About Laura

Growing up in a household where my eyes were opened to art and design, it was textiles that I chose to study at Huddersfield University. Fresh out of university, I landed a position locally at The Green Dragon in Chipping Campden. My true education, however, came from working with owner Judy Lusty, who was, quite frankly, a Cotswolds interior design icon. As a phenomenal mentor, Judy didn't just instruct she inspired, giving me the crucial foundations I needed to build and refine my own design style.

From Furnishings to Fashion and Back Again

Transitioning from interiors to fashion textiles, I represented international mills and secured major UK high street accounts, including Topshop, Next, Marks and Spencer, Burberry, and Victoria Beckham Jeans. I later launched my own venture specialising in Turkish garment-wash cottons, supplying fast-turnaround casual wear and supporting high-volume retailers including Next.

This rigorous corporate background gave me invaluable, real-world insight into large-scale manufacturing processes, production constraints, and supply chain challenges. Because I have worked on both sides, understanding the technical realities of manufacturing as well as the creative demands of design, I can collaborate seamlessly and authoritatively with makers, tradespeople, and contractors.

Eventually, I made the brave decision to follow my true passion back into interiors, merging technical manufacturing insight with a more creative, relational approach to design.

The Shift to Dedicated Interior Design

Alongside smaller projects, in 2017 I was commissioned to work on the most ambitious project of my career thus far: the complete refurbishment of a beautiful Cotswolds rectory. While the scale came with its challenges, it revealed where my true strengths lay. My passion wasn’t just in design and vision, but in forging, managing, and maintaining relationships with a network of expert collaborators, from flooring and lighting specialists to cabinet makers and architects. This project proved that I needed to dedicate my career fully back to the multi-disciplinary world of interiors.

Crafting Spaces: The Cotswolds and Beyond

My first major commercial project, House of George, involved working closely with the client and contractors to transform a 17th-century former doctor’s surgery into a unique boutique hotel in Broadway, nestled in the heart of the Cotswolds. For this, I brought together a trusted collective of skilled craftspeople, including upholsterers, cabinet makers, lighting designers, and specialist painters, while sourcing exceptional fabrics, lighting, and accessories from the global supply chain I have developed over decades.

The Vision for The Cole Collective

Working with The Cole Collective, you gain the deep knowledge, high-level project management, and creative vision needed to unlock the full aesthetic and practical potential of your home or business. We focus on creating bespoke, beautifully curated spaces that perfectly serve those who live, own, and work within them. For more information about what we do go to our services page. Or, get in touch and book a free consultation using the button below.