The Interior Design Business

Traditionally, interior designers in the UK were well-heeled, well-connected lady decorators with good posture and expensive handbags, creating interiors for people just like them.  One could even go so far as to say ‘Pale, Stale and Female’. It felt like this would never change, but then, in 2020, seemingly out of nowhere, a charity called United in Design appeared with a mission to shine a light on the issue and do something about it! Jeff and Susie welcome Alex Dauley and Eman Akbar from United in Design to talk about the charity, explain what exactly did they set out to do and find out how are they doing it? This episode was recorded at the wonderful showroom of The Rug Company in Chelsea Harbour, London. We are a Wildwood Plus production.   Chapters (00:00:00) - The fight for diversity in interior design(00:01:28) - United in Design: The Charity's Journey(00:08:48) - Getting It: The Future of Interior Education(00:10:20) - United Design: What do you do?(00:13:07) - United in Design's journey since its inception(00:15:23) - How many students have been placed in internships?(00:16:38) - The Residential and Hospitality Internships(00:21:05) - The Centre for Career Change Through Mentoring(00:24:23) - The United in Design Alumni(00:25:41) - United in Design: Interiors Media(00:28:00) - Wonders House(00:29:30) - Wonders House Gets the Makeover(00:31:27) - The WowHouse Partnership(00:32:53) - The Rug Company Warehouse Partnership(00:34:08) - The interiors industry's three pillars(00:35:53) - Immigrant internship and mentoring(00:36:56) - UK Interior Designers: The barriers to diverse interests(00:44:09) - Interior Design Business

We are all eagerly anticipating WOW!house 2026 which will run from 2nd June until the 2nd July so what better time to take a look at the phenomenon that is WOW!house. From a standing start in 2022, WOW!house has, in 5 short years, grown to become the UK’s premier showcase for luxury interior design talent and style. Going way beyond the mere setting of trends, WOW!house has come to embody the aspirational direction of travel for the whole UK prime residential market. But how did it all begin? Where did the original inspiration for the event come from? And, how has it developed year on year to become the most hotly anticipated event in the London Interior Design Calendar? For this show, recorded in front of a live audience of designers in the Design Club at the Design Centre Chelsea Harbour, Susie and Jeff are joined by Durgesh Sinh from returning WOW!house sponsor, Nucleus AV, acclaimed interior designer and WOWzer, Benedict Foley, and the woman who launched WOW!house, CEO of the Design Centre, Claire German. We are a Wildwood Plus production.  Chapters (00:00:00) - Welcome to Wowhouse(00:01:36) - Interior Decorator at the Tate Modern(00:02:30) - The creative team at Nucleus(00:04:25) - The Wonders House(00:07:07) - The design centre at Zandon House(00:10:29) - Kips Bay and the Other Events(00:10:52) - The Warehouse's first show home(00:13:05) - The First Whale House(00:17:12) - Project Runway: Success(00:18:00) - The World's First Design Event(00:18:49) - Wond House: The Exhibition at 150(00:23:23) - The Warehouse Alumni's 2nd year(00:26:26) - Wilson: I'm a Wozza and a Wowza(00:27:59) - How do you pick the designers for Warehouse?(00:30:05) - The Warehouse's media room(00:31:47) - What's the Value of Being a Sponsor in Warehouse(00:32:28) - Inside the Science Exhibition 2017(00:34:23) - Benedict at United in Design(00:36:22) - A Round of Paul Watson

We live in a mostly mass-produced, machine-made world of globalised banality. Interior spaces from north to south look and feel the same. Yet, as human beings, we revel in our individuality and crave the means to add a personal stamp to the way we live and the places we inhabit. We yearn to possess things that are unique to us and that no one else can have. Artisan-made items created by skilled and loving hands will deliver those special touches that make a room memorable and distinctive, but where should designers go to find these precious pieces? How can craft makers find an appreciative audience for their work? And how can designers best explore and source from the vast range of crafts in existence? To discuss this topic, we're joined by makers, Natasha Mann and Claire Coles, Louisa Pacifico from Future Icons, Sam Fisher from Decorex and internationally renowned interior designer, Katharine Pooley. Recorded in Katharine Pooley Studio in London. A big thank you to our series partner, Decorex Chapters (00:00:00) - Welcome to the Interior Design Business(00:01:21) - Three of London's best-known artists and their business(00:02:43) - What is craft in France?(00:04:03) - In the Elevator With Craftspeople(00:05:22) - How to Train to Become a Painter(00:11:57) - How Do You Find an Interior Designer?(00:13:00) - Are Artisan Made Materials Naturally More Expensive?(00:15:12) - Making Spaces at Decorx(00:16:41) - Making Spaces(00:20:40) - Interior Designers Work With Makers(00:23:08) - How to decorate a large house with an online gallery(00:24:52) - Claire's Small Business(00:26:21) - Storytelling in the Art World(00:27:02) - When You're On Your Own(00:27:50) - The Story of Interiors(00:31:39) - Will Your Objects Go to an Art Gallery?(00:32:20) - Bespoke Design: Managing Client Expectations(00:37:26) - The Color of Light(00:37:40) - Where should designers go to find the makers of tomorrow?(00:41:34) - Crafts in the Interior: Future Icon Selects

