A family member has lived in a converted chapel building for several years now. When purchasing it we were treated to endless photographs of the floors, the walls, the ceiling . . . . and the windows. The chapel appealed to them because of the very beautiful old oak beams and floors throughout the original ground floor. There was an upstairs added in the 1970s which of course has modern plain floorboards the same as in a normal house. It was all going smoothy for the family, they moved in and loved every minute of living in this quirky place. As the chapel had originally had some sort of victorian fireplace and chimney that had been boarded over in the brutalist era of 1970s, the couple decided to have it checked in case it was viable to have a wood burning stove. They paid to have the fireplace checked thoughly and in went a stove at the same time as underfloor heating and aircon in the attached conservaory. Well somewhere in this operation their builder/contractor discovered a huge damp problem under most of the middle of the parquet flooring. It was so serious they had to lose all the parquet boards, have the source of the leak located and eradicated. Their builder was ecellent in his efforts to find modern day ‘parquet’ flooring. What they have is almost identical but in new modern protected oak material. The builder has made a fantastic job of laying each section absolutely perfectly; not a squiffy line or missed section and around the edge, it looks as organic as the previous flooring, no jarring ridged edges holding the new flooring to the old.

Parquet flooring is generally pretty durable but of course it is prone to scratches and dents, especially in areas designated high traffic, and care needs to be taken to protect the floor from damage. Well that is rather difficult unless you have endless resources to find appropriate rugs. A solid hardwood parquet floor has a life expectancy of around 30 – 50 years, with proper upkeep. This could be just sweeping regularly and refinishing the surface every few years which will extend the floor life quite substantially.

When someone has gone to the trouble of buying a plot of land, consulting an architect to draw up plans . . . .  there’s the challenge of getting those plans passed by the local town and buildings planning officers.   There are many and varied planning rules and the only way to get to on with such a project is to arrange for the architect to submit the plans to the local planning department for consideration or engage the services of a free lance planning officer who knows the ropes.   The design concept will of course include an element of interior design.  That is the most fun part of the new project – making the insides of the building as spacious and attractive as possible.

An interior designer will often be involved in a remodelling oif an existing property.   For example, often these days, a developer will buy an older bungalow in grounds that far exceed the footprint of a normal house.  This can lead to plans being drawn up for demolition of the one bungalow to be replaced by 2 houses.  Plenty of scope for interior design work in that bundle.  Engaging your own favourite designer has benefits if you’re in the business anyway, they will usually form part of the project team.  For a privateer, very often on a rebuild project, the architect or project manager will already have an interior designer in mind and it can often pay to retain that status quo – if they have worked well together on other projects.   There is that inbuilt understanding.

We all have different ideas about what we want in a house or home.  Many folk like the wide open plan look and relish the chance to knock down walls to create a huge spacious area that’s filled with light.  They generally have all the furniture or cabinets and kitchen furnishings around the edges, lining the walls, with maybe a dividing kitchen island or perhaps a feature fire place between the two room that were once separated.  Being able to describe an idea or plan and get it down on paper can be a challenge – being able to describe what’s required; so engaging the services of an interior designer is an excellent way to ensure that long held dream actually comes to fruition.  In so many cases, the prospect of designing the project and getting it priced up can be too daunting so the job gets partly done, to no one’s intire satisfaction, or it gets shelved altogether as too difficult or not worth the trouble.

An interior designer is trained to interpret all the excited and rambling ideas that a client comes up with – they have the ability to look at a room or space and visualise the end scheme and know what is needed to achieve that.  They will also be able to offer solutions to possible pitfalls and suggest alternatives if problems arise.  They will always make a better job of the design concept – they know what is involved in knocking down walls, or putting them up for that matter.  The fees can seem massive when first discussions take place, but the finished result may well come in under the first plan’s budget if the interior designer is engaged from the get-go!

When we see the phrase interior design, it can cover a wide assortment of projects.  In the UK it generally involves a professional interior designer who specialises in planning and designing of a whole house, or just the lower, living floor.  There are two or three august bodies such as the British Institute of Interior Design that set standards accross the industry for practice, conduct and training  Costs of course will vary very widely and are either per project, houry rates to fixed fees and percentage of total costings.  These costs will vary enormously .  The iterior deisgner themselves can be sought via social media or through the established route of checking industry standard handouts.

To get the best out of an interior design studio, it pays to know how it works in the UK.   Their scope would generally include planning the internal layout and decoration of various internal spaces, ranging from domestic homes to offices and public buildings.   Their sevices generally incude offering expertise in creating aestheticaly attractive, pleasing practical and functional areas that add value.

The fee structure can be just as varied, ranging from hourly rates, fixed project fees or a percentage of the overall project costs but in any case, the typical range should be between 5% and 20% of the total budget.   However, allowance must be made for contingencies and an additional 10-15% should be available for those unforeseen issues.

Every home tells a story, and no one understands this better than Designed By Woulfe. This acclaimed interior design studio, led by Brian Woulfe, is celebrated for creating beautifully balanced spaces that reflect the lives and personalities of those who live in them. Based in London, with a global portfolio, the studio brings a refined yet approachable aesthetic to both residential and commercial interiors.

What makes Designed By Woulfe so distinctive is its people-first philosophy. Rather than follow fleeting trends, the team invests time in getting to know each client, understanding how they live, and translating that into interiors that feel effortlessly personal. The result is a harmonious blend of style, comfort and individuality—spaces that feel truly lived-in, never over-styled.

From sleek urban flats to grand period homes, Designed By Woulfe tailors each project with precision. The studio has a particular talent for mixing modern design with classic architectural details, achieving interiors that are both timeless and fresh. Attention to proportion, lighting, and texture is evident in every room, with each detail considered and purposeful.

Sustainability also plays an important role in their work. Designed By Woulfe champions environmentally conscious design by selecting high-quality, ethical materials and working with skilled artisans who prioritise craftsmanship over mass production. This commitment to sustainability enhances the beauty and longevity of each project.

Collaboration is central to the studio’s approach. Whether working alongside architects, developers or private clients, Designed By Woulfe ensures a seamless design process from concept to completion. Their project management and procurement services allow clients to relax and enjoy the transformation of their space with confidence.

Over the years, Designed By Woulfe has earned recognition not only for its stunning interiors but also for its integrity and professionalism. Each project is a testament to the belief that great design should enrich daily life, offering a sense of comfort, luxury and connection.

For those seeking more than just a beautiful home—something that truly reflects who they are—Designed By Woulfe offers a deeply personal and thoughtful design experience. It’s not just about creating interiors; it’s about crafting spaces that feel like home.