IN CONVERSATION WITH: DIRECTOR, HARRIET KNOWLTON_
AT HOME WITH A.LONDON | June 2024
At A.LONDON, we take immense pride in our exceptional team, whose collaborative efforts continually enhance our portfolio, creating projects throughout the city that embody unparalleled creativity and an unwavering ethos.
Harriet Knowlton, our esteemed Director, has been a pivotal part of A.LONDON for a number of years, contributing significantly to numerous successful UK projects.
Following her initial 'In Conversation With' feature during her time as a Senior Interior Designer in 2020, we are delighted to reintroduce Harriet as she shares insights into her daily schedule in her current role as Director.
Discover more about Harriet, her design journey, her favourite project, and what actually inspires an interior designer in today’s over-saturated world…
Hi Harriet! It's been 4 years since your last In Conversation With, fill us in with what you have been up to…
I have been all over the place!!! We’ve been developing Bazaar over the past couple of years, an online shop where you can purchase the pieces that have been designed in-house by our design team. Every piece is made to order and fully customisable so it gives our customers the flexibility of being able to have something really unique to them, knowing they’re getting a quality product that will last and become a future heirloom. I have also been working on some fun show-homes which are launching later on this year as well.
What do you love most about working with A.LONDON?
Working with some really great people. I couldn’t ask for nicer colleagues and it really makes all the difference.
What’s my favourite part of a project?
Sourcing for cool, quirky one off pieces. I recently went to Kempton markets to shop for styling pieces and found some really great things. I love being able to add character to project, especially when a a lot of the projects are in new builds. Having some individual pieces that add depth and history is something i always try to do.
What are your current favourite sources of inspiration for your designs?
YSG Studio are my absolute favourite at the moment. The Studio is based in Sydney, Australia and was Founded by Yasmine Saleh Ghoniem in 2020. Yasmine grew up with an Egyptian father and Australian mother, she lived in the Middle East for the early years of her life and studied Interior Design in America. Her mix of cultures and experience is something that I think makes her project’s so unique and special. The textures, rich colours and patterns in the materials she uses really layer up every room to create such a harmonious scheme. I find all of her projects really inspiring.
What should we be looking out for from A.LONDON?
We’ve been busy working on a number of projects recently, a couple of private client projects which I’m really excited about, one with a really fun powder room, because who doesn’t love a fun powder room. We’re using a textured, dark wallpaper with a feathered fan effect - keep your eye out for that.
We also have a couple of exciting show homes in the works. We’re at the design development stage of these and it’s been really refreshing working with developers who are willing to push the boundaries with design and make some fun, bold choices.
Lastly, what advice would you give to your younger self when you were just starting out in the industry?
Go into everything with an open mind and soak up as much as you can from the people around you, being your peers, suppliers, contractors etc. There’s so much to learn from people and most people want to pass on their knowledge.
Get to know Harriet a little more…
Name your top Hotel anywhere in the world. What makes it so special?
My favourite hotel at the moment is actually in Paris, La Fantasie. I stayed there a month or so ago after discovering it when I was out in January for the Maison&Objet show.
It’s been designed by the iconic, Swedish interior design Martin Brudnizki. The design was inspired by French, secret gardens. It’s colourful, eclectic and just really cool.
There is a restaurant and cafe there too if you just want to go and see the interiors, I recommend the freshly baked cakes in the cafe.
Top 3 dinner guests?
Jeremy Clarkson, Victoria Beckham and Khloe Kardashian.
What is a fun fact about you that no one would expect/not many people know?
I have a human dog.
Where is your favourite place in the world (can be a hotel, restaurant, bar, outdoor area etc), and has it inspired your designs?
A beach on the coast of Athens. It’s a really quiet, tranquil beach with a small island you can swim to. It doesn’t specifically inspire my designs but it allows me to switch off from the busy day to day life and reset which I think is really important.
Contact the A.LONDON team today
You can find Harriet, and the rest of the A.LONDON team at our London Studio at Mortimer House, 37-41 Mortimer Street, Fitzrovia, W1T 3JH.