A Harrogate based retail and commercial interior design business that launched last month has created another two new jobs. Interior designers Karen Draper and Val Blakey both join the seven-strong team at Richard Grafton Interiors.
Karen has extensive experience having worked as a senior interior designer at James Brindley in Harrogate for over 11 years. Prior to that, she was an interior designer for Skopos Fabrics & Interiors for over eight years and also worked for Goldfields International since she was 18. Karen started her career as a draughtswomen before moving into interior design.
L to R: Val Blakey and Karen Draper with Richard Grafton
Val has been in interior design for over 20 years, working with Richard Grafton as senior interior designer at James Brindley and helping to create its interior design department. Val also owns and runs a farm on the outskirts of Pateley Bridge.
Richard Grafton said:
It’s fantastic to have Karen and Val joining the team – I believe they are two of the most talented and experienced interior designers in Yorkshire and means that we now boast over 100 years’ experience between us.
Karen and Val have built up a loyal following of customers because of the passion they bring to every project, getting to know and understand each customer in order to devise a scheme specifically for them.
Val is renowned for creating schemes that allow her to utilise her love for colour. Both she and Karen have vast experience working with traditional schemes, but also pride themselves on their contemporary portfolios.
Karen added:
This is a genuinely exciting opportunity to be part of something new, working within a dynamic and innovative team in a creative environment. The brand new 3,000 sq ft retail and showroom premises Richard has created is simply stunning and is already proving a huge hit with customers.
Val commented:
I’ve worked closely with Richard for a long time and was very keen to be part of his new venture in Harrogate. I’m looking forward to adding the experience I’ve gained from 20 years in interior design to an extremely talented and creative team.
Richard Grafton Interior Design is located in a three-storey showroom, design centre and studio on The Ginnel in Harrogate’s Montpellier Quarter. It represents a total investment of £1m by owner Richard Grafton, former managing director at James Brindley in Harrogate and Wetherby.
The business provides a complete high quality interior design service and also offers design-led interior products, from fabrics, flooring and wall coverings to bespoke kitchens and bathrooms, furniture and objects d’art.
