A Day With British Designer Tara Bernerd

If you jet-set the globe in search of luxury havens, chances are you’ve stepped into aTara Bernerd–designed space. The British designer is the mastermind behind the interiors of some of the most posh landmarks around the world, including the Vespa-green lacquered walls at Il Pampero and the placement of Sixty SoHo’s striking artworks. While she may be based in London, her residential, commercial, andhospitality projects—which range from Hong Kong hotels to a chalet in Switzerland, all of them stamped with her signature understated elegance—have her constantly on the go. However, this causes Bernerd to savor the relatively quiet moments she spends at home in Belgravia—even if it’s going for a high-intensity run on the Chelsea Embankment.ADshadowed her for a day to catch a glimpse inside her action-packed schedule.

Plans for the Palm Court at The Principal London.

Photo: Courtesy of Tara Bernerd

7:30 A.M.I wake up and grab my Nike trainers for a 30-minute run in the park. My apartment sits in a very particular spot on the river that faces the Chelsea Embankment, which marries ultramodernNorman Fosterarchitecture with local shops. I rarely love going but feel so great afterward.

8:15 A.M.I arrive back at my apartment and take a call with Aron Harilela, the CEO and chairman of Harilela Group. We are collaborating together on the Hari, Hong Kong, which is set to open in the Wan Chai district in 2020. During the call, I multitask and grab some fresh grapefruit and an almond milk coffee.

9:00 A.M.My driver whisks me off for a 20-minute commute to the office. I catch up on calls and emails en route.

The Hari in London.

Photo: Philip Vile

10:00 A.M.I have a conference call with my team. I always kick off the week with a Monday-morning meeting. Not only do we discuss all of our projects, but it’s also a great forum for us to dish out design news, like new product ranges, must-see exhibitions, and up-and-coming designers.

11:00 A.M.I’m in the studio, and it’s all hands on deck today. We analyze floor plans for a project in Asia before moving onto the design plans for a resort in Mexico. We discuss how we want to create something that has the feeling of a chic home and draws upon the traditional hacienda style of living. It’s a lot of fun going through the traditional Mexican finishes and fabrics.

1:00 P.M.Between meetings, I grab lunch, which consists of fresh chopped fennel and tuna drizzled with olive oil.

The dining room of London's Il Pampero.

Photo: Philip Vile

2:00 P.M.I head to a site visit at The Principal. We’re at the final installation phase, but I never get bored while I’m at the building due to its storied legacy presiding over Russell Square. It’s been incredible to see its Palm Court transform throughout the construction process, from what was an essentially disused office space to an oasis in the heart of central London.

3:30 P.M.I have a meeting with Rizzoli publisher Charles Miers and editor Ian Luna about the upcoming book tour for my first coffee table tome,Place. We discuss one event that will occur at the V&A Museum in October, where I’ll speak with my dear friend Tyler Brûlé about the book and the philosophies that underpin modern day design.

Sixty SoHo in New York.

Photo: Adrian Gaut

4:30 P.M.I’m back at the studio, ready to work on the layouts for a villa in Ibiza. Layouts are a vital part of the building’s DNA, so regular updates and reviews are essential.

5:30 P.M.I take a conference call with Four Seasons Fort Lauderdale. It’s in its advanced stages and we plan to break ground soon. I then speak with my client in L.A. to finalize the design scheme of 200 guest rooms and a rooftop with a pool deck for a Hollywood hotel.

7:00 P.M.I go home to have a home-cooked meal. Tonight, I make prawn-and-vegetable stir fry, and, afterward, continue my latest Netflix addiction:Stranger Things.

A rendering of Bernerd's plan for the Four Seasons Fort Lauderdale.

Photo: Courtesy of Tara Bernerd