Egon Walesch

I believe that creating a home is one of the most exciting and fulfilling projects that any individual or family can undertake. As a designer, my role is to help you think about the space you have available in a new way.

I am an interior designer, working in the UK and Ireland, specialising in interior, garden and floral design, and full of enthusiasm for the way in which great design can transform people’s lives.

Creating the right space for YOU

Whether you want to create an intimate space for relaxation, an uplifting work environment, an area for entertaining, or a room that will make your friends say ‘wow’, I will help you to create something that’s right for you.

What I love about interior design is connecting with people – using my breadth of experience to translate their needs and style preferences into functional, beautiful spaces they love.

The starting point

I find inspiration in my clients’ taste and personalities as well as the architecture and history of the space. I make the design process fun and interactive for my diverse range of clients, cultivating fresh, functional modern spaces with a strong sense of character and style.

You may have treasured items you want to include. Or, perhaps, you have set your heart on that designer object. Alternatively, maybe you are starting with a blank sheet. Whatever the case, I’ll work with you to make sure that your new space truly feels like home.

Practicalities

The leap from drawing-board to reality is never easy. I will help to source the furniture and other elements that will bring your space to life. I know that budgets can easily be outstripped by creativity and will always suggest approaches in different price categories so you can keep control of your budget without compromising on style. When it comes to building the space, I can work with your favourite teams, or, if you prefer, can recommend builders, decorators and other workers in some parts of the UK and Ireland.

My style

I like to incorporate modern classics from the 1950s, ‘60s and ‘70s into my designs, simply because I love pieces that stand out for their beauty, quality and functionality. In many cases, the unfussy shapes of ‘mid century’ design fit all these criteria. Placing them in a new context, or against pieces from other periods, creates a dynamism that, to me, is timeless.

In terms of colour, I freely admit to being addicted to the Farrow and Ball paint range, not just for its variations on beige and grey, but also for its subtle, but intense, pinks, blues, greens and so on. Mixing patterns, forms and textures in a limited palette can result in a colour scheme that is interesting without being glaring.

Costs, timing and other considerations

While it’s impossible to say exactly how much it will cost to work with me on your project, some things will affect the cost. Bigger projects naturally cost more, but we can start very small – a single room, or even an area within a room, for example – and grow from there.

Timing is also difficult to predict, but you should count on an initial consultation, in which you can brief me on the project. This is without commitment and free of charge (though if you’re outside London I will ask you to cover my travel costs). The next step will be for me to come up with a ‘mood board’ for you; some ideas about your space and how you might develop it, including elements such as colour, room layout, textures and so on.

At that point, if you want to continue working with me, there will be a second consultation, followed by a detailed proposal. Measuring the space and drafting plans to scale will lead to Design Concepts for you to review. These will give you ideas for space configurations and furniture layout. Much of our communication during the project will take place by ‘phone or email, but we will have regular meetings (depending on the size of the project) to make sure things are moving in the right direction.

Each project is unique, but I would expect the next steps in the design process to be to agree the budget for the project and arrange and schedule contractors and tradespeople. I would then source and order furniture, fixtures and finishes. Following implementation, the final touches involve hanging art, accessorising and troubleshooting/snagging details.

Using an Interior Designer

New to working with a designer?

Working with a designer for the first time is both exciting and, maybe, a bit daunting. To help, I’ve created a short Q&A to try to answer some of the questions you might have in mind and to give you an idea of whether I’m right for you. Of course, you may have other questions – do feel free to get in touch using my contact details – I’ll be happy to answer your questions and comments.

Q  Why use an interior designer?

A  The decision to change something in your home is one of the biggest you’ll ever take. But it’s probable that most people will only move house or ‘redecorate’ a few times in their lives. That’s why it’s sensible to consult a designer. Interior designers bring many hundreds of hours of experience to projects and will ensure you can benefit from that depth of knowledge. While you might not have time in your busy day to do much more than flip through some interior magazines or websites, I can devote myself to researching your project. I hope, also, to be able to suggest new ideas, whether specific designers or outlets, room layouts, colours, or an overall approach.

Q  Why use Egon Walesch Design?

A  There are two reasons for using me to help you design your home. The first is because you like my ideas. You can see many of them reflected in the photography on this site. If you are interested in designing a particular room, please let me know; my work ranges from home office spaces to living rooms, bedrooms, dining rooms and kitchens to full house layout and design. I will be happy to share photographs and ideas with you.

The second reason for using me as a designer is because you like me and feel comfortable working with me! An interior designer is going to be a part of your and your family’s life for a few weeks, at least, during the project. For this reason, you need to feel absolutely happy working with me. I will do my best to create a warm, friendly, professional and open dialogue with you and to make sure you feel as confident as you do inspired.

Q  How big a project will you consider?

A  I am happy to take on interior design projects both big and small, from the design of a whole house and exterior to just a single room or even part of a room. Of course I will need to be pretty sure that you can get the space you want within the budget that you’ve got. Why not ask me about what you have in mind? With no obligation, I’ll gladly give you an estimated cost.

Q  Will I lose control of the project?

A  An interior design project is always a collaboration between the client and the designer. For that reason, you will always remain in charge. If there is something you don’t like, you are never obliged to use it. Conversely, if you’ve set your heart on including a particular element, that will naturally be done. In very rare cases, it might be that a client brings a list of requirements that I consider unfeasible: for example, they might want specific items of furniture for an unrealistic budget. In that case, it may be better for us not to work together. But in 99.9% of cases, we can work together to make your ideas and aspirations work out and to create a space that truly feels like home.

Q How much is it likely to cost?

A Bigger projects naturally cost more. Having said which, of course, we can start very small – a single room, or even an area within a room, for example – and grow from there. The only restriction is that I need to be able to cover my setup costs for the project.

Q I only have a very limited budget – can I still use you as a designer?

A Some of the greatest designs have been done for surprisingly low costs and having a limited budget can be good because it forces you to be creative and to think of novel ways to create the look and feel you want. I am happy to take on interior design projects both big and small, from the design of a whole house and exterior to just a single room or even part of a room. Why not ask me about what you have in mind? With no obligation, I’ll gladly give you an estimated cost. Contact me egon(Replace this parenthesis with the @ sign)egondesign.co.uk or use the contact form to discuss your requirements.