Design Stories

In Conversation with Interior Designer Chloe Boyd

Having recently listed her beautiful Northern Quarter apartment for sale with Böhm, we’ve taken the opportunity to sit down with the owner and interior designer, Chloe Boyd.

06 August 2026

Photography by Ella Wheatley

Having recently listed her beautiful Northern Quarter apartment for sale with Böhm, we’ve taken the opportunity to sit down with the owner and interior designer, Chloe Boyd. We learn about the design process of curating her serene apartment, and explore the work she’s creating as director and designer of “Chloe Boyd & Co”.

While Chloe shows us around her apartment, the colour pallet is immediately calming and is consistent throughout the space, with limewashed walls, muted accents, and serene lighting. She explains that her design ethos goes beyond aesthetics, and is rooted in creating a specific feeling and environment. “I’ve always loved natural, neutral palettes, they help me feel calm and grounded. Because our home is in the city centre, I really wanted it to feel like a peaceful haven and I think we’ve really achieved just that.”

The project itself has been driven by a balance of the design of the interior decoration, Chloe tells Böhm, but also honouring the building’s original features as a key design driver for the project.

“One of its standout elements is the large windows: we restored and painted them right away. I had a blacksmith make bespoke black iron curtain poles to echo the exposed steelwork, which helped tie the whole space together. From there, I used my network of textile suppliers to find the perfect fabric that complemented the flooring and hand painted lime-washed walls. My curtain maker then created the huge, heavy curtains that frame the space. Details like bespoke soft furnishings, in my opinion, are really what takes a project to the next level and were especially important here to highlight the building’s character.”

Entering the apartment, which is located on Church Street in Manchester’s Northern Quarter, you are greeted by an intentionally designed corridor, featuring warm spotlighting which catches the details of the limewashed walls. The spirit of the design is then reflected throughout the rest of the apartment, which features similar materiality and colour selection. The open plan living space utilises a warm and natural pallet of colours, with defined spaces for living, working and eating within the large space. This allows the scale of the open-plan room to be enjoyed at all times, while each function is designed for, through the furniture selection and layout. The walls of the space are exposed brick, which has been treated and has a white-washed appearance. This decision allows the honest materiality of the space to shine through, but also sit back and act as a background to the rest of the interior decoration. The large windows frame the industrial buildings nearby, further enhancing the industrial features within the apartment itself, and placing it within the context of the architectural vernacular of the area.

Chloe Boyd reviewing samples in her Northern Quarter apartment

There are many special moments throughout the apartment, but Chloe tells us that one of the details of the home that stands out to her is actually more of a liminal space than a destination:

“The hallway is a favourite space of mine. Maybe because it was the last space we completed, so it’s fresh in my memory. We left it until last to avoid damage from builders and deliveries. That’s a little renovation tip, and this can be applied to gardens and landscaping too.”

Chloe tells us more about why she feels strongly that no space in the home should be disregarded, especially ones which contribute to the first impression of a space. “Hallways are often overlooked, but they really matter. They set the tone for the whole home. We added storage for shoes and coats, a ceramic dish for keys, a place for perfume, and a mirror by the door. It feels special and purposeful, exactly how I want guests (and myself!) to feel when walking in and out.” Although spaces such as the entrance hall may blend into the background of our everyday lives, the impact of putting care into them is tangible here.

Details from the Hallway

Chloe’s strong design ethos and aesthetic resonate throughout both her own apartment and her portfolio of work for clients. She mentions designers such as Axel Vervoordt, Piet Boon, and Kelly Wearstler as inspirations, the work of whom features naturalistic material palettes, striking furniture choices, and refined proportions - all of which are apparent in Chloe’s work.

She also tells Böhm about other sources of inspiration that continue to inform her work. "I’m also very drawn to working with vintage pieces, local makers, integrating their craftsmanship into our interiors. And I find constant inspiration outdoors, I love walking, being in nature, and exploring new places. That connection to the natural world often comes through in our palette choices, materials, and textures.”

