ABIGAIL DE FONTAINE FF&E Consultant • Interior Design & Procurement • Project Management 07377 146306 • abigaildefontaine@gmail.com • W2, London, U.K
PROFILE FF&E and interior designer with 3.5 years of direct experience across high-end residential design, specification, procurement and project delivery, supported by a background spanning 11-years in design, buying, consulting, styling, sourcing, real estate, hospitality and high end client service. Experienced in taking projects from concept and specification through budgeting, procurement, contractor coordination, delivery, installation and snagging. Progression from FF&E roles supporting designers, to freelance consultancy and the running of an interior design department - leading multiple projects. Confident working directly with clients, suppliers and contractors whilst managing concurrent priorities, schedules and procurement and value engineering budgets. Vectorworks and AutoCAD trained. With a long-standing interest in historical and contemporary furniture design canon and a meticulous eye for detail; taking influence from a young age as the daughter of a antiques dealer. KEY SKILLS • FF&E specification and design
• Leadership
• End-to-end project delivery
• Client presentations & client communication
• Procurement management
• Commercially minded
• Spatial planning, mood boards & concept development
• Contractor coordination & on-site management
• Supplier, showroom & trade relationships
• Time managing for ROI
• Creative direction
• Sourcing, sales & negotiations
SOFTWARE & TECHNICAL CAPABILITIES Software: Vectorworks (2D/3D) • AutoCAD • Excel • Adobe Creative Suite Can adapt to: Endscape and Bluebeam Currently developing: RIBA Stage 4 proficiency Familiar with: Programa, EstiMac PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE Freelance FF&E & Interior Designer - Self-employed
2023 – Present
• Delivering residential interior and FF&E projects from concept and sourcing through procurement and installation; managing suppliers, procurement, project timelines and client communication across concurrent projects. • Currently delivering a mid-century modern scheme in Lisbon, sourcing through Portuguese suppliers, vintage dealers and craftsmen; and a residential Bayswater project, with concept design, FF&E specification, and 2000’s inspired procurement for a playful, minimalist scheme. Freelance Design & Project Consultant - Residential Land Ltd
2020 – 2026
• Initially a receptionist, progressed into a property management role alongside independent freelance work supporting interior designers with FF&E, became Interior design FF&E consultant to Residential Land Ltd, ultimately given hybrid role responsibility for the interior design department on the departure of a three-person design team. • FF&E consultancy, maintaining interior standards and procurement across Residential Land's wider 1,000+ property portfolio. • Led the Grosvenor Hill, Mayfair restoration and FF&E project end-to-end (survey, specification, sourcing, budgeting, POs, supplier liaison, bespoke furniture procurement, contractor coordination, quality/cost control, white-glove installation), co-ordinating eight contractors and specialist trades; restored to a high-end rental standard while value-engineering spend; was let soon after completion at £18,200/month.
• Took sole responsibility for two further initial stage projects: Pelham Court, Kings Road (communal refurbishment) and Somerset Court, Kensington (13-flat post-fire renovation) with cost-saving solutions adopted on both proposals. • Worked directly with the CEO on the ongoing FF&E sourcing for three private residences (St Tropez villa, Courchevel chalet, Primrose Hill family home), handling quality checks in London and procurement and shipping to France. • Property management of 52 luxury apartments at West End Gate, W2 (Berkeley Group) including FF&E stock rotation, acquiring direct deals, contractual admin, instructing works and day-to-day tenant requirements, reducing vacancy levels from 20% to a consistent 2-3%. Assistant to Principal Designer & FF&E Procurement - Renovation Success Ltd
2023 – 2024
• Delivered FF&E sourcing, specification and installation coordination for residential renovation projects, including a Richmond family home; prepared FF&E selections, mood boards and client presentation material with increasing autonomy. • Presented procurement choices and design solutions; and liaised with suppliers and showrooms through delivery and installation. Given substantial responsibility for FF&E selection and procurement whilst the principal designer focused on architectural and technical design. Studio Assistant, Marketing & Special Projects - Lindi Reynolds & Co. Architectural Interior Design
2024
• Studio support across live projects through research, sourcing and artist commissions. • Managed social media and marketing content, growing the studio’s online presence and outreach. Freelance Consultant, Buying & Product - Damson Madder, Adora Swim, Poetry by Locals + other selected projects • Advised on product buying, sourcing and commercial strategy and delivered the design and development of bestselling products. Buyer's Admin Assistant, Menswear - Ralph Lauren U.K Ltd
2014 – 2015
• Supported menswear buying through range planning, order management and supplier communication. EARLY YEARS EXPERIENCE, HIGH END SERVICE & TASTE • Stylist / Personal Shopper - Harvey Nichols, The Kooples, Maje (2013–2022): contemporary styling and personal shopping for high end clients. • Hospitality - Chiltern Firehouse, Annabel's, Blakes Hotel (2016–2018): high-net-worth guest relations and discreet 5 star service. • Auction House Assistant - Lawrences Auctioneers: early hands-on exposure to the antiques and auction environment alongside a long-standing family background in furniture and antiques. EDUCATION & TRAINING • (Currently) RIBA Stage 4 - Technical Design, London Software Training • Diploma, Residential Interior Design, KLC School of Design • Vectorworks Architect Training, London Software Training • AutoCAD Intensive, KLC School of Design • Fashion Design Intensive, London School of Fashion • BSc Fashion Buying & Merchandising, MMU • Art & Design Foundation (Spatial Design & Installation), Reigate School of Art & Design REFERENCES available on request