1. I first met Rebecca by chance at the hairdresser. She was in the office helping out a
friend and I was a customer. This chance meeting proved to be one of the best things
to happen to me.
I am currently residing in Australia but have kept my home in London and have let it
for a number of years. The whole flat needed renovation from top to bottom: 2
bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, the reception room, kitchen and entrance hall.
I had taken leave from work and had 13 weeks to arrange and complete the work.
5 weeks into my stay I had not been able to book any tradesman and was stranded
at square one.
Rebecca chanced to mention that she is an interior designer, and I thought “this
could be synchronicity”. I asked her if she was available to assist me with a colour
scheme and other elements for the flat as I did not want to be stuck with magnolia for
myself when I use the flat, nor for my tenants.
Rebecca agreed and came round the next day. She took an instant liking to my flat.
She commented that it is spacious, very bright with lots of sunshine, and with a
wonderful green outlook that is unusual for London.
I informed Rebecca about my predicament of running out of time. Rebecca
expressed her strong interest in undertaking the whole renovation and project-
managing it for me, relieving me of the headache. I was uncertain at that stage as I
was still waiting to hear back from my estate agent’s builder, about his quote.
Rebecca returned 2 days later with a fully developed colour scheme and board of
design ideas. I was very impressed and challenged. I am of an older generation and
to me her design was very contemporary, very youthful.
Rebecca agreed to develop a plan of work and costs to discuss with me. She was
very prompt and 2 days later had returned with her proposal. She was able to
guarantee a starting date for the following Monday, and I agreed. I felt like I had been
rescued.
I have never had the services of an interior designer before and felt very much like I
was walking into the unknown. We all like to have control. However, I decided to trust
Rebecca wholeheartedly. One of the qualities she brings to her work is her empathy
for people and I felt she understood my concerns, and my hopes for the flat.
I am absolutely delighted with the end result. Rebecca produced a colour scheme I
would never have thought of, with wonderful contrasts, as well as creating a sense of
space and peace in the flat. The very modern contemporary feel works very well in
the space of the flat within a 1920’s converted house. Everyone who has seen the
final result has been most impressed by it.
I have also been very impressed by how Rebecca approaches her work. She sets
herself high standards for the quality of finish she is aiming for. Near enough is not
good enough. Early on in the work she informed me that the walls had never been
finished properly and ensured the decorator’s undertook rigorous preparation with a
belt sander. I would not have known the difference this attention to detail can make. I
would have accepted “goose bump walls” but now see the difference a silk satin
finish can make to the appearance of colour and flat paint. She achieves this by
meticulous attention to detail and hard work.

2. I was also astonished by the final result in the downstairs en-suite. Once again, her
attention to detail and high standards for the finish, produced some remarkable
changes: new plumbing, new walls and lights, a higher ceiling and wider shower
within the same outside space. She not only renovated the en-suite, she addressed
all the cheap, poor quality work that was done in the original conversion, and the final
outcome is better than when it was new.
Rebecca also tackles problems in a refreshing way. She has a positive, and
optimistic approach to facing the inevitable difficulties and setbacks of any
building/renovation project. She keeps a cool head and does not let things get on top
of her. She is well-organised and focussed.
I was also impressed by how Rebecca came up with design solutions for problem
areas. For example, the upstairs bathroom is in the loft and has a sloping ceiling.
There are different angles and wall heights in the room. Rebecca was able to use
paint and tile so that the final result was harmonious rather than appearing
uncoordinated, and the differences are no longer noticeable.
Rebecca also has the useful quality of being able to stare down any recalcitrant
tradesman, politely, to make sure the job gets done.
My brief to Rebecca was for a finish that was durable, hard-wearing and practical for
rental purposes, and that would also be enjoyable for me and friends and family to
use at times in the future. She delivered on every count.
Never having used an interior designer before, I can now see how training and
having a good eye can help in solving interior problems to create a harmonious and
peaceful atmosphere in a home. I am very pleased with the end result and can
heartily recommend Rebecca to her future clients.
Koula Galanis –owner of 88 ******************************