Our Story

We are an architecture and interior design studio.

COAL was formed in 2017 by Interior designer Emily Reilly and Architect Joe Reilly. After a 10-year stint in London – Joe studying architecture at the Bartlett UCL before working at architecture practice Alma-nac and Emily working at the V&A before studying Interior Design at Central Saint Martins – we set sail to St Agnes, Cornwall where COAL was born.

  • Interior Designer & Co-Founder

    Emily looks after COAL interiors. Her work is inspired by the natural hues and textures of the Cornish landscape. For each project she sources antique and bespoke furnishings to make truly unique homes which reflect the lives of her clients.

    Emily broadened her design vocabulary through a BA in History of Art (First Class, Hons) at UCL. She went on to work in the V&A publishing department for 5 years which fuelled her passion for art and design further. Surrounded by the museum’s collection of textiles, art and furniture provided endless references.

    A natural path then led her to retrain in Interior Design at Central St Martins and eventually down to Cornwall.

  • Architect & Co-Founder

    Joe is responsible for COAL architecture and is a fully accredited architect (ARB). He creates carefully crafted buildings that are as inspiring and magical as the Cornish landscape in which they are sited.

    Joe studied at the Bartlett School of Architecture UCL and Newcastle University. He has 15 years of experience in the profession working at a range of award-winning architectural practices in both London and Rotterdam. He also teaches architectural design at Falmouth University as an Associate Lecturer.

Our Approach

We work on a diverse range of architecture and interior design projects across Cornwall, from renovations of listed buildings to new contemporary homes.

We are interested in the history of architecture and interior design, and our evolving understanding of this underpins our design work. We strive to make low energy homes made of natural materials and furnished with timeless antiques. 

Each project is a tailored response to the specific requirements of our clients and we provide a unique journey from conception to completion. We offer an initial meeting entirely free of charge.