“We have just completed what ended up being a 15 month project to entirely remodel our mid-18th century, Grade II listed home. While preserving many original features, we have effectively re-built the house from bottom up, whole adding a fifth attic floor.
Doris and her team have been involved for the whole project from the beginning and have added tremendous value. We have really enjoyed working with Doris and Sensi over this period. Particularly worthy of note:
1. Some great design ideas, particularly around furniture, both built-in and free-standing, supported by some great craftsmen. The “banquette” in the dining room is of particular note
2. Always listening to our preferences and integrating our personal furniture/art
3. Super attention to service and detail, being really responsive and available throughout the process
4. Implemented changes to original ideas without restrictions/hesitation
5. Seamless integration into the overall team with architect and builder making the process much smoother for us
6. A positive and professional attitude throughout
It has been a real pleasure and we would recommend Doris and her team without reservation.”
– Catherine & Matthew (Residential Interior Design Client)
“After moving into a Georgian house that hadn’t been shown much love in recent years, we felt we would really benefit from talking to a professional about how to renovate the ground floor.
We came across Doris on social media and felt that her aesthetic would match well with what we had in mind. After an initial consultation, Doris came back with some brilliant suggestions about how we could freshen up the space whilst respecting the original fabric of the building and at the same time as putting our own stamp on it. In particular, she suggested that we relocate our kitchen to a different position, which in hindsight really was a ‘game changer’ for how we interact with the space. Whilst she very much tried to keep our personal stylistic preferences in mind, she was also not afraid to challenge us when she felt other alternatives should also be considered.
Doris also acted as the project manager, and we were really impressed by her attention to detail and communication. We definitely felt that any questions we had would be answered swiftly and followed up when needed. Notably, when we had some issues with our kitchen cabinetry after it had been installed, Doris really went out of her way to find a solution that would work for us.
Overall, it has been an absolute pleasure working with both Doris and Sensi, as well as the contractors she brought in to complete the work (notably the excellent Ivan). We would have no hesitation at all in recommending Doris to anyone who needs a creative helping hand!”
– Louise & Jody (Residential Interior Design Project)
“We worked with Doris over a six-month period to design and deliver a totally new renovated ground floor space and extension – and we are delighted with the result.
As well as providing excellent creative ideas and guidance at the early stages, she was a vital presence throughout offering invaluable advice, support and hands-on oversight before, during and after the building works themselves.
Doris was always a pleasure to work with and her ongoing presence and experience a source of reassurance and confidence through what was, inevitably, sometimes a difficult process. We can’t recommend her highly enough.”
– Stef & Ed (Residential Interior Design Client)
“We worked closely with Doris on our year long house restoration and extension project in Stamford Brook. Doris had a firm handle on the interior design from the start, but also worked very collaboratively with us, embracing our ideas as well as having strong opinions of her own. Doris went through the various stages of design ideas, samples, on-site visits and seeing the work through to completion in a highly professional manner. Lively debate was encouraged and we were immensely pleased with the end result.
Our brief was to create a warm and friendly home, a ‘lived in’ feel without compromising style. Doris worked with our eclectic Scandinavian/Mediterrean influences. Highlights included tumbling our parquet flooring in a cement mixer in small batches to create a ‘ready worn’ look, Doris brought her fantastic tradesmen onto the project, all of which were exemplary.
We cannot speak more highly of Doris Lee Design. Her positive influence permeates our house and she was reassuringly calm throughout. Our advice would be to sign her up before she becomes too busy. Word of mouth spreads fast. Thank you Doris Lee.”
– Lucy & Duncan (Residential Interior Design Client)
“Doris helped us transform a rather bare, unwelcoming room, into a cosy, functional, happy family room, that is now everyone’s favourite.
She has a great eye for colour, and furniture. She provided clear direction to the design and gave us the courage to opt for bold colours, which we now all love. She found a great team of decorators and carpenters,
and ensured that the project was delivered on time, to a high specification. Very pleased!!!”
– Amaparo & Aris (Residential Interior Design Client)
“When we moved in our house was a white box. After 4 years and some half hearted attempts at improving it we realised we needed help. A friend recommended Doris and we set up a meeting.
