About

Stylish. Contemporary. Glamorous. Sophisticated. These words are often used to describe Karen’s interiors. But there are others that are just as important to her: Functional. Individual. Comfortable. Joyful.

Karen believes, first and foremost, that a house is a home. That it should reflect the personality of the owners, that it complements their lifestyle. And, most important of all, that it works. That’s why her main inspiration is always “The client’s brief”, combined with her creative flair and passion for creating spaces that are both stylish and functional.

Karen brings her unique eye and varied experience to every project. She is a keen traveller and has been influenced by her many trips throughout Europe, Asia, and South America. She is not afraid to mix classic with eclectic, vintage with contemporary. And she has an almost obsessive attention to detail and commitment to quality.

Karen has been pursuing her passion for interiors over the last fifteen years, having qualified from the KLC School of Design in 2005 with a Diploma in Interior Design and is now an Associate of the British Institute of Interior Design (BIID) and also included on The List by House & Garden.

Before designing, she had a successful career as a Chartered Accountant in the media industry. While accountancy and interior design may seem to have little in common, her business experience has proved invaluable. Her meticulous approach to costing and her financial and organisational skills help to ensure projects are on budget and on time.

A creative eye with a head for figures – a rare combination in the world of interior design.

Testimonials

We engaged with Karen to redo our loft area after moving into our new home. The loft was split into two rooms that we wanted to make one master suite. We could not be more pleased with the work and the process. Working with Karen was a delight – she made every step of the way easy for us. We both work long hours in London and Karen was effective in presenting us options, locking down decisions and took initiative to ensure the project moved at the right pace. She took time to understand the ethos we were trying to achieve with the room, our preferences on the decorations and made our combined vision a reality. She also made sure to present us with products at various price points to ensure we were comfortable with our choices. Her attention to detail is fantastic – there are so many little aspects that bring the room together that I adore. Karen is a pleasure to work with and we will certainly be using her again for further projects in the future.

Loft Reconfiguration: Family Home, CH Sheen

My wife and I have just completed the re-decoration of our house. This job involved changing the existing layout of the house in addition to a total refurbishment of it.  Karen has been meticulous in her planning and project management of the entire job, as well as supplying detailed records and accounts of all costings.  Her designs are really beautiful and everyone who sees our house is blown away by how stunning it looks. We could never have achieved anything close to this on our own.  Karen has been extremely efficient throughout out. She is very pleasant to be around, and has been a pleasure to work with.  We are very happy with what she has achieved, and would thoroughly recommend her to any prospective client.

 

Total House Refurbishment: Victorian Villa, JG Richmond

We highly recommend Karen to anybody embarking on a refurbishment or interior design program. Karen is able to help with all aspects of the project and works in a collaborative way with her clients. Karen took the time to understand our style and how we ultimately want to live in our house; we worked towards the end goal together. This Involved many ongoing discussions and choices. Karen is an organised, experienced and talented designer with a strong eye for detail. She is also a pleasure to work with and we would not hesitate to do so again.

Total Renovation: Georgian Grade II Listed Building, JR Richmond

I cannot recommend Karen highly enough.  She is the ultimate professional with great attention to detail… a design that was both imaginative and realistic.  She is knowledgeable and confident about what will and won’t work.  Not only is she talented at what she does, she’s also a pleasure to work with.  I always felt Karen had everything under control at all times which was very reassuring.

Room Designs: Victorian House, SH Richmond

Karen immediately challenged our perceptions….she has the ability to visualise your space in a totally different way to the way you look at it yourself.  She will ensure your thoughts and ideas are at the heart of the project, but will then build on that to create something completely new for you

Design Consultation: Edwardian House, EM Twickenham

We first called Karen for help when we got completely stuck on the electrical design for a big house renovation. Karen’s expert advice and design has been absolutely invaluable to us. She’s since helped us greatly with other design decisions – helping us refine our thinking and presenting options we hadn’t thought of. She’s also so easy and pleasant to work with! We highly recommend Karen.

Lighting Design: Substantial 1930s House, AG Richmond

We would like to recommend Karen Oliver to anyone who is looking for reliable and professional interior design. We were working with Karen on several projects and we were always impressed with her competence and excellent eye for details.Ho

Property Refurbishment and Renovation: Contractor Richmond

We commissioned Karen to help with the interior design works in our Georgian townhouse. Throughout the refurbishment she has liaised with us and our builder and we have found her to be reliable, flexible, very helpful and has come up with some fabulous and very stylish ideas.

