Already established in her field, it was the design of the Rixo flagship in Chelsea that got us talking. Gemma McCloskey, founder and creative director at Cúpla Studio, is making a name for herself in the world of interiors. With a keen eye for detail and a love for the bold, we caught up with her to get some insider tips.
If, like me, you love the colourful and eclectic Rixo designs, then you need to hotfoot it down to the King’s Road store pronto. Obviously for the clothes, but wait until you feast your eyes upon the actual shop. It is nothing short of retail heaven. We’re talking huge bespoke chandeliers, candy-striped changing room curtains by Colours Of Arley, pink Salvesen Graham wallpaper and a bar, yes, a real life bar. All of which has been assembled by design studio, Cúpla. It just so happens that the founder of said company, Gemma McCloskey, is the twin sister of Rixo co-founder, Orlagh McCloskey. Could there be a better collab?
Rixo was created by Orlagh McCloskey and Henrietta Rix in their uni flat back in 2015, and Orlagh’s sister, Gemma, has been there since the beginning. No one could understand the brand’s aesthetic more. So really, this incredible collaborative process was inevitable, merging their creative talents in fashion design and architectural design. Gemma used this project to push boundaries and take risks and it paid off. Not only is the Rixo flagship store a masterpiece in eclectic, yet cohesive interiors, it’s also an example of more to come.
How did you begin on the path to interior design?
I always knew I wanted to do something creative, so I studied architecture. When I graduated, I moved to Australia, got a great job in architecture and gained some really good experience. On my return to London, years later, I moved to the Chelsea/ Fulham area and noticed very bespoke builds. It opened my eyes to a more creative way of working, by combining both architecture and interiors. I realised that projects could work so much better with one person at the helm, covering all aspects of a build.
So, you merged your architectural experience with a love for interiors?
Yes. It just made sense. On a project, I knew every single detail from the build right down to the last cushion. It felt much more cohesive. From then, I never looked back. Plus the clients really benefit, as they don’t need to employ an architect and an interior designer. And so our design studio, cúpla was born.
Where did the name cúpla come from?
It’s Gaelic for a pair or a twin. Obviously I’m a twin and I’m Irish, but it was also about combining architecture and interiors. On top of that, one of my fundamental rules to live by is everything needs to be balanced out – whatever the style or concept.
You and your sister are both extremely creative and successful – what’s the secret?
We were always creative, but we had a really hard work ethic instilled in us from a young age. Plus, we never take no for an answer; we’re quite tenacious, determined and intuitive. We’ve just lived by those principles. So really, being creative is one thing, but it was living by those principles that allowed us to go forward with what we wanted to do.
View this post on Instagram
The two of you are clearly very close, where you always destined to work together?
We are so close. I was living with the girls when we were back at university, so I’ve been around since the very beginning of their fashion label, Rixo. It was all hands on deck. But it was the opening of the Carnaby store that we first officially worked together. However, it coincided with both our weddings, so everyone’s stress levels were on overdrive, but it was a brilliant small project to test the water before launching the flagship store.
Would you recommend working with a family member?
It depends on the relationship. For me, it was really good working with Orlagh. Obviously stressful at times, probably because we are sisters and there are no boundaries. For example, I wouldn’t speak to a normal client the way I speak to her. And, vice versa. But, if there’s ever a bad word said, two seconds later, it’s like it hasn’t happened. It’s water off a duck’s back.
Gemma at the opening of the Rixo flagship store with co-founders, Orlagh and Henrietta.
Were there any special moments on the project?
About six weeks before the project was set to finish, tensions were quite high. Orlagh and I were heading to Italy to source furniture. What started off as incredibly stressful, turned into a pinch-me moment. We took stock and recognised that this was a dream come true. We were en route to a vintage fair in Italy to buy lots of pieces for Orlagh’s first flagship store on the King’s Road and I was designing it. So we were like, ‘let’s just stop and smell the roses’. That was a really nice moment. We laughed the whole trip – up early, in bed late, trying to haggle; it was hard work, but we had such a laugh.
Did you share the same vision for the Rixo Flagship store?
Rixo is not a stiff brand, it’s not minimal; it’s much freer and organic, so the goal was for the architecture to reflect that and be quite curvaceous. We also wanted the shop to be a reflection of their maximalist style without distracting from the clothes. It was great because Orlagh and Henrietta weren’t scared to push boundaries and wanted to be quite daring with the colours. In fact, the whole project was a brilliant collaborative process.
As a designer, it must be amazing to have clients, albeit your sister and her partner, that are prepared to take risks.
Definitely, colour understandably scares a lot of our clients. So yes, it’s great to work with someone who is not afraid of colour or pattern and gets on board with your vision.
When beginning a project, what is your starting point? How do you avoid being overwhelmed?
We always start with a plan, specifically spatial planning. We look at the building and assess what it already has. Ask yourself, what do we need to work around or maybe accentuate? For example, at the front of the Rixo store, you can see the whole way through the shop to the accessories hall at the back – it’s a real hero shot. So it’s about embracing the luxuries of the layout, while also making a space functional.
We then move on to the interior architecture, then the colours, textures and materials. So again, with the store we had the walls in and the floors down, but it was all white. With no colour anywhere, it still looked like a really great space because the bones were there. For us, we don’t start thinking about the colours until we have the foundations right.
So really, for all of us, it’s about making the best use of our space.
100%. For instance, if you have a really low ceiling, why fight it when you can embrace it? On a recent project, we actually wallpapered the ceiling and walls in this stunning chocolate silk wallpaper, so it became really cosy and intimate, almost like a snug. Often a perceived constraint can actually give birth to something quite interesting.
What would be your top tips on beginning an interiors project?
- First of all, look at the context of the house. Where is it? What’s adjacent to it?
