The 50 Best Interior Designers

Our panel of experts has taken a good hard look at the UK-based designers who are pushing boundaries, consistently delivering excellence and inspiring on every level. Welcome to our chosen 50 for 2020/21. Words by Emma Love

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Best Interior Designers UK 2020

 

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• AXEL VERVOORDT

  Set up by Belgian antiques dealer Axel Vervoordt in 1969, this Antwerp-based practice bridges the worlds of art, architecture and interior design (the latter is now overseen by Axel’s son Boris). Their trademark is refined simplicity; homes that are restorative and re-energising, and somehow feel like they’ve always existed – whether it’s a riverside sanctuary in Kerala or a historic Surrey estate.

  ‘We believe that each home is an oasis. To achieve this, we collaborate in a quest for harmony, beauty and the creation of atmospheres that are rooted in the past and connected to the future,’ writes Axel in the studio’s recently published Portraits in Interiors. Art and artefacts; the Wabi Sabi notion of celebrating beauty in imperfection; and, according to Boris, ‘the notion of discovering what is essential’ within a space are all major strands of their design philosophy.

  axel-vervoordt.com

• BERGMAN INTERIORS

  ‘We love to design to a narrative; every space has a story and its own sense of place,’ says Marie Soliman, who co-founded Bergman Interiors four years ago with Albin Berglund. Both have a background in hotel design and decided to team up on what turned out to be a big break: the Anthony Joshua-backed BXR London boxing gym in Marylebone where they channelled industrial-chic (they have since finished a second site in Canary Wharf and Battersea Power Station is slated for 2021).

  Playing with light and shadow by using interesting dividing screens is a recurring detail: ‘once we used braided straps to act as a partition which cast thousands of shadows on the floor,’ says Marie. Past clients include Eagle Lodge Belmond Botswana, the Ritz Carlton in Oman and Four Seasons London at Ten Trinity Square; residences are ongoing in India, the Middle East and the UK.

  bergmaninteriors.com

• BRADYWILLIAMS

  Shayne Brady and Emily Williams first met while working for RPW Design before going their separate ways (he went onto David Collins Studio; she did a stint at Louise Bradley). Then in 2013, they decided to set up a studio together and Brady Williams was born. ‘Across the board there is a common language of timeless, classic design but our residential style focuses on refined elegance whereas the hospitality side is more dramatic,’ says Shayne, of which the latter include big name restaurants such as Fischer’s, Café Wolseley in Bicester Village and Brigadiers in the City.

  Although the studio is roughly split – Shayne oversees the commercial side, Emily is more involved with residential – they both give input to all projects. ‘Within residential, we love mixing textures with neutral tones and caramels. Maximising any beautiful features is key while at the same time ensuring that the layout works for the functionality of the space,’ concludes Emily.

  bradywilliamsstudio.com

• KATHARINE POOLEY

  A self-labelled visual magpie who takes much of her inspiration from travel, Katharine Pooley officially launched her business in 2004 with a home accessories boutique in Knightsbridge. She is renowned for her ultra- luxury look, whether it’s a minimalist villa in Hong Kong or an English country retreat. She does lots of work in the Middle East and Asia – but always has several London projects ticking along too. ‘It is wonderfully freeing not to have a specific house style; I design with the client, their life and happiness in mind,’ she says.

  For Katharine, one of the most enjoyable aspects is commissioning bespoke pieces such as couture- level embroidery that elevates an item from the ordinary to the extraordinary. ‘There is artistry to interior design – albeit on a rather large scale – and to my mind it is the seemingly effortless balance of light and colour that creates a beautiful room.’

  katharinepooley.com

• KELLY HOPPEN

  One of the most high profile – and prolific – interior designers today, Kelly Hoppen’s affinity for taupe, texture and a subtle East meets West aesthetic is legendary. Neutral palettes are often contrasted with matte black accents (‘matte finishes are much more forgiving and durability in the home is key,’ she says) and materials such as wood, metal and marble. ‘Lately we are using more ceramic as it’s practical and you can create anything you want, as well as cork, which I’m loving.’

  One of Kelly’s most anticipated recent launches was her design for the Celebrity Cruises ship Celebrity Apex and she cites designing the interiors of a train as a dream commission. The studio has more than 45 global projects on the go, including hotels in Mauritius and the Caribbean and private residences throughout Europe.

  kellyhoppen.com

• LINLEY

  Creative directors Michael Keech and Graham Green head up the interior design division at Linley, where their unobtrusive aesthetic is based around ‘updating classical themes to fit in with a modern way of living’. Whether working on a palace or a penthouse the approach is the same: ‘we strip back the structure to make sense of the function and flow; it’s fundamental to the design,’ says Michael of his architecture-first philosophy. ‘There is always a natural rhythm to the positive and negative spaces.’

