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.
CREATIVE BRAND STORYTELLING
A Conversation with Gloria Gonzalez by Georgina Wood
Georgina Wood and Gloria Gonzalez, met to talk about the crossover between Spanish and English design and what's inspiring Gloria these days.
I first met Gloria while working on the Bonadea project, a collaboration that brought together several creative minds, each contributing something different to the whole creative process. I was brought in to lead the interior design, while Gloria was working on the brand's visual identity and storytelling, to realise Gemma's ultimate vision for her store's concept. Gloria and I both have synergy in that we look to history in order to inform the creative present.
As a London-based interiors writer and creative consultant working across design, craftsmanship and brand storytelling, Gloria brings a rare combination of intellectual rigour and genuine warmth to everything she touches. Her work sits at the intersection of culture, making and place, and that's precisely what drew me to her voice. I hope you enjoy getting to know her and what she does a little better through this conversation, she's a true genius in what she does and it's always a pleasure to work alongside her.
YOU GREW UP IN SPAIN AND ENDED UP IN LONDON'S INTERIORS WORLD, HOW DID THAT JOURNEY UNFOLD?
Moving to London was meant to be temporary. My initial plan was to come for a few months, improve my English, and then return to Spain. But thirteen years later, I’m still here. London has a way of drawing you in, creatively and professionally, and over time the city’s design scene became a natural part of my life and work.
YOUR MASTER'S IN ART HISTORY FEELS CENTRAL TO HOW YOU LOOK AT INTERIORS. HOW DOES THAT ACADEMIC GROUNDING SHOW UP IN YOUR WORK, DAY TO DAY?
Art History gave me a sensibility for detail and context. It taught me to look closely, to ask questions, and to understand how objects and spaces relate to history, culture, and craftsmanship. It also nurtured my love of research. Day to day, that curiosity is always present, whether I’m looking at a piece of furniture, a textile, or an interior. I’m always wondering about where it comes from, who made it, and the story behind it.
WHAT SIMILARITIES ARE THERE BEWTEEN SPANISH AND ENGLISH
Both cultures have a long tradition of craftsmanship and decorative heritage, although they express it in slightly different ways.
What I find fascinating today is how much these traditions overlap and influence one another. Design has become increasingly global, and the differences feel smaller than they once did. It’s not unusual to see a traditional British kitchen with a Spanish lebrillo on the wall, or homes in Spain inspired by English decorating with chintz fabrics, layered textiles and that sense of comfortable eclecticism.
COLOUR SEEMS TO BE A SIGNATURE OF YOURS. WHERE DOES THAT FEARLESSNESS COME FROM?
I think it has developed over time. I find colour far more interesting and expressive than neutrals. Colour allows you to be playful and creative, and it has an incredible ability to shift the mood of a space.
Life can feel quite grey at times, so colour becomes a way of bringing energy, warmth, and optimism into everyday surroundings.
IF SOMEONE ASKED YOU TO NAME ONE OBJECT THAT PERFECTLY ENCAPSULATES YOUR AESTHETIC, WHAT WOULD IT BE?
A patterned textile or cushion. Textiles instantly bring colour, warmth, and personality into a room, and they often carry stories of craft traditions and travel, which is something that has always shaped the way I decorate.
BONADEA WAS WHERE WE FIRST MET. CAN YOU TALK ABOUT WHAT THAT PROJECT MEANT TO YOU AND WHAT YOU ENJOY MOST ABOUT THE SPACE?
I met Bonadea’s founder, Gemma, shortly after she launched the company. I’ve always admired her impeccable taste, deep knowledge of tableware, and clear vision for the brand. I have very fond memories of the years I worked with her and opening the shop was such a learning curve for us all. The transformation of the space was absolutely incredible, it’s hard to believe it was just a white box when I first visited. Even now, whenever I return, I’m struck by how beautifully it reflects the spirit of the brand.
There are so many details I love, but the intricate plaster ceiling by Locker & Riley is extraordinary, and the Garden Room is a true jewel box, wrapped in exquisite Fromental wallpaper. Honestly, I’d happily live in there!
THERE'S A REAL CULTURE OF CRAFT IN BOTH SPAIN AND ENGLAND, EMBROIDERY, CERAMICS AND JOINERY. ARE THERE PARTICULAR TRADITIONS FROM EITHER COUNTRY THAT FEEL ESPECIALLY ALIVE TO YOU RIGHT NOW?
I’ve always been drawn to the Arts and Crafts movement and the way its values continue to influence British interiors today, the appreciation of materials, craftsmanship, and thoughtful making.
From Spain, it has to be ceramics. They’re such a central part of our cultural identity, particularly in the south. Sadly, many traditional workshops have disappeared over time, but I’m noticing a renewed interest in ceramic craft. Younger makers are reinterpreting traditional techniques in ways that feel contemporary and relevant for modern living, which I find incredibly exciting.
FINALLY, WHAT'S INSPIRING YOU RIGHT NOW? WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING AT, READING, OR VISITING?
A few months ago, I became one of the ambassadors for Leighton House as part of the celebration of its 100th anniversary. Although it’s a place I had visited several times before, this role has given me the opportunity to rediscover the house and the work of Sir Frederic Leighton in a deeper way. It’s an endlessly inspiring space, and every time I visit I notice something new, whether it’s a colour combination, a tile, or a detail in a painting. I’m also fascinated by the wider Holland Park circle of artists that surrounded Leighton, which adds another layer of richness to the story of the house.
Gloria, thank you for sharing your world with us and for reminding us that history, stories, craft and colour matter in interiors and in life.
Georgina xx