Q&A With Jenny Weiss and Helen Bygraves | Hill House Interiors

Business partners and good friends, Jenny Weiss and Helen Bygraves set up Hill House Interiors almost 20 years ago and have been creating ever more incredible interiors since. The multi award winning design consultancy is known for creating opulent and intricate interiors residentially, in the world of hospitality, on super yachts and ever more impressive projects overseas. To find out how it all began as well as discovering some expert design tips we caught up with Jenny and Helen…

How did the two of you meet and why did you decide to start up your own design consultancy?

Jenny: My business partner and friend, Helen, and I set up Hill House Interiors 20 years ago – we had both been working in the property industry and been managing our own home and interiors projects individually, so it seemed a natural progression for us to go into business together. We started out with a small interiors shop, and worked out of a home office – our first project was a five bedroom showhouse for luxury property developers Octagon.

Since then, we have built up a mini-empire, with a team of 22, a large studio and a lifestyle showroom in Weybridge. Our private project commissions now include period townhouses and contemporary duplexes in Central London, palatial country homes in Surrey, Hertfordshire and Kent and the ultimate in holiday villas in the South of France. We have also recently finished an exclusive New York Penthouse and Monaco super yacht, and are working on luxury apartments in the Bahamas.

What would you both say has influenced your unique sense of style?

Helen: The uplifting effect of living in a beautiful space is often underestimated. It can make a significant difference to how people feel about themselves and in turn how they react to other people. We both feel very grateful to work in a career where we can ‘create’ every day.

Inspiration can come from so many sources, through international travel, history and nature – whether that be a sunrise or sunset, luscious greenery or the myriad of colours in one feather. The world of fashion, particularly haute couture, has a huge influence on our work, as does the world of theatre and film – the golden age of Hollywood, with its unapologetic glamour and elegance, is something we reference regularly through our designs, bringing together texture and complimentary colours to create something that’s truly showstopping.

Can you tell us a little about what services you provide?

Jenny: With an incredibly passionate, highly skilled and dedicated team, we are able to advise and assist our clients on all aspects of design, and its implementation. An integral part of the process is the development of initial sketches, presentation mood boards and concept design for our clients, we can also complete CGIs and visualisations if required.

We specialise in designing bespoke cabinetry and furniture, and also have our own Hill House Furniture Collection. We deal with all those little details which make certain interiors really special, like made to measure soft furnishings and sourcing the perfect artwork and accessories. We have our own logistics team and so all projects are fully installed as part of the overall service. We are often asked to deliver turnkey solutions, and don’t just work on private residences, but also show homes and investment properties all over the world.

Helen: Interior architecture is also a big part of our business, with the layout and flow between rooms in a home such an important part of the overall aesthetic. For complete schemes, we also regularly undertake the bathroom, kitchen and landscape design – we partner closely with each and every client to ensure their home is the ultimate in modern luxury, both inside and out.

You work on some incredible projects in the UK and overseas, can you offer any advice for those embarking on a large-scale renovation?

Helen: Our biggest piece of advice is to bring your interior designer on board from the very beginning. It’s a very personal experience, and we always prefer to be involved from day one, to immerse ourselves in the house and what it is the client wants to achieve – whether it’s more leisure space, more storage, creating a better flow between rooms or installing super high tech, that’s what has to be the core focus, from which everything else stems.

Jenny: Our aim is to exceed the client’s expectations and create beautiful interiors our clients are proud of and enjoy living in, which is why we are so often brought back for their second, third or even fourth home.

You’ve got some amazing furniture designs, do you have any plans to expand into other areas?

Helen: We’re continually developing the furniture range, and are currently working on new designs and finishes to include in the ever-expanding Hill House collection. In terms of projects, we’ve seen a big increase in clients wanting the hotel experience at home, which includes everything from wine rooms and home bars, to wellness spas and beauty rooms – and the family’s beloved pets aren’t left out.

We recently designed a bespoke dog shower for a client, with book-matched marble, Hans Grohe brassware and Villeroy & Boch sanitary ware – the Hill House portfolio of skills is ever expanding!

Hill House Interiors has won a whole host of impressive awards, what would you say is the secret to your success?

Jenny: Helen and I both lead by example. Our clients love that we are personally involved in every project, and we work together, inspiring each other to create exceptional interiors that surpass the expectations of our clients. We have built up a great team who can still smile and laugh under pressure, and enjoy coming to work every day. Positive energy and teamwork is paramount, and the Hill House team has plenty of both!

Have you got any exciting plans or projects coming up in 2019?

Helen: We’re delighted to have started 2019 with a bang – work is well underway on the principle areas of a palace in Karachi, Pakistan, and we’re working on two hugely significant projects in Nigeria and another in Monaco. In the UK, we’re transforming a beautiful Estate in the Peak District, and have multiple private schemes across London and the Home Counties.”

Jenny: “We’re also incredibly excited to be designing the interiors for a couture boutique in Mayfair, and a key upcoming focus for us is the boutique hotel industry. We have enjoyed working on projects both in the UK and Europe, and are now looking to expand our hospitality and commercial portfolio even further – an exciting new chapter for the Hill House team.

To make an enquiry or to find out more about Hill House Interiors visit the website here.

Images kindly supplied by Hill House Interiors