  Most recently, the pair has waved their wand over 22 rooms and suites in Claridge’s, two apartments in the 1 Queen Anne’s Gate development in St James’ Park, and a huge new build baroque-style house in Yorkshire alongside Adam Architecture. ‘We like the combination of working on big and small jobs. It keeps things fresh and keeps us on our toes.’

  davidlinley.com

• MARTIN HULBERT DESIGN

  Free-thinking design duo Martin Hulbert and Jay Grierson are best known for putting a fresh twist on traditional country house hotel style at properties such as Coworth Park, the Treehouse Suites at Chewton Glen and The Grove in Hertfordshire which they have recently decorated for a second time (case in point: the marble sculptures in the garden are tattooed by an artist in Camden).

  Recent residential projects include a classic Greek villa in Corfu where the chalky colour palette was inspired by the sea views and a house in Regents Park which combines antique furniture with specially designed pieces. ‘We have also just created a new textile range which will launch next year and right now, find ourselves attracted to using handmade and hand-printed fabrics in warm citrus shades.’

  martinhulbertdesign.com

• MARTIN KEMP DESIGN

  The super prime market’s go-to designer, Martin Kemp is known for being incredibly discreet and detail-driven. His impressive rollcall of past achievements includes yachts, private jets and residences such as the landmark development Clarges Mayfair overlooking Green Park; a private bolt-hole apartment in New York’s Time Warner Building; and a showcase sub-penthouse in China for an international property company.

  What links them all is his client-first agenda: ‘we endeavour always to reflect the philosophy of our clients, bringing their aspirations to life through our creative approach,’ he says, recalling a surprising picnic on the exact spot where a dining room would eventually be as one instance of helping someone envision a scheme. He prides himself on working with the finest materials and using craftsmanship in an inventive, original way.

  martinkempdesign.com

• NATALIA MIYAR

  ‘Materiality, spatial planning and good proportions are always important elements,’ says Natalia Miyar, a trained architect and former design director at Helen Green Design who set up her own studio in 2016. She has made her name with tactile spaces that are woven together with bold colour, pattern and a glamorous sensibility. ‘The natural, earthy elements and the effortless luxury in my work play a vital role. I love classical design with a modern interpretation and think that having travelled a lot has influenced my style too.’

  More and more she is focusing on conscious design, encouraging clients to invest in one- of-a-kind, long-lasting pieces. As usual, her work spans the globe, from a historic house in Miami which is being given ‘a new tropical flair’ to a contemporary villa in Ibiza where she is employing shades of blue, green and coral. ‘Blue is both an anchor and a versatile colour for interior schemes; it can feel calm or invigorating, bringing a wonderful energy to a room.’

  nataliamiyar.com

• NINA CAMPBELL

  A much in-demand doyenne of the interiors world, Nina Campbell’s extensive portfolio includes a residential complex in Maine with a pool house and a party house; a small apartment in London for a client downsizing from the country; and the exclusive women-only Alexandra Club in Melbourne. ‘In one section, it’s gone from being hospital green to marvellous crushed raspberry; it’s electrifying,’ says Nina, who established her eponymous company in 1972.

  She adores the comfort of a high bed and often incorporates fabric lined walls into a scheme: ‘now we all have wooden floors, fabric on the walls absorbs the noise; it means you can have 12 people round for dinner and still hear. I like natural linens or a print such as toile de jouy which is very cosy.’ Colours of the moment include amethyst (‘I’ve got every fabric, wallpaper and paint from amethyst to deep purple and back again’) and Persian blue.

  ninacampbellinteriors.com

• PAOLO MOSCHINO FOR NICHOLAS HASLAM

  Whether tasked with creating ‘the most beautiful garden property on the Mediterranean’ or a ‘sophisticated interior around an art collection’, for design duo Paolo Moschino and Philip Vergeylen, capturing the personality of their client is always the main objective. The pair began working together in 2008 after Paolo took over Nicholas Haslam.

