Work Placement: Design Planning at Bermondsey Development

Hawthorn offered a valuable opportunity to play a part in the early planning stages of a new show apartment at a residential development in Bermondsey, London. With only the floorplan provided in advance, the purpose of the visit was to assess the apartment in person, gathering accurate measurements, and beginning to define the interior direction for the space.

With a two-week turnaround to fully design, decorate, and stage the apartment, the on site visit ptovided a detailed walkthrough with Katie to analyse spatial flow, lighting, and key focal points. Together, we was able to create a design proposal to guide the styling decisions from overall colour schemes to specific furniture selections. Throughout the process, I was encouraged to contribute ideas, offering suggestions for different zones within the apartment, potential layouts, and styling approaches.

Having the freedom to develop ideas while combining them with Katie’s professional vision allowed for a collaborative process that was both creative and considered. After experimenting with a number of concepts, a final direction that reflects a balance of the scale and area of the site.

This site visit emphasised the importance of spatial planning and adaptability in a live setting. While floorplans offer a useful starting point, physically moving through the space brought a deeper understanding of scale, proportion, and how each area can best function. It also provided hands-on experience with translating ideas into real world decisions, from initial concept to install ready planning.

With the staging scheduled for just two weeks’ time, the next phase will involve sourcing, ordering, and coordinating all elements of the design, ensuring the final result is both polished and purposeful. Being involved from the very beginning of the project has offered a valuable perspective on the full design lifecycle, highlighting how creative thinking, practical planning, and collaboration work together to shape a successful show home.