Beautiful, well-executed, and thoughtfully designed, we love the homes created by local building company, AMLY. We talk to the Founder, Alex Campbell-Lloyd about navigating a home renovation in a pandemic, how he started in the construction industry, and why it is so important to have a devoted team of professionals around him….

Tell us a bit more about you…

I live in the heart of Ashdown Forest with my wife, Sarah, our two children, and three dogs. We have lived in and around Tunbridge Wells all our lives and enjoy having so much countryside on our doorsteps. We own a high-end construction company called AMLY which we have dedicated the past two decades of our lives to developing, everything we do goes back to family whether that is creating a building for our clients or refining the foundations of the way we work.

We relish and enjoy the whole building process, from conceptual ideas, through to delivery of a finished home. We guide clients through the often tricky world of construction to realise their dream home. We show meticulous attention to detail and nothing is left unconsidered.

Where did AMLY begin?

AMLY began in 2008 on our kitchen table! I was studying at the time and we were expecting our first baby but I had a desire to set the wheels in motion for a building company that offered a high-end finish with skilled tradesmen and expert service. Initially, I collaborated with my younger brothers to start the firm which has gone from strength to strength in recent years. Sarah is the Co-Founder and it is her love of a home that provides a unique synergy between build and interior, her previous work as a textile designer and stylist has influenced the way we work now and makes for a beautiful aesthetic.

What have been your most memorable projects to date?

We started working with William Smalley Architects about 10 years ago and have had the opportunity to complete some really amazing homes during that time. Most memorable was an Arts & Crafts house in Lewes which backed into a chalk hill. The scheme removed the ground floor structure at the rear and extended the property into the hill. Huge skylights set in the lawn brought vast amounts of light into this space. Internally we opened up the home living space and fitted the property out in true William Smalley style; simple, elegant, and perfectly ageless with all the modern luxuries we now expect in a home.

Your work is beautifully finished and elegantly minimal in design, where do you draw inspiration for each project?

We get involved in the project at the point of design conception, which means we advise from the start and can quickly move on-site once a contract sum has been negotiated and agreed upon. On every project we find ourselves adapting and discovering new skills and techniques to benefit the client and offer alternative solutions if a traditional method doesn’t serve a purpose. We are always looking out for new materials, sustainable options, and ideas for future projects and take inspiration from existing architectural design and sculpture. Most recently we managed to escape to Cornwall this summer and enjoyed wandering around the Barbara Hepworth Museum in St. Ives.

What are you working on at the moment?

We are lucky enough to be focused on New Lodge East, which is our new family home. It’s a lovely period building made in sandstone with lots of beautiful, original features. It’s been interesting to be a client for once, and making decisions has been tougher than we imagined, although everything is starting to come together and we aim to finish in early 2021. We are currently living on the third floor of the house in a self-contained flat and cannot wait to start living in the space we’re created… (you can follow its progress on their Instagram account).

What’s your working style?

Working with a team of people every day is a bit like having an extended family, it is all about getting the relationships working smoothly together. Lots of pre-planning and discussion ensue before a day’s work starts and lots of cups of tea help to keep everyone happy obviously! We believe the success of a project is solely down to the individuals involved and that is something we have developed and nurtured over the years.

How have you navigated this year so far?

We have been lucky enough to carry on working throughout lockdown and started a job locally in Forest Row just before lockdown 1:0. Our market is buoyant at present with clients considering home working on a more permanent basis and reconfiguring a family home has become essential.

What’s the best advice you can give to anyone undertaking a home renovation?

Make choices that last. We would both say that choosing the cheapest option in the short term will cost you more in the future. Understand what you are taking on and take advice from the experts.

When the country is not in lockdown what are your favourite things to do at the weekend?

I have a road bike obsession and would probably spend all my time riding over the South East if work didn’t come first. As a family, we love to walk, and being in Ashdown Forest means we’re lucky enough to go exploring as often as we want. We spend a lot of our time with our children and encourage them to pursue their hobbies. Tristan, our son plays at a high-level of county tennis, and Isabelle, our daughter is pony-mad and has her own loan pony. We absolutely love food and relish in cooking and discovering new places to eat.

Tell us what you love about Tunbridge Wells?

1. The Pantiles - especially when there is a market on (we love to support local independent business, it’s really important for us to invest in our community and keep the places we love going).

2. The Chimera Climbing Centre

3. Ice Skating in Calvery Park in Winter

4. The Lyle - the food is incredible!

5. Juliet’s - for the cakes

6. Fine Grind - the best coffee in town!

7. The Beacon - amazing views

What’s the future for AMLY?

We’re really excited about what the next 12 months will bring. The pandemic has brought new opportunities with it and we are positive about initial talks for several home renovations. Our aim is to work on more new builds and create a truly magnificent 21st Century home. We offer something for everyone so if you’re thinking about a build please get in touch, we’d love to discuss the finer details.

For more information about AMLY please click the links below:
AMLY.co.uk
Follow their latest project at New Lodge East

Discover AMLY: Building the future

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