U.K. interior designer Katharine Pooley heads up a team of 45 designers and interior architects.
In addition to designing luxury apartments and houses around London, Ms. Pooley and her team recently finished a Formula 2 racetrack hotel in Shanghai, and are currently working on a luxury high rise in Dubai.
The company is near completion on a large house in Discovery Bay, Hong Kong, which backs a golf course.
(Before returning to London, Ms. Pooley lived in Hong Kong for 16 years, Singapore for three and Vietnam for one.)
We caught up with Ms. Pooley to talk about the current state of the London luxury market, her why it’s important to buy real estate with your heart, and more.
More:European Tastes Have Finally Caught on in the U.S., Says Italian Designer
Mansion Global: Describe your dream property.
Katharine Pooley: It would have views of the ocean, direct access to the beach and would be designed to embrace both luxury living and comfort. I love the Hamptons so somewhere there or a windswept corner of Nantucket perhaps.
I am currently designing a beach home for my family in Devon on the English coast and with limestone and parquet timber floors, large open fireplaces and draped linen and cashmere. It has all the makings of a dream property.
MG: What does luxury mean to you?
KP: Luxury for me means to have every detail considered and taken care of. It means only the best quality of finish and craftsmanship and the most effortless and seamless service.
More:Happiness Comes From ‘Life-Enhancing Minimalism,’ Says Wellness-Focused Designer
MG: What area do you think is the next hub for luxury properties?
KP: With some uncertainty in Europe and the U.S. driven by the politics of the day, the development of luxury properties in more out-of-the-way locations such as New Zealand is not unexpected.
The very wealthy are putting an ever greater premium on space, security and privacy for their families, so wherever this can be found with the benefit of beautiful views and a gentle climate, luxury stand-alone developments will become more and more popular.
MG: What’s the biggest surprise in the luxury real estate market now?
KP: How developers are looking to introduce totally unique fantastical details or themes to make their developments stand out. I have just completed a five-star hotel in Asia with its own race track as well as beautiful private villas, apartments restaurants and spa.
From Penta:James Beard-Nominated Chefs Dish on Dining Trends
MG: Where are the best luxury homes in the world and why?
KP: I just designed an incredible interior for an amazing property on the Palm development in Dubai. Truly luxurious with the most incredible finishes throughout. No expense was spared by this international client and the finished result is exquisite.
However London still has some of the most luxurious urban homes, driven by the international elite continuing to base themselves there. Developments such as One Hyde Park set a high bar. And the old U.S. embassy, which was in Grosvenor Square—it’s now located in Vauxhall—is being developed into exquisite apartments.
It’s an exciting time for luxury London real estate in Mayfair too.
MG: What’s your favorite part of your home?
KP: In my country home there is a wonderful terrace overlooking the park land in the surrounding estate. There are some very old majestic trees, so it’s a wonderful spot for contemplation. We have set up a shepherds hut for friends to sleep out in the wild, and it is such a special way to experience the beautiful English countryside.
More:‘Architecture Can Solve Problems,’ Says Robert A.M. Stern
MG: What best describes the theme to your home and why?
KP: Classic British elegance but with a contemporary twist; there are some traditional details but I have also mixed some pieces in from my time in Asia and more modern touches reflecting my young family.
MG: What’s the most valuable thing in your home?
KP: Probably some of the paintings would be worth the greatest amount, but in terms of personal value a beautiful brooch gifted to me by my father means a great deal.
MG: What’s the most valuable amenity to have in a home right now?
KP: In terms of added value it sounds prosaic but internal parking is a must for our clients who do not want to have to access a car out with the property for privacy and security reasons. I just completed a huge amazing Grade I-listed building beside St. James Palace in London which had a double basement added with a car lift for this reason.
More:Click to Read More Luxury Real Estate Professionals Share Their Insights
MG: What’s your best piece of real estate advice?
KP: Follow your heart. The market can rise and fall, but if you love a property you won’t mind hanging onto it for a few years until the conditions are optimum to sell. Also never underestimate the value of a beautiful view to sell a property, the building can always be updated or at worst flattened and rebuilt entirely, but a bad view is unchangeable.
MG: What’s going on in the news that will have the biggest impact on the luxury real estate market?
KP: Brexit, North Korea and Trump. Instability in the Middle East and asset confiscation in Saudi Arabia, Russia and other countries also ripples out into the real estate market internationally.
More:Click for more U.K. and London real estate news
MG: What is the best area now for investing in luxury properties?
KP: London is still a sound investment even with the Brexit concerns. Our Asian and Middle Eastern clients still look to Paris and New York also.
MG: If you had a choice of living in a new development or a prime resale property, which would you choose and why?
KP: I would always choose an older property as I love the character of traditional architecture and believe that with the right design team they can be updated to be comfortable and luxurious for modern life.