The SBID UK Interior Design Icons were selected to recognise leading design practices throughout the UK who have consistently displayed exceptional standards within our esteemed industry network.
This week’s instalment of the SBID Icon Insights series features Hill House Interiors. Their creative collaboration is built on a shared belief that beautiful surroundings can transform people’s lives.
We maintain an open-plan office layout, which we find enables seamless and efficient communication between ourselves and our interior architecture team, FF&E designers, and support team. This constant collaboration helps us stay on top of every detail, keeping every project on track, highlight each individual’s strengths, and build trust. The result is a cohesive process from concept to completion.
We’re always exploring what’s next, whether it’s innovative finishes, forward-thinking concepts, or emerging technologies like AI. We don’t chase trends for the sake of it; instead, we stay curious and selective. Attending international design fairs, such as Salone in Milan, is a major source of inspiration for us. We love spotting prototypes and conceptual pieces that might not be released for several years, as they help us anticipate what’s on the horizon. Our process is equally informed by the synergy between fashion and interiors—tracking colour palettes, materials, and silhouettes to keep our work current yet enduring.
Wellness is an absolute standout right now—think home spas, ice baths, salt rooms, and hot yoga studios, all designed to recreate a five-star hotel experience right at home. We’re also finding new ways to work with innovative finishes and clever ways of incorporating classic materials, giving them a fresh twist that feels interesting and ahead of the curve.
Another shift is the rise of “couture interiors,” where carefully curated, one-off pieces take centre stage, rather than relying solely on big-name brands. This approach really elevates the ultra-high-net-worth design portfolio, ensuring every project feels entirely unique.
We’re also delighted to see more sustainable innovations, like a new outdoor rug collection made from recycled ocean waste. These rugs emulate the look and feel of indoor styles, helping us create sophisticated, eco-friendly spaces that are as kind to the planet as they are pleasing to the eye.
Technology is a delightful layer in our designs—subtle but undeniably impactful. Whether it’s discreetly integrated climate control or customisable lighting scenes that set just the right ambience, we love how modern innovations can elevate everyday living without ever compromising aesthetics. It’s remarkable how far tech has come; we can now design seamless, invisible solutions that blend beautifully with our interior schemes.
For us, the best technology is the kind you barely notice—it simply works in the background, ensuring complete comfort and convenience. It’s this effortless sophistication that resonates with our ethos of understated luxury. When done right, innovation becomes a natural extension of the design rather than a distraction, allowing our clients to enjoy a space that’s as practical as it is elegant.
Helen: Never be afraid to ask questions. Hands-on experience is invaluable, even if it means starting out in a junior position or offering your time for free. It’s all part of the process. Keep yourself organised, stay curious, and don’t be put off by the long hours—when you see how far you’ve come, it’ll be well worth it. One of the best feelings in this industry is looking back and realising how much you’ve grown by embracing every opportunity to learn.
Jenny: Seek inspiration wherever you go—from major design exhibitions, to a stroll around your local market or your favourite holiday destination. You never know which unexpected detail might spark a brilliant idea. The more experiences you gather, the richer your creative palette becomes. Above all, keep an open mind and a sense of wonder—design is a continuous journey of learning, exploration, and collaboration.
Mentorship has always been close to our hearts. We’ve been in the industry for almost three decades, and we feel strongly about supporting the next generation of designers who share our passion for creativity and craftsmanship. Each year, we attend the Inchbald Graduate Exhibition and we offer internships, many of which have blossomed into full-time roles for talented individuals who truly shine.
We also love taking part in panel discussions—there’s something wonderfully fulfilling about passing on knowledge we’ve gained over the years, hearing fresh perspectives from newcomers, and sparking that sense of excitement in the field. Judging on the SBID panel is another enriching way for us to give back, as it connects us with peers and provides a platform for constructive feedback that helps raise the bar for everyone.
