We Specialise In Creating And Consulting On Award-Winning, Design-Led Hospitality Spaces That Get Talked About

Can you see your beautiful venue in your head but don't know how to pull together a palette or scheme that matches your budget—or translate that vision into spatial plans, materials, and architectural specs that actually get built?

I'm Kate Whitfield, a North Essex-based interior architect, designer and art director. Through An Artful Life, we help owners, entrepreneurs and hospitality groups create award-winning, profitable spaces that get talked about and open doors for future ventures. I consult on complete design concepts that oversee every customer touchpoint—from space planning and interiors to branding, menu design, and the finishing touches that go on the table.

If you're interested in creating a restaurant space that proves yourself and the team, protects your reputation, and builds a pipeline of successful sites, then book a 30-minute call using the box below.

100+ Projects, 20 Years In Business, Award-Winning Spaces

I have over 20 years of commercial experience creating design-led spaces across bars, restaurants, cafes, cinemas, hotels, and retail. We've designed award-winning places, helped grow multi-site ventures from their first location to leading operators, and worked with startups through to huge companies like Barclays Bank and Lego.

My experience and deep understanding of hospitality operations, space planning, customer experience, offer development, interiors, branding, and commercial viability give me a fully rounded understanding for what it takes to create spaces that don't just look beautiful—but work elegantly, practically, and profitably.

Our clients range from individual restaurant owners and pub groups to major facilities and project management companies working on multi-million pound projects, and we have helped them build venues that generate higher customer spend, get industry recognition, and establish long-term reputations.

Please reach out to view our full portfolio of work.

Big Ideas, Real Impact.

Speak to Kate Whitfield.

What we can cover on a free 30 minute hospitality design stategy session:

• How to pull together the right project team and who you might need

• How to convince backers with design concepts that demonstrate commercial viability and profitability

• How to avoid the Frankenstein result that comes from hiring separate specialists with no common thread

• How to design customer touch points that drive higher spend and create the "talked about" moments investors want to see

Book your call
“We have known Kate from Artful Life since 2010 and during that time we have engaged with Kate to assist us with design and architectural work normally on larger jobs which we feel are in need of her special input of creativity, she brings a fresh approach to each job and is knowledgeable on the important aspects of the design and build industry.

Throughout our time working together our clients have always been delighted with the designs Kate has submitted, and they have on numerous occasions commented on the speed of service she is able to offer.

For CPM-WT having Kate (An Artful Life) as part of our team allows us to offer clients new and exciting ideas, she is able to work with larger clients to collect a comprehensive brief and work the design through to a full presentation. Her last assignment for us was Barclays, Canary Wharf, London, for a new staff/visitors restaurant with a capacity of over 600 covers.

It is without hesitation we would highly recommend Kate @ An Artful Life for any Design and Architectural work which is available, and going forward we will of course be working with her on future assignments.”
— Mike Schmid, Managing Director, CPM-WT Partnership

Aspirational, Architectural, Aesthetic

Sitting comfortably between architecture and aesthetics, from concept design to detailed completion, plus our modernist ethos of creating a better life for all, means no project is too small or unimportant, no commission too large or imposing. 

  • Our architectural interventions can truly transform a space through remodelling or extending. Early review of the building and layout options with expert detailed interior space planning ensures we maximise the potential for our clients.

  • Our unique bespoke joinery designs and details set our interiors apart and give our projects individuality as well as a supreme level of functionality. We work alongside trusted makers and craftsmen with to ensure our visions are executed to the highest level of quality and finesse.

  • We carefully research and source materials, furniture, lighting and accessories for our clients ensuring every item is fit for purpose and the space. New pieces for new projects means your venue will be unique to you.

  • We consider the little details right at the start of your project and offer a holistic sourcing and styling service to our clients. However if you already have a completed space that still needs some attention to detail and final touches to add a bit more character or finesse, we offer this as a stand-alone service.

  • We create cohesive and considered schemes that work for the brands, buildings and operations they are designed for. We want to transform not just the space but your customer’s enjoyment of it.

    We wish to leave a lasting positive legacy and longevity is important in our designs and choices, not just for ongoing value but for sustainability.

    Initial Concept Design and overall creative vision

    Layouts & feasibility (space planning and metrics)

    Full interior design and specification

    Detailed tender and construction drawing packs

  • Our involvement throughout a project ensures it flows as smoothly as possible from brief to final delivery, which means we keep a keen eye on the end result. We manage timelines, coordinate contractors, oversee quality control, and handle the details so you can focus on running your business. We always work in our clients' best interests to achieve a beautiful and profitable space that works operationally from day one.

  • We understand the importance of a strong narrative across all aspects of a hospitality offer and how the customer feels at every touchpoint. An art director overseeing all areas ensures the right level of detail and consistency across your business—from interiors and branding to menu design, signage, uniforms, and the finishing touches that go on the table. This cohesive vision contributes to the overall success and feel of a venue.

  • Kate provides strategic creative consultancy for leaders in hospitality. With extensive industry experience and a deeply attuned aesthetic, she partners with restaurateurs and hoteliers to translate commercial objectives into clear, confident creative direction.