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.
MEET GEORGINA CLEMENTINE WOOD FOUNDER & CREATIVE DIRECTOR
In our first journal post, we sat down with Georgina, founder and creative director of Studio Clementine. Georgina shares her journey to Studio Clementine, her inspiration and her pearls of wisdom.
WHY INTERIOR DESIGN?
I have always loved colour, fabrics and drawing and at the age of sixteen, the thought of studying for A levels I just could not comprehend. What I did know is I wanted to study art and I found a spatial design course at Bournemouth Art College and my path in interiors was set.
WHAT'S YOUR PERSONAL STYLE IN YOUR OWN HOME?
People always assume designers live in these magazine perfect spaces, but my home is all about my family, warmth and soul. I love beautiful, subtle, earthy, and pastel tones throughout my own home, creating a calming palette and base for the rest of the house. I also love using textures within my home, tactile wools and velvets are complimented with moire silks.
I absolutely love incorporating family antiques, I find joy in making these pieces work within a contemporary space, it's about honouring the past while creating something personal. My nana's Persian rug which must be over 100 years old just brings me joy.
Whether you're a believer or a sceptic, there are undeniable truths about how the placement of furniture affects how we feel and interact with a space. The art of feng shui is quite powerful, and when followed, will balance the flow and energy of a space.
WHAT INSPIRES YOU?
Personally I love jewellery, fashion, history and colour and smell when in nature.
Inspiration can arrive in an instant, but sometimes the weight of history, whether tied to the client, building or location, requires us to refine the narrative. When designing a hotel in Soho, the story was clear, but I knew I had to push beyond the obvious to avoid something predictable. Instead, I crafted a design DNA that was genuinely original and beautiful.
DO YOU HAVE A FAVOURITE DESIGN TRICK THAT'S UNDERRATED?
You've probably heard this before, but it bears repeating, when in doubt, look to the past. I'm constantly amazed by how many tricky design decisions can be solved with a healthy dose of historical inspiration, especially if you're aiming to create a timeless space (as all spaces should be). Whether you're having difficulty looking for paint colours or the layout for a room, checking historical references will always yield answers. There's usually a very good reason why certain combinations have stood the test of time!
BEST PIECE OF ADVICE FOR ANYONE STARTING A PROJECT?
Start with the layout, always always, always! I know it's tempting to dive straight into the glamorous elements like colour schemes and gorgeous accessories, but these aspects won't make sense without considering the bones of the room first. You simply cannot choose a wall colour without understanding how your joinery and key furniture pieces will affect the light and flow of the space. There's a hierarchy to good design, and layout is your foundation which everything else comes back to.
WHAT'S YOUR VISION FOR STUDIO CLEMENTINE?
The name Studio Clementine comes from my own middle name, but it also perfectly captures my vision for the practice. Picture a clementine tree, small but perfectly formed, engaging all the senses through colour, texture, and the most incredible fragrance. Its strong roots stabilise and nourish the entire tree, allowing it to flourish. That's exactly how I see Studio Clementine growing, with each project as a little clementine a beautiful fruit of our collective efforts.
WHAT'S YOUR FAVOURITE PART OF THE DESIGN PROCESS?
Without a doubt, it's those magical early moments when I'm creating the vision and weaving together the story. Every space, whether residential or commercial, has a narrative waiting to be discovered and celebrated. My absolute favourite part is building that DNA that will flow through the entire project: getting to know my clients, understanding what they truly need from their space, and then figuring out how to transform their vision into reality.
YOU'RE BORN AND BRED IN LONDON, HOW DO YOU THINK THIS HAS INFLUENCED YOUR DESIGN PHILOSOPHY?
Growing up in London has been the most incredible gift. The city is layered with centuries of design history, everywhere you look, there's inspiration waiting to be discovered. Living amongst such varied and extraordinary architecture never gets old. When you really pay attention to London you start to notice the patterns that make up daily life here, and those rhythms naturally influence how I approach design. And if all else fails, London is a fantastic base for seeing the world, with Europe on our doorstep; it's like having the world's best design library right on your doorstep.