"Why I gave up being a paramedic to become an interior designer," Charlotte Stuart of Arlo Interior Design
You wouldn’t necessarily think that being a paramedic had many similarities with being an interior designer, but you’d be wrong, says Charlotte Stuart. Stuart launched her business Arlo Interior Design two years ago after 17 years in the NHS, latterly as a paramedic.
“I had quite a varied career in the ambulance service from patients transport to becoming a paramedic and then clinical lead for Leeds and Wakefield area.”
After adopting a little girl and going on a year’s maternity leave which happened to coincide with Covid, Stuart started to rethink her career choice.
"I was really ready to go back to work after my maternity leave, but when I did go back realised quite quickly that I needed a change; I needed something more creative and that could work around my family and it made me question was was important to me in life,” she says.
Having always been creative and interested in interiors she decided to embark on an interior design course.
“I’ve always loved interior design and I remember as a young child picking colours for my bedroom but as I’ve got older and owned my own homes I’ve delved deeper into creating lovely comfortable functional spaces.
"People had always complemented me in my design style in my own home and some people had asked me for help over the years which is lovely to think they value your opinion, but it is very different doing things for yourself and fiends and family and then designing for clients.”
After completing her course and setting up her business (Arlo is taken from the middle of Charlotte) Stuart says she just threw herself into her new career.
"I did a lot to get the name out there on Instagram and started to build a community on there and then built my own website having never done anything like that before. I also worked alongside an interior design coach who really helped with the logistical side of running an interiors design business.”
And she says that her medical background and dealing with patients has helped her.
"Although I don’t want to liken my clients to my patients, having all that experience has helped. You have to build up a relationship and trust very quickly. You are going into people’s homes and it’s their private lives – they really have to trust you and your direction and that you will look after them.
"I believe designing homes is a deeply personal experience. Having had a career in the ambulance service has really helped me to be approachable when I am dealing with people.”
She describes her design style.
“My approach to design is very client led. I love biophilic design incorporating natural elements into people’s homes to enhance human health and well-being by reconnecting people with nature.
“I have always been fascinated how the spaces we spend time in, can profoundly impact our wellbeing, how we feel and our productivity - both positively and negatively. This curiosity has driven me to create beautiful, practical, and meaningful spaces which truly enhance my clients lives.
“I work closely with my clients, getting to know them as individuals, learning all about their needs and lifestyle, and ensuring their space is a true reflection of these. Collaboration is key — I love sharing ideas, refining details together, and of course, having a good chat over a cuppa. It is really more psychological really trying to get people to open up about what they really want and need from a space.”
She says she naturally leans towards modern, minimal Scandi design with clean lines but incorporating what she describes as ‘pops of personality.’
“I do love a bit of colour and a pattern but I also love creating interest through introducing lots of texture. Starting with quite a neutral colour palette but bringing in lots of interest through texture and shaping, and also using nots of nautal materials such as wood, bringing the outside in. I think it helps people feel very grounded in that space.”
Stuart, who currently works from home in North Leeds but is in the process of moving to a studio, also likes to work with the best products, materials, and skilled tradespeople—favouring local talent and UK products whenever possible – and to be as sustainable as possible. Shealso likes commissioning bespoke art work, not just in her own home but her her clients as well.
Last week she was finalist in the Northern Design Award. “This is the first award I have put myself forward for, and subsequently the first time I have been in the final of my category (which is Interior Decoration - Affordable Design (FF&E) <£50k). But I just thought what have I got to lose?”
The project was a personal one from her own home. "That room was a real bugbear of mine,. It’s a very long room – more than seven metres long – and it never felt right. I wanted to change the focal point in the room and create a warm, inviting room for ultimate relaxation and comfort, but also one which was also super practical and functional in equal measure,” she explains.
“I collaborated on the media wall with the amazing team at local joinery company Tom Maxwell Furniture & Cabinetry, to create a real statement piece - bringing all the function and aesthetic appeal bringing in the colours and textures and natural woods. We designed it together and we talked a lot about flow, colour and texture. It evokes different feelings depending on which part of the media wall you are looking at.
"We also spent a lot of time designing the integrated lighting so we can change it from cool to warm from light to bright depending on the time of day or night and the weather outside. It became a real focal point and it’s a real showpiece. The rest of the room is super neutral with splashes of greenery and lots of texture.
“I love collaborating with craftsmen like Tom – it is important to let the experts do what they are good at. ”