Nathan Kingsbury Design: Creating innovative interior spaces

Introducing Nathan Kingsbury Design, a studio that specialises in innovative, bespoke kitchens, interiors and furniture, including spatial, lighting and architectural interior design.

Their unique approach is focused entirely on placing the client at the centre of all of their projects, bringing inspired design and outstanding craftsmanship to life.

Here we chat with its founder, Nathan Kingsbury about their family-run business..

Tell us more about your background…

After graduating in Furniture Design from Buckingham University in 2000, I then went on to do a further two years of studying in management and social policy before entering the design industry. In 2012, with over ten years experience, I took the step to set up my own practice, focusing on designs that last a lifetime. My wife Amber, joined the design studio in 2016 after a career change, so it truly is a family-run business.

What was the driving force behind setting up Nathan Kingsbury Design?

I had never been in doubt that I wanted to set up my own business, as I had always been left feeling unfulfilled working for others, and on projects where I was not directly connecting with the clients. I wanted to pursue my own ideas and that of the clients, growing and creating things in collaboration that were special and exciting for both sides.

I also like being my own boss and creating my environment as much as I can. Working directly with clients (always the end user as I do not generally work with intermediaries) has such a buzz to it, you get to truly ascertain what people want and how their tastes can be explored and expanded; creating unique homes to reflect this.

Your work is driven by natural materials; where do you draw your design inspiration from?

“I always try to avoid taking inspiration from interiors and furniture specifically, preferring to look to the natural world and architecture, art and music, feelings and abstract thoughts. I had a great design teacher when I was at university, who suggested we simply sketch objects not related to what we were aiming to design and without any intention of creating something specific. Then from this process, one begins to find shapes and potential forms appearing, which your imagination then plays with to create unexpected designs; the sub-conscious collaborating.

My first ever design came from this way of working and it is still a key part of my design process, and that first ever design it is still something I have a lot of affection for now. Today most of my inspiration comes from material that I request from my clients. Rather than images of furniture or interiors, I ask for literally anything they are interested in; artworks, paintings, sculpture, photography, a rock formation found in a coastal region near to their parents’ home – anything.

In addition, I draw my inspiration from how my clients would like to feel in the spaces I am creating, as well as what kind of family they are. For example, a recent client mentioned that they are quite a calm family – this is obviously fertile ground for growing a unique design for them.  People’s personalities are hugely important to the process, and as I get to know them, little things become apparent which really help to inform my choices.”

Tell us more about the design process and the journey from ideation to product? How do you collaborate with clients?

I first spend time just talking and getting to know the clients. Often this will include a visit to one of my previous projects so that they can see the work firsthand and spark conversations about their project. The idea for me is to first ascertain the basics of what they want functionally and aesthetically. From there I move on to how they want to feel in the space and therefore how they want the design to act upon them/affect them.

A good example of this was a recent client saying to me that they wanted their new kitchen to be ‘light and airy’. This simple comment makes a great deal of sense as they were moving from a large family home with extensive outside space to a considerably smaller home in a retirement village, and their main concern with their new home was that they would feel constrained and miss the space that they had always enjoyed. I set about creating a beautiful, classically modern kitchen; though a smaller space than they had previously had, it offered everything they wanted, including a walk-in larder and breakfast bar seating.

They now enjoy cooking and eating together in a wonderful space. When they saw the original kitchen, and before I was involved, they had not expected to love their new home as as much as they now do!

Existing features are often crucial and can contribute a great deal to the design process. For example, I always strive to create spaces that make the most of the view of the outside. There is nothing more delightful than orientating your new kitchen cabinets and making a line of sight to a beautiful garden. These features can often be hidden gems to be unlocked to create a new fresh feel. Even details about the existing space that appear to be compromises to overcome can actually be amazing ignition for unexpected ideas; one of my favourite kitchens was inspired by such an obstacle.

There is certainly a true collaboration between myself and the client. This comes from asking the right questions, truly listening, experience and a joining of ideas, tastes, creative energy and excitement. This leads to a final design that I would not have reached without their input and that they would never have conceived; making it at once new, unexpected and exciting while simultaneously feeling close to their sensibilities and uniquely theirs.

What are your favourite materials to work with?

I very much like working with natural materials or those that have a more natural element within their creation. Although created through an altering process, patina on brass and other metals are materials that I love using. Brass is particularly interesting as it has so much scope for creating interesting patinas, the process regularly uses liquids and water, often leading to an etherial quality in the finishes. They are also ‘live’ surfaces and will change and move over time. I very much like to juxtapose this material with glass, painted and timber surfaces as they complement one another beautifully.

Why is it important to you to work in a bespoke capacity?

It is the creative freedom it allows; for the client wanting a personal experience and home that truly works for them, and for me as an artist to flow. As a designer, I regularly find myself seeing an abstract image of how I would like a space or piece to look and I then pursue a design that fulfils this. This is only possible in a bespoke capacity – it is simply the most exciting and freeing way to create.

What is next for Nathan Kingsbury Design in 2024?

Over the last few years Amber and I have been developing and refining our voice as a design studio; it has been such an exciting and affirming process. We want to reach new clients who understand why we’re unique and are excited to work with us to pursue mutually exciting goals. We’re enlivening our website to celebrate this and are continuing to enjoy the art of bespoke!

To learn more about Nathan Kingsbury Design, go to nathankingsbury.com.

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