As interior design gains ground as a serious career and profession, more and more academic institutions are offering degree and master’s level interior design courses to teach the rudiments of this highly technical subject. But is this enough?  Susie and Jeff are joined by three renowned designers - Charu Gandi from Elicyon, Franky Rousell from Jolie Studio and Laura Hammett from Laura Hammett Interiors to discuss whether design schools adequately equip budding designers with the skills they need to take their place in our industry. We explore the the important subjects that they don't teach at design school, and invite our panel to suggest what students and employers should do to identify and plug those gaps. This episode was recorded in front of a live audience of designers at Arte in the Design Centre Chelsea Harbour. Thank you to our series supporters, Decorex 2026. We are a Wildwood Plus production.  Chapters (00:00:00) - What Don't They Teach You in Design School?(00:01:45) - Interviewing Designers(00:04:53) - Interviewing: Fit and Hard Work(00:07:04) - How do you test out a candidate's portfolio?(00:12:13) - Have You Got What it Takes to Be a Design Designer?(00:13:16) - Do graduating designers have the skills they need to survive life in an(00:19:46) - Teaching the management of client relationships(00:24:17) - The role of guest lecturers in interior design(00:27:31) - Can Anyone Become an Interior Designer?(00:28:59) - Are Interior Designers Team Players?(00:30:26) - What do you think are the really valuable lessons that they can't(00:36:27) - The Secret to Working As an Interior Designer(00:38:34) - The Importance of Interiors(00:39:33) - The Interior Design Exhibition

Entering an interior design award can boost visibility, credibility, and client trust - but not all awards are created equal. In this episode, Jeff and Susie are joined by two BIID award-winning designers, Jennifer Hamilton from The Vawdrey House and Melinda Kiss from Keyhole Interiors for a deeper dive into the awards process. We'll explore how designers can identify award schemes with genuine merit and industry recognition, how to present a standout project and the storytelling techniques that capture attention and bring design concepts to life. Thanks to our episode partner, the British Institute of Interior Design, for their support. We are a Wildwood Plus production.  Chapters (00:00:00) - The Interior Design Business(00:01:25) - Jennifer Vaudrey House(00:02:06) - The BIID Interior Design Awards(00:04:00) - The British Institute of Design Awards(00:05:56) - The Making of an Award Entry(00:09:17) - The Marketing and Awards(00:11:15) - The Impact of Client Wins and Awards(00:13:52) - The BIID Awards(00:16:37) - British Institute of Interior Design Awards(00:17:59) - The BIID Awards 2017(00:18:50) - What truly defines an award winning interior design project?(00:20:54) - BIID Awards 2017(00:22:29) - Projects for the Future: Eskdale vicarage(00:23:48) - What Is The Secret to Timeless Spaces?(00:25:17) - The Narrative of the(00:26:42) - The Clients' Project(00:28:58) - Outstanding Project(00:30:09) - The BIID Awards 2018

Interior designers have a bad rep on building sites for being demanding, difficult and dis-organised, but is this fair? In their drive for perfection, are interior designers their own worst enemy? Do designers efficiently provide the information needed by builders, or do contractors sometimes wilfully misunderstand their design intentions? What can designers and contractors do to make each other’s lives easier? In this episode, Jeff and Susie are joined by renowned interior designer Joanna Wood, Founder of Joanna Wood Interiors and Paul Fitzgerald, Founder and Managing Director of Hawksmoor Construction to answer these questions and more.   This episode was recorded as part of the Design Talks programme at Decorex 2025. Thanks to Decorex and to our episode partners, Sofas & Stuff for their support.  Chapters (00:00:00) - Interior Designers: Difficult, Diva and Irrit(00:01:01) - Interior Design and Construction(00:01:48) - Both of the presenters start off with a brief introduction(00:03:22) - Do Interior Designers Have a Bad Reputation Among Contractors?(00:05:06) - Are Interior Designers Accused of Neglect?(00:05:54) - Do Interior Designers Have Prejudices About Their Jobs?(00:06:40) - Are Interior Designers Bad For Contractors?(00:11:02) - Projects and Construction Contractors(00:13:09) - Tender Process(00:16:41) - The quality of the Tender Pack(00:19:05) - Choosing a contractor(00:23:57) - Interior Designers: Do You Need a Contractor?(00:26:18) - Paul, have you ever refused to work with an interior designer on(00:28:26) - Paul and Joe: The Contractor Relationship(00:31:24) - How often do you need to go to site on a project?(00:32:59) - What's your biggest bugbear?(00:37:12) - Interiors Design: When Problems Occur, Do Designers Let(00:38:26) - What's the funniest, maddest thing a designer's(00:40:14) - The Worst Contractor Ever Do(00:42:26) - Inside The Interior Design Business Podcast

Taking The Strain - How To Be a Safe Pair of Hands. The only things in life more stressful than building or renovating a home are bereavement, divorce, and redundancy. And yet the finished result should be life-changing for the client and worth all the pain of the experience. To assist their clients, interiors designers must act as a safe pair of hands, ready to support and guide through the ups and downs of the design and project process, skilfully managing any unforeseen dramas, problems, or delays enroute. So, how can we best prepare and manage our clients to minimise the stress for them – and for ourselves, and emerge successful and feted at the finish line? Jeff and Susie are joined by two acclaimed interior designers Helen Bygraves, Co-Founder of Hill House Interiors and Christian Bense, Founder of Christian Bense to find out the best strategies behind achieving a stress-free project.  This episode was a recorded in front of a live audience of designers at Decorex 2025. Thanks to Decorex and to our episode partners, Sofas & Stuff for their support.  Chapters (00:00:00) - Welcome to the Interior Design Business(00:01:40) - Interior Designers(00:02:54) - Interior Designers on Vandalising a Home(00:04:51) - Having a career change in interior design(00:06:50) - Interior Design: The Client's Issues(00:09:24) - Does a stressy client affect your fee proposal?(00:11:43) - Project budgets and timescales(00:18:23) - Clients' emails and WhatsApp(00:22:41) - What do you do about clients' fear of making decisions?(00:24:51) - How should designers go about managing their clients expectations?(00:27:31) - Setting guidelines for the build phase(00:29:42) - Projects and the stresses of designing(00:32:42) - Interior Design Report(00:34:43) - How to Win the Client's Trust(00:36:41) - The Interior Design Business

