freelance
interior designer
Chrissie Fairlamb Interior Design - 2007 Designer Profile – Chrissie Fairlamb
With over 25 years experience, Chrissie Fairlamb is one of
the foremost interior designers in the UK and has an impressive
reputation for creating interiors that are stylish, eclectic and
truly personal. For many years she worked as a freelance
designer for the leading design groups in London, creating
interiors for some of the world’s most prestigious hotels as
well as working with property developers and private clients in
the UK and abroad.
Chrissie Fairlamb Design was established in 1999, and the
consultancy now operates from Chrissie’s studio at her stunning
Medieval and Elizabethan home, Bradford Hall near Cullompton,
Devon. “Successful interior design, for me, is all about
combining good taste and style with practicality. It is all very
well creating interiors that look good but they need to work for
day to day living as well”, says Chrissie.
As a highly talented and respected designer Chrissie’s expertise
is in demand in both residential and commercial interior design.
When considering her commissions for private clients she says “I
have always specialised in a wide range of personalised
interiors and see the interpretation of my clients’ wishes as
the most important aspect of any project. By working closely
with clients I gain a full understanding of their overall vision
so that the end result is an interior design scheme that is
personal to them and unique”.
This individuality is equally apparent in the larger projects
Chrissie has undertaken for high profile hotels around the
world. The 4 year redesign and refurbishment of Singapore’s
landmark Raffles Hotel required Chrissie to create individual
identities for the suites and rooms as well as many of the
hotel’s public areas; and she is currently finalising work on
four floors of guestrooms and suites at The Palacio Hotel in
Estoril, Portugal.
“Good interior design is key to a hotel’s ability to maximise on
its commercial and aesthetic potential. A successful scheme
needs to work for the target audience and when it does can
dramatically improve the footfall of the hotel.”
Chrissie is passionate about what she does and has a particular
empathy towards period properties. A love of antiques and
artefacts means she never tires of the challenge of sourcing the
right piece for a particular interior with auction houses and
antique shops among her favourite hunting grounds.
Of all her recent projects it has been the refurbishment of her
own home that has proved the most rewarding. Bradfield Hall,
built in the 16th Century on the site of a much earlier 12th
Century dwelling, has an impressive and well documented history.
When they purchased the Grade 1 listed house in 2000 Chrissie
and her photographer partner Colin Mills became only the fourth
owners of the Hall and have been mindful of preserving the past
during their renovation work. The infrastructure needed much
attention with outdated plumbing and electrics and a leaking
roof but the strong character of Bradfield Hall has been
maintained throughout. “As the owner and interior designer of
this magnificent house my role is merely to enhance what already
exists”, explains Chrissie.
With panelling attributed to Italian craftsmen in the court of
Philip II of Spain who stayed at Bradfield Hall when en route to
marry Mary Tudor in 1554 and a Medieval Great Hall complete with
minstrel’s gallery, the house is bursting with fascinating and
intricate details which have been lovingly restored and enhanced
with Chrissie’s interior design schemes.
Email:
info@arthouse-pr.com