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Pro Spotlight: Designer Secrets to a Showstopping Renovation
Combining creativity with super smart budgeting is the key to sensational and savvy design
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Who: Anna Burles of Run For The Hills
Where: London
In her own words: “My job as an interior designer is to help clients create super stylish design solutions without running away with the cost. The most successful schemes are all about balance, juggling aspiration with budget and practicality. So we plan, scope and estimate all the way through, not just at the end of the design process, to make sure the budget is feasible and works as hard as possible.”
This combination of creative vision and budgeting from the outset anchors all Anna’s projects. “Our design ambition is to create spaces with a true wow factor, full of personality, interesting details and eclectic finishes. We’re also huge fans of sourcing vintage and antique design to add that unique and layered ‘storytelling’ touch,” she says. “This is all underlined by super smart budgeting. It’s about making it all sing, but being as sensible as possible, from a financial but also a sustainability point of view.”
Where: London
In her own words: “My job as an interior designer is to help clients create super stylish design solutions without running away with the cost. The most successful schemes are all about balance, juggling aspiration with budget and practicality. So we plan, scope and estimate all the way through, not just at the end of the design process, to make sure the budget is feasible and works as hard as possible.”
This combination of creative vision and budgeting from the outset anchors all Anna’s projects. “Our design ambition is to create spaces with a true wow factor, full of personality, interesting details and eclectic finishes. We’re also huge fans of sourcing vintage and antique design to add that unique and layered ‘storytelling’ touch,” she says. “This is all underlined by super smart budgeting. It’s about making it all sing, but being as sensible as possible, from a financial but also a sustainability point of view.”
Run For The Hills’s renovation of two listed Cotswold barns as a luxe vacation stay
A creative background
“I was late to interior design, re-training at the age of 37,” says Anna. “Before that, I was a creative director and event stylist for fashion and lifestyle brands. Even further back, a celebrity radio journalist chasing actors down the red carpet and interviewing pop stars! So I’ve had lots of creative jobs, but I had an inkling that spatial design was my thing.”
It seemed natural to Anna to set up her own design practice and around the same time, she met her husband Chris Trotman, a graphic designer and artist. They decided to form Run For The Hills together, combining interiors with graphics, branding and art. “The name was just a bit of fun,” says Anna. “We’re creative, a bit quirky and memorable, and we thought the name encapsulated all that.”
Now, eleven years on, Anna loves everything about design and the process of working with clients. “They all come from varied, interesting backgrounds. Many are creative in their own right, and sometimes larger than life, which makes for a real adventure project,” she says. “We go on a journey with each and every one. It’s such fun and also quite an intimate job. You really become part of the family.”
Here are Anna’s four secrets to a showstopping interior.
A creative background
“I was late to interior design, re-training at the age of 37,” says Anna. “Before that, I was a creative director and event stylist for fashion and lifestyle brands. Even further back, a celebrity radio journalist chasing actors down the red carpet and interviewing pop stars! So I’ve had lots of creative jobs, but I had an inkling that spatial design was my thing.”
It seemed natural to Anna to set up her own design practice and around the same time, she met her husband Chris Trotman, a graphic designer and artist. They decided to form Run For The Hills together, combining interiors with graphics, branding and art. “The name was just a bit of fun,” says Anna. “We’re creative, a bit quirky and memorable, and we thought the name encapsulated all that.”
Now, eleven years on, Anna loves everything about design and the process of working with clients. “They all come from varied, interesting backgrounds. Many are creative in their own right, and sometimes larger than life, which makes for a real adventure project,” she says. “We go on a journey with each and every one. It’s such fun and also quite an intimate job. You really become part of the family.”
Here are Anna’s four secrets to a showstopping interior.
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1. Make your architect and interior designer best buds and hire them both early
Anna recommends hiring an interior designer at the start of a renovation, alongside an architect. “This means they don’t double up on work, but also makes sure they do a bit of magic, joined-up thinking for the very best results and to avoid costly mistakes.”
