“New homes are a very different brief to private customers approaching their own homes, where they have personal possessions that mean so much more than just their outward appearance, and there are often different tastes within a family to accommodate. With a new home the challenge is different. I only have an outline of the person that the home was designed for. Fortunately I know Kebbell well by now – we’ve worked together for four or five years”
“The team who brief me on the Kebbell vision often includes the company owner and MD, Nick Kebbell, Sales and Marketing Director Andrea Fawell and the head of sales for the development. Kebbell design houses from the start with the owners in mind, so when we set off to create a show home they talk me through how they envisage the home being lived in, and who by, whether it’s for families, downsizers or retirees. The show home design will aim to inspire those people particularly.”
“Kebbell show homes are always aspirational and elegant. We try to create looks that people would love to achieve but might not have been brave enough to do themselves. We always aim for looks that are beautiful and classic whilst being warm and homely. Kebbell want their show homes to have the wow factor without being ostentatious.”
“The essence of Kebbell is attention to detail, and I love that my brief always includes everything from wallpapers, paints and furniture right down to the little details such as tableware. We take a long time discussing the use of each room and what that means in reality. So for example, we’ll take time out to consider whether curtains will be controlled electronically, whether they need to be blackout or sheer.”
“I always leave briefings excited, ready to create mood boards, sometimes taking weeks or months to create every detail for each room. They become my world with every moment spent living and breathing what they’ll be like. Handing them over is like sending your children to school for the first day, letting them go, but excited for their future.”
“Once we’ve agreed the mood board, I make the show home a reality. If anything doesn’t quite work, though, we go back and change it.”
Asked about her favourite current projects, Jo pauses. She clearly loves her job and it’s hard to choose, but she settles on Aubury Place, Kebbell’s London development in which she has designed the schemes for a number of houses.
“Number 9 offered me the chance to work on rooms with different concepts. We put in a gym and wellness room. Balancing the need for a high energy gym with peaceful energy for yoga and wellness was an exciting new challenge. By contrast, the basement was turned into a games room with a pool table and bar, panelled with wood, a welcoming place to relax away from the everyday stresses of life or to throw a fantastic party! It was a unique project for a stunning home.”
As well as Aubury Place Jo has also designed the interiors for a five bedroom home at Heatherfields, Kebbell’s development in Bordon, Hampshire. So why not visit one of these developments to see Jo’s work for yourself?