This month, I was thrilled to be invited to speak to the students at KLC, where we explored one of the most crucial aspects of successful interior design: truly understanding your client. It’s easy to get swept up in mood boards and material samples, but without a deep understanding of who you’re designing for, even the most beautiful space can fall flat. At Oakley Moore, we believe that thoughtful, client-focused design is what transforms houses into homes, and this starts with listening.
When it comes to designing a home, understanding a client’s vision goes far beyond choosing paint colours or placing furniture. For Oakley Moore, it begins with something far more nuanced: deep listening.
At the heart of this practice is a commitment to understanding what clients really want, even when they’re unsure themselves. This is where the true detective work begins. Rather than relying solely on design trends or surface-level preferences, the process starts with open-ended questions and careful observation. What are their daily routines? Do they enjoy cooking, entertaining, or collecting? Do they gravitate toward order or eclecticism? What colours are in their wardrobe?
These insights shape everything from kitchen drawer layouts to fabric choices, ensuring both function and personality shine through. One client, for instance, claimed to dislike white interiors, despite sharing only white room inspiration. The truth? She craved order, something she associated with white spaces. The result: a richly coloured, carefully organised home that met her emotional needs, as well as her aesthetic ones.
This personalised approach came to life in a recent country house project. The clients – international, design-savvy, and deeply invested in both the home’s interior and surrounding landscape – wanted something fresh and cosmopolitan. Through strategic planning, reconfiguration of space, and thoughtful use of their existing art and furniture, Oakley Moore delivered a home that felt both grounded and elevated. A blend of heritage details and modern elements gave the home what the client called “a country house with a bite.”
The takeaway? Great interior design isn’t about imposing a look. It’s about listening well enough to create a space that feels just right, where every detail, from the curtain trim to the placement of a reading light, supports the client’s lifestyle and aspirations.
After all, modern British interiors are not simply built, they’re discovered, one thoughtful conversation at a time.
Kate x
