Interview | Alix Lawson of LAWSON ROBB

With over 13 years of experience behind them, London based interior architecture & design practice LAWSON ROBB are internationally renowned for creating design schemes at some of the World’s finest addresses; from Prime Central London to North America and the Far East. Co-founder Alix Lawson talks to us about her own influences, as well as sharing some insights into the running of her World class practice.

Q: How would you describe your signature style?
LAWSON ROBB does not have a one-fit signature style, as our objective is to embrace our client’s individuality and inject his or her own personality into a home.  We believe in understanding how our clients live, work to fully embrace their home.  Our clients receive the LAWSON ROBB experience of integrating architecture and interiors.  Our studio has years of combined experience in design, an eye for detail and commission tailored pieces of furniture and lighting. Our speciality at LAWSON ROBB is unique and interesting textures, finishes and fabrics.  We are an innovative interior design practice who seeks to constantly find the latest new materials, new furnishings and new textures.

Q: Who are your favourite designers?
We love the work of artisans and are currently working with Officina Coppola and Yann Jallu.

Q: What do you like most about your job?
Our client base is one of the driving factors at LAWSON ROBB.  It is captivating working with a range of clients who are mostly internationally based but of course have a home in London.  Every project is great because we’re fascinated by our clients and like to meet interesting people.  It is great injecting our client’s cultures into their home interiors.  We have a multilingual team so can ea sily adapt to the cultures of each client.

Q: What’s the hardest part?
Many of these high-end bathroom projects require incorporating modern day technologies into a client’s home, especially when it comes to TV equipment in a bathroom. Incorporating wires and technology into a home is just another challenge we’ve embraced to create the highest spec home for clients we can.

Q: What inspires you the most?
The LAWSON ROBB team is inspired by everything from lifestyle, travel, fashion, culture and nature.  Our office is multicultural and international so we have a diverse and unique background for inspiration.  We tailor our interiors to our client’s dreams and lifestyles.  We are constantly sourcing the globe for new materials and artisans.  We are experts and leaders in constantly developing new finishes.   LAWSON ROBB is inspired by historic architecture but consider ourselves pioneers when it comes to new design.  We want our designs to have longevity and be an investment made by clients.

Q: Where’s your favourite place to be?
Warm and barefoot on a quiet beach on the rare occasions I have away from my interior design role to relax!

Q: If you had a time machine, what period of design would you like to live in?
It would have been fantastic to have lived through the Bauhaus era.

Q: Can you tell us about a bathroom design project that you’ve worked on?
We recently competed a project we call Riverside apartments for a repeat client. Riverside is a guest-pad in London, for a client who wanted his guests to enjoy their own apartment instead of a hotel while in London.  The Riverside apartment is a unique example of how a small space in London can still incorporate luxury and style.  In the bathroom, hand-selected Bianco Caribib slabs are match contrasted with Mystery White marble with brassware in custom
gold.  We sourced beautifully decorative marble for the bathrooms and the floor.

Q: What would your dream bathroom be like? 
We are currently creating many bathrooms for our clients who are all over-achievers and all these bathrooms are dreams.  Clients are donating more space to master en-suite bathroom’s to allow them to become well-being rooms.  As aspirations change, walk-in jet showers are now the norm with client specific facilities such as a current resistance pool, ice room or ‘hot yoga’ sauna making their way in the Master Suite.  Utmost luxury is within the grasp of our clients so they rarely settle for just a master bathroom with a walk-in shower and roll top bath, our clients require ultimate private spas.  While it’s been the norm to have 5* spa facilities at home for a few years now, often in the basement or an out building, the premise now is on upping the game by upping the wellness, bringing in the most indulgent spa offerings into the Master Suite. The Master Ensuite of tomorrow will be highly personalised, boasting the latest in health technology and wellness such as brain sharpening cryotherapy chambers and salt inhalation rooms.

Q: Where in the world have you stayed where a bathroom design has really stood out, and why?
The bathrooms at the Upper House Hotel in Hong Kong are stunning. The bathrooms are all designed around Feng Shui concepts and big enough to sleep in.  A giant bathtub is in the centre of the room complete with a TV concealed behind a mirror.  The blinds around the bathroom are all electronic and remote-controlled.  Which is needed for privacy because the best part is the bathroom overlooks the stunning Victoria Harbour.

Q:  If you could give one piece of advice when designing a bathroom, what would it be? 
We like to look to sensory factors when it comes to designing a bathroom.  A bathroom is a place of sanctuary to lock yourself away from the World.  The feel of the tiles on your feet, surfaces when washing your hands and feel of the bathroom is important.

Q: Complete this sentence – home is…
An expression of a personality.