Collaboration is part of our everyday fabric. We believe there’s a specialist for every aspect of a project—from architects and engineers to artisans who craft bespoke finishes. Over the years, we’ve joined forces with iconic names like Lalique, Ralph Lauren, and Benjamin Raymond to create inspiring, one-of-a-kind environments. We also love teaming up for events and showroom exhibitions with brands such as Gladee and Bella Figura, where we can collectively showcase design at its finest.
A recent highlight was our collaboration with Glancy Fawcett, Sylka Carpets, and Parkway England at the Dubai International Boat Show, presenting a “Best of Luxury British Brands” experience. Bringing together a diverse group of experts in one space allowed us to truly celebrate the richness and depth of British design on a global stage.
We’re also working on lots of new ideas in the background so watch this space!
About Hill House Interiors
Hill House Interiors is the fruit of a 25-year friendship between its founding partners, Jenny Weiss and Helen Bygraves. Their creative collaboration is built on a shared belief that beautiful surroundings can transform people’s lives. Their client-centred approach has garnered a multitude of awards while their business has grown over the years into one of Britain’s leading interior design practices, with a 30-strong team of designers and architects. Hill House Interiors operates out of a creative studio and lifestyle showroom in the UK, and a luxurious newly opened office near the DIFC in Dubai. With a global reach, Hill House Interiors works on high-end projects in the residential, yacht and hospitality sectors, in locations as diverse as London, New York, Lake Como, Antibes, the Bahamas, Ibiza and L.A. Projects can range from exclusive penthouse apartments to palatial homes, lakeside villa retreats, luxury boutique hotels or beautifully engineered yachts.
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The wellness-at-home movement has reshaped how interior designers create the spaces we live in, particularly with the rise of the home gym — not just a space for fitness, but a carefully considered environment that nurtures both body and mind.
Come to Louise Bradley Showroom for a panel discussion in collaboration with Technogym, where they’ll explore how to design home gyms that go beyond fitness — creating spaces that inspire, calm, and promote balance and wellbeing.
Their expert panel will delve into the evolving language of wellness-led design — exploring how spatial planning, flow, lighting, acoustics, materials, technology, and sensory elements can be thoughtfully integrated to create environments that support both physical health and mental wellbeing, fostering a sense of balance, motivation, and tranquility within the home.
Panelists: - Louise Bradley - Louise Bradley - Helen Bygraves - Hill House Interiors - Rebecca Lazar - Technogym - Moderated by Travel & Interiors consultant and writer Noni Ware
SBID Members earn 2 x CPD points for attending!
Featuring Helen Bygraves and Jenny Weiss, visionary co-founders of Hill House Interiors, Rebecca Lazar, Wellness Design Expert at Technogym, and special guest Dr Federica Amati —best-selling author of Every Body Should Know This and Head Nutritionist at Zoe. Moderated by esteemed designer and lecturer Simon Hamilton.
From integrating thoughtful design to the science behind well-being, our industry leaders will share candid insights, expert knowledge, and inspiring personal stories. This exclusive event is free to attend, but registration is essential.
SBID Members earn 1 x CPD point for attending!
The Fundamentals of Space Planning in the Design Process with Matthews Rea Interiors
This episode of the SBID podcast welcomes the interior design masters behind the award-winning practice, Matthews Rea Interiors. Founders, Lauren Matthews and Louise Rea address the fundamentals of spatial planning and tell us why it's so integral to the interior design process.
Matthews Rea have quickly gained a reputation for their timeless interiors. The founders share their individual backgrounds within the industry, and how the successful Surrey and Hampshire-based design practice was formed.
Highlighting integral differences in interior architecture, design and decoration, Lauren and Louise bring their years of design experience to offer professional insights on spatial planning. Addressing the fundamental role of space planning when it comes to the interior design process, Matthews Rea stress the importance of collaboration and timing when it comes to project development.
Covering effective approaches to space planning and discussing essential elements, they explore the core design considerations, from ascertaining the brief and understanding client's lifestyle, to developing the design narrative and ensuring the internal spaces are maximised, utilised and zoned in a way that is functional and fit for purpose.
