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Meet the designer: Interiors, inspiration and lighting with Decorbuddi’s Laura

Interior Designer Laura, Decorbuddi


Our Leverint team hears from one of Decorbuddi’s leading ladies; Laura Finn. An interior designer and stylist, who initially started out studying surface pattern design at university. Fast forward to the present day and she’s planning, scheming and creating for clients in London and counties much further afield. From out of the prestigious interior design company Decorbuddi, Laura and 24 other buddies work independently designing residential projects, but behind the scenes they provide a terrific support system for one another.

We talk to her about inspiration, insight into the design world and review a special project our team and Decorbuddi have been working collaboratively on for quite some time..


Q1) Lovely to hear from you Laura and thank you for taking part in one of our first interior designer series. One of many we hope! Now we know from working together over the past few months how creative you are with designs and schemes, so we’d love to know where that passion and natural talent for interior design came about?

A) Thank you for having me! In actual fact I’ve always had a love for Interiors, from as far back as I can remember. From early memories of redecorating our family home; being excited by fabrics, wallpaper and design to studying surface pattern design at university, then continuing this love afterwards when I set up my first business designing wallpapers and fabrics. For me, there has always been a natural link between being a designer for interior products and interior design. When working with clients with my interior products collection, I found myself naturally helping them to create a design concept for a room. Working with a range of clients in their homes on specific decor projects over the years has allowed me to develop knowledge and a certain skillset in interior design. 



Q2) As lighting designers ourselves we all go on a type of journey to find our own niche and we learn and expand on it, what has inspired you on your interior design journey over the years?

A) The one aspect I love about design is the variety of styles and concepts the world of interiors has to offer. Even though I have my own personal style, I am very much inspired by a variety of design styles, alongside working with clients and their own influences. With my surface pattern design background, I’ve always been fascinated with the world of pattern and colour, how these relate to us individually, and how they can make us feel. The psychology behind these two aspects of design can influence how you feel about your home and and within it. This understanding of the impact of design on individual wellbeing has been such an important influence in my interior journey.

Interiors and photo credit: Decorbuddi Jessica Jones | Photography: Chris Snook

Q3) You work out of the the fabulous interior design company, Decorbuddi – how would you describe your role there?

A) Yes, I’m a Decorbuddi interior designer and I work with a variety of clients based in North London, Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire. Decorbuddi is a unique business which gives me the best of both worlds – the opportunity to run my own Decorbuddi interior design business and work in a team with like-minded colleagues and an HQ team supporting with consistent quality processes, administration and on-going professional development. We have a team of 25 Buddies working in and around London, surrounding counties and further afield. We work independently, yet behind the scenes we have a great rapport with each other; helping with ideas, advice, and support for our projects.



Q4) Do they have a specific style or theme they adhere do? Do they have any key elements they believe are essential when it comes to creating the perfect space?

A) The beauty of Decorbuddi is that there is no specific style or theme we work towards. Time and time again we see that creating an interior design that truly suits our client, absolutely transforms their quality of life. As a result, we focus on what will suit each individual client. This is an iterative process, involving working in close collaboration with our clients to create an interior outcome that achieves and goes beyond what they were looking for. Our skill is to contribute original design ideas that elevate the interior design and bring every element together for the best possible result. This team-based approach is key to our success. 

We not only work closely with our clients but have developed strong working relationships with specialist trade partners and, of-course, our Decorbuddi colleagues. Bouncing ideas and collaboratively pushing boundaries improves creativity, to achieve optimum results.

Interiors and photo credit: Decorbuddi Gill Hynes | Photography: KT1 Photography
Interiors and photo credit: Decorbuddi Amanda Delaney | Photography: KT1 Photography


Q5) Decorbuddi and our team have been working collectively on an incredible project together, could you tell us a little about the brief? Are there a few features that just stand out to you?

A) Our client has recently refurbished their new home. The project involved converting, renovating, and extending the property.  Our brief was to provide a sounding-board, providing ideas and advice throughout, whilst focusing on the interior design of specific areas that they were finding difficult to do on their own. For example, they wanted to create a wow-factor in the entrance space and hallway when family and friends walk through the door. The hallway is modern Georgian in style so we combined the traditional paneling, cornicing and architraves, with modern finishes and feature lighting to create a beautiful, balanced design that sat comfortably within the architectural context.

We have kept this whole space light, bright and airy with a neutral colour palette on the walls to balance the dark, herringbone wood flooring. To finish, this space will be styled with accents of jewel tones through statement furniture pieces to satisfy our client’s love for colour.

Interiors and photo credit: Decorbuddi Laura Finn
Interiors and photo credit: Decorbuddi Laura Finn

Q6) When it came to choosing lighting for this particular project, what about our services and products appealed to you and the Decorbuddi team?

A) Both my client and I were drawn to the bespoke service that Leverint Lighting offer, as we were looking for an original design and a very specific size. We knew we needed to work with a specialist who could help us to achieve that. The stairway spans over three floors and is an open space throughout. Our design concept required a spectacular focal feature that would work at every level and from every angle as people walk up and down this stairway. It needed to be treated like a piece of artwork. Leverint Lighting enabled us to achieve this.

The beautiful details of the Pimlico shade combined with the glass-blown element were also important considerations in our choice of Leverint Lighting. It is very special for my client to have such a bespoke, unique design that suited their Modern Georgian style so perfectly and suspended the scope of their hallway, and two landings. So your bespoke design service certainly helped with achieving all those requirements.

Interiors and photo credit: Decorbuddi Laura Finn


Q7) We often talk about how important our lighting is to us and our clients, it not only highlights a space but enhances and curates a focal point in which draws attention, starts conversations all that and more… looking at it from a designer’s perspective, how important would you say lighting is when it comes to your line of work? 

A) Lighting is a very important aspect of interior design. Expertly placed lighting can add another dimension to a space, bringing a project to life. Great lighting creates depth and height, cosy spots, and draws attention to your most impressive areas. It’s all about the balance of light and shade and bringing new energy to the interior. Plus, not forgetting that ambient lighting can add delicate layers of light whilst creating a statement in any room.



8) It’s been a pleasure living vicariously through your experience as a designer, we’ve loved hearing your insights and thank you so much for taking time out to feature on our blog! Finally we leave you with one final question… what is your favourite thing about being a designer?

A) My favourite thing hands down, is being able to help clients achieve and create their vision. I love forming connections with my clients and being their ‘Buddi’ along a journey that can be stressful and difficult when it comes to doing it by yourself. Working with individuals to draw out their ideas, helping with their confidence when it comes to designing a space, as well as seeing each client’s reaction to the finished design, is the best part of my job!

Interiors and photo credit: Decorbuddi Laura Finn

Follow Decorbuddi and Laura on Instagram: @decorbuddi @laurafinn_decorbuddi and for more of Decorbuddi’s striking projects and services, head on over to their website.