It has often been said that interior design would be a great job if it wasn’t for the clients. They can be unappreciative, indecisive, and unreasonable even when their project is on track and bellicose, belligerent, and litigious when things go wrong. In fact, the designer-client relationship which often begins as a love affair can sometimes end tragically in the bitterest of divorces. But is there really such a thing an awkward client, or are any problems just down to poor communications? What can make a good client turn bad? And how can designers effectively manage this most important and sensitive of relationships? Jeff and Susie are joined by  Simon Mayhew from Txtured and James Roberts from James Roberts Interiors to answer these and other questions in front of a live audience of designers at the Design Central North West event at Capesthorne Hall in Cheshire.   Thanks to our series partners Naturalmat for their support.     Chapters (00:00:00) - Intro to the Interior Design Business(00:00:39) - An awkward Client(00:01:41) - Three of the Designers(00:03:06) - Getting Off On The Right Foot With Your Clients(00:04:53) - How To Lead a Design Team With Age(00:08:40) - How To Win A Friend's Over(00:09:18) - Are there any client categories that you avoid?(00:12:38) - On Working With An Angry Partner(00:13:26) - How to manage a big project's budget(00:14:12) - The importance of access to the client(00:16:37) - How to Talk Budget With the Client(00:17:53) - Budgeting in the UK(00:20:15) - Projects' length and timings(00:23:37) - The Challenges of Leading a Project(00:27:29) - The Importance of a Fee Proposal(00:31:17) - Interior Design: Natural Mat(00:35:43) - A Good Team For Tougher Clients(00:38:03) - The Big Picture(00:41:34) - Structural engineers: Quality of design and cost(00:46:37) - "It's like a funeral..."(00:46:53) - How To Read 2-D Plans(00:51:49) - How to Deal with Difficult Contractors(00:53:19) - The On-Site Blame Game(00:58:21) - "When to say enough is enough?"(00:59:00) - What Do You Do When a Client Threatens to Sue You?

Interior designers know that lighting is crucial to the success of every project. Bad lighting can be simultaneously gloomy and glary – deadening colours and flattening textures, while good lighting can make even basic decorative schemes sing. But lighting is also a highly complex and technical minefield that designers must somehow learn to navigate.    Susie and Jeff are joined by Lee Lovett, founder and managing director of Soho Lighting and award-winning interior designer, Henriette von Stockhausen, founder and Creative Director of VSP Interiors to explore how interior designers should go about managing this critical design element. They also discuss how early in the project cycle lighting should be considered and the lighting knowledge and tools that designers need to succeed at every project stage. This episode was recorded in that front of a live audience of designers at the Simpsons showroom in the Design Centre Chelsea Harbour.Thanks to our series partners Naturalmat for their support. We are a Wildwood Plus production.    Chapters (00:00:00) - The Importance of Lighting in the Interior Design(00:01:27) - Both of the Electricians have now reached 25 years of practice(00:02:56) - Lighting(00:04:38) - Should Lighting be Included in Project Space Planning?(00:05:52) - The Lighting of a Home(00:07:04) - How to Describe Good Lighting(00:09:11) - How Lighting Affects the Client's Mood(00:09:43) - How to light a house room(00:12:06) - The Art of Architectural Lighting(00:13:34) - How to light architectural features indirectly(00:15:25) - How to Lighting a Low Ceiling with High Ceilings(00:20:07) - How to light a period house?(00:22:03) - Natural Mat(00:23:13) - Lighting layering(00:25:48) - Interior Lighting(00:28:36) - Lighting and shadows(00:32:08) - In the Elevator: Architectural Lighting(00:34:54) - The Perfect Spotlight(00:37:47) - Dimming Systems(00:40:30) - Setting the lights on and off(00:42:11) - The Secret to Lighting Design(00:42:58) - Inside The Interior Design Business

