Andrew Rizza, Founder and Creative Director of Dream Design, shares how his background in craftsmanship continues to shape the company’s approach.
I began as a carpenter before moving into bespoke joinery and cabinetry, founding Dream Design in 1984. What started as a workshop making bespoke cabinetry grew naturally as our clients invited us to become involved in more areas of their homes.
Today, we specialise in kitchen design, bathrooms and complete residences throughout the UK and internationally. That grounding in craft still informs every project, from the overall proportions to the smallest construction detail.
We remain family-run, now in our second generation. My son, Connor, joined in 2018 and leads our brand and client experience, while I lead the studio’s creative direction. That year also saw us open our Design Centre in Christchurch, Dorset.
It grew naturally from making furniture. I became increasingly interested in the space around each piece and how the whole room could work better.
Interior design brought together the things I enjoy most: creativity, craftsmanship and practical problem-solving, with the opportunity to make a lasting difference to someone’s home and quality of life.
Helping clients see possibilities they had not considered. A conversation about replacing a kitchen might lead to relocating it, opening the house to the garden and transforming how the family uses the space. Kitchen design brings together so much of what we do, from spatial planning and bespoke cabinetry to materials, lighting and the practicalities of cooking and entertaining.
Those discoveries begin with listening. Seeing clients enjoy the result, then being invited back for another home or the next generation, is especially rewarding.
We recently completed a full refurbishment of a stunning coastal home in Dorset. What made the project particularly rewarding was the clients’ trust in us, which gave us complete creative freedom to explore the property’s potential. Considering the home as a whole allowed us to bring everything together into one cohesive design. That is how we most enjoy working and where we do our best work.
Another highlight was completing an extension to our 5,000 sq ft Design Centre in Christchurch, Dorset, where clients can explore fully realised kitchen displays alongside bathrooms and living spaces. It gives them an opportunity to experience the quality, craftsmanship and approach to design that define Dream Design.
Residential projects where we can become involved early and consider the home as a whole, whether a new build or a refurbishment. Developing the layout, lighting, materials and furniture together allows every decision to contribute to the finished result.
The architecture and the clients give each project its character. Discovering what will bring out the best in both is what interests me.
Carrying the quality of an idea through to the finished home. A seemingly simple detail can require considerable thought and coordination, so clear drawings and close relationships with craftspeople are essential.
Equally, clients need confidence throughout the process. Helping them understand priorities and make informed decisions is an important part of our responsibility.
How much depends on listening and communication. Asking the right questions at the beginning shapes everything that follows, while explaining decisions clearly helps everyone work towards the same result.
Learn how things are made. Spend time in workshops and on site, handle materials and follow your designs through installation. Understanding construction sharpens your judgement and gives you greater freedom to design with confidence.
I think considered advice will become increasingly valuable. Clients have access to endless inspiration and information; helping them decide what belongs in their home is where our experience makes a difference.
It gives clients reassurance when choosing who to trust with their home. From there, that trust is strengthened through thoughtful advice, careful detailing and consistent service, throughout the project and after its completion.
About Dream Design
Dream Design is a luxury kitchen, bathroom and interior design centre in Dorset, creating one-of-a-kind private residences across Dorset, Hampshire, Poole, the UK and internationally. Supported by its award-winning interior architecture and interior design studio, Dream Design specialises in bespoke kitchens, bathrooms, bedrooms, living spaces and complete home design. The 5,000 sq ft Design Centre brings together leading brands and specialist ateliers across kitchen design, bathroomware, appliances, surfaces, lighting, furniture and interior architectural details, creating a distinctive design destination for private clients, architects and developers seeking a considered, highly tailored approach to residential design, specification and project delivery.
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Set within the New Forest in Hampshire, this Georgian-style manor house was conceived as a complete interior architecture and design project for a substantial new-build residence of more than 15,000 sq ft.
Dream Design was appointed to develop the interiors in close collaboration with the architect, allowing the architecture and interior design to evolve in parallel from the early stages of the project. This ensured that spatial planning, room-to-room flow, material continuity, lighting, furniture and detailed specification were considered as one coherent whole.
The result is a composed and timeless private residence, where classical architectural language is balanced with modern design. Rather than treating the interiors as a decorative layer, Dream Design approached the project through the principles of interior architecture, with ceiling details, lighting positions, bespoke joinery, kitchen planning, bathroom specification, furniture placement and material transitions all developed in relation to the architecture of the house.
The kitchen is one of the defining spaces of the project, forming part of an open kitchen, dining and lounge environment where traditional architectural features are balanced with contemporary cabinetry, modern furnishings and integrated lighting. Decorative ceiling cornices, clean-lined kitchen detailing and carefully planned lighting allow the room to feel both impressive and highly liveable.
The L-shaped island anchors the space, supporting natural circulation while framing views towards the terrace and surrounding landscape. Arranged for cooking, dining and conversation, the island gives the kitchen a natural sense of focus within the home.
A bespoke ceiling design, formed of three raised sections with concealed LED lighting, brings definition to the kitchen, dining and lounge areas while preserving the openness of the room.
The scale and character of the property called for a high-calibre specification, bringing together leading brands including SieMatic, Flexform and Rimadesio, alongside specialist ateliers and one-of-a-kind furniture pieces. Several elements required detailed knowledge of materials, craftsmanship and sourcing, ensuring each piece contributed to the overall composition of the home.
A key example is the kitchen dining table, crafted from 50,000-year-old Kauri wood from New Zealand and expertly worked by the experienced artisans at Italian furniture maker Riva1920. The piece brings a distinctive material story into the main living space while remaining fully integrated with the broader design language.
Material selection was central to the success of the project. Traditional references were treated with restraint, while contemporary finishes introduced clarity and precision. This balance between classical form and modern detailing gives the home its quiet confidence: elegant, substantial and comfortable without feeling overly formal.
Beyond the living spaces, the bathrooms and private areas continue the same considered language. In the principal ensuite, marble-effect porcelain surfaces, a sculptural freestanding bath and a large vanity with his and hers countertop basins create a calm and enduring room. Traditional elements, including sliding sash windows and decorative ceiling cornices, are integrated with contemporary detailing, ensuring the space feels aligned with the Georgian-style architecture of the house.
Across the project, Dream Design’s role extended beyond individual rooms. The studio considered how each space would be experienced in sequence, from arrival and circulation to everyday use and moments of retreat, ensuring the home felt coherent at every scale. In this New Forest residence, classical architecture and contemporary interior design come together in a home shaped by clarity, restraint and quiet permanence.
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