We had never worked with an interior designer before and have been very pleasantly surprised. Initially, what really impressed us with Doris is the way in which she listened to what we liked and disliked. At our first design meeting she came up with lots of different ideas, some of which we liked, and some of which we didn’t. She clearly listened to us as, after that, all of her ideas were very much in the style we wanted (whilst still being creative, and things we would never have thought of ourselves). The end result is a house that feels personal to us.
During the build process her attention to detail was second to none. She was also very good at liaising with the builders and other tradesmen involved in the refurbishment to ensure the whole process ran smoothly.
We would highly recommend Doris and her team to anyone planning on refurbishing their home. She was a pleasure to work with and we will not hesitate to use her again on any future projects.”
– Melissa & David (Residential Interior Design Client)
“We engaged Doris to furnish a house for weekends in the country. From the start Doris and her team were a pleasure to deal with – very flexible, excellent communication and always taking our feedback into account.
Overall, it was a very smooth process. We are very happy with the end result – a lovely, relaxing, comfortable and (importantly, with two young children) practical environment for us to spend time as a family, thanks to Doris and her team!”
– Anna & Will (Residential Interior Design Client)
“On moving to a new house, a small initial scope became a 2 month project and on Doris’s advice walls were rightly knocked down, making a more usable family space.
Doris has made herself available throughout the project (often including outside of normal office hours!) and spent considerable time understanding my requirements and project managing the building company. We have not had any conflicts with the builders and Doris has always been friendly, yet firm when appropriate. She ensures the finishings are to her high standards. Where there were issues Doris took responsibility and ensured they were quickly resolved.
Doris has chosen some stunning floors which everyone has commented on. Doris is also brilliant with working with your ideas so it has been a collaboration rather than, as with some other interior designers, a push of her own ideas. My interior furnishings brief was unique, drawing on my East African and Indian heritage and Doris has embraced this and sourced some really fantastic pieces within my budget.
I would recommend Doris to anyone. For those who haven’t used a designer before and are not sure whether to, she has certainly added value to my project and had ideas and suggestions I wouldn’t have had myself despite having a keen interest in all things property related. And for those who do regularly use designers, you will find her a refreshing change with an open mind and fabulous ideas.”
– Rina (Residential Interior Design Client)
“I recently worked with Doris and Sensi on the complete refurbishment of our Victorian Terrace ground floor extension. I wasn’t really sure of the look I wanted to create but with Doris’ expert design process, we were able to capture a sophisticated yet laid back family space that works really well for us all. From the lighting to the furniture to the detail of the electrics.
Doris helped me plan out exactly how everything would work providing constant reassurance along the way given our house was literally turned upside down for 4 months! Doris has a real eye for detail but also is able to capture family lifestyle details into her work that really make the house a home and give it that individual yet lived in feel. I would not hesitate to recommend Doris if you are planning any kind of interior renovation project – no matter how big or small!”
– Priya & Mrinal (Residential Interior Design Client)
“Doris Lee is a magician – there is no other way to explain how she has managed to create so much extra space in my kitchen without any need for an extension! Thanks to great planning, and a brilliant idea that she kept up her sleeve as a wild card, I now have a room that is light and bright (not easy in a north-facing kitchen), wonderful to move around in and fully fit for 21st century living.
I am particularly pleased with the protruding box window, complete with seating area, and the slip brick wall that runs the full length of the kitchen and was designed to display artwork.
From our initial meeting, I liked Doris’s no-nonsense approach to design and enjoyed visiting her studio to discuss updates and ideas. Her assistant Sensi was always very helpful and they work so well together as a team. Communication was never an issue and Doris was also super-supportive when I had some mid-build wobbles!
My builders, Project 1, recommended Doris Lee Design Studio, and it was great to see both builders and design team work so well together. That relationship certainly relieved me of a lot of the stresses that can come with these projects. I would not hesitate to recommend Doris and her team to anyone in need of innovative, budget-conscious, clever and unique design ideas.”
– Tina (Residential Interior Design Client)
“I have worked with Doris and her team on two occasions to initially help design the interior following renovation of my properly and latterly to design a refresh to the property along with furnishings. Doris provides a bespoke service and helped me investigate what I “really” wanted to facilitate a unique creation. I would highly recommend her and the only regret I had was I didn’t follow all her advice the first time! The rooms I didn’t required the later refresh.”
– Russell (Residential Interior Design Project)
