Welcome to our little corner of the internet, and a big hello from our team! We're so glad you've found us. We're a small but passionate group of interior design enthusiasts dedicated to creating beautiful, functional, and truly timeless spaces.
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On this page, we invite you to delve a little deeper and get to know the faces behind Design@Studio17. Discover what truly matters to us, our collaborative approach, and the values that guide every project we undertake. We believe that understanding our ethos is the first step in creating a space you'll truly love, and we're excited to share our story with you.
Meet The Team
Sorcha Drakeford
Creative Director & Founder
It took Sorcha a while to notice that she had always been interested in design, spending pocket money on cushions and posters, she was continually rearranging rooms as she grew up but then she followed a very successful career path in hospitality, working in senior operational leadership roles, concept development, innovation, or strategy in many of the large hospitality businesses.
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It was during her time in a smaller pub business, where she had complete creative and operational authority, that despite having loved renovating her own home and loved helping a few of her friends, that Sorcha realised her love of curating spaces, and that she was good at turning properties that lacked soul, not only into gorgeous designs, but also added considerable commercial value through the guest experience and team efficiencies.
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At 40 Sorcha went back to study Interior Design at Kings College London to ensure that technically she was able to design spaces whilst working on strategic projects that have ...
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Wellbeing, sustainabiity
Katie Wells
Operational Delivery Director
As Operational Delivery Director, Katie is the master of making things happen for us at Design@Studio17. She thrives on solving challenges and ensuring our clients' visions are brought to life flawlessly.
Katie is a self-proclaimed homebody, and she believes that your home is more than just a place – it's a reflection of who you are. Home should be a sanctuary, a place where you can relax, recharge, and connect with loved ones. Katie’s love for cooking, crafting, and hosting stems from this deep appreciation for the joy of home. We bring this understanding to every project, creating spaces that are not only beautiful but also truly liveable.
When not helping to craft your dream home, you can find Katie perfecting her (many) recipes for baked goods – it's all about the perfect balance of ingredients, just like a well-designed room! And whenever Katie is whipping something up in the kitchen, her dog, Hendrix, is never too far away…he considers himself chief taster and is always on point to carry out his duties.
Hendrix
Wellbeing Manager
Meet Hendrix, our four-legged Wellbeing Officer. Hendrix brings a unique blend of furry charm and unwavering spaniel energy to the studio, playing a crucial role in keeping our team happy, healthy, and inspired. While he might not be sketching floor plans or selecting fabrics, Hendrix's contributions are invaluable to our creative process and overall wellbeing; his key skills are unconditional love, expert cuddling, tail-wagging proficiency, and a talent for making people smile.
Hendrix lives by the three F's -
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Food: A well-deserved treat is always appreciated after a hard day's work of boosting morale.
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Frisbee: Hendrix's athleticism is truly inspiring (especially when he manages to catch a frisbee mid-air). A quick frisbee session is his favourite way to unwind and get some exercise.
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Fuss: Whether it's a belly rub, a scratch behind the ears, or a full-on cuddle, Hendrix thrives on attention and affection.
We're incredibly lucky to have Hendrix on the team. His presence reminds us that a happy and healthy work environment is essential for creativity and success.
Purdy, Nancy, Lola & Bert
The Whisker Wellness Team
Our feline facilitators are always nearby to ensure a harmonious, productive, and joy-filled work environment through expert break management, efficient administrative oversight, and unwavering morale support.​​
​Break Management
(Purdy)
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Scheduled Relaxation Enforcement: Implement and uphold designated break times, ensuring all human colleagues adhere to necessary periods of rest and rejuvenation.​
​Administrative Oversight
(Nancy)
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Desk Defence: Maintain a vigilant presence at designated workstations, deterring unauthorised intrusions and ensuring the security of vital office supplies.​
Office Morale & Wellness
(Lola & Bert)
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Mood Boosting Initiatives: Initiate spontaneous playtime sessions and interactive activities to encourage team bonding and reduce workplace tension.​
Our Values
​A Sustainable Future
We believe that a well-designed home should be a sanctuary, a place that reflects your personality and supports your lifestyle. It is important to us to ensure that we are leaving a legacy, not just in the work we do with our clients, but on our planet. That's why sustainable design is at the heart of everything we do. We're committed to sourcing eco-friendly materials, and selecting timeless pieces over fleeting trends, reducing waste, and creating spaces that are both stylish and responsible. We work with suppliers that also care about the difference they are making and source products that are more environmentally friendly.
We value quality, collaboration, transparency, and a genuine connection with our clients, and we're excited to get to know you and help you bring your dream home to life. We want you to love every inch of your home and put as much care and attention into your design as we would our own.
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Beyond our design work, we're driven by a deep-seated belief in the power of kindness. That's why we've woven compassion into the very fabric of Design@Studio17. We're committed to channelling our resources and energy towards making a tangible difference in the lives of those facing hardship. You can read a little about those that we support both in our local community, and globally below...however these aren't just charitable endeavours; they're expressions of our core value: that design, and business, should be a force for good. These passion projects are a reflection of our belief that every act of kindness, no matter how small, can make a significant impact.​
We proudly support Standing Tall in Manchester, donating 10% of our profits to help provide vital assistance to individuals experiencing homelessness.
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In our commitment to supporting those who have experienced homelessness, we have also established the Bedding Bundle Program. This initiative provides essential bedding items to individuals being supported by Standing Tall, as they transition from homelessness to independent living.
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Standing Tall are on a mission to champion the hidden talent on our streets and to change public perceptions of people experiencing homelessness. They believe in the power of opportunity and its ability to transform lives.
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Find out more about Standing Tall.
We provide support to The Sorcha Children Foundation in Uganda, where we strive to help create brighter futures for vulnerable children.
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Sorcha is a Trustee of the foundation and ensures that all donations are transferred safely to the small team who look after the children at the orphanage. Sorcha also looks after their website, and gofundme page, along with anything else they need help with. All of this support is completely voluntary, so anything you donate goes directly to the foundation.
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Find out more about The Sorcha Children Foundation.