Total Renovation: Georgian Grade II Listed Building, RL Richmond

I worked with Karen as the main contractor in one of her projects. It was really great working with her. She is professional, responsive and always helpful. Following her instructions and her detailed drawings we’ve manage to deliver a very nice job.

Property Refurbishment and Renovation: Contractor Kingston

We used Karen’s service to redecorate two of our rooms, including buying new furniture, lighting, rugs and picture frames.  We are extremely happy with the result and feel that we would not have achieved this without her help.  I would not hesitate in using Karen again.

Room designs: Large Country House, PW Hertfordshire

Karen created two new bathrooms for my house after I had a fire. She listened to all my requirements and then designed and costed them within my budget. Thank you, Karen!

Bathroom Designs: Detached Family House, FM Richmond

Karen re-designed my office space for me – it was a total transformation – she took time to listen and to ask questions as to how I used the space and thoughtfully present several options – all within the budget I had.  Karen took my hugely messy, small space and transformed it into a calm, appropriate, useful and comfortable working environment.  All on time and on budget, as well as being a pleasure to work with.  I would highly recommend Karen Oliver Design.

Design Consultation: Family Home, VS Richmond

I have had the good fortune on supplying to a number Karen’s projects over the last couple of years. She demands value for clients, as expected, and in return is clear about what is needed from us and when. On the occasions where there are a number of solutions available, Karen possesses a rare talent of understanding the options we present and selecting the best one for the client. Where Karen is involved, projects seem to run more smoothly and hurdles are highlighted at a stage where they can be dealt with!

Lighting Associate

We decided to approach Karen to help us with our master bedroom and en suite layout.  Karen was able to work remotely on our plans. We gave Karen a full list of everything we needed our new suite to do which was quite ambitious! Karen rose to the challenge brilliantly. We were presented with four layout solutions which all met our requirements. We chose one to move forward with. Walls have been removed and built in their new positions and we have a fabulous new layout which feels like we have moved house! Thank you Karen for transforming our bedroom and changing the way we use the space.

Spatial planning: Family Home, SD Berkshire

The bathroom looks great. I’m really happy with the new design and the layout makes the room feel much more spacious than before. Thanks for the great work!

Bathroom Design, SC Richmond Hill

Karen provided a seamless service – listened attentively to requirements, made helpful suggestions and produced final drawings promptly and accurately. A pleasure to work with, thorough and detailed. Thank you, Karen!

Utility & Bootroom Design, SG Richmond

Having used Karen’s excellent, calm and professional services in the past we brought her in to help us with the design for refitting a bathroom. Karen talked it through with us, listened, and came up with excellent suggestions that have saved us time and money, by getting it right in the first place! She understands the intricacies of plumbing, electrics, building work and how to make things look beautiful in a tight space.  A major stress reliever! Highly recommended.

Bathroom Design, VS Richmond

Karen has offered fantastic practical and flexible support throughout our project. She is organised, detail-oriented and has helped us visualise the finished design. She first came on board to help us with our electrical plans for a full renovation project. She has since helped us with paint schedules and pulling together details for lighting, joinery and carpets. Karen has helped us to explore options we wouldn’t otherwise have considered, has listened and understood our family needs and is a pleasure to work with. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend her!

Renovation Design Consultation: Large Family House, HI St Margaret’s

Highly recommend Karen!

Interior design: Ground Floor Victorian House, EM Barnes

Karen helped me to pull together a floor plan for my kitchen extension, after my friends had given me too many helpful suggestions and confused me totally! She did a great job, coming up with creative and practical solutions and a fully measured plan, which I am about to have built. She is a pleasure to work with.

Renovation design consultation, JB Richmond

I approached Karen rather late in the day as a complete renovation of my flat was going to start in three weeks. I needed a reality check of what I had proposed and a suggestions on flooring, bathroom, kitchen, lighting, and colours. Karen came over for an initial visit and immediately my nerves were calmed. We went through everything and within a couple of weeks nearly everything was sorted included the ordering of the bathroom items. The work is about halfway through now and everything is looking really good. Thoroughly recommended.

Renovation Design Consultation: Split Level Apartment, RL Richmond Hill

Karen has been helping me with the refurbishment of parts of my home. She has been extremely attentive and I am delighted with her ideas and the designs thus far. She is efficient and reliable and an absolute pleasure to work with. Her clear skills and expertise in ALL aspects of the project from wiring and plumbing through to decor ideas have been apparent throughout – I would highly recommend her.

Interior Design: Refurbishment of Teen Bedroom & Den, NM Ealing

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