Petra Elkan

After working in London in fashion PR and magazine publishing I trained with the designer Christopher Neville. In 1988 I moved to Cornwall and began collaboration with my late husband, the architect Barrie Briscoe.

In 2006 we transformed our thriving practice into Arco Studios with the aim of bringing in the next generation.

Charles Griffiths and Neil Wall - both young architects committed to exciting low energy design, technical brilliance, and surfing - are now Studio West Architects and share an office in Penzance with Elkan Interiors.

Portfolio

Please have a look at my portfolio here or visit the link at the bottom of the page.


PETRA ELKAN

I have been designing interiors in West Cornwall for 25 years, specialising in
private houses, artists' and musicians' studios and primary health care and I am sure that I can help you get the very best from your building with friendly and cost-effective interior design, from the ground up.

My expertise in designing spaces for living and working covers kitchens, bathrooms, electrical layouts, heating, lighting, telecomms, graphics, security, bespoke furniture, floor finishes, painting and sculpture, antiques and paint effects.

In a free initial consultation we can talk about how to realise your vision; it can be just one room or a whole building.



Kitchens

From rustic to high tech, I've done them all, I love them all and my clients love them too. I consider the small things of daily life - somewhere to put your laptop or hang the dog leads; I will find you marvellous things that pull out and push in and deal with the ever- increasing demands of recycling. I have kitchens for all budgets up my sleeve.

Bathrooms

Are you a soaker? A splasher? A ditherer? A dasher? It can all be made possible, will look beautiful and it should not leak, mildew or dribble. And the floor can be warm under your tender morning toes.

Colour

I can guide you safely through the intoxications and pitfalls of colour and advise about the best type of paint for each area. There are interesting eco paints to consider and highly protective, natural looking treatments for bare wood.

Lighting

is a most enjoyable challenge, it perfectly combines technology, (I'm quite technical for a fluffy interior designer) - creativity and budget management. It's the final touch that can make or break a room. I like to come up with a good wheeze that transforms a space.

I am very keen on local suppliers here in Cornwall and will go to them whenever possible. There are great craftspeople here and I have spent long years cultivating relationships with them. My aim is to provide world-class stuff so no-one feels they have to compromise because we are remote.

Saving energy

Energy saving in homes and businesses is increasingly vital so I keep up to date with the latest developments in green energy and environmental design. Clients find it helpful to have someone to guide them through the complex process of choosing equipment, finding the space to put it and working out the best solutions for their budget.