About

Biography

Denna Jones is a US-born, London-based writer, designer and consultant who grew up in houses ranging from a Shoji-screen suburban in Hawaii to a mid-twentieth century in California. She works on urban design schemes across England.

That’s me in a nutshell. It’s also my mini biography from the book 1001 Buildings You Must See Before You Die (published October 2007). Short, smart and small is the way I like to work, think and live. That doesn’t mean limited horizons for myself or my work. It means the opposite. Figuring out how to live well in small footprint houses. Or how to take a limited budget and create magic. Or what type of narrative - whether written or designed - will capture people’s attention.

My mini book bio captured the right people’s attention. I’ve been asked to be the General Editor of the next book 1001 Houses You Must See Before You Die. The narrative of my short bio caught the publisher’s attention. The new book will be pitched at the London Book Fair (14-16 April 2008). Fingers crossed it’s greenlighted.

When I’m not “working” I’m designing the interior of Gardener’s Cottage, my part-time (and short-life) residence in a wing of Admiralty House in Devonport on the south coast of England. This project is an offshoot of my Arts Strategy Commission for Plymouth City Council and Devonport Regeneration Community Partnership. I’m capturing a moment in time reflecting some of Admiralty House’s inter-war heyday updated to the present. (So think Art Deco mixed with 1970s Vico Magistretti and one or two contemporary selections.) Living in the amazing Admiralty House with its stunning views over the Hamoaze to Plymouth Sound is a huge change from London. A welcome change! And every day I’m in Admiralty House, I tell myself how lucky I am. My tenancy is courtesy of Firmac Developments prior to planning permission to turn the house into a hotel.

So please have a conversation with me about your ideas and how I can help. I look forward to our chat!