create designs. This can entail pulling out fabric swatches, colour cards, finishes and anything else, mostly sitting on the floor creating a mess. The magic happens like a jigsaw when you pull everything together to create the scheme. I love battening down the hatches to get cosy and go into my creative space.

Favourite material to work with, and why?

I love fabric, it’s the greatest material to work with and predominantly one of my strengths when it comes to design. Combine it with colour and the possibilities are endless – whether in pattern, scale or texture, anything and everything can come together to create the story. Fabric has the ability to add softness, drama, darkness or interest – it’s a versatile medium that I can instinctively look at and know what’s going to be right for my client, and right for their project.

What’s next for Charlotte Stuart Interiors?

I was delighted to win an award from Luxe Life Homes & Gardens, in recognition of our Interior Consultancy service which provides the answers and quick solutions to design projects led by the client, without the need for a full Interior Design Service. As a small creative business we are always looking ahead, it’s never standing still and whenever our long list of goals are ticked off,