Lauren and Louise offer their exclusive design tips for designing and planning spaces, from building narratives and storytelling, to working on balance, sightlines and symmetry. The team share some key visual tricks to zone and configure interior spaces to create intrigue and harmony.
Tune in to the whole conversation to discover more.
Louise Rea
Louise Rea has over 20 years of experience in the interior design industry, working in high-end residential and hotel design across the UK and abroad. With in-depth knowledge designing bespoke furniture and joinery, she works with artisans and craftspeople to bring individuality to a client’s scheme.
Lauren Matthews
Lauren Matthews’ First-Class Honours Degree in Interior Architecture and Design, combined with many years of hands-on experience in the field, means that she understands the importance of practicality when it comes to creating everyday living and functional working environments.
This week's instalment of the #SBIDinspire interior design series features a truly magnificent residential design for a home befitting of its prime location in Wentworth; one of the UK’s premier private estates. This 6 bedroom, 7 bathroom detached house offers inspiration and excitement at every turn. Having worked extensively with the client over the last twelve years on multiple overseas properties and a limited edition Oyster yacht, Hill House Interiors were the natural choice to transform the home, using inspiring fabrics, innovative textures and complementary tones to seamlessly integrate the 3,000 sqft extension into the rest of the home.
SBID Awards: Residential Design Over £1M finalist sponsored by THG Paris
Company: Hill House Interiors
Project: Private Estate, Wentworth
Location: Surrey, United Kingdom
What was the client's brief?
Hill House Interiors were commissioned to design the interior scheme for this prestigious property in 2006, since which, they have further worked with the owners on their stunning villa in Zagleta and limited edition Oyster yacht. It was, therefore, sheer delight to be contacted again to revisit the client’s Wentworth home to devise the scheme for a vast refurbishment and 3000 sqft extension of the already sizeable 9000 sqft home.
Initially born from the desire for a much larger, walk in closet and dressing area for the master suite, the clients swiftly realised their dream of considerably larger entertainment spaces to include on the wishlist; a stunning new dual aspect fireplace, feature bar, and sumptuous cinema room.
What inspired the interior design of the project?
Hill House drew inspiration for this remarkable space from the Art Déco era – that fascinating period in history when bold geometry, artistic mirrors and exquisitely rich materials started to be incorporated into private homes.
What was your team’s highlight of the project?
The hallway is the first thing guests see when they enter a home, so it is always a key feature and starting point of any scheme. This transitory spot was the perfect place to sweep guests off their feet and was utilised to add elegant décor details that helped to elevate the overall ambience of the home.
Upon entering, guests are met with a stunning Jerusalem crema grey marble staircase with glass balustrade and leather handrail. This installation is a beautiful contrast to the bespoke, hand sculpted artwork – a single bonsai tree – spanning the 20ft wall. Specially finished in a shimmering hand-applied pearlescent coat, subtle, soft recessed lighting enhances the incredibly intricate detail of this favoured far eastern tree. The sublimely elegant hand-blown floating crystal leaf chandelier that presides over the space - apart from making a stunning sculptural visual centrepiece - creates a beautiful light and shadow play across its surrounding surfaces, enhancing the space further.
Why did you enter the SBID Awards?
The SBID Awards are highly respected within the design industry, and every year it’s incredibly inspiring to see such a wide variety of skills and styles represented across the various categories, showing the amount of diversity within the interior design industry.
The projects that take home an SBID accolade are truly the best in the business, and the awards evening is an event we look forward to every year. We continue to be delighted to take part in the SBID International Design Awards, and are keeping our fingers crossed for 2020!
Questions answered by Jenny Weiss, Co-founder of Hill House Interiors
If you missed last week's Project of the Week featuring luxurious, golden age glamour for the Hilton Imperial Hotel Dubrovnik, click here to see more.
We hope you feel inspired by this week's Residential design! Let us know what inspired you #SBIDinspire
SBID Awards 2019 | Residential Design Over £1M finalist sponsored by THG Paris
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