Renovation Reimagined

Behind every extraordinary home is
a clear vision and a bold plan.

HOME ISN’T FOUND… IT’S created

Spaces Refined is expert renovation guidance led by an architect and interior designer with 25 years of practice helping design-literate homeowners plan, decide and execute their renovation with clarity, confidence and beautifully considered results, without the overwhelm of doing it alone or the commitment of a full design studio.

WORK WITH ME + 
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 a new type of renovation support

There is a better way, and it starts here.

Renovating your home is one of the most significant investments you will ever make both financially and emotionally - it matters deeply.

You want to get it right. You are excited to get it right. You need to get it right.

Yet most homeowners who renovate on their own are forced to choose between fragmented online advice, going straight to their builder or committing to a full professional team. One leaves you overwhelmed and second-guessing every decision; one leaves you feeling compromised right from the start and the other demands time, budget and scale that often isn’t necessary.

WORK WITH ME +
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Introducing Spaces Refined

Spaces Refined exists to fill a gap the industry rarely addresses. It gives homeowners flexible access to 25 years of architectural and interior design knowledge and expertise, alongside the exact professional process typically reserved for full-service clients - simplified and tailored to you and your project.

An expert-led renovation consultancy, Spaces Refined offers a considered ecosystem of support for homeowners navigating renovation without a full-time professional team. It is born from a simple observation: not every home renovation requires full-service involvement, but every renovation will benefit from access to a professional.

Through flexible one-to-one guidance, practical tools, structured courses, and immersive retreats, homeowners can access the knowledge, strategic clarity, and reassurance usually only available behind closed studio doors - whether you’re at the very beginning or already deep into the process.

All designed with the intent to empower you to lead your project with intention, confidence, clarity and excitement.

LEARN MORE +

  • "First of all, thank you so much for the session on Wednesday - it was so helpful! I was worried I wouldn’t be able to take everything in after a night of zero sleep, but I needn’t have stressed - I did get so much out of it. And as a result feel equipped to move forward with confidence now, for which I am very grateful."

    Client, The Studio Sessions

  • “We couldn’t be happier with the result and would highly recommend Spaces Refined courses and consultations to anyone looking to create a space that is very special.”

    Client, The Studio Sessions

  • “This has been a great experience and we feel very privileged to have Catherine’s expertise & creativity — it’s a service that I would happily recommend.”

    Client, The Studio Sessions

  • "The website is not only very clear and appealing, it also, from the very first few lines, reads as though you are able to see inside my head … on that basis I have no doubt that one of the sessions would suit me perfectly given where we are at with our project."

    Client, The Studio Sessions

Strategic Offerings

Expert Guidance, Tailored to You

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Spaces Refined offers a range of entry points, designed to meet you where you are and how you prefer to work. Whether you’re just beginning, mid-decision, or navigating complexity, each offering allows you to access professional guidance in a way that suits your project, your confidence and your stage in the journey.

  • Bespoke guidance for real projects, inspired and tailored to you.

    In these focused consultations, online or in person, Catherine helps you refine layouts, resolve design dilemmas, and bring clarity to your next steps. Each session is personal, practical, and grounded in over two decades of architectural experience.

  • Part strategy. Part inspiration. Entirely transformational.

    Catherine & Kate Watson-Smyth join forces in these immersive design retreats. Based in Turin, Italy, together they blend expert renovation strategy with cultural exploration and creative renewal. Gain clarity, reconnect with your vision, and return home inspired, equipped, and confident.

  • The self-guided full strategic framework professionals use - now in your hands.

    A comprehensive digital course and dashboard that guides you step-by-step through your renovation journey, helping you plan, prioritise, and make confident decisions.

  • Everything you need to begin with clarity and confidence.

    Done for you downloadable tools, templates, and guides designed to simplify your early renovation stages, from vision-building to budgeting, all in a beautifully designed format.

  • 25 years worth of expert insights, resources, and design inspiration delivered weekly.

    A community / membership space offering curated supplier finds, live Q&As, and behind-the-scenes access to professional strategy - perfect for those who want to stay informed and inspired.

  • Momentum, accountability, and personalised expert feedback.

    A six-week programme taking you through Your Renovation Roadmap. Guided by Catherine she combines weekly online live sessions, exercises and personalised feedback tailored to your project helping you to move from overwhelm to action with calm and confidence.

let's get started +

The Transformation You Are Hoping For

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Renovation Reimagined
by Catherine Finkernagel

I’m Catherine Finkernagel - a RIBA registered architect, BIID registered interior designer and co-director of Finkernagel Ross with over 25 years’ experience shaping homes across the UK, Europe and the US.

Alongside my studio work at Finkernagel Ross, I created Spaces Refined for homeowners who want professional clarity without engaging a full design team. It distils the way architects and designers actually think - about sequence, decisions, risk and coherence - into practical guidance you can draw on as and when you need it.

My work has been featured in Architectural Digest, House & Garden, Livingetc and others, but what matters most is this: I help people navigate renovation with confidence, reduce costly mistakes, and create homes that feel deeply aligned with the way they live.

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Sign up for expert renovation strategy, helpful tips and refined inspiration.

renovation simplified

Lead your renovation
with intention.