annabel smith INTERIORS

 

Local mum Annabel Smith grew up in Taplow and came back
to this area just over 18 months ago after living in London for
15 years and Thailand for 24 months. She has a five-year-old
son and a two-year-old daughter. Annabel has recently set
up her own interiors styling and design company and shop...

 

Before moving back to the area, Annabel lived in London for 15 years, and was an interiors magazine shoot stylist and shopping editor. 

   Annabel always wanted to work in interior design. 'I used to draw floor plans of my bedroom when I was little. And I was always re-arranging the furniture!' she tells me. 'I originally wanted to be an architect but someone told me I had
to do Physics A level, which put me off. So I studied French and Politics at uni (highly relevant!), had a year paying off my student loans as a PA at Goldman Sachs and then finally bit the bullet, sent off a load of style/looks boards to the interiors magazines and got lined up for (unpaid!) work experience. But with a little tenacity, I managed to convince them I was indispensable (ie I made lots of cups of tea) and got a paid job at House & Garden.'

   Annabel was PA to the Editor and worked her way up to Assistant Decoration Editor. She then moved on to be Decorating Editor at Homes & Gardens. 'I was Style Director at Livingetc. magazine when I left to have my family,' she says.

   Putting looks together for readers must result in encyclopaedic knowledge from constantly sourcing homewares from retailers, specialist suppliers and designer makers. 'Magazines have to continually evolve and my job was a constant quest for original, unusual, stylish products and thinking up both practical and beautiful decorating ideas,' Annabel says. 

    After having a family, Annabel knew it would mean big changes. 'Shooting room sets until late into the evening and attending press events was never going to work as a full-time option with two little ones at home and my husband also working fairly demanding hours in London,' she says. 'I kept being asked for interiors advice and I also needed an online hub for my portfolio of magazine styling work – so this has since morphed into a full interiors styling and design offering all detailed online. I have always wanted to run my own business and now I am!

   'I have been keen to start working again for a while – both to earn some pennies but also to revisit my creativity. I did up our London flat while my son was a baby, then moved to Bangkok for two years where there is endless visual inspiration, so that side of my brain has been stimulated and kept in check, but great to be back putting looks together for clients surrounded by fabric swatches and paint samples. 

   'I'm not an interior architect,' she continues. 'In fact, I sometimes work alongside clients' architects, but I know how to assemble a great room scheme.
I am led by the clients' needs and style favourites, but I consider myself quite adaptable as I have worked for publications at the more traditional end of the market, as well as those more focused on modern looks and styling. Generally,
I like to mix it up though.'

   Annabel gets a lot of her inspiration from travelling – both in the British Isles and abroad. So what's the best decorated place you've ever been to? I ask. Annabel says: 'For atmosphere, wonderful exoticism or sheer decadence, these three hotels are hard to beat: Tigmi or Riad 72 in Marrakech, Rawla Narlai in Rajasthan and Crillon Le Brave in the South of France. And pretty much any room decorated by Ilse Crawford is stunning – see for yourself at The Olde Bell in Hurley.

   'Ilse Crawford is my idol. Paola Navone is another. Anything she creates for any of the big European and, in particular, Italian design houses – Gervasoni, Reichenbach, Lando – is stunning. She has recently completed the Point Yamu hotel in Phuket, Thailand, showcasing many of her designs. Her philosophy of combining traditional handicraft with modern design in both product and interior schemes is something I very much admire and like to include in my design schemes for clients.

   'I read a lot of foreign design magazines and keep myself well informed of
new product ranges and launches from the most directional design houses and retailers,' Annabel continues. 'I am also very much inspired by fashion as so many looks translate into beautiful, stylish interiors that will last.'

 

Annabel Smith Interiors has just launched a shop selling all sorts of eclectic homewares – new, vintage, modern, classic, plus lots of exclusive ceramics and framed textiles from Thailand. Annabel is also offering 'Room Recipes' (room design scheme boards) alongside the decorative home accessories and gifts. If you 'Like' her Facebook page, she can provide you with regular interior styling and design tips, new products in store, plus offers and promotions. https://www.facebook.com/annabelsmithinteriors/

 

   

For more info visit 
Email ideas@annabelsmithinteriors.com