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.

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