Panel Event: The Art of Layering
Building Character Through Colour and Craft
As part of Design Week, Ca’ Pietra welcomes an inspiring panel of designers, editors and brand founders to its Chelsea Showroom. Moderated by Pip Rich, Executive Editor of Livingetc, the discussion focuses on how colour, craftsmanship and layered design contribute to the character and longevity of interior spaces.
Following the talk, guests will be invited to continue the conversation over drinks and informal networking in the showroom.
Introducing our Panel Speakers:
Pip Rich – Moderator, Livingetc
Pip Rich is Executive Editor of Livingetc, where he leads the brand’s creative vision across print, digital and events. A respected voice in interiors journalism, Pip is known for his sharp editorial eye and his ability to translate emerging design ideas into engaging, accessible storytelling.
Before joining Livingetc, Pip held senior editorial roles at Red, Grazia, Sunday Times Style and Elle Decoration. Alongside his editorial work, he is the author of A New Leaf, a design book exploring how architects live in their own homes. His work focuses on how people live today, championing interiors that balance originality, comfort and enduring style.
Rob Abrahams – Founder & CEO, COAT Paints
Rob Abrahams is the CEO and Co-Founder of sustainable paint company COAT Paints, bringing more than fifteen years of brand and growth marketing experience to reimagine the painting industry for the digital age. Since founding COAT, Rob has led the company’s marketing, brand, product and colour strategy, alongside building its distinctive team culture.
Under his leadership, COAT has disrupted a legacy category with a conscious, online-first business model, focused on accessibility, sustainability and thoughtful colour design. The company is proudly listed in The Sunday Times 100 Fastest Growth Companies in the UK, reflecting its rapid growth and impact within the interiors sector.
Lucy Barlow – Co-Founder, Barlow & Barlow
Lucy Barlow is co-founder of Barlow & Barlow and defines the studio’s creative direction and visual language. Her work is driven by authorship and judgement, with a disciplined approach to how colour, pattern and atmosphere are deployed with intent and restraint. This discernment underpins the studio’s distinctive and authoritative style.
Lucy trained in fashion before studying at the Inchbald School of Design, where she developed a rigorous understanding of composition, proportion and spatial rhythm. Early in her career, she worked with decorator Mark Gillette on country house interiors, refining her approach to layered decoration in complex architectural settings.
In 2013, Lucy founded her own practice. Her work is characterised by controlled use of colour, precise atmosphere and a clear point of view, producing interiors designed to retain relevance over time.
Polly Ashman – Founder, Polly Ashman Design
Polly Ashman is a London-based interior designer with projects across the UK and overseas. Her work is recognised for its layered and elegant approach, combining colour and texture with antiques and vintage accessories to create richly considered interiors. Central to her practice is a commitment to longevity, craftsmanship and the quality of both historic and contemporary pieces.
Polly’s designs balance classical proportion with a modern sensibility, creating spaces that feel timeless rather than trend-led. With a strong focus on materiality and atmosphere, her work reflects a deep understanding of how colour and texture can shape mood and character, resulting in interiors that are both refined and enduring.
Join us for The Art of Layering: Building Character Through Colour and Craft at 1pm on 10th March 2026
Ca’ Pietra Artisans
Unit 318 Design Centre East,
Chelsea Harbour,
London,
SW10 0XE
