Interiors should not be the product of ephemeral style trends, but of a client’s own personality and preference. Studio Clementine takes a collaborative approach, both between client and studio, and in terms of the many specialist skills and suppliers our designers bring to a project. We pride ourselves on listening to what people want and then surpassing expectations both creatively and in delivering a seamless, personal service.
PAST, PRESENT & FUTURE
Walton Wagner and Studio Clementine
A Conversation with Nick Walton and Georgina Wood.
Georgina Wood sat down with Nick Walton, founder and director of Walton Wagner. Together they discussed the past, present and future of the London development industry.
A good project manager can make all the difference to a project and to a client. The ability to coordinate between several different teams and communicate effectively is indispensable.
I've had the pleasure of working with some fantastic project managers over the years, Nick Walton and Jane Wagner in particular. Ever professional and direct, they're exceptional at what they do, which is reflected in the calibre of projects they work on.
Walton Wagner manages the delivery of high-end residential design, refurbishment and developments. Founded by Nick and Jane in 2010, the practice brings together over 50 years of combined experience in the residential development industry.
WHAT LED YOU TO START WALTON WAGNER?
Walton Wagner started 15 years ago in the summer of 2010. I was managing a large residential project on Grosvenor Crescent, and the professional team I was working with were consistently talking about Jane Wagner, so I thought I'd better meet her. It turns out we had very complementary skill sets, and so we decided to join forces.
We kept our existing projects until our first true collaboration, 20 Grosvenor Square, and we've gone from strength to strength since then. Jane's strengths lie in pre-construction, while mine are in post-construction, which has always worked well; however and crucially, we both share the same ethos on how a project should run.
HOW DO YOU SEE THE FUTURE OF DEVELOPMENT IN THE UK WITHIN THE CURRENT CLIMATE?
Technology has advanced remarkably, the development and quality of finishes available now, veneer finishes, for example, have come a long way. The way joinery can show four different materials on one door is fascinating and will continue to advance.
The Building Safety Act, which many are upset about, will actually be good for the industry because it prevents the race to the bottom on costs. Clients will need to commit to a full team early on to get planning permission, which actually gives them better cost certainty and project control. It may have been implemented badly, but long-term, I think it will work out well.
HOW HAVE YOU SEEN THE INDUSTRY CHANGE OVER OUR CAREER?
Disappointingly, there's been a real shift in people taking ownership and responsibility for their work. Design leads often feel the need to put all the risk on the contractor, which dumbs down the design intent. It stems from a race to the bottom for costs, with clients pushing risk downstream, ultimately leading to less aspirational quality and attention to detail.
The answer is understanding the value of skills behind a project, designers, project managers, QS's, architects, and the trades. The specialist trades ie the carpenters, joiners, marble fitters and decorators are especially important, as their work is what's visible in the final project.
When I started, the people I worked for had incredible attention to detail and gave us responsibility from a young age to deliver important projects. If I were starting now, I wouldn't be given that same level of responsibility I was then. By empowering us to get on with it and make mistakes, we learnt what's important, why it’s important and how to deliver it. It shows the value of an in-house team you can mould and mentor; many of us who were trained that way have gone on to set up successful businesses.
DO YOU HAVE AN ALL-TIME FAVOURITE PROJECT?
50 Upper Brook Street is definitely up there. It was very hard work, but the client gave Walton Wagner the responsibility to do what we do and was quite hands-off. I visited a year ago, and it still looks great, that was a fantastic project.
I also enjoyed our first project in Switzerland and those that followed. It was interesting to experience a different way of procuring and delivering high-end residential. Swiss craftsmanship and procurement differ from ours, so I learnt a lot from it.
We did a residential development scheme in St James for the Crown Estate, their first residential development for sale, and it was a huge success. Working within a listed envelope next door to the palace was incredible.
WHAT'S YOUR FAVOURITE PROJECT YOU WORKED ON WITH GEORGINA?
The Churchill Bar, because it was something different and had incredible attention to detail. You can't see any grills, yet you know it's air-conditioned and controlled. With the cigar lounge and bar, you've got the incredible history of the space, the joinery and furniture. It was our first commercial hospitality project, we're very much residential focussed which was the client brief for the Churchill Bar and since then we've done others since.
We also worked with Georgina on a project in Casson Square where the client needed a developer spec apartment transformed and fitted out with furniture and equipment for the rental market. Georgina worked closely with Walton Wagner to meet the client’s timetable and budget and delivered a finished spacious apartment that has been rented consistently ever since.
IS THERE SOMETHING ABOUT YOU THAT WOULD SURPRISE PEOPLE?
I rowed for England in my youth, and we were fortunate enough to win.
I also have an ambition to raise pigs and to be a pig farmer in the next five years, part-time of course until I retire, as I’m not going anywhere yet!
WHAT HAS BEEN THE HIGHLIGHT OF YOUR CAREER TO DATE?
Without a doubt, meeting my wife!
It's always a pleasure to work with Walton Wagner, their experience with London's most prestigious properties is indispensable, we always look forward to working together.
Thank you Nick for sharing your perspective and experience.
Georgina xx