  In-progress projects include a hotel in Palermo, houses in the Dominican Republic, chalets in Gstaad and a hunting lodge in Berkshire – a testament to the breadth of the studio’s output. ‘We are working increasingly with wallpapers, especially the hand-painted collection we developed with San Patrignano,’ says Philip, who also attributes the secret to a welcoming space as ‘good lighting and a fully stocked drinks trolley.’

  nicholashaslam.com

• PENNY MORRISON

  Whether she’s lacquering a wall in an especially dark corner to reflect the light or mixing favourite shades such as dirty pink and French blue, South African born Penny Morrison likes a room to always ‘have a little surprise, something not expected’.

  Over the years, she has turned her hand to hotels in the Caribbean, cosy Welsh cottages, slick urban crash pads and country houses on the Scottish Borders: uniting them all is her injection of colour and character, often evidenced through an abundance of paintings, lamps and vintage textiles that she has collected on her travels. ‘I think providence is vital to making a room interesting; I often buy bits and pieces made by local craftsmen and then find a place for them later,’ says Penny. She has her own collection of patterned fabrics and bespoke wallpapers which are on display in The Fabric Collective, her showroom in Chelsea, alongside a curated selection of textiles by other designers.

  pennymorrison.com

• PETER MIKIC

  Former fashion designer Peter Mikic made the fateful leap to interiors after his designs for uniforms for a yacht crew led to him being asked to create the soft furnishings too. That was nearly 15 years ago and since then he has become known for his playful yet considered spaces. ‘My design style is eclectic and luxurious, mixing contemporary with antiques. I like rooms that look a little loose, but well thought through. It’s OK to go off piste a bit to avoid symmetry,’ says Peter.

  Inspiration can come from anywhere but he has been ‘studying the design principles of the greats, such as Jean Royere and Carlo Scarpa. Their mastery of scale and refined detail are elements we’re continuing to integrate into our design work’. Right now, he is splitting his time between properties in West London, St Tropez and Sussex.

  petermikic.com

• RITA KONIG

  A design authority on both sides of the Atlantic, Rita Konig is renowned for creating effortlessly relaxed, pretty spaces. ‘The first move is always to work out how to make each room really useful: that’s where the luxury is, and when it starts to become exciting,’ she says, naming carving out shallow cupboards for extra glasses or finding the best place for a drinks trolley, as examples. She also focuses on the finishing touches from the beginning. ‘A room comes to life through plants, objects, jugs and the things that someone has accumulated and we can help with that.’

  She’s working on an 1820s-style new build home in Nashville with architect Gil Shafer (‘collaborating with Gil is always amazing, he’s a classicist so everything is always beautifully detailed’) and reconfiguring several rooms in a historic property in Chiswick Mall. ‘I like creating spaces that have multiple functions so there will be a dining room, which is also a study. It’s about making more out of the space than the clients have got.’

  ritakonig.com

• ROBERT KIME

  An antique dealer and textile collector with a passion for putting rooms together, Robert Kime is renowned for instilling an abundance of pattern and comfort into what are often quite grand homes. ‘I always layer patterns and colours, styles and cultures,’ he says. ‘It is important that the designs are easy on the eye, timeless and comfortable, always comfortable. Textiles are about warmth; the more you layer in a room, the more comfortable the room becomes.’

  Special interest lies in the historical element of textiles and the process of discovering something unique (‘I love the hunt; a recent trip to Japan was very successful’). He is busy refurbishing a farmhouse in France, a pub and restaurant in Norfolk and a villa in London. Plus, alongside his annual collection of prints and weaves, this month sees the launch of The Nara Collection of fabrics in collaboration with Tory Burch.

  robertkime.com

• SALVESEN GRAHAM

  Co-founded by friends Nicole Salvesen and Mary Graham seven years ago, Salvesen Graham is known for reinventing typically English-style spaces with a fresh, modern spin. ‘We like to create classically beautiful and carefully curated homes that feel stylish and comfortable now and in years to come,’ says Nicole.

  The pair, whose work covers everything from London apartments and a Mayfair club to alpine chalets and family homes, have recently completed a Georgian vicarage in the countryside and an apartment in India. They combine a flair for colour and pattern (‘whether fabrics, wallpapers, paint or artwork, colour will always be included in a scheme in some shape or form’) with mismatched antiques to anchor a space. ‘We also love including small details such as a trim on a cushion or a braid around the edge of a room – it’s the little details that really make a difference.’

  salvesengraham.com

• SIBYL COLEFAX & JOHN FOWLER

  Since the 1930s, Sibyl Colefax & John Fowler has been renowned for its integral role in evolving English decorating style. Once a purely traditional interior decorating firm, now the eight leading designers bring a contemporary touch to a diverse portfolio that ranges from refurbishing a classic motor yacht to an artist’s Victorian studio-house in Chelsea. ‘The common thread is that a space is calm, coherent and reflects the architecture of the building,’ explains managing director Wendy Nicholls. ‘What we do is help the client realise their vision of themselves.’

