Welcome to our little corner of the internet, and a big hello from our team. We're so glad you've found us.
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​​We think that great design really happens through understanding, collaboration, effective communication and trust, so we invite you to delve a little deeper and get to know the faces behind Design@Studio17.
Discover what truly matters to us, our approach, and the values that guide every project we undertake. We are dedicated to creating beautiful, functional, and truly timeless spaces that work for you now, and the years ahead.
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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. And in commercial spaces, our interior design services go further than the aesthetics, we understand the details that matter and our role in supporting your success. 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 to life. We want you to love every inch of your space 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, Birmingham, London and other cities around the UK.
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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. We are currently in the process of registering as a NGO.
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Find out more about The Sorcha Children Foundation.
Meet The Team
Sorcha Drakeford
Creative Director & Founder
Looking back, I now realise I have always been interested in architecture, design, fabrics, texture and form, and with a keen eye for detail, I've been aware of the importance of the connection between them. I would spend the wages from my first job (aged 14), on homeware, and I created my first gallery wall at 15... I was continually rearranging rooms, decluttering and organising space as I grew up, but then fell into and followed a very successful career path in hospitality spanning 30 years, working in senior operational leadership roles, new concept development, innovation, and strategy in many of the large, (and some smaller), hospitality businesses.
It was during my time in a smaller pub business, where I had complete creative and operational authority, that despite having loved renovating my own home, and helping some of my friends, that I finally realised my love of curating spaces and developing concepts, and that I am pretty good at turning properties that lacked soul, not only into gorgeous designs, but in the commercial developments, I have also added considerable commercial value. After creating several very successful pub and bedroom developments, the spark was truly ignited, and I ​went back to study Interior Design at Kings College London to ensure that technically I was able to design spaces too.​​​
I now realise that intuitively , I pick up on the energy and flow in a space, and the impact it has on our wellbeing. I ensure that in all my designs, I consider not only how the space will be used and how it will look, but also design the space so that it has a positive impact on your wellbeing. We work hard, your home should be your safe haven, I liken it to a warm hug at the end of the day. Over the last decade or so , I have also become so much more aware of the our impact on the planet, and each other, you can find out more about Our Values above, on how we try and ensure we do our part to leave a positive impact where we can.
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I have always loved travel, and visited lots of great places, I love hospitality, and not just because of my career, I think its so important for connection, and I love a good hike, the sea and lots of laughter, I find both very good for the soul.​​​​
Katie Wells
Operational Delivery Director
As Operational Delivery Director, I am the master of making things happen for us at Design@Studi . I thrive on solving challenges and ensuring our clients' visions are brought to life flawlessly.
As a self-proclaimed homebody, I believe 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. My 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 me perfecting my (many) recipes for baked goods – it's all about the perfect balance of ingredients, just like a well-designed room! And whenever I am whipping something up in the kitchen, my dog, Hendrix, is never too far away…he considers himself chief taster and is always on point to carry out his duties.
Design@Studio17
Our Furry Wellbeing Gang
Hendrix
Wellbeing Manager
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. 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:​ Food, Frisbee and Fuss.
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.​​
Purdy
Break Management
Scheduled Relaxation Enforcement: Implement and uphold designated break times, ensuring all human colleagues adhere to necessary periods of rest and rejuvenation.
Nancy
Administrative Oversight
Desk Defence: Maintain a vigilant presence at designated workstations, deterring unauthorised intrusions & ensuring the security of vital office supplies. She will also attend most virtual meetings and wail... Sorry...
Lola & Burt
Office Morale & Wellness
Mood Boosting Initiatives: Initiate spontaneous playtime sessions and interactive activities to encourage team bonding and reduce workplace tension. They are pretty rubbish at doing anything other than bringing the fun.