An interior designer will complement and also sense-check the contractor’s and architect’s Planning drawing, and their resulting build budget forecasts. “This also ensures the interiors are scoped, budgeted and envisioned accurately and early enough, and the budget isn’t all used up on the build, leaving little for a wow factor home.”
Working together from the get-go also avoids costly ‘bolt-ons’ and creates the opportunity to realise the vision of both the architect and the interior designer. It can mean jointly deciding which elements would make the most difference, versus the ones that wouldn’t be noticed as much. That might mean choosing to keep a staircase in place, so that enough budget is retained for Crittal doors in the bedrooms, bathrooms and dividing spaces, as on this project. “A bit of joint thinking between architect and interior designer can make the difference between a good project and an amazing one,” says Anna.
1. Make your architect and interior designer best buds and hire them both early
Anna recommends hiring an interior designer at the start of a renovation, alongside an architect. “This means they don’t double up on work, but also makes sure they do a bit of magic, joined-up thinking for the very best results and to avoid costly mistakes.”
An interior designer will complement and also sense-check the contractor’s and architect’s Planning drawing, and their resulting build budget forecasts. “This also ensures the interiors are scoped, budgeted and envisioned accurately and early enough, and the budget isn’t all used up on the build, leaving little for a wow factor home.”
Working together from the get-go also avoids costly ‘bolt-ons’ and creates the opportunity to realise the vision of both the architect and the interior designer. It can mean jointly deciding which elements would make the most difference, versus the ones that wouldn’t be noticed as much. That might mean choosing to keep a staircase in place, so that enough budget is retained for Crittal doors in the bedrooms, bathrooms and dividing spaces, as on this project. “A bit of joint thinking between architect and interior designer can make the difference between a good project and an amazing one,” says Anna.
Victorian house re-imagined during a major renovation, with a sunken living/dining/kitchen
2. Scope, plan and budget first
Understanding the scope and cost of the project from the beginning is essential. “We always do a speedy feasibility scoping from the very start, creating floorplans to see what is unlocked if we take down a wall, re-designate certain rooms or to see how existing furniture might fit in,” she explains.
“Then we explore the interior look and feel, sharing mood boards, to set a creative vision, before diving into detailed estimating of the likely costs involved.” From estimating the cost of purchasing new furniture, lighting or ironmongery, also calculating sanitary ware costs for new bathrooms, and costs of changes to kitchens. Also looking at key decorative change costs like new carpets, re-finishing existing wood floors etc. “Effectively building a budget picture for the wish-list of changes, getting into the numbers that early on, then working back from there.” This means that costs are known before committing, and avoids going down the road with a project and then realising it’s going to be too expensive. “That can be heart-breaking,” says Anna.
2. Scope, plan and budget first
Understanding the scope and cost of the project from the beginning is essential. “We always do a speedy feasibility scoping from the very start, creating floorplans to see what is unlocked if we take down a wall, re-designate certain rooms or to see how existing furniture might fit in,” she explains.
“Then we explore the interior look and feel, sharing mood boards, to set a creative vision, before diving into detailed estimating of the likely costs involved.” From estimating the cost of purchasing new furniture, lighting or ironmongery, also calculating sanitary ware costs for new bathrooms, and costs of changes to kitchens. Also looking at key decorative change costs like new carpets, re-finishing existing wood floors etc. “Effectively building a budget picture for the wish-list of changes, getting into the numbers that early on, then working back from there.” This means that costs are known before committing, and avoids going down the road with a project and then realising it’s going to be too expensive. “That can be heart-breaking,” says Anna.
Luxury boutique-style guest ‘boudoir’ in North London
3. Complete the work in phases
The design, specifications and build can take place once you have a plan and budget in place. “We can plan the whole house spatially and create a wish list of ideas that are executable in stages. You might not get to phase two or three for a few years. Then we go back and focus on the key areas and the hero, must-have elements,” Anna explains.