- Then look at your layout. How can you make the most of it?
- Research. Develop a bit of an interiors language. Discover the colours and textures that work for you.
- Then look to the materials to work with your vision.
- Finally, that’s when you focus on the last layer of furniture and decorative elements. Don’t drop the ball here, as these are the pieces to enhance all the foundation work.
You have a gift for discovering incredible furniture – are there specific stores or designers that you would recommend?
A lot of fairs I attend are trade only, so you need to be a registered business to attend. However, there are so many across the country open to the public. There’s a website called The Saleroom, a sort of Skyscanner for antique auction houses. Essentially, it consolidates all the top auction houses making it easier to find a particular item of furniture – you do need to know what you’re looking for though. I also still love Ebay.
Do you ever buy new products or do you prefer antique?
Absolutely. I like to mix it up. We’ve got loads of great furniture, some of it bespoke, from Six The Residence. I often find vintage tapestry fabric on eBay, which I send on for them to create the bespoke pouffes. We also use Soho Home for a lot of our residential projects.
While I do use a lot of vintage furniture, most fabrics are new. My go-to for those are Clarence House, Pierre Frey, Dedar and Yarn Collective.
cúpla used tropical green zellige tiles to line the walls of the light-well of this guest bedroom, while the Soho Home rug, Dedar curtains and Yarn Collective upholstered chair adds warmth. A plant in a Tina Vaia ceramic pot makes for the perfect finishing touch.
View this post on Instagram
What about lighting?
We actually purchase a lot of brand-new lighting – which we are going to start selling from the end of September. For example, all the lighting in the Rixo stores is brand new and bespoke, despite looking vintage. Lighting has always been such a big factor in all our projects.
Getting lighting just right can be tricky. Have you any tips?
I avoid spotlights. I understand that you need them sometimes, but I try to avoid them. It also comes back to being about balance; you need lots of different layers of lighting. So by placing lights or lamps at high, low and mid-level, you can hugely change the atmosphere of a space.
Next, you need to ensure that all the bulbs are the same temperature, so they’re all dim to warm. Invest in good quality bulbs that dim easily. As for the actual fittings, if one was glass, then maybe the next is bronze. Again, it’s about balance; you don’t want too much of one thing.
Do you think you can find good homewares on the high street?
I think West Elm is extremely good. I’ve bought bedside tables, one of their large bronze pendants, a full length mirror, all from there. Similarly, H&M and Zara have some fantastic pieces. While Soho Home is more on the boutique side, you can actually find really well-priced items, especially in their sales.
Colour plays a big part in your designs. How do you incorporate it into a project?
Yes. I love colour. However, when designing, we base it around the hard finishes. For example, in a bathroom you may want a marble top – that’s not that easy to change, but the colour is. So find the stone you want and pick your colours from there.
The Rixo bridal suite featuring a hand-painted mural by de Gourney
Is it more about the wallpaper or the paint for you?
I love wallpaper. I feel like it gives another texture to the walls. If you have the budget, de Gourney is amazing for really special, unique wallcoverings. Alternatively, Phillip Jeffries is brilliant for textures like silks, linens and seagrasses. In terms of patterned wallpaper, I’d head to Pierre Frey, Schumacher and Clarence House.
Paint is probably the last thing I pick. Paint and Paper Library has gorgeous quality paint. In fact, I went in with a wallpaper sample and they were able to match the colour from that. If the client wants a limewash we’ll use Bauwerk as they have such a wide range of shades.
Have you a particular artist you love to feature in your projects?
Not so much, I usually stumble across work on Instagram. However, I did get these cobalt blue Peter Keil pieces, which I’m obsessed with. But I don’t get too precious about my artwork needing to match colours in a room. Oh and ceramicist Tina Vaia made bespoke cocktail tables for the bar in the Rixo store.
How do you pick the finishing touches?
By spending hours scrolling! I think companies like Glassette, which have a real curation of off-the-beaten-track designers and suppliers, are brilliant.
View this post on Instagram
Which restaurants or hotels do you love for their interiors?
I haven’t been yet, but there’s a really nice restaurant that’s opened up on Mount Street, called Mount Street. When it hit the press, I noticed it had a very similar floor to the one we put in at Rixo, so it piqued my interest. The palladiano mosaic floor was designed by Rashid Johnson throughout the restaurant and the rest of the building acts as a showcase for incredible work from Hauser & Wirth’s roster of artists. It really is something special.
As for hotels, The Experimental group are using interior designer Dorothee Meilichzon who has given their hotels a real element of fun.
As we head into a new season, what will you be buying for AW23?
To be honest, I try not to follow trends. Subconsciously, I probably lean towards them, but I prefer to buy into things that will last longer than a season. I guess I like to buy expensive and buy once.
Alternatively, instead of buying again, I often reupholster my furniture. I use a local girl, Chara Creative, who is fantastic and Michael Stampler. Everything he does is absolute perfection. It feels good supporting small independent names, ultimately because they really care.
With your sister running Rixo – is fashion important to you?
I was actually going to do fashion before I fell into architecture. And honestly, I believe it’s another reason why I got into interiors because the two are so connected. In fact, I would say my fashion style is very similar to my interior style.
What are your top fashion brands?
Obviously, Rixo. Then I love The Row for their shoes. Again, like with my interiors, I prefer to buy quality that will last me for ages, instead of buying loads of different ones. In my defence, I do get notifications on eBay for them. And I love Réalisation, which is quite similar to Rixo.
Finally, what’s your favourite Rixo piece?
I love their Sandrine dress; it’s beyond flattering. It’s definitely my go-to piece, which I’ve bought in a few prints.
The products on this page have been selected by our editorial team, however, The Handbook may make a small commission on some products purchased through affiliate links.
