from first decisions to finished homeA clear, professional way to navigate your renovation
Successful renovation begins with a strong vision supported by professional knowledge, access to practical tools and a clear strategic process.
MY APPROACHHelping the renovation process unfold
People arrive at Spaces Refined at many different moments - pre-purchase, mid-planning, or just as decisions begin to feel urgent. What they share is not a lack of vision, but uncertainty about how to move forward without unnecessary risk, cost or regret.
Many renovation problems begin early: going straight to a builder before the project is properly defined, delaying key decisions in the hope they’ll resolve themselves on site, or starting work without a clear brief, budget framework or sense of sequence. These aren’t careless mistakes - they happen when homeowners are asked to navigate a professional process without professional orientation.
Spaces Refined exists to bring that thinking into reach.
I help you understand what needs to be decided early, what can wait, how construction actually unfolds, how to structure a project budget, and how to assess layouts, proposals, suppliers and advice with confidence.
I work as a guide and strategist - an architect and interior designer in your corner - and the services are designed to reflect how different people prefer to engage.
The outcome is not just a better project. It’s the reassurance of knowing you don’t have to figure this out alone.
The Spaces Refined
Manifesto
I.Time spent now is money and overwhelm saved later.
II.Timeless, not trendy.
III.Clarity saves more than compromise.
IV.Structure turns overwhelm into action.
V.You can’t design well in chaos.
VI.Your home should reflect your life.
founder Catherine Finkernagel
Catherine Finkernagel trained in architecture in the United States before completing her Master of Architecture at the Architectural Association in London.
In 2004, she co-founded Finkernagel Ross, now an international architecture and interior design studio with offices in London and Hamburg, working across high-end residential and hospitality projects throughout the UK and Europe. Her work is characterised by an integrated approach to architecture and interiors, with a long-standing focus on healthy homes, sustainability, future-proofing and multi-generational living.
Alongside her role as co-director, Catherine remains closely connected to live projects, allowing her to translate professional architectural judgement - typically reserved for full-service commissions - into clear, practical guidance for homeowners leading their own renovations through Spaces Refined.
Based in London, she lives with her husband Felix, also an architect, and their three teenage children. Everyday family life, renovation decisions, food and travel continue to inform her belief that good design is not about spectacle, but about creating homes that genuinely support the lives lived within them.
