She Came in for a Console.
She Left Planning an Entire Home.

In Conversation with Andrei Lee

Q. Tell us about the project. Where did it start?

This was a high-end residential project in Walton-on-Thames, Surrey. Nedelia had purchased from us before for her previous house, so there was already a level of trust there. She came in thinking she needed a console table to use as hallway furniture, nothing more. But once we started talking, it became clear she had much bigger plans. Within that first appointment, we'd gone from one piece of furniture to redesigning the entire living room, hallway, and kitchen. Then we added a vanity, a master bedroom wardrobe... it snowballed in the best possible way.

Q. What was the design brief?

So the client is incredibly particular but in the best sense. Everything had to be clean, minimal, and very precise. She didn't want clutter or unnecessary ornamentation, but she also didn't want the space to feel cold. So we focused on texture: fluted cabinetry, book-matched stone, hand-tufted rugs, Glamora wallpapers with that beautiful japandi aesthetic. The palette stayed neutral - soft greys, warm whites, natural oak - but the layering gave it depth and interest.

Q. The kitchen is quite compact, yet it feels anything but. How did you achieve that?

Small kitchens are always slightly more technical, but that's where good design earns its keep. We used bespoke joinery to maximise every inch of storage, then added fluted detailing to the island to give it presence without bulk. The backlit onyx splashback was key - it draws the eye upward and creates this sense of expansiveness. Integrated Gaggenau and V-Zug appliances kept the lines clean, and the mix of timber veneer and smoked glass cabinetry added warmth without closing the space in.

Q. Were there any challenges along the way?

Honestly, it was remarkably smooth. The main challenge - if you can call it that - was simply getting to know the client well enough to anticipate what she'd love before she even knew she wanted it. But that's the best part of this process. Once you understand someone's taste and how they live, you can start proposing pieces they hadn't considered. She ended up investing in things she didn't even realise she needed - and loving them.

Q. Which brands did you work with?

We used a mix of Italian and European makers. The Milos table is by Gamma, the Max dining table and chairs by Italforma, the Alma TV unit and Auri desk also by Italforma. The Ceuta console is by Laskasas, the Miss Tondo and Visual mirrors by Porada and Sovet. For seating, we brought in the Vincent sofa from Gamma & Dandy, the Megan armchair by Domkapa, and the Daunia sofa by Franco Ferri. The Clip bed is by Ditre Italia, and we added the Hyper sideboard by AL2. All some of our best brands and everything was chosen to work together tonally, nothing shouts, but nothing disappears either.

Q. What are you most pleased with?

The kitchen and the hallway, without question. The modern kitchen performs beautifully despite its size, and the hallway sets the tone for the entire home. That Glamora wallpaper, the fluted joinery, the oversized mirrors, it's the first thing you see when you walk in, and it tells you everything you need to know about the rest of the house.

Q. Any advice for clients embarking on a similar project?

Trust the process. And be open to the conversation. Nedelia came in for one thing and left with a full-home transformation, not because we pushed her, but because we listened, and she trusted us to guide her. The best projects always start with a conversation, not a shopping list.

Clear Your Diary

People rarely just "pop in" to FCI.
Exploring 30,000 sq ft of design excellence takes hours, if not days.

You will uncover the very best of European design - hidden gems we’ve spent years hunting down that are simply not available elsewhere in the UK. Because looking for the extraordinary is our passion.

Wander through galleries of sumptuous leather sofas that demand to be sat on, dining tables that look like sculpture, and bedroom suites so beautiful you’ll want to hibernate.

From the grandest chandelier to the smallest accessory, every single piece has been chosen to stop you in your tracks.

So, expect a delicious Italian coffee (or a glass of bubbly) while you explore.
We promise it’s worth the trip.

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