Be prepared to adopt a flexible approach, working zone by zone, rather than trying to spread the budget too thinly across the whole house. “You may not have the funds to run the same cost per square foot on all floors,” says Anna. “Instead, you might choose to load the focus on the kitchen and bathrooms and be happy to take a lighter approach to the upper floors that get less use, or to the kids’ bedrooms that may get trashed or grown out of. It’s about working by zone and by budget, cutting your cloth accordingly, which might then enable the whole project to be completed at once.”
3. Complete the work in phases
The design, specifications and build can take place once you have a plan and budget in place. “We can plan the whole house spatially and create a wish list of ideas that are executable in stages. You might not get to phase two or three for a few years. Then we go back and focus on the key areas and the hero, must-have elements,” Anna explains.
Be prepared to adopt a flexible approach, working zone by zone, rather than trying to spread the budget too thinly across the whole house. “You may not have the funds to run the same cost per square foot on all floors,” says Anna. “Instead, you might choose to load the focus on the kitchen and bathrooms and be happy to take a lighter approach to the upper floors that get less use, or to the kids’ bedrooms that may get trashed or grown out of. It’s about working by zone and by budget, cutting your cloth accordingly, which might then enable the whole project to be completed at once.”
Custom-designed dining table and banquette seating in Covent Garden penthouse
4. Save the pennies on certain elements to unlock the wow factor on those that matter
On any project, whatever your budget, tough decisions have to be made around what makes the cut and what needs to give for the greater good and a sensible, finite budget spend. “Change what is a must, retain what isn’t broken,” Anna recommends. “Unless you absolutely hate it, leave a brand new kitchen or bathroom in place and perhaps simply restyle it.” In a kitchen, for example, could you replace the worktops or doors? Or take down a wall to create more storage in the adjoining room in a beautiful sideboard or armoire? Maybe the space is just lacking a coffee bar?” Then invest in the social spaces and collections you can take with you. “It’s not only smart, it’s good for the planet too,” she adds.
This sub-penthouse apartment had been fitted with a new kitchen and bathrooms. Instead of ripping them out, Anna and the owners agreed to keep them. “It was a sustainable decision, and unlocked more budget for the social spaces, which we gave a showstopping boutique hotel style, designed around cocktailing and entertaining, with a dynamic, maximalist scheme oozing with character, vibrant tones, pattern and interesting textures.”
More: Visit Run For The Hills’ Houzz profile for more information on the company’s services and projects.
This story was written by the Houzz Sponsored Content team.
Tell us…
How have these tips helped you plan your renovation? Share your thoughts in the Comments.
4. Save the pennies on certain elements to unlock the wow factor on those that matter
On any project, whatever your budget, tough decisions have to be made around what makes the cut and what needs to give for the greater good and a sensible, finite budget spend. “Change what is a must, retain what isn’t broken,” Anna recommends. “Unless you absolutely hate it, leave a brand new kitchen or bathroom in place and perhaps simply restyle it.” In a kitchen, for example, could you replace the worktops or doors? Or take down a wall to create more storage in the adjoining room in a beautiful sideboard or armoire? Maybe the space is just lacking a coffee bar?” Then invest in the social spaces and collections you can take with you. “It’s not only smart, it’s good for the planet too,” she adds.
This sub-penthouse apartment had been fitted with a new kitchen and bathrooms. Instead of ripping them out, Anna and the owners agreed to keep them. “It was a sustainable decision, and unlocked more budget for the social spaces, which we gave a showstopping boutique hotel style, designed around cocktailing and entertaining, with a dynamic, maximalist scheme oozing with character, vibrant tones, pattern and interesting textures.”
More: Visit Run For The Hills’ Houzz profile for more information on the company’s services and projects.
This story was written by the Houzz Sponsored Content team.
Tell us…
How have these tips helped you plan your renovation? Share your thoughts in the Comments.
Run For The Hills is a London studio, designing highly original and exciting residential and commercial interiors... Read More
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My husband and I worked with Run for the Hills to help make our beautiful house into a home. They were on board right from the start, working with us on the indicative floor plans, guiding on bathroom...More