Arent&Pyke: the power design duo

The women behind the creative powerhouse design duo.

Juliette Arent and Sarah-Jane Pyke.

Juliette Arent is adamant she’s not just being complimentary — she’s simply telling the truth. Her wildly sought-after interior designs would not be what they are if not for the input of her creative partner Sarah-Jane Pyke. The two bring out the best in one another, pure and simple, and their unique style would not exist if not for their coming together as a talented twosome. Solo they’re good – but together they are the genius that is Arent & Pyke, the esteemed interior design team sought after by the rich and famous and also, those with more modest lifestyles, but are willing to pay out for their quirky, colourful and eclectic style. It’s a style that’s instantly recognisable and truly original too. And that’s due to teamwork say the duo, who highly recommend that those doing their own designing team up with those they know and love if they want to enjoy maximum creative impact.

One of the Arent&Pyke designs.

“There’s definitely something to be gained by working as a team,” says Juliette.

“We absolutely thrive on the creative process between the two of us … we each bring different view points, which we blend together. We bring our own aesthetic and life experiences to projects too and it makes a difference. A big difference.” Sarah-Jane agrees wholeheartedly. She’s certain she could not create in the way she does without her design soulmate Juliette and she loves the idea of regular folk like us enlisting a co-creator too. She adds just one word of warning however.

“It’s fantastic to think about working alongside someone important in your life,” she says, “but do make sure it’s about stretching your vision rather than seeking someone else’s approval.”

Hue House by Arent&Pyke.

Darley Road bathroom by Arent&Pyke.

COLLECTIVE CREATIVITY

Once you’ve chosen your partner in design it’s time to consider what kind of interiors speak to your heart. And this is what matters most, say both women. Not whether your furniture, accessories, materials and wall colours are officially ‘on trend’ but how, when pulled together, they make you feel. This might seem a somewhat unusual focus but it’s one that works and in a genuine fashion, say Juliette and Sarah-Jane. “Our approach has never been concerned with trends or generic solutions but rather the dynamic, spirited, colourful and very personal appeal of real-life spaces — the sort of spaces we would like to live in,” they write in the introduction of their recently released book Arent & Pyke – Interiors beyond the primary palette (Thames & Hudson). The women go on to explain they’ve long wanted to create authentic, meaningful spaces and that this remains their primary focus today.

Queens Park house by Arent&Pyke.

SENSE OF BELONGING

So how to begin creating a home that speaks to your soul? Firstly, you need to consider who will live in the home and how they will do so, says Sarah-Jane.

 “Everyone’s needs and desires are different,” she says. “When we meet with our clients we dig quite deep. We ask a lot of questions … we do so so that we can discover how to create a home for them that’s not only beautiful, but also provides ease and comfort plus joy. We want to provide unexpected moments of delight but also for it to be genuinely functional too.” As they say in their book, they have never been interested in decoration for decoration’s sake, but design that goes beyond beauty and function (although they tend to come first) to achieve a timeless, uncontrived quality that ensures a house truly belongs to those who live in it. Right now this is a tiny bit easier for Juliette and Sarah-Jane with their clients becoming particularly bold in recent times. “Right now we’re seeing people making very brave, very bold choices,” says Juliet, a hint of delight in her voice. “They’re embracing colour and prints and textures too. “In the ’80s there was a huge swing to grey, but the most prominent trend in the most recent decade has been neutrals. But now, people are rebelling against that.” And Arent & Pyke could not be happier.

Its al about details.

A&P LOOK FOR LESS
Good design is available to all, say both Juliette and Sarah-Jane.

They suggest that no matter your budget, it is worth using an interior design consultant however. You can hire one online and have them do the bare minimum for a very low cost, say the women. Alternatively, if you can’t afford someone who will redesign your home from top to bottom, even online, opt to hire a professional who can provide advice on a single aspect of your redesign, for example, the layout of your new dream home, the style of your kitchen, or, even something as simple as tap selection. Finally, don’t forget many kitchen and bathroom companies offer a design service at low or even no cost.