Pimlico-based Studio Braw was founded in 2018 by partners in life and work Matt Simpson and Louise McGarry. Both have Scottish roots and met as students at Lancaster University, where McGarry studied English Literature and Simpson studied Business Studies.
“Although our degrees were in different disciplines, both inform our work today – my background has supported a strong sense of storytelling, and Matt’s provided a commercial and strategic perspective,” explains McGarry, who leads the studio’s design direction, while Simpson oversees construction.
A passion for property development
Their collaboration evolved naturally from their passion for property development. They renovated several London homes together, moving five times in a decade and treating each project as a learning opportunity.
Today, they focus on high-end residential design, believing that no two schemes should feel the same. As a result, Studio Braw has no fixed aesthetic, prioritizing bespoke details crafted by hand in its Kent workshop.
Custom joinery, kitchens, and individually designed pieces are regular features of their homes. “We believe that the bones of a building should be preserved as closely as possible to their original character,” says Simpson, “and we aim for the materiality of a design to respond to its environment.”
Recent projects
A six-bedroom villa in Saint-Tropez was a dream project for the pair, both in scale and location. “Our approach was to retain the regional charm of the exterior and curate the interior with a collection of antique pieces – mostly locally sourced,” says McGarry.
“We wanted the space to feel like an art gallery, so we used limestone floors and painted the walls off-white to serve as the perfect backdrop to our pieces.”
They also designed the interiors of a Grade II-listed Chelsea townhouse, balancing heritage with modern amenities.
Current projects
A mews house in west London is being arranged primarily as a lateral space, with vaulted ceilings reaching up to five and a half metres.
“It’s as exciting as it is challenging, the architecture offers real impact and volume but, as a residential home, it also has to feel warm, welcoming and comfortable,” says Simpson.
They are also putting the finishing touches to their own new home in Pimlico. “It’s at the end of a row of traditional townhouses; it used to be a shop, so it had large front windows, which we’ve replaced,” explains McGarry.
“The internal layout is slightly different to a typical townhouse, being wide rather than deep. We’ve made lots of bold design decisions, for example, the kitchen is fully clad in wood, including the floor and walls.”
They say: “When working with clients, we take time to really understand their personalities, how they live day to day, and how they intend to use their space. As a result, our projects vary quite widely, as each one is shaped by individual needs.”
Expert advice
Studio Braw has designed several ‘cloffices’, a blend of dressing room and office, for clients from the US, where this concept is more common.
Be creative with designs for media storage. Instead of just fixing a TV to a wall, build bespoke joinery walls that incorporate space for a screen, books, accessories, and more. This approach enhances living spaces and shifts focus away from the television.
Refine the balance between design and functionality. In kitchens, aim to eliminate dead corners, inaccessible top shelves, and other wasted areas, maximizing usable space through drawers and integrated storage.
Incorporate wine racks and slide-and-hide pantries, alongside discreet housing for everyday appliances. Everything should be designed to keep spaces calm and uncluttered.
Introduce unexpected elements, such as concealed utility or boot rooms. These separate the ‘workhorse’ areas of the home, housing washing machines, refrigerators, and additional storage away from the kitchen.