On the eve of the interior design ‘fiesta’, we talk to Sophie Coller, Managing Director at Kitesgrove.
Kitesgrove is a relatively new name in the industry. How did it begin?
“Kitesgrove was founded by William Yerburgh in 2013 and is now headed up by myself and Sophie Elborne, our Creative Director. We’re based in Chelsea and have grown fairly quickly but steadily and now employ a team of eight.”
What is your USP?
“Kitesgrove creates intelligently designed spaces, which celebrate longevity over short lived wow factor. We offer a turnkey service including in-house project management, from the planning right through to the pillows.
How would you describe the style at Kitesgrove?
“We create comfortable, livable spaces and like to mix design from the past and present. Our interiors have a layered aesthetic incorporating texture, colour and tone, drawing from many eras with an eclectic mix of art, antiques and bespoke pieces. We want the end result to look and feel like a home that has evolved over time, driven by how our clients live”
What are you working on now?
“We’ve just completed a penthouse in Knightsbridge and a beautiful family home in Chelsea. We’re also working on a townhouse in Notting Hill and period property in Cambridge”
Are there any particular brands you use frequently?
“We never produce what I call a ‘samey’ look and we don’t roll out a tried and tested style across our diverse projects. Each one is extremely individual to us and tailored to the client. We tend to favour English brands, such as The New Craftsmen, Sebastian Cox, Holland & Sherry, Soane and Cox London to name a few, but we source pieces from round the world and Sophie Elborne loves nothing more than trawling antique markets.”
How do you think Brexit will affect us in the next year or so?
“I think people will remain cautious and there is a lot of uncertainly so it’s hard to predict. I do think, however, that strong and focused brands, which don’t compromise, will find unique opportunities and continue to strengthen and grow.”
Are you taking part in any of the upcoming shows and events this season?
“In recent months we put a lot of focus and energy into designing the lecture theatre for Masterpiece. We were thrilled to be invited to collaborate with such a prestigious fair and it opened a lot of new doors for us. That said, Sophie Elborne has been invited to take part in a panel discussion at Decorex, entitled “Bespoke: How to guarantee original design for every project” on September 17th.
Learn more at kitesgrove.com.
Photography by Mark Bolton