  Unusual colours, marvellous prints and considered lighting are all signature touches. ‘Lighting is enormously important: a mix of candlelight and electric light is lovely. It is essential to be able to read and to see one’s dinner but few things are more depressing than sitting in a drawing room under a blaze of overhead light.’

  sibylcolefax.com

• SIMS HILDITCH

  Since setting up her Cotswolds-based design studio over a decade ago, Emma Sims Hilditch has been an advocate of ‘elegant and contemporary English’ style, favouring natural materials and calming tones (such as the blues and greens found in nature). ‘We believe that a house should first and foremost feel like a home and lived in from the offset,’ she says, citing the layering of antiques, modern furniture, art and accessories as a way of creating depth. ‘We have really enjoyed the revival of colourful patterned wallpapers and particularly love using block prints on gathered lampshades and bed valances.’

  One word she keeps at the forefront of her mind when designing is drama: for instance, varying scale and proportion in a classical dining room with an eye-catching oversized pendant light. The team usually has around 15 homes on the go, all at different stages; at the moment, this includes a beach house in Guernsey with an American east coast feel and several properties in Perthshire and Yorkshire, in collaboration with Adam Architects.

  simshilditch.com

• SOPHIE PATERSON INTERIORS

  Over the last 12 years Sophie Paterson has made a name for herself working on listed properties across the capital but the Surrey-based interior designer’s portfolio also runs the gamut from a holiday home in Portugal to a new build in Oman. Clients typically lean towards either opulent luxury or the rustic chic look. ‘I have a personal affinity with rustic chic so when appropriate, I love to combine classic contemporary interiors with finishes such as limed weathered oak, jute rugs and heavily textured linens,’ she says.

  Her ongoing hand painted chinoiserie wallpaper collaboration with Fromental has led to a new-found love of burgundy: ‘I used one of the wallpapers in my own bedroom and now I’m increasingly drawn to this colour; we also love using tan and rust accents.’ With every home, the goal is to ‘ensure it still feels relevant in ten years’ time and feels as good to live in as it looks’.

  sophiepatersoninteriors.com

• SPINOCCHIA FREUND

  For Italian-Greek designer Brigitta Spinocchia Freund, a specially commissioned piece of artwork is integral to any interior whether she’s working on a villa in the Balearics or a European ski chalet. ‘We recently created two suspended lighting sculptures featuring fine ceramic with gold detail, steel and canvas. Both pieces were conceived at the earliest stage of the design concept and give each location a unique sense of arrival,’ says Brigitta who also designs furniture, lighting, dinner services and linens in-house.

  ‘We curate a home in a similar way to an exhibition by creating conversation pieces for every corner and view. And bespoke pieces are a big part of providing surprise.’ More commercial ventures are being added to the studio’s portfolio too – watch this space.

  spinocchiafreund.com

• STUDIO ASHBY

  ‘With any room, we often start with the art, sometimes literally taking an artwork and building an interior around it, and other times more figuratively using art as the start of a narrative journey,’ says creative director Sophie Ashby whose recent designs include an apartment in Holborn where the colour palette was inspired by the Bloomsbury Set
  and a joyfully bold Covent Garden penthouse. ‘For the penthouse, we designed some really unique bespoke pieces including a dining table in collaboration with Berlin-based flower styling studio Mary Lennox who created a floral installation beneath a glass surface.’

  Typical features include a compelling mix of vintage furniture, hand-crafted objects and unique in-expensive pieces that add up to a richly layered space. ‘I love colour and don’t really think you can have too much of it. Generally speaking, I am drawn to simple natural materials: raw timbers, stones with real movement, ceramics that show the hand of the maker.’

  studioashby.com

• TARA BERNERD

  Industrial chic paired with soft tones and warm textures are the hallmark of Tara Bernerd’s inimitable design style. ‘Drawing on the local culture, history and atmosphere, we seek to create a design DNA that embraces the character and identity of the location in which a space is set,’ says Tara. ‘That being said, I do find myself drawn to more industrial elements such as exposed brickwork or structural ironmongery.’

