Just the two of us
In honour of International Women’s Day, I thought as a design studio duo made up of women that we should have a little moment about us. Amongst designing/running projects, being mothers and wives, both Vanessa and I are guilty of forgetting how far we have come. So, this is my nod to you Vanessa! The Fernandes of ‘FD’, my partner in crime and design, and to our little studio, Consult by FD. Happy to mark and celebrate another #IWD with you.
Read below for a little more insight on the two of us.
Vanessa and I first met at an Interior Design brand that we used to work for - roughly about 20 years ago now. We hit it off instantly and no matter how many times the office was rejigged and changed around, we always found our way back to each other. Sharing many moments together, there has always been a general understanding, respect and most importantly an aligned sense of humour. Being stranded at Munich Airport because we had return flights booked for the completely wrong month has got to be one of our faves!
Close up: Vanessa
“Always leave a place better than you found it”
Loves? The endless possibilities of a floor plan
Hates? Using the ‘big light’
I cut my teeth within the design industry working in high-end corporate and hospitality projects. Not long after, I started as an assistant furniture designer for Designers Guild (where I met, and annoyed, my now business partner Fiona).
My time at DG captured the many aspects of a retail interior brand from prototyping and launching handmade furniture, designing, renovating and installing exhibitions and showrooms and LOTS more in between. My role involved lots of travel to some lovely destinations but probably my most favourite perk were my furniture trips to Italy where I was introduced to real Italian food! I later worked for Seen Displays and directed the design, production and installation of Nike Campaigns and Pop Up events. That time was a huge learning curve in my career as I had never worked for an agency in a design capacity, and it’s not for the faint of heart!
As for my own personal tastes, they’re still evolving. I still work closely with Tricia Guild OBE, on the design and installation of her own homes and I can’t argue that I haven’t been influenced! She manages to create dynamic spaces that are eclectic and decorative without feeling cluttered.
I have been fortunate to have worked on a breadth of different projects, all with their own value and purpose in some form. It would be impossible to include, in only this snippet, all that I have learned and accomplished as a Designer in the last sixteen years. I am very excited about the future of our interior design studio. We have made great strides in some challenging times and there really is no stopping us now!
Close up: Fiona
“Still trusting ‘that feeling’ - it hasn't failed me yet”
Loves: Contemporary interiors
Hates: Lack of context
I knew from quite a young age that I wanted to work in the World of Design. With creative parents and the will to learn and be inspired by my surroundings, I have nurtured a passion for interiors over 20+ years. After completing my studies exploring various design disciplines, I finally decided on Interiors and haven’t looked back.
During my training, I have worked with some industry giants such as John Lewis, House and Garden, The World of Interiors, Capellini and other popular brands under the Designers Guild cohort where I spent 15 years of my career. A journey that will always remain close to my heart as this is where I met my friend and business partner Vanessa. Together, we have travelled the world, designing, installing spaces and developing design concepts in some fabulous (and not so fabulous!) locations - all whilst soaking up every opportunity to be inspired and take home a treasure trove of ideas ready for the next project. It is this discipline that we have carried over into our own studio alongide a constant eagerness to learn and be open to new things. This is the driving force behind our designs.
I freelanced for a couple of years after leaving Designers Guild, working on more conceptual projects for John Lewis, V&A East and Sky through my contract and voluntary work with Badu, a community led organisation close to my heart. Regardless of what I am working on, my passion for transforming real life homes and people focused spaces was where I always knew I wanted to be. It’s very rewarding being able to see the spaces you’ve designed being used and enjoyed by the people you designed it for.
My personal tastes and styles tend to sway back and forth, but the most reoccurring style for me is contemporary interiors. I love how it travels well through the ages all whilst retaining it’s relevance no matter how long ago it was designed. I am not trend led at all, as I see the value in longevity and I just love an organically evolving space. I would love one day to make a film about a design house... vague but it’s still very much in development in the deepest pits of my overactive mind.
Photo Credits: Joel Kga Photography and Videography
Although we are a small studio of two, we are inspired everyday by other women in the creative industry and very much feel a part of a community even though some of the following women we have never met. Alongside our own studio, see who else we are also cheerleading for!
@loudarchitects @keeartists @copperdustldn @kfiszerfoto @studioenass @studio.arva @happihabitat @blythe.bruckner.art @kayleighyoung.studio @alicevinefloraldesign @ugonnahosten @lunainthewild_ @arthousecollector and many, many more. We see you!
#IWD #inspireinclusion #IWD2024
