Meet The Interior Designer: Cat Earp

The article introduces Cat Earp, an interior designer who, after completing the shepherd huts she rents on her Dorset farm, has launched her own design studio. In addition to expanding her homeware range, Earp has also undertaken the extensive design of her family's 16th-century thatched farmhouse. Earp's background in fashion PR for brands like Gucci, Prada, and Mulberry cultivated her creative passion, which she has now fully channeled into interior design. Her initial foray into interiors began with the shepherd huts at Aller Dorset, a project that, by necessity, pushed her to develop her design confidence. Each hut is uniquely designed, often starting with a specific color or a favored fabric in the kitchen, and building the rest of the scheme from there. The positive reception to Aller Dorset and her design work motivated her to start selling her designs and launch The Aller Studio, offering interior design services for projects of all sizes. Earp draws inspiration from fabrics and pieces she loves, alongside the work of interior designers such as Elizabeth Hay, Lucy Barlow, Laura Stephens, Beata Heuman, Emma Ainsborough, Sarah Southwell, and Sean Symington. Her preferred brands for homeware include Alice Palmer, Bettina Ceramica, Matilda Goad, Beauvamp, Hum London, and Hastshlip. A cherished item in her own home is a bespoke plate from Harlie Brown, displayed prominently in her kitchen. She also highlights a new wavy footstool from Isabelle Baldwin as a perfect addition. For local shopping, Earp recommends Aitta in Sherborne and the curiosity store in Dorchester, while online she favors Glassette for its curated selection of independent homeware brands. She recently discovered Birdie Fortescue for its well-priced lamps and lampshades. The renovation of her own 16th-century thatched farmhouse was a significant undertaking, involving changes to the layout, a new kitchen, and new bathrooms. Due to its listed building status, Earp collaborated closely with an architect to navigate planning permissions and structural considerations, ensuring the preservation of original elements while modernizing the space. Her design process involved creating mood boards, collecting fabric and paint samples, and setting up scheme areas in her sitting room to ensure a cohesive flow throughout the house. A strong advocate for bold colors, Earp believes they never disappoint and emphasizes attention to detail in finishes. Key areas of her renovated home include the hallway, which features Farrow & Ball paint, Beata Heuman pendants, Bettina Ceramica wall lights, and a scalloped built-in bench. The kitchen, a major part of the renovation, involved extending the space to include a utility room, pantry, and dog's room. Designed by The Dorset Kitchen Company, it showcases a blue unit color, Farrow & Ball paint, Beata Heuman and Beauvamp pendants, Otto Tiles, and furniture from Birdie Fortescue and Isabelle Baldwin. The cloakroom boasts Soane wallpaper, The English Panelling Company wall paneling, Mandarin Stone floor tiles, a Soho Home vanity unit, Alice Palmer lampshades, Pooky wall lights, and an Alice Palmer mirror. The pantry, a personal favorite, features Ottoline wallpaper and Mandarin Stone flooring, while the utility room continues the blue theme with Farrow & Ball paint and units from The Dorset Kitchen Company. The main bedroom is designed for timeless tranquility, featuring Soane's scrolling fern fabric for blinds and curtains, Farrow & Ball paint, Vaughan lamps, and furniture from Clockhouse Furniture and The Trove. The en-suite bathroom incorporates checked Mandarin Stone flooring, Otto Tiles zellige tiles, The English Panelling Company paneling, Farrow & Ball paint, Etsy mirrors, Soho Home vanity units, Alice Palmer lampshades, and Pooky wall lights. Her daughter's bedroom is inspired by Schumacher's tiger-palm print wallpaper, complemented by Lewis & Wood linen and a ric-rac trim. Her son's bedroom uses English Panelling Company panelling and Farrow & Ball paint, with cushions from Schumacher and a headboard from The Aller Studio. The son's bathroom features playful wallpaper, a Holly Oak House vanity, and a Hastshlip rattan mirror. Finally, the guest bedroom utilizes Ottoline's little wild tulip print fabric, a headboard and cushions from The Aller Studio, and lampshades from Hum London. The guest bathroom features Alice Palmer striped wallpaper, checked floor tiles, and an Alice Palmer bin. #InteriorDesign #HomeRenovation #AllerDorset #CatEarp #TheAllerStudio #DorsetFarmhouse #DesignInspiration #LuxuryInteriors #ShepherdHuts #InteriorDesign #HomeRenovation #AllerDorset #CatEarp #TheAllerStudio #DorsetFarmhouse #DesignInspiration #LuxuryInteriors #ShepherdHuts