  The majority of the studio’s time is taken up with hotels (currently this includes a new brand in Japan, the Four Seasons in New York and working alongside Frank Gehry on the Equinox Hotel in LA) but Tara does take on select private residences and yachts too, whether it’s a villa in Ibiza, an apartment in Central Park or a penthouse in Hong Kong.

  tarabernerd.com

• TAYLOR HOWES INTERIORS

  Since Karen Howes co-founded Taylor Howes 26 years ago (she took over as sole director in 2011), she and her team have completed more than a thousand projects, from royal palaces to penthouse apartments and country cottages. ‘We pride ourselves on our ethos of “true design for living”: a space will have details, bold use of colour, balance and symmetry,’ says Karen, who has recently finished two properties within the Lincoln Square development in Holborn and a penthouse within Landmark Place.

  ‘We are using a lot of natural materials at the moment and working with our suppliers on sustainable materials and finishes. For instance, we’re looking at how Piñatex, a leather substitute can be introduced into our schemes.’

  taylorhowes.co.uk

• TH2DESIGNS

  Founders of Th2 Designs Gail Taylor and Sheila El-Hadery sum up their style as ‘relaxed luxury’. Diverse projects range from designing 40 apartments for a high-end private rental scheme in W1 (‘these are aspirational spaces that reflect the demand in the London property market for luxury homes to rent’) to a penthouse in the South of France. ‘As well as looking good, an interior has to feel comfortable and welcoming,’ says Gail. ‘Our interiors are often described as being calm and peaceful, which comes from really considering how a space is to be used at the outset and, primarily thinking about hidden storage so that excess clutter can be tucked away.’

  Multi-functional interconnected spaces with hidden sliding doors have become a signature, alongside soft palettes and natural materials. The studio also recently completed two show apartments in Battersea Power Station. ‘It was a privilege to work in one of the capital’s most recognised landmarks and a good example of where we were able to reflect the architecture, designing an urban space with vintage touches.’

  th2designs.co.uk

• TIM GOSLING

  All of Tim Gosling’s interior schemes are rooted in architecture, whether he’s designing a new build in New York’s Greenwich Village or a palazzo in Venice. ‘I’ve loved the many palazzos I’ve worked on along the Grand Canal which were about respecting the 15th-century starting point but also taking into account the light and water,’ recalls Tim, a trained theatre designer who was a director at Linley for 18 years before setting up his own studio in 2005.

  For Tim, using deep colours such as Soane Yellow, Atomic Red and Roman Purple, is one of the best ways to make a space feel welcome. He is known for designing bespoke pieces, such as a recent miniature ‘Dome of Curiosity’ which was created ‘to hold an amazing pair of miniature globes and other extraordinary objects. The leather is embossed with names of historic astrologists and thinkers.’ He is also creating furniture for a superyacht and restoring his own French château in Normandy.

  tgosling.com

• VEERE GRENNEY ASSOCIATES

  ‘Contemporary design shaped in classicism’ – that’s how internationally revered interior designer Veere Grenney sums up the sophisticated output of his eponymous studio, which he set up nearly 25 years ago. Wooden floors, upholstered walls, and cherry-picked colours from either end of the spectrum (for instance, in an entrance, he might pair off-white with a dark green) are all signature, elegant touches for this former director of Sibyl Colefax & John Fowler who began his career selling furniture and decorative objects from a stall on Portobello Road.

  Current commissions include a Regency townhouse in Norfolk and a modern apartment in Manhattan. Any especially memorable assignments? ‘A house on an archipelago in Sweden; it was set in beautiful countryside and the architecture had a nod to the 1930s.’

  veeregrenney.com

• VSP INTERIORS

  For the last two decades, Inchbald-educated Henriette von Stockhausen has made a name for herself working on county houses – specifically listed properties and homes of architectural interest. ‘I always look to work with local craftsmen, often drawing on traditional techniques that would have been used when the properties were first built. I also incorporate antiques while still creating a modern contemporary feel through the selection of art,’ says Dorset-based Henriette who has just finished a grade I-listed, ten-bedroom Scottish castle.

  Trimmings around architraves, fabric wallcoverings and exquisite tapestries such as one by Watts of Westminster which is being installed for a client in a double height hall, are all staples. A listed dairy in Dorset and several grand-scale Georgian country houses (in one, the kitchen extension will feature two prep kitchens, a pantry, a flower room and three islands) are a sample of her current commissions.

  vspinteriors.com

  vspinteriors.com

Featured image: Studio Ashby

READ MORE:

The Guide to Sustainable Interiors Design / Beautiful Bathroom Inspiration / Discover the Interiors Guide

 

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