In this episode, Jeff and Susie dive into the dynamic world of pop-up installations while exploring the enduring appeal of Decorex. Recorded at the Sofas & Stuff showroom on the Kings Road, they’re joined by designers Tolù Adẹ̀kọ́(Adẹ̀kọ́ & Co) and Lucy Mayers (Sibyl Colefax & John Fowler), both creators of standout temporary spaces for Decorex 2025. Together, they explore what makes a pop-up truly successful, the creative and logistical challenges behind these here-today-gone-tomorrow marvels, and how temporary design can deliver lasting value. The conversation continues with insights from Decorex’s Sam Fisher, QEST’s Deborah Pocock, and Ricky Partner from Sofas & Stuff. They look at the secrets behind Decorex’s ongoing relevance, the importance of curation, and the role of live craftsmanship in engaging audiences. Whether you’re a designer, exhibitor, or simply passionate about interiors, this episode offers inspiration and practical advice on making the most of pop-ups and trade shows. Tune in for expert perspectives, behind-the-scenes stories, and a celebration of creativity at the heart of the design industry. Thanks to Sofas & Stuff and to our series partner, Naturalmat, for their support. We are a Wildwood Plus production.    Chapters (00:00:00) - Welcome to the Interior Design Business(00:01:24) - Introducing the Design Teams(00:02:18) - What makes a good pop-up?(00:03:56) - What Makes a Signature Space?(00:05:23) - How a bar can feel like a garden?(00:08:01) - The Circus Lounge at Decorex(00:12:54) - The Luminous Tented Bar at Decorex(00:20:04) - The DPA Pop Up(00:23:57) - What motivates you to create pop up design?(00:26:46) - Decor X: What Lessons Have You Learned?(00:30:32) - Natural Mat(00:31:48) - Decorex(00:32:25) - The Queen Elizabeth Scholarship Trust(00:33:17) - Decor X: What sets Decor X apart?(00:37:07) - Decor X: A Curation Experience(00:38:38) - What Makes the Decorex Show So Successful?(00:39:53) - What exactly are the goals of an exhibitor at Decorx(00:43:58) - Decorx: Making Spaces(00:47:42) - How do exhibitors measure the success of their participation in Deco(00:53:19) - Wonders of the World 2017 talk(00:54:35) - Decorex Pop-ups

It is often said that Interior Design is 5% creativity and 95% uphill slog. Most of what we do involves translating a creative vision into a set of instructions for someone else to build and then battling through to make sure the vision is realised. So, while the process is important, without that precious initial spark there is no interior to build. All designers suffer at times from designer’s block – there are times when the ideas simply will not flow, and times when the designer can find themselves drowning in the 95% of project admin. So how can designers keep their heads above water and keep the creative spark alive? Where should they look for the design hooks that will make their projects sing? And how can they hold onto their vision while weathering the din of project noise that can sometimes threaten to overwhelm them? To find out the answers to these and other burning questions, we’re joined in this show by two very special guests – Venetia Rudebeck and Romanos Brihi – the creative drivers behind London based practice ‘Studio Vero’ – recently named one of House and Gardens Top 100 finest interior designers. Recorded at Studio Vero. Thanks to our series partners, Naturalmat, for their support.    Chapters (00:00:00) - How to Keep Your Creativity in the Interior Design Business(00:01:28) - Inside Studio Vero(00:04:13) - What sort of projects do you focus on?(00:05:48) - How do you start a project?(00:08:28) - Working with Romanos and Venetia(00:10:35) - Do you also take inspiration from your clients?(00:11:43) - How does inspiration from the design process influence your work?(00:13:33) - Are Clients' Existing Possessions a BENEFIT or(00:15:36) - The interior of a house(00:18:04) - How important is the design process for the client?(00:19:09) - The Art of Working With a Client(00:20:51) - Interior Design's Creativity(00:23:18) - Visit The National Trust's London Homes(00:24:24) - Meet Natural Match(00:26:56) - How to Develop a Design: Christie's(00:28:44) - The Layering of Color in Interiors(00:30:02) - The Art of Antiques and Furniture(00:32:16) - How often do you need to meet with a client?(00:35:01) - Australian Interior Designers: Inspiring Work(00:37:57) - Getting inspired by places(00:40:01) - Inside The Interior Design Business

We are joined by Mark Tremlett, founder and managing director of Naturalmat, Fiona Watkins founder and creative director of Fiona Watkins Studio and Melanie Zarins, Project Director at international design powerhouse, tp bennett to explore the topic of wellness and interior design. Interior design has evolved way beyond mere aesthetics to embrace wellness as a core principle. Whether designing homes, workplaces, or public spaces, integrating wellness into design decisions is no longer optional - it’s essential. But whereas in the past wellness referred only to physical comfort and health, today’s definition has expanded to include mental health, the long-term health of our planet and of society as a whole. Never before in the history of the built environment have interior designers had so much to worry about or been under such pressure to do the right thing! But what exactly is the right thing? What and how should we be specifying to ‘Do No Harm’, and how can we fight against the tide of greenwash that threatens to engulf and overwhelm us? This episode was recorded in the beautiful and very comfortable Naturalmat showroom in Knutsford, Cheshire. Thanks to our series partner Naturalmat for their support. Idb is a Wildwood Plus production.   Books mentioned by Fiona Watkins: BIID Interior Design Project Book by Susie Rumbold The Little Book Of Colour by Karen Heller

Interior designers undertake complex, highly skilled, technical work, within a framework of building safety regulations and consumer protection legislation yet are still largely credited only for good taste and an ability to shop. But are designers their our own worst enemies? And if that is the case, how should they sharpen up their act, disabuse the public of this perception, and command the respect they deserve? In this episode, recorded at the London offices of LXA Projects, Susie and Jeff are joined by Sammy Bikoulis, Associate Director at LXA and Liz Bell, Director at Absolute Project Management and President Elect of the British Institute of Interior Design to answer these questions and explore the roles and responsibilities of interior designers. idb is a Wildwood Plus production.

It’s a problem most interior designers are familiar with. You have been given a brief for a lovely project, and you quote a fee based on that brief. But then the actual job turns out to be much more complex and difficult than you had expected and nothing like what you had quoted for. What can designers do to protect themselves from goalposts that move and projects that creep?  And what steps do they need to take at the start of a project to ensure smooth running further down the track? We’re joined by two renowned interior designers, Anna Burles founder of Run For The Hills, and Andrea Benedettini, founder and principal designer of Andrea Benedettini Interiors to explore the issues and potential solutions. This episode was recorded at the London office of Run For The Hills. idb is a Wildwood Plus production. 

