With 28 years of experience as an interior designer, Suzi Searle has built a career transforming properties across London and throughout the UK into beautifully considered, highly personal homes. Her approach goes beyond aesthetics, creating spaces that reflect each client’s personality, lifestyle and the way they truly want to live.
As a Brackenbury resident herself, Suzi brings a personal connection to the local community, as well as a wealth of experience and insight into the art of creating a home. We sit down with Suzi to talk all things interiors — from design inspiration and timeless style to the details that make a house feel like home.
About your approach
How would you describe your interior design style?
My personal style is ‘Modern eclectic’ but that’s because I’ve travelled to some amazing places and collected lots of treasures; especially textiles. My home had been an office and before that a corner shop in Brackenbury Village, so I gutted it and started again.
How do you get to know a client and understand their personal style?
We would have an initial chat perhaps on the phone or by email and then an introductory site visit to get some ideas going. Understanding how they need to use the property moving forward; perhaps the clients are going to start working from home or the children have just gone their own ways and the house is suddenly feeling empty and in need of a re-fresh for example. With regards to a client’s style, we particularly look at what they are wearing, because that gives you a good indication as to whether you can push the boundaries or keep things more traditional. We always like to try and push clients a little, but not so they feel uncomfortable as it’s their home and they have to love it.
What makes a space feel truly ‘finished’ to you?
Accessories every time; artwork, cushions, objects, rugs – but they have to be the right accessories, not just something to fill the gap from years gone by or something from their old property that will ‘just do’.
Trends & timeless design
Which interior trends are you loving right now?
More colour; let’s get away from grey. There is enough grey in the world at the moment, without it covering your home! ‘Drenching’ a room, which means head to toe in one colour including the ceiling. This can give a very warm feel to a room.
How do you balance current trends with timeless design?
Initial good design will last, for example a kitchen might need a repaint with new taps and appliances, but if it is well made and the layout is right it will last for many years.
What are some common misconceptions about styling a property for sale?
When viewing a property, it needs to look lived in but not cluttered and messy. So, declutter. Often people look at how a property is currently laid out as they don’t have the imagination to re-imagine and that’s where I come in! A bold statement piece in a property helps people remember it, whether it’s a piece of artwork when you walk through the door or a room painted a bright colour, which can easily be changed when you have moved in.
If you are selling a property that’s been rented out and now empty, make sure it’s immaculately clean including the carpets and windows and put one or two pieces of furniture in it. This might be a bed in the master bedroom but make sure it’s made up with white sheets, duvet and pillows as well. Perhaps one big armchair in the sitting room with a cushion and a large piece of artwork on a wall. This just gives a more homely feel.
Staging & selling
What’s one simple change that can instantly improve a room if you’re putting your home on the market?
Don’t spend lots of money in improving your home before selling; upgrading a bathroom for example, as people often then think you are trying to hide something.
However, always make sure the entrance is inviting. Do spend money on painting the front door, tidy up the front garden, paint the railings, repair any loose pavers, make sure the doorbell works, lighting works and the ironmongery is sparkling. This will give buyers a good impression before they have even walked through the front door.
How would you style a period conversion versus a new-build flat?
Be sympathetic to the space, but it’s very much listening to the client as well. A period home can have some beautiful antiques mixed with modern pieces, but you need to be careful. Give the antiques space to breathe and be admired. A new build doesn’t automatically have to have modern furniture. You may have one or two exceptional antique pieces and these can look wonderful in a modern space if lit correctly and given room as I said earlier.
Adding Value
Are there any low-cost changes that make a noticeable difference to how a property might show if someone is thinking of selling their property?
We have already mentioned de-cluttering but make sure it’s clean and tidy too. If carpets are worn or marked, at least get them cleaned or perhaps replaced if they are really worn in very visible areas such as the stair treads. Remove mould and limescale from showers, silicone and sinks. Change any lightbulbs that are not working and use warm white. Make sure the property looks well maintained as that gives a good impression of a property having been well looked after in the past.
How can people make a space feel more luxurious without spending a fortune?
Good quality, well considered accessories that tie in with the room scheme and some room scent make all the difference.
Local flavour
Given how much of your work is in the local area, have you noticed any local trends — period conversions, small-space flats, particular tastes in the area?
I love cycling and walking around the area, so spotting modern buildings wedged in between Victorian. It gives the area a more eclectic feel. Having said this, they are few and far between as there is not much space for new builds in this area.
I’m very glad the basement dig outs seem to have gone out of favour; we weren’t designed to live underground!
Any recent local projects that you have worked on recently that you could mention? (even briefly!)
I’m always discreet and can’t mention names or locations, but we recently worked on a penthouse maisonette in Fulham for clients that live overseas. The previous roof conversion had been such a ‘bodge up’ that we ended up removing everything down to the brickwork and 3 beams and starting again. The result was amazing with over height doors and a view across to the Shard. The clients took everything in their stride and were a joy to work with.
And finally...
What’s the one piece of advice you’d love every homeowner to know before they start their next interior project?
Don’t jump into it the minute you take possession. Get a feel for the space. Of course there will be obvious changes that you wish to make, but then other good ideas you had not envisioned, which is often where I come in. Make sure you create a very detailed specification/tender document for the builders to price. Specify the light switches you wish to use, supply bathroom and kitchen layouts, lighting plans, floor finishes. Specify the size of tiles in bathrooms and list of fittings. The more details you can supply before the tender goes out the more concrete the price will be on day one and the only extras you should have will be things like rotten beams for example that can’t be assessed until the rip out happens.
To find out more visit Suzi’s website at www.suzisearleinteriors.com or follow on Instagram @suzisearleinteriors.
