Who are philip watts design?

Philip Watts, heads up a twelve strong team in Nottingham known as Philip Watts Design. His philosophy is “design should be a story, it should have a beginning, a middle and an end, and if it’s really good a punch line.”

Philip Watts graduated from Nottingham Trent University in 1992 and the decision to start his own business in 1994 was based on reactions to his wok at exhibitions in London and Europe, as part of the group now known as The Design Trust.

Early products included various cast aluminium candlesticks and handmade furniture, much of which was created in a converted shed in Phil’s back garden.

In 1994 design shows in London gave the company several commissioning clients for both furniture and interiors.

A sense of humour within design has always been one of the company’s philosophies. Interiors are very often object or feature based; and the Philip Watts Design name is now synonymous with dramatic three dimensional staircases in both bars restaurants and private homes. They may be sculptural cast aluminium spinal forms or minimal glass and stainless steel; the impact is always the same, breath taking.

As well as the large scale commissions the company has always produced a range of products, originally retail items. As the commissioned work became more architectural, so the product range evolved from retail to the contract interior market. Today Philip Watts Design’s most famous product is their Portholes for Doors. The company has now added other innovative ironmongery including handles, push and pull plates, kick plates, signage and stair nosings in a variety of finishes.

The design and build mentality has helped to push the interior side of the business forward with increasingly challenging projects and installations.
The company’s strengths rest in developing full concepts from name generation through to opening night, working very closely with clients.

In 2005 the company began a relationship with YO Suhsi!, when it was given the opportunity to pitch for a new restaurant in Brighton. Winning this pitch and the onward success of the Brighton restaurant has meant that Philip Watts Design and Yo Sushi’s relationship has continued to flourish. Refits and complete new sites have been developed in Newcastle, Bluewater Shopping Centre, Dublin, Brunswick, Leeds, Nottingham, Oxford, Manchester, Liverpool, Glasgow, Leicester with various sites planned for 2009.

In 2007, Philip Watts Design was named Interior Design Practice of the Year at the annual FX International Interior Design Awards. This coveted award holds a special place for the team as it was voted for by peers within the design industry, and led to Philip becoming a judge for the awards in 2008.