While Chloe has undertaken and achieved a truly successful project within her own home, she also is the Director of Chloe Boyd & Co, a Cheshire-based Interior Design company. Their ethos is to create high-end, timeless interiors that are guided by each client’s unique style and aspirations. “We work with an incredible network of local experts, suppliers, and trades wherever possible. Interior design is a real team effort, and I rely heavily on people and relationships that I’ve been building for years (and continue to build now). That’s where the “& Co” in the name came from, it reflects the collaborative nature of our process.”

Some clients know exactly what they want; others are unsure and that’s where I come in, to guide and shape a space that truly works for them.

The Open-Plan Dining Area

"Over the past few years, our focus has been high-end residential projects. We’ve developed a detailed process that not only supports us internally but ensures our clients feel informed and confident at every stage. They gain a clear understanding of what’s happening before we move into the construction phase. We love getting into the finer details, no two clients are the same, so every project is bespoke.”

While each project Chloe Boyd & Co undertakes is unique to the client, there is a certain series of processes which Chloe finds result in a successful design process, which at first starts with designing a thorough brief. This process is tailored to the individual client, as Chloe describes: “Some clients know exactly what they want; others are unsure and that’s where I come in, to guide and shape a space that truly works for them."

"I usually begin with a face-to-face meeting at the client’s space, whether that be their home or commercial building. We walk through the space together, discuss initial ideas, and talk about what they like or don’t like. Ahead of that, I ask clients to gather inspiration like their; favourite places, magazines, Pinterest boards, travel memories, anything that reflects their style. We then sit down and talk through it all in detail."

"Once I’ve got a strong sense of their inspirations and the existing architecture, I begin to shape a clear and personal design brief. I also ask functional questions early on for residential projects like: Who uses the space? Do they work from home? Host dinners? Have pets? Do they like to read? These insights help me create something that works beautifully for their lifestyle.”

Chloe Boyd in her Bedroom

Chloe goes on to tell us about the projects and spaces that she feels most drawn to working on.

“I’m always most excited by whole-home designs. They allow us to consider the flow and how each space connects. It’s a chance to begin with a blank canvas and create something truly cohesive and impactful.

If I had to choose one zone, I’d probably say the master suite. Dressing rooms, en suites, and bedrooms that feel luxurious and personal. It’s a space where bespoke detailing really matters, particularly in joinery design, which is something I’m really passionate about.”

As an interior designer, designing her own home has not only been undertaken with meticulous attention to detail, but has also informed her work for clients. Deepening her knowledge of the design process of domestic spaces on such a personal level allows Chloe to design with a further depth of understanding.

“Living in different homes over the years, and adapting my lifestyle to each one, has deepened my understanding of what truly works. It’s not just about the aesthetics, it’s about how a home functions day to day, too. It’s also given me a more personal perspective on budgeting, what’s worth investing in, and where you can save. Overall, it’s made me more thoughtful and intentional in every aspect of my work.”

While there are similarities between the design process for personal and client work, Chloe spoke to the distinct differences that arise. “The process is usually quicker when I’m working on my own home, I don’t need to necessarily create full presentation packs or do as much documentation. But that can also make decision-making harder. Mood boards and visual plans are helpful in clarifying the vision, even for me! That’s usually when I rope my partner in, he has a great eye, and it really helps to bounce ideas off someone else, especially when you are living together.”

The open-plan living space features calm materiality and warm textures

As Chloe puts her much-loved apartment on the market, she reflects on what is next for her. “I’m really excited about the next chapter.” Chloe tells Böhm. “We’re moving out of the city and hope to extend our family.”

“I get attached to homes, whether they’re mine or a client’s. I love hosting, creating memories, and making a space feel truly lived in. My partner and I have moved so many times over the years (more than I would like to admit in all honesty!). I actually feel blessed to really know exactly what we want. Our non-negotiables are character, charm and a garden. We’re not looking for a perfectly finished space, we’d rather find somewhere with good bones and take our time making it ours, instead of somebody else’s version of ‘theirs’."

Beyond the tangible and practical features of a home, Chloe shares with us that she and her partner are searching for a “feeling” - “That sense of “this is the one.” - when deciding where to put down their roots.

"Materiality and lighting will come later, once we understand the property’s natural light and character. But that emotional connection is the most important part and has been something we have both followed throughout our house hunting journey and has never failed us.”