Montecito, California, might seem a bit off the beaten track for a UK-based interior designer, but a homeowner there sought out our Next in Design Winner, Jessica Summer, founder of her eponymous studio, because she ‘loved English antiques and the pared-back British look’, Jessica says.
In fact, that sums up Jessica’s approach – after working for six years at Rose Uniacke’s studio, she has a strong understanding of historical furniture and how to balance color and pattern with texture.
The rest of Jessica’s projects are in the UK, often in period homes, which she uses as the starting point for her upscale contemporary schemes. ‘We do a lot of research on the paneling that would work for a house of that era, or the millwork that would have been used, and find ways to incorporate those details respectfully into the design.’
Her favorite part of the job is working with highly skilled craftspeople, and she’s assembled a team of experts to elevate her work: James Bowyer for furniture, who makes ‘bespoke masterpieces’, Butcher for plasterwork (‘the molding is second to none’), and James Price for metalwork.
‘It’s wonderful to have people with such invaluable knowledge that you can turn to for advice,' says Jessica – encapsulating why clients so readily seek her out for their homes.
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