Intimately connected with the interior of our homes, we use our outdoor spaces to relax, eat, socialise and connect with nature, and we appreciate the contribution they make to our wellbeing and mental health. But who should be trusted with the design of these significant spaces? Is it the role of the interior designer or the garden designer? And should these relate to the interior or the exterior of the host building? In this episode, recorded in front of a live audience of designers at the Design Central South West event in Bristol, Jeff and Susie explore these and other questions in the company of Cathryn Bishop from Cornish Interiors and Caroline Palk from Ashton House Design.     

We live in interesting, if not very challenging, times. But how do global conflicts, trade wars and economic uncertainties impact on the cosy world of interior design? Is this turmoil having a detrimental effect on our international clients both at home and abroad? And if so, can interior designers do anything to protect themselves from the chill winds of change? Jeff and Susie are joined by international design duo Nicole Salvesen and Mary Graham, founders and co-directors of Salveson Graham, to find out more and learn how they are continuing to thrive against all the odds.

A Passivhaus is any building, new or retrofitted, that achieves the highest certifiable standard of energy efficiency while using negligible fuel for heating and cooling. As the planet warms, this is clearly where we should all be heading, but passive houses are not without their detractors, who claim that these buildings are boxy, stuffy and chilly. And is it enough for a building to be Passivhaus or does this still leave us a million miles away from achieving a truly sustainable built environment? What is the truth behind the hype? And is it possible to take a conventionally built 1990s house and turn it into a paragon of stylish sustainability? For this episode, we are joined by Jenny Hamilton and Ian Chapman, founders and co-directors of BIID award-winning architecture and design practice, The Vawdrey House, to explore these issues through the lens of a recent project.

The British have always been famously crazy about their animals, cossetting them with as much tender treatment as they do their children. Today there are 13.5 million dogs, 12.5 million cats, 1.5 million birds and 1.0 million pet rabbits in the UK, plus nearly a million each of tortoises, horses, Guinea pigs, hamsters and snakes. Unsurprisingly, interior designers are now being asked to design spas and bespoke bedrooms especially for pampered pets of all shapes and sizes, treating them as significant stakeholders in their projects. Jeff and Susie are joined by Lyne Arbid of Studio Indigo, Jo Sampson of Absolute Project Management and Katrina Burroughs, Interiors Editor of The Times and Sunday Times to explore this design trend in more detail and find out where it might be heading next.     This episode was recorded in front of a live audience of designers as part of the Design Talks series at Decorex. The Interior Design Business is a Wildwood Plus production.   

Everyone has had the experience of packing up a home, removing the pictures and personal objects and realising with a shock that suddenly the space is no longer theirs. Functional interior spaces that meet our practical needs are essential, but it seems it is the art and objects we use to personalise those spaces that give them their heart and soul. We instinctively know that art in all its glorious forms provides emotional context that can make a person feel comfortable, or not comfortable, within a space. But, in recognising the power of art to transform and complete an interior, how should designers go about preparing their buildings, and their clients, to best showcase these important elements. We're joined by renowned interior designer, Sophie Paterson, and acclaimed artist and international curator, Stephanie Nebbia, in front of a live audience of designers to explore the fine art of display.  This discussion was part of the Design Talks programme at Decorex 2024.

Interior designers are forever being asked for their opinions on the latest trends in paint colours, kitchen, tiles, furniture styles and so on. And the supposed answers fill the pages of countless glossy style mags and newspapers, encouraging consumers to update their homes. But how should we respond to these questions? As we move away from the throw-away attitude of recent times and journey towards a more sustainable future, do trends have any part to play in the work we do and the stories we tell? And how should we be advising our clients in this regard? In responding to these questions and more, Susie and Jeff are joined by two Northern Design Award winners, Helen Knox from Lewis Knox and Jen Williams from Mon Interiors. This episode was recorded in front of a live audience of designers at Design Central North-West.  

Designers rely heavily on contractors to faithfully execute and deliver on their visions for our clients. This reliance can mean that it is often difficult to fully control the finished quality of our projects, a situation that can vary from being merely frustrating to utterly tragic. But is there anything we can do to prevent this? How can designers ensure they have the best-fit contractor for their projects and for their clients, and the right people capable of faithfully executing their designs? Jeff and Susie are joined by Rina Patel from Vastu Design and Brian Woulfe from Designed by Woulfe to find out.  The Interior Design Business is a Wildwood Plus production.  Notes: During this episode, we discuss workmanship documents from the National Association of House Builders. Our faux pas: this standards document is actually produced by the NHBC- https://nhbc-standards.co.uk/

In a world far, far, away from your average night club, cult rapper Stormzy, with a little help from design dynamo Sally Anne McCoy and her friends at the Cream Group, has just opened, House Party, the ultimate party place in a 7-storey building in London’s Soho. But what is the back story to the project? What inspired the team to come up with their wildly original theme and why is it so perfect for right now? Find out in this fascinating conversation with Sally which took place on location in the House Party kitchen.  The Interior Design Business is a Wildwood Plus production. 

