Go behind the scenes with Catherine Newton, Fenwick’s Head of Home Buying, as she shares insights into her role, the art of curation and the inspiration behind the collections that bring Fenwick’s home offering to life.
What can you tell us about your role at Fenwick and why you are so passionate about the work that you do?
My role brings together the three things I’m most passionate about: understanding our customers, curating exceptional product collections and creating a distinctive retail experience, both in-store and online. Home is an intensely personal category, which makes it especially rewarding. I love sourcing products that help customers express their individual style and create spaces that feel uniquely their own.
How has the way people shop for interiors changed in recent years, and what trends are you seeing emerge?
Customers shopping for interiors today are more informed, more inspired and more discerning than ever. Armed with inspiration from magazines, social media and design-led platforms, they often arrive with a clear sense of style and purpose. The rise of platforms such as Instagram, TikTok and Pinterest has transformed the way trends are discovered, placing greater emphasis on curation, storytelling, service and expertise.
There is also a noticeable shift towards more mindful purchasing. While value remains important, customers are increasingly prioritising quality, craftsmanship and longevity, choosing pieces with lasting appeal over fast-moving trends. Sustainability continues to play a significant role in purchasing decisions.
Aesthetically, warm, earthy palettes remain dominant, but texture has become the defining element of contemporary interiors. Layered natural materials bring depth, character and a sense of understated luxury. Wellbeing also continues to shape the home, inspiring everything from cosy reading books and spa-like bathrooms to dedicated fitness spaces, abundant greenery indoors and a stronger connection to nature.
Fenwick brings together a number of premium home brands under one roof. What makes that mix so special for customers looking to refresh their homes?
With our portfolio of brands and products, our aim is to help customers create homes that feel both personal and distinctive. Our dedicated in-store Home Stylists offer expert guidance and tailored recommendations, helping customers navigate the collections with confidence.
We've done the research, carefully curating the best in design and quality so customers can shop with ease. Whether their style is minimalist or maximalist, classic or contemporary, colourful or understated, we have it covered!
How do those brands complement one another within the home offering? And which brands stand out for you?
Whether it is the contemporary Scandinavian look of BoConcept or the timeless country-house influence of OKA, both bring quality craftmanship but satisfy very different design aspirations and lifestyles. Heal’s have some really exceptional dining furniture and for me OKA cushions are my ‘go-to’ to add colour or texture. However alongside these established names, it is often the smaller, more distinctive brands that bring the finishing touches to a space and really elevate the scheme. I absolutely love our new Boncouers decorative trays, sourced in Paris and Laetitia Rouget’s hand painted ceramics are truly beautiful.
How important are services such as interior design consultations and in-store styling advice in helping customers make confident decisions?
Planning is arguably the most important stage of any design scheme. A well- considered plan helps avoid costly mistakes, unnecessary revisions and over-styling later on. Taking into account natural light, scale, access, ceiling height and how the space will be used allows for more confident, cohesive decisions. A strong scheme often begins with a single piece you love — a favourite chair, a colour, an heirloom or even a cushion. From there, a mood board can take shape, giving talented designers and stylists a clear foundation on which to build.
What have you seen coming in this summer?
Natural textures continue to define contemporary interiors, with linen, rattan, cane, marble and mango wood bringing warmth, authenticity and a sense of calm. The trend reflects a growing focus on wellbeing and creating more restful living spaces. Outdoor living remains equally influential. As warmer weather becomes the norm, gardens, balconies and patios are being styled as natural extensions of the home, with outdoor kitchens, layered lighting and refined furniture leading the way. My latest addition is a Gozney pizza oven — a game-changer for outdoor entertaining, delivering authentic, restaurant-quality pizzas every time. I absolutely love it!
Image credit: Barker & Stonehouse
