The team at Olivia Alexandra Interior Design strive to create luxurious, yet liveable, residences and strive to deliver exceptionally high, personalised levels of service – values which lie at the very heart of our business. Whilst our main focus is exceptional interior design and interior architecture, we are able to offer our clients a complete turnkey solution from conception through to completion. Lead by head of design Olivia Cartwright, our team of talented interior designers each bring their own multi-faceted experiences and backgrounds to the practise, which in turn allows us to deliver a truly personalised and considered service.

1. Could you tell us how your journey into interior design started?

After gaining my degree in Modern Languages, I studied interior architecture at the wonderful Inchbald School of Design. From there I interned for and worked at some fantastic design studios around central London. Growing up in various places, including Mallorca, has inspired a lot of my work. However, above all else I am driven by my intrinsic desire to make a house a home, a place where special memories are made and where life naturally evolves.

2. Do you think there has been a defining moment in your career?

I suppose winning my first solo project has to be up there! I was still working for a studio but was feeling disheartened and unchallenged when I was approached to design a couple of rooms for a member’s club in Chelsea and the rest is history!

3. What do you think is the key to a successful interior design? And in your business in general?

The key to successful interior design is understanding your client, the brief and the budget. Those three things vary wildly from project to project so it is so important to get a solid grasp on them before the projects kicks off in full swing, as they really do dictate the whole trajectory of the project.

For me the most integral part of a project is getting to know your clients and understanding exactly what is it that they want from their new home. We usually start with an in-depth client questionnaire, which we ask the clients to take time over and to consider each question carefully. We use the answers to this as the starting point for the concept stage of a project. It is the feedback from the concept presentation which we use to progress on to the detailed design phase. This is where we really deep-dive into the nitty gritty of the design as a whole. When it comes to colour schemes often clients will have pieces of artwork which they would like to incorporate into the room so this often serves as a point of inspiration also.

5. How would you define your signature style? Do you have “a mantra” that encapsulates your taste in design?

I find it difficult to define the studios signature style as we try and be as open minded and as broad as possible, as no two clients or tow projects are the same. My main focus across all our projects is to design spaces that are not only aesthetically pleasing but also comfortable and functional. I really believe that if you tick these three boxes you’re well on you way to creating a home that is built to last.

6. What are your 3 favorite pieces from the Philia Collection?

This is a tricky question as I really love everything! Everything is so beautiful and the online shop is so wonderfully curated.

7.  Could you tell us about one of the favorite projects that you worked on?

I was asked to design four penthouses in Soho concurrently. The client was a developer, and the team were so lovely and such a joy to work with. It was so fun exploring the different identities that each apartment would adopt and really challenged us creatively.

8. If you could pick one interior design tip that is important to you, what would it be? 

Try hard not to follow trends. Trust your gut instinct, if you think something isn’t going to work then it most likely won’t.

9. What was the best advice you have received in your path?

Do what you love and love what you do! It can all get stressful at times, especially when the pressure is on to deliver but it’s always good to take a step back and take stock of why you entered this industry in the first place.

10. What would be your advice to beginner interior designers?

My advice would be to gain as much on the job experience as possible. Spend time doing it all and spend more time doing the elements you really don’t like. Take stock of all the mistakes you make and learn from them. In the early days I used to make notes of all the mistakes I made in a notebook so they would really stick in my head! Nobody is perfect at the end of the day! If you are unsure about something, a measurement or the scale of something for example, then always ask the supplier for advice, they are experts in their field.

11. What was one of the hardest learned lessons in your journey?

It is all about the resolution. Interior design is full of problem solving and logistics. There are so many moving parts and components involved in bringing a project to completion that there are bound to be problems along the way. It is how you deal with these problems and move on that’s important.

Thank you so much Olivia, for this lovely interview!