In this episode, we look ahead to Decorex 2024, Europe’s leading event for interior design professionals, taking place at Olympia London between Sunday 6th October and Wednesday 9th October. Event Director, Sam Fisher and Marketing Manager, Carly Barclay set the scene for this year's show. We also hear from Tim Butcher at Fromental, Shayne Brady at Brady Williams, Jules Haines from The Haines Collection, Mirry Christie from B Able, John Stubbs from YesColours and decorative artist, Ellen Merchant, about their involvement in Decorex 2024.  The Interior Design Business is a media partner of Decorex 2024. More information on the show can be found at www.decorex.com.  

There are few UK designers as admired and emulated as Laura Hammett, both for her signature style and for the glamorous international projects in her portfolio. But what is her back story? Has her eponymous company always been so successful? How does she continue to stay one step ahead of the competition? And where is she planning to take her business next? In this episode, Laura joins Jeff and Susie in conversation to share her fascinating story.   

In this episode, we explore the changing face of workplace design with help from James White, Co-Founder of global interior design powerhouse, MAWD, and May Fawzy, Founder and Creative Director of MF Design Studio and President of the British Institute of Interior Design. What does the post-pandemic, hybrid-working office look like? Can co-working spaces provide a second option to working from home? And, how does this new reality impact the design of office and co-working spaces?    The Interior Design Business is a Wildwood Plus production.  

25 years ago, there were only a handful of UK universities where undergraduate students could study interior design. Today there are 53 offering a total of 117 courses, and this does not include the growing number of private schools who also offer interior design degrees.  But are these courses producing well-rounded students, fully equipped and ready to take their place in industry? Is the current degree model a bar to inclusivity? And would apprenticeships be a better way to train new talent in what is essentially a practical discipline? To help us untangle these complex issues we are joined by Professor Graeme Brooker, Head of Programme, Interior Design at the Royal College of Art, Leanne Wookey, Director at international commercial design juggernaut, T P Bennett, and Courteney Kieley, Founder and Creative Director of Scene Interiors and instigator of the Interior Design Apprenticeship Scheme.

How should designers approach the subject of neurodiversity with their clients? How can they accurately assess their client’s needs and, most importantly of all, how should they translate these requirements into their designs? In this episode, Susie and Jeff are joined by specialist inclusive design consultant, Judi Watkinson and dementia specialist, writer and presenter of the definitive Third Age Design podcast, Lori Pinkerton Rolet, to find out.     

Health and wellness continue to be top priorities in residential design. Interior design that addresses both the mind and the body challenges designers to learn new skills and adapt their design approaches. As part of this evolution, we find out the role that home technology plays in delivering a comfortable, healthier and mood-enhancing lifestyle at home with help from BIID award-winning designer, Susie Pfeiffer of Pfeiffer Design, Ben Channon of specialist well-being design consultancy, EKKIST and Damien Smith of leading home technology firm, New Wave AV. This episode was recorded in front of a live audience of designers at Decorex 2023. 

Art in all its glorious forms plays a key role within the interior, providing emotional context that can make a person feel comfortable, or not comfortable, within the space. But, in recognising the power of art to transform and complete an interior, how should designers go about preparing their buildings, and their clients, to best showcase these important elements? We’re joined by Julia Bell from Parapluie and Jennie Trethewy from Studio Far West to explore the important steps to take when designing spaces for art. This episode was recorded in front of a live audience of designers at Design Central South West.   

Many interior designers want their projects and expertise to be featured within magazines and the interior sections of newspapers but are unsure or unaware of how to present themselves, their projects and their stories to do that. We're joined by Hatta Byng, Editor of House & Garden and Katrina Burroughs, Interiors Editor of The Times and Sunday Times as they share their insights on how the media works, the content that journalists are looking for and the best approaches that designers can take to engage effectively with writers and the media. Recorded in front of a live audience at Decorex 2023.  

For the super-rich who spend their lives moving between homes in the world’s most glamorous cities, it can be reassuring to buy a property endorsed by a designer brand who they already know and trust. In this episode, Jeff and Susie are joined by Antonio Quesada, MD of design studio Morpheus & Co and Heidi Schmidtke, Managing Director of JLL Hotels & Hospitality Group to discover more about the recent trends in the space. Listen in to find out more about the rise of the branded residence and learn how interior designers can be involved in this lucrative but challenging sector of the market.

When UK employment for women is broken down by sector, construction comes last in the table. Only 14.7% of those employed in the industry are women. This is 32.9 percentage points lower than the national average. At a time of industry-wide skill shortages, this represents a calamitous wasted opportunity both for construction and for women.   So, what are the factors at play that keep women out of the sector? What can be done to correct this position? And what benefits will women bring to construction once they do join their male colleagues as full participants?   Hear the discussion unfold, at the Design Club in the Chelsea Design Centre, with Susie Rumbold who is joined by Karen Howes, Founder and CEO of Taylor Howes Designs and Agnita Benjamin, Senior Quantity Surveyor at Verve Concepts, where they share valued insights and experiences from their times working on site!  Thanks to our series supporters, Havwoods, the prevailing name in beautiful wood flooring.    

Throughout the course of her long career, international interior designer and author Kelly Hoppen, CBE, has earned and received every plaudit. Her impact on our industry and the public’s perception of the significance of interior design in their lives cannot be underestimated. She joins us for this latest show alongside Martin Waller, Founder of the Global design brand, Andrew Martin, the internationally recognised Andrew Martin Interior Designer of The Year Award and the annual Interior Design Review. Martin is also a long-time friend and collaborator of Kelly. In this episode, we learn about their own career pathways, their views on the evolution of interior design and the fruits of their many partnerships, including Kelly’s latest collection for Andrew Martin.    This show was recorded in front of a live audience of designers at the fabulous Andrew Martin showroom on Walton Street in South Kensington. 

