Global innovation and design firm IDEO have offices worldwide, but the interior of their London space was feeling more like IKEA. They needed a reception area and communal space they could be proud of – a softer and more fluid café feel that would accommodate collaboration and client meetings.

A more muted natural colour palette of creams, greens and oak, and a reconfigured layout, helped the whole space feel much more grounded, collaborative and relaxing.

Iconic Vitsoe shelving by the legendary Dieter Rams was installed to allow for displays and a new library, while a mix of raw, reclaimed materials told its own story and complemented IDEO’s brand and methodology.

Colours were used to zone the spaces more effectively, and modular furniture was installed to allow for rearrangement as the team grew. Prime real estate at the entrance was dedicated to a two-tier bike rack in eye-catching yellow, catering to the company’s many cyclists and showing off their green values loud and proud to all visitors. The end result was a bright, comfortable space that fostered creativity, collaboration and flow.


"By working with Rachel and her team, we have been able to create a space that is warm and welcoming for our clients and also, importantly, a space where our team have more options as to how and where they want to work. Thank you Forster Inc!” 

— Jamie Styles, Finance Director, IDEO

IDEO

42 M & P represent some of the biggest actors, writers and directors in the world but when they took over their new London office space it was essentially an empty box. I worked with different teams of specialists to create a clean, open, light and flexible space that felt befitting for both their team and any stars dropping by. All account managers had their own offices with sit-stand desks, and a relaxing windowless pod with soft colours and plush fabrics provided the ideal wind down / escape space.

A minimal white look was balanced with warm, calming material choices like wood and dark, textural fabrics. A new kitchen, air conditioning, lighting and glass were all chosen and installed by us, with the glass proving especially challenging. We needed it to feel bright and open plan, whilst also offering enough privacy where it mattered. Frosted stripes proved the perfect solution, and slimline black metal frames gave a subtle nod to the TV and film world.

42M&P

This 1980s house was a wealth of untapped potential when our clients – a family with two young children – moved in. The previous owner had needed a downstairs bedroom, which made for a slightly closed-off living space. The new owners wanted a much more fluid and open interior that would optimise available space for everyone – including their cat.

So, job one was to open up 3 rooms, the kitchen, living/dining and bedroom. The open plan environment then needed clear zoning, with colour blocking to define the kitchen, dining, living, and play spaces. Once this core shape was achieved I set about warming up the space with sustainable materials that felt homely and welcoming. A cork floor was installed throughout, along with terrazzo tiling, radiant warm copper taps, and a vivid pink downstairs WC.

Being north facing it was quite a dark space, so we replaced the half windows with full length doors to bring in the garden and plenty of natural light with it. The finished space is cosy, contemporary, and ready for Christmas, including the snuggly space-saving cat hatch we created under the stairs.

Forster Inc.

Burrow Walk