Discussing Design

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Introducing Georgie Wykeham of GW Designs

Founded in 2018 by KLC-trained designer Georgie Wykeham, GW Designs is celebrated for creating vibrant, comfortable interiors that feel effortlessly lived-in - whether in a London townhouse or a country retreat. Georgie’s approach layers colour, texture and pattern with a thoughtful blend of old and new, resulting in timeless spaces that reflect each client’s personality.

Inspired by traditional English country style and guided by sustainable principles, she champions restoring and reimagining existing pieces wherever possible. Alongside her interior projects, Georgie launched her own furniture range, The Colourist Collection, in 2021 - a collection that reinterprets antique forms in bold, contemporary colours.

^{Georgie Wykeham}

In this feature...

Georgie delves into the catalogue of our forthcoming Design auction, curating her favourite lots - pieces that speak to her eye for craftsmanship, colour and enduring style - while sharing insights into her design philosophy and the inspirations that shape her work.

^{William De Morgan (1839-1917), a ruby lustre charger, c.1885 (£1,500-2,500)}

The colour and pattern on this pale is absolutely fantastic and we love using plates as wall hangings in groups of three or five depending on the space. This plate by William de Morgan is especially beautiful and deserves to be centre stage whether on the wall or in a beautiful glass cabinet.

How would you describe your signature design style?  

Colourful and traditionally inspired are our calling card, but our roots also lie in the reality of family living and making a house work for “you".  Layering and pattern play a large part in our design and the joy of bold colours which is a prerequisite for any project. 

^{A pair of Arts and Crafts oak reclining armchairs, possibly manufactured by Shapland & Petter, c.1910 (£700-900)}

I love these chairs, the detail on the arms is fabulous as well as turned feet and on castors too. These would be very useable in most spaces and great to find a pair as well.

Which design movements or eras inspire your work?  

Georgian at heart, but really, pieces from any era can catch my eye and I adore bringing in elements from lots of different periods. There is a lot to be said for mixing your pieces up - it brings a more lived in feel to a space, as if you had been collecting and curating your house over the years.  You can absolutely mix styles and eras, a carefully chosen piece here or there can add so much interest and joy if it is a piece you love.

^{Contemporary, a flat-weave wool rug, of recent manufacture (£400-600)}

Rugs can really finish a room and we always love a flat weave.  The muted colours are perfect in this one.

How do you balance aesthetics with functionality in your projects?  

This is SO important. There is no point having a beautiful house if it doesn’t work.  I feel this is one of my strongest points, really digging deep into how the house is going to be used and then thinking how the functionality can be enhanced aesthetically.  Different rooms can have more aesthetic and less functionality and then the other way around in the service areas.

^{Piero Fornasetti (Italian, 1913-1988), a 'Farfalle' wastepaper basket. c.1960 (£300-500)}

This beautiful Fornasetti bin would always find a home and would look lovely in a guest bedroom or en suite bathroom.

What qualities do you look for in an auction piece before recommending it to a client?

Authenticity, the overall look and feel of the project, and good craftsmanship. We often start out with a list of things we’re looking for, but before you know it, we’ve gone off-piste and picked up something that just feels right - even if we’re not quite sure where it will go. It’s those unexpected pieces that really start to tell the story.

^{▲ Stuart Devlin (Australian-British, 1931-2018), a silver-gilt miniature paperweight, modelled as a bear, London, 1977 (£250-300)}

Small pieces like this adorable bear are the almost personal unexpected finds that can add a bit more authenticity to a design – these little extras really help to build a finished product.

Have you ever found a particularly special piece at auction that transformed a project?  

It’s often the more unexpected, curveball pieces that, in my mind, really transform a project - a striking piece of wall art, a beautiful screen or textile, or a one-of-a-kind decorative object. That said, we also have a real weakness for finding stunning tables for our projects - we tend to hold on to far too many of them! They’ve become the backbone of our own range, The Colourist Collection, inspired by the antique designs we’ve admired at auctions over the years.

^{Beaverman, an oak dining table, of recent manufacture (£300-500)}

Tables are always the heart of a room, and this suit a cosy country kitchen, a beautiful simple design, it is lovely.

We are delighted to offer all of these featured lots, alongside many other exciting treasures, in our upcoming Design auction. Explore the full catalogue online now, and join us live online or in person at our Stansted Mountfitchet Auction Rooms from 10am on 21 October.

Tuesday 21 October | 10am

design@sworder.co.uk | 01279 817778

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