For the UK interior design industry, London acts like a black hole sucking in product, education and designers to the exclusion of everywhere else. Little wonder you might think when, with a population of 9.3 million people, it is more than three times the size of its nearest rival city, Manchester. But is this how it should be and is this situation inevitable? Talented and professional interior designers are constantly completing challenging, world-class, complex projects all over the country! We are joined by Fiona Watkins of Fiona Watkins Design, Cath McCubbin founder of Design Central UK and Kate Hatherell of The Interior Designer’s Hub to explore if interior design is too London-centric. This episode was recorded in front of a live audience of interior designers at Design Central North West, Capesthorne Hall in Cheshire. Thanks to our series supporters, Havwoods, the prevailing name in beautiful wood flooring. 

In this episode, we preview Decorex 2023, Europe’s leading event for interior design professionals, which opens its doors at Olympia London on Sunday 8th October running until Wednesday 11th October. We hear from four of the key figures involved in this year's event.    Listen to Sam Fisher, Event Director at Decorex, alongside Brian Woulfe of Designed by Woulfe, Mark Tremlett of Naturalmat and Laurence Katz of Elemental Studio as they explain what to look out for at Decorex 2023.  Thanks to our series supporter, Havwoods the prevailing name in beautiful wood flooring. The Interior Design Business is a media partner of Decorex 2023.   

We all want dream projects that will earn us the accolades of our peers and attract new clients. But what makes an award-winning project? What makes it special and worth the significant investment in money, time and effort that it takes to prepare a winning award entry? Find out in our latest episode with Lisa Keates from Keates Interiors as she talks us through her award-winning project from the Northern Design Awards 2022.  Thanks to our series supporter, Havwoods the prevailing name in beautiful wood flooring.

If ‘a picture paints a thousand words’, then surely an interior can tell a thousand stories? Our most beloved interior spaces are grounded in a time and place and speak eloquently of the lives of the people who have inhabited them either now or in the past. But what is the magic essence that makes these much-loved places so special? And how can interior designers recreate this magic in their work?   To shed light on these questions, we're joined by consummate storytellers Inge Moore and Nathan Hutchins, co-founders and creative directors of global interior design studio, Muza Lab. This episode was recorded at the London home of Inge Moore. Thanks to Havwoods, the prevailing name in beautiful wood flooring for their support.  The Interior Design Business is a Wildwood Plus production.  

Interior designers are a bit like ‘piggy in the middle’. They must be adept at managing client relationships while also managing their supply chains in order to finish on time and deliver the best possible projects. So, how can designers find and retain professional and reliable suppliers? How can they ensure they get early warning when things are going wrong? And is it possible to build a dream supplier team that will last forever? To help us answer these important questions and more, we are joined today by Ed O’Donnell from Angel O’Donnell and BIID Register Interior Designer, Naomi Astley Clarke. Recorded in front of a live audience at the Andrew Martin showroom on Tottenham Court Road in London. Thanks to Havwoods, the prevailing name in beautiful wood flooring for their support.  The Interior Design Business is a Wildwood Plus production.  

Many people would love to have a career in interior design. To get there, some take the conventional route of obtaining an interior design qualification straight out of school and then gain experience within an established design practice before branching out on their own, but many also set up businesses later in life and enjoy a satisfying career having already had a career in another field. Do late-design bloomers have any advantages over their younger rivals? And is it possible to be a good designer without a design qualification? We are joined today by three designers from very different backgrounds to discuss this topic - Charlotte Dawson from Chestnut Interiors, Stephen Tozer from Boaz Interiors and Susie Rumbold, creative director of Tessuto Interiors and a Past President of the British Institute of Interior Design. Recorded in front of a live audience at Design Central South West in Blagdon, Somerset. Thanks to Havwoods, the prevailing name in beautiful wood flooring.  The Interior Design Business is a Wildwood Plus production.  

Sustainability is defined as ‘the ability to be maintained at a certain rate or level’. But, given the environmental damage we have already inflicted on our planet, is it sufficient to maintain the status quo at our current degraded level? In other words, is it enough to merely cause no further damage or should we be setting our sights higher with long-term goals to restore the environmental quality of our home to pre-industrial levels? Mel Meale from Steer Design and Simon Myatt from Havwoods share ideas with Jeff and Susie in an episode recorded in front of a live audience at the recent Design Central South West event held at Blagdon in Somerset.  Thanks to Havwoods the prevailing name in beautiful wood flooring.  The Interior Design Business is a Wildwood production. 

Buying the services of an interior designer is unlike any other purchase. The client knows they have a project and a set of requirements, they have a budget figure in mind, they know when they want the project to end, and they may know what they like, but beyond that they have no idea what the finished product will be. For most people that is a truly daunting prospect. The answer,of course, is to get help from a professional. But where can you go to find this wonderful person who truly gets you and will be able to give you the perfect product? And, once you think you have found them how can you be certain that they can deliver? Jackie Fisken from Ampersand Interiors, John Amabile from John Amabile Design and Nicky Emlick from N M Design joined co-hosts Jeff Hayward and Susie Rumbold to share their views in a lively discussion recorded in front of a live audience at the splendid sofa.com showroom in Glasgow.   Thanks to our series supporter, Havwoods.    

