Zoe’s relationship with interiors began long before professional titles entered the picture. Born in Normandy, she grew up moving between France, Dubai and London. Relocations sharpened her awareness of space early on, but it was at home where the real education took place. As she puts it, “My love for interior designing came from my mother as I watched her turn our new places into homes.” Watching unfamiliar houses quietly become lived-in, personal spaces left a lasting imprint.

‍

After studying interior design at the University of the Arts London, Zoe moved straight into practice, finding work almost immediately and building momentum from there. Her creative references are broad, but she is particularly drawn to the work of two interior designers she deeply admires, Pierre Yovanovitch and Jacques Grange, both of whom influence her appreciation for elegance, balance, and quietly confident spaces.

‍

Her attraction to Ward & Co was instinctive and practical in equal measure. The mother and daughter leadership mattered, as did the scale and ambition of the projects on offer. Here, collaboration is not a buzzword but a working method, particularly in how Zoe approaches client relationships. Listening carefully, understanding intent, and then shaping that vision through informed choices and the occasional well-judged alternative.

‍

Two current projects neatly capture why she joined the studio. One is the Nobu branded residences, which took her to the Caribbean and into a meeting with Robert De Niro, a joint owner of the development. “It was an amazing experience being in the Caribbean and then helping present our collaboration to a Hollywood legend”. The other could not be more different, a country mansion in southern England. As Zoe notes simply, “One was rustic while the other project was traditional”.

‍

What follows is a conversation with Zoe, in her own words.

‍

Do you have a favorite design era, material or architectural detail that always catches your eye?
‍

‍My favorite design era is mid-century modern. It emphasises open spaces and seamlessly blending the indoors with the outdoors. I also love incorporating vintage and mid-century pieces into interiors to add character and warmth. The use of rich dark wood, organic motifs, and bold geometric shapes gives the style a timeless appeal.

Outside of work, where do you find inspiration, a place, a book, a routine, or travel?
‍

Nowadays, inspiration is everywhere, from social media and museums to books, magazines, and even conversations with friends and family. However, my favorite way to find inspiration is through travel. I love immersing myself in new cultures, exploring different architectural styles, and experiencing diverse ways of living.

‍

You’ve worked across a mix of hospitality and residential. Is there a particular kind of brief you secretly love getting stuck into?

‍

Every project is unique and exciting in its own way, but I especially love working on international projects. They challenge us to think outside the box and immerse ourselves indifferent cultures. For our Nobu project, we prioritize using authentic and sustainable materials, ensuring they align with the local environment. One of my favorite aspects is researching the island’s traditional materials and collaborating with local artisans to bring the design to life.

‍

Now that you’ve joined Ward & Co, what’s something about the studio’s way of working that feels different or refreshing?

‍

I love that we’re a small, all-female team, girl power! We support and uplift each other, which is especially important in such a demanding industry. Ward & Co. has many exciting projects on the horizon, both internationally and in the Caribbean, and I’m thrilled to be a part of it all!

‍

Zoe’s answers reflect a designer who is quietly confident, culturally curious, and grounded in collaboration rather than spectacle. Whether she is balancing sustainability with luxury in the Caribbean or responding to the layered history of a traditional British country house, her approach remains measured and thoughtful.

‍

At Ward & Co, Zoe Avit brings not only technical skill but a lived understanding of how spaces shape experience. It is an outlook formed by movement, observation, and a belief that good design begins with listening. Subtle, assured, and adaptable, her work sits comfortably at the intersection of global ambition and personal detail.