Romanos Brihi

If it can be distilled into a pithy paragraph, how would you describe Studio Vero’s house style?

Studio Vero doesn't really have a house style in the conventional sense because we never want our clients to feel as though they're living in one of our projects. Every home begins with the people who inhabit it. We create richly layered interiors that feel collected over time rather than decorated in one moment. We're not afraid of colour when it suits the client, but equally we're never led by trends. Instead, we combine antiques, contemporary design, bespoke craftsmanship, art, books and objects to create homes with real depth and personality. We're constantly searching for exceptional makers, artisans and suppliers because the most memorable interiors are the ones that couldn't belong to anyone else.

Image credit: Mark Anthony Fox

Bespoke joinery or finding the right antique?

Finding the right antique, every time. I find it surprisingly difficult to buy something new when there's an object with history waiting to be discovered. Antiques bring character, craftsmanship and a patina that simply can't be manufactured, and they're inherently sustainable because you're giving something another life. That said, bespoke joinery is incredibly important too. Often the best projects are those where beautifully made contemporary joinery sits comfortably alongside antiques that have already lived a hundred years.

What role should art play in a home? And, how do you match art to the individual?

Art is absolutely fundamental. In many ways, it's where every project begins, because it tells you so much about a person. Whether we're helping someone build their first collection or adding to one they've spent years assembling, the process is always deeply personal. We spend a great deal of time understanding how our clients live, what inspires them, what they wear, where they travel and what they naturally gravitate towards. There are no formulas, and certainly no "matching" art to a sofa. The most interesting homes have a little tension and surprise. Art should move you, challenge you or make you smile; that's far more important than whether it picks up a colour elsewhere in the room.

Image credit: Mark Anthony Fox

What considerations most impact your personal wardrobe?

I'm naturally drawn to brands that feel slightly under the radar. I like discovering independent makers and pieces that aren't instantly recognisable, which is probably very similar to how I approach interiors. Living in London, practicality inevitably comes into it, but I don't really have separate wardrobes for work and evenings. I'll wear the same outfit from morning meetings through to dinner, because I think personal style should feel effortless rather than overly considered.

What is Studio Vero’s latest news?

We're fortunate to be working with an incredibly diverse group of private clients, with projects spanning both the UK and overseas, including projects in Italy and Courchevel. This year has seen the completion of three very different private residences, in Belgravia, Notting Hill and on the Italian Riviera, with more to follow in the autumn. While each project has its own distinct character, all three reflect our holistic approach to design, where the interiors extend far beyond furniture and finishes to encompass the careful curation of art, antiques and objects that give a home its personality, depth and sense of permanence.

Quick Fire Five

Favourite restaurant: Hauser & Wirth's Mount St. Restaurant. I'm not sure anywhere else pairs serious art with such good food!

Favourite holiday destination: Patmos. I keep returning, it has none of the noise of the more obvious Greek islands.

Favourite musician: I don't have one. I'm drawn to whatever suits the mood of the room, which is probably the designer in me talking!

Prize possession: A Fernand Léger gouache, a gift from my parents for my twenty-first birthday, and one that has always lived in my bedroom.

Biggest indulgence: My collection of classic cars, glorious to own, less glorious when one disappears for a service!