Words By Emily Martin
Who Fettle is a boutique interior architecture and design practice set up by Andy Goodwin and Tom Parker in 2015, which specialises in projects within the hospitality sector. It has studios in London and LA, with a client list including one-off operators and start-ups, to large commercial brands. The team creates beautiful, functional spaces that portray their building and location history, as well as ethos. The practice recently won Overall Winning Design at the Restaurant & Bar Design Awards, for its project Cicchetti, Knightsbridge, London. It has several key projects lined up for the 2024/25, including The Waterman in Farringdon, new work with the San Carlo Group, as well as hotel, restaurant and bar projects across London, Morocco, the Middle East, Las Vegas and Paris.
Image Credit: Helen Cathcart
Why Explains Goodwin: ‘My business partner, Tom Parker and I worked together at Londonbased design studios before starting Fettle. We always shared a similar approach to design and were close friends. In 2015 we felt that the time was right to start our own business together. We initially worked in London, but with the US side of the business growing, Tom moved to LA to start our design studio there. Our two studios work together on projects all over the world.’ Two projects – The Oxford Blue in Old Windsor and a private residence in Kensington – provided the opportunity for the duo to commit to working together full time. The company believes ‘in a very honest, direct, design-led approach’.
Where www.fettle-design.co.uk
Warwick, London
Fettle designed the interior of the members’ club – a renovated, eightfloor, 1910 neo-baroque building. It drew inspiration from the eclectic, colourful establishments synonymous with Soho’s past, paying particular attention to the 1950s and 1960s, considered to be the district’s ‘golden years’. ‘We also drew from the theories of Edwardian baroque architecture, celebrating original features… to ensure the design complemented the existing framework,’ says Goodwin.
San Carlo Liverpool
Image Credit: Helen Cathcart
Fettle also designed the interiors for this restaurant, a spectacularly opulent and contemporary take on traditional Italian dining, with elegant interiors inspired by grand Milanese villas and gardens. ‘We also drew from the architecture of Piero Portaluppi, creating a space that has an alluring ambience and timeless sophistication’ says Goodwin. ‘We employed a rich and dramatic palette of marble, high gloss, timber, and brass detailing throughout San Carlo.’
The Georgian Hotel, Santa Monica
Image Credit: Douglas Friedman
The practice worked with BLVD Hospitality to redesign Santa Monica’s iconic hotel. Dramatic in appearance but with a cosy feel, it restored the landmark property to its former glory. Goodwin says: ‘We took inspiration from the late period West Coast art deco architecture, as well as the rich history of the hotel to redesign the interiors of the space.’ The hotel features 84 guest rooms, 28 suites, two restaurants open to the public, dining terraces, art gallery, library and lobby bar.