In this episode, we explore ways that designers can sustain and grow their businesses by working smarter not harder in the company of Freeman Studio's, Mathew Freeman, the President of the British Institute of Interior Design and Anna Burles, Creative Director and Founder of Run For The Hills.   It seems the only way designers and architects can achieve the quality results that their clients expect is to produce drawings and other information in such detail that there is no room for misinterpretation on site and that nothing could possibly ever go wrong. But was this always the case? Or has something fundamentally shifted? And if so, how can designers do less and still achieve the perfect product for their clients? This episode was recorded at the Havwoods showroom in Clerkenwell. Havwoods, the prevailing name in wood flooring is a supporter of the series.   The Interior Design Business is a Wildwood Plus production.  

Most people walk through the world with their eyes closed, not seeing the beauty or noticing the details that surround them, but this is certainly not true of interior designers. But how can they ensure their work never gets stale? Where should they go to look for fresh inspiration and how do they recognise it when they see it? For this episode, we are lucky enough to be joined by internationally acclaimed designer, Katharine Pooley, to find out how she uses travel as an inspiration and how it translates into her work. The Interior Design Business is supported by Havwoods, the prevailing name in beautiful wood flooring.  We are a Wildwood production. 

Today architects and interior designers work closely together to deliver highly intricate building projects for their clients. How can these design professionals ensure their clients appoint the right people at the right time during their project? And, what steps do architects and designers need to take to achieve a continuity of service to ensure the project runs smoothly? Max de Rosee and Claire Sa, founding partners of international architecture and interior design studio, De Rosee Sa join Susie and Jeff to answer these questions and more in this latest show. The Interior Design Business is a Wildwood production.

The working life of an interior designer is rarely, if ever, entirely plain sailing. As we strive to deliver projects on time, that meet our client’s brief as well as their budget, there are frequently bumps on the road to navigate, pitfalls to avoid and unforeseen difficulties that arise which challenge the most resourceful and most creative-thinking designers. So, quite how do interior designers manage to deal with what’s thrown at them to make sure they solve the seemingly insoluble and emerge triumphant, against all odds, to the delight of all parties, especially their clients!  Let’s find out in the company of Philip Vergeylen and Heather Lindahl from the internationally renowned design firm, Paolo Moschino. This episode was recorded in front of a live audience as part of the Decorex Talks programme. 

We all know those crazy interior design TV shows where wannabe amateur designers try to cover themselves sometimes in glory but more often than not cover themselves in paint. Love them or hate them they make weirdly compelling viewing for practicing designers and the public alike. But do these reality TV shows bear any resemblance to what real designers do? How do they impact the public’s perception of the interior design profession? What is it really like to be a contestant, and do the winners go on to become renowned designers in their own right?  We asked Verity Coleman from Rascal & Roses, Siobhan Murphy from Interior Curve and Peter Grech from The SpaceMaker Interiors the question, ‘Is TV Good For Interior Design?’ in this episode, recorded in front of a live audience at DesignCentral North West.  Find out what they have to say in a fascinating and hugely entertaining hour of conversation with Susie Rumbold and Jeff Hayward.  

There are many ways in which products can be unsustainable. Some are flown halfway round the world, some are produced using unacceptable quantities of water and other natural materials, some produce dangerously polluting substances as bi-products and others exploit and dehumanize the people that produce them. And then there is the problem of what happens to the product when it is no longer required. But in a world of competing sustainability claims, how can designers find out the truth about the products they specify and steer a confident path between the many hazards? We're joined by three designers in the vanguard of the interior design sustainability movement to answer the questions at the forefront of designer minds: Alexandra Jurkiewicz, Creative Lead at Helen Green Design, Chloe Bullock, founder of Materialise Interiors and David Chenery, founder and director of Object Space Place.  This episode was recorded in front of a live audience of designers gathered at the newly renovated showroom of sofa.com in Chelsea. 

In this show, we’re looking forward to Decorex 2022, Europe’s leading event for interior design professionals, which opens its doors at Olympia London on Sunday 9th October running until Wednesday 12th October.   So, what can we expect from this year's event?   We talk to Bethan Laura Wood, Carden Cunietti, Natascha Dartnall, Alidad, De Rosee Sa and Rita Konig to find out.

All designers have them. The clients who are allergic to colour, refuse to listen to the designer’s pearls of wisdom, fail to recognise their strokes of genius and only want what they already have. Or, worse still what their best friend already has! But why are some clients so afraid, and what exactly are they afraid of? And how can interior designers help their clients discover their true inner style and be confident in expressing it? In this show, we are joined by leading residential designers and masters of confident eclecticism, Audrey Carden and Eleanora Cunietti, co-founders of Carden Cunietti to find out how it’s done.

In this episode, we’re exploring healthy spaces, happy places and how to integrate wellness into the design process. Wellness is defined as ‘the state of being in good health, especially as an actively pursued goal’. Interior designers have always understood that well-ordered, functional spaces can relieve anxiety and bring relaxation and peace, but today’s well-informed clients are now demanding enhanced wellness as requisite for their interior spaces. So, what exactly constitutes wellbeing? How can we achieve this elusive goal?And, what should interior designers do to keep pace with the latest thinking on wellness and apply that theory in their work? We're joined by Karen Stonely and Peter Pelsinki, co-founders and the creative force behind SPAN Architecture LLC, the internationally renowned, New York-based, architecture and design studio, to find out how they embed design for wellness at the core of their spectacular projects.