Fiona Watkins Design: Combining elegance and luxury

Fiona Watkins Design blends a variety of styles, always with a keen focus on how space influences well-being. They believe that every design, whether for a country house or a city apartment, should truly reflect the client's lifestyle and needs. Bringing a unique perspective to each project, they balance elegance, scale, and luxury with a touch of European design from Fiona’s time living in Holland. This approach, combined with a deep understanding of each client's vision, ensures that every project is distinctive and personalised.

At Fiona Watkins Design, collaboration is at the heart of every project. Working closely with clients, architects, and skilled craftsmen, they bring each vision to life with a unique blend of style and function. Their diverse portfolio includes everything from complete home renovations to single room makeovers, each crafted to enhance the quality of life for their clients. Their dedication and attention to detail ensure that every project is a true reflection of the client's vision and lifestyle, resulting in spaces that genuinely feel like home.

QUICK FIRE QUESTIONS

Key trends shaping 2024/25 interiors?
We welcome the interiors industry’s move toward a more eco-conscious culture, embracing the beauty of imperfection and multiplicity of natural materials; Think tactile wools and linen fabrics in earthy shades and tones; Weathered stone and raw wood; organic shapes and curved furniture drawing from natures inspiration, accented by warm metals.

We are currently loving colour drenching, utilising the same tone on tone colour all over in varying sheen levels. The effect is one of cocooning and soothing, making for a truly calming space. 

Where to spend on a project?
Fixed items that can’t easily be changed or replaced. The fabric of the building and environment is key and choosing natural materials will stand the test of time.

Where to save on a project?
If you are renovating, think about repurposing items you already have.  For example at one project we used kitchen cupboards as the doors on the bathroom vanity and simply painted them.  Visit local antiques fairs - there is always great finds and bargains for every style and taste.

Long term view - Do one room but do it properly, buying the best quality you can afford, rather than spreading out the budget too thinly, and making poor purchases on cheaper items.  I think it’s preferable to complete one room to the standard you want and then save and do the next space to the same standard because it will save money in the long run.

Favourite room to design, and why?
We love to design spaces where the family congregates, the heart of the home, whether it’s a kitchen sitting room or a living room.  It’s a challenge to ensure everyone’s needs are taken into account whilst creating a cohesive space for all.

Top lighting tip or trick?
Lighting plays a crucial role in the way we see and experience the spaces we occupy.  We love layering light, accentuating architectural details or creating a soft focus to add ambience by lighting the centre of a coffee table for example.  One of the cheapest and most effective things you can do is to add dimming, this gives you incredible control creating mood or task lighting at the turn of a dial or button.

Favourite Heathfield lamp?
Eden - with its dark hued moss and lichen textured base - organic form and metal detailing, topped with a linen shade it embodies everything I love. I have one in a favourite corner of my house; my kitchen window seat.

PROJECT HIGHLIGHT:
Villa Sapphire, Croatia

This luxury six-bedroom villa is located in a small fishing village in Brac Island, Croatia. With uninterrupted sea views and a harbour, restaurants, and cafes nearby, it is the perfect location for large groups of family and friends to visit.

Learn more about how Fiona Watkins Design achieved a luxurious scheme that blends in with the local area, drawing inspiration from the surrounding landscape and using local stone and materials for the color palette both inside and out.

DISCOVER THE PROJECT