This week’s instalment of the Project of the Week series features a timeless home design by 2025 SBID Awards Finalist, Zophia Scarlett Interiors.
Following a significant life event, Zophia Scarlett Interiors was commissioned for a complete interior refresh to transform their client's house into a true reflection of who he is today. The brief called for a timeless design that balances warmth, functionality, and brings heart back in to this home. The design features natural materials, custom joinery, and a refined, masculine palette, with feminine touches to create an inviting space. Reconfigured layouts, layered lighting, and thoughtful details support both everyday living and family connection. The result is a deeply personal space; a home that represents a fresh chapter in their client’s life.
Category: Residential Budget Up To £50,000
Design Practice: Zophia Scarlett Interiors
Project Title: New Beginnings – Devonshire Park
Project Location: Reading, United Kingdom
Design Practice Location: Reading, United Kingdom
Our client came to us wanting a fresh start. Following a difficult time in his personal life, he had spent several years in a home that was a constant reminder of a previous life. He was ready to transform it into something reflective of who he is today; a warm, welcoming environment where he and his child could connect, grow, and create new memories together.
The brief centred on creating a home that felt both grounded and elevated. The client wanted a clean, modern-traditional aesthetic with subtle masculine undertones, softened with a female touch.
Key requirements included: - Reimagining the layout with considered spatial planning to improve the flow. - Introducing functional and decorative lighting, replacing the oversized, dated fittings. - Incorporating durable, natural materials such as timber, stone, and linen. - Designing ample built-in storage specifically to their needs to reduce visual clutter and create a renewed sense of order.
Ultimately, the vision was to deliver a space that felt calm, confident, and deeply personal; a true reflection of the next chapter in our client’s life.
As a bachelor, it was important to our client that the design had a masculine feel, but with a feminine influence throughout. Achieving this balance set the tone for the entire design direction: grounded yet elevated, confident yet welcoming.
For me, the starting point was the property itself. It had solid bones and strong potential, but the interiors felt flat and underwhelming with clutter and ill-fitting furniture. My aim was to deliver a timeless design at the core with clean, modern-traditional lines and then layer in texture, colour, and natural materials to add depth, personality, and emotion. Ultimately, it was about transforming a magnolia, lifeless house into a home with presence, and authenticity.
By far the biggest challenge was our client’s deep distrust of trades, built from past negative experiences. This meant his natural disposition was to question almost every element of the process, which could have slowed progress and created unnecessary tension. I saw it as my role to manage this carefully—positioning myself between the client and the trades, ensuring clear communication, and demonstrating the professionalism and skill of my team.
I strongly believe that great design only becomes reality through the craft and dedication of talented tradespeople. Execution is often where the magic truly happens. By maintaining trust, clarity, and collaboration throughout, we not only delivered the project on time but also changed the client’s perception—he was delighted with both the journey and the results - all whilst I was pregnant, completing when I was 39 weeks and due into hospital the following week.
Although my client was unable to move out during most of the process, I was able to persuade him to leave for three days so that my team and I could complete and style the project for a true grand reveal. That moment was the absolute highlight for us. His reaction said it all; he admitted that if he had known his home would turn out this way, he would have trusted the process from the very beginning. What touched us most was his shift in perspective: before, he referred to it as his house, but now he proudly calls it his home.
To further reinforce this, he even invited a renowned local estate agent to view the finished property. Not only did it exceed his personal expectations, but the valuation also confirmed a significant increase in the property’s worth. This was an outcome that made the transformation even more rewarding.
I entered the SBID Awards because they represent one of the most respected benchmarks of excellence in the design industry, and I wanted to showcase a project that I believe deserved recognition. This particular project was one of the most challenging yet rewarding experiences of my career, delivered under immense time pressure, while also overcoming my client’s deep distrust of the process. To see the transformation not only delight him but also significantly increase the value of his property was something I am deeply proud of.
On a personal level, I am naturally competitive, and I love pushing myself and my work to the highest standard. Entering the SBID Awards felt like the perfect way to celebrate the resilience, creativity, and collaboration that went into this project, while also challenging myself and my team against the very best in the industry.
Being an SBID International Design Awards Finalist is an incredible honour for me and my studio at this early stage. I am proud to be recognised alongside such talented designers, and this milestone inspires me to keep pushing for excellence for my clients and my creative possibilities.
Questions answered by Zophia Scarlett Cleghorn, Director of Zophia Scarlett Interiors.
We hope you feel inspired by this week's design!
If you missed the last instalment of Project of the Week, featuring a sleek kitchen design, click here to read it.
This new-build property was given a renewed sense of character through the considered use of colour, wallpaper and furniture selected to suit both the scale of the rooms and the family’s lifestyle.
The brief was to move away from the neutral, generic feel often associated with new builds and create a home that felt warm, layered and personal.
Having lived in the house for some time, the clients felt the interiors weren’t working for them. Furniture carried over from their previous home felt ill-suited to the new layout, storage was limited and the spaces lacked cohesion and personality.
NB Interiors provided a full review of the ground floor, which allowed the layout and function of each room to be refined, ensuring the home worked harder for day-to-day family life.
Updated wall colours and wallpapers introduced depth and interest, while new, carefully proportioned furniture helped to anchor each space and create a more fluid, cohesive feel throughout the downstairs.
Practical design solutions were seamlessly integrated, from defined areas for coats and storage to a more inviting living space designed for relaxed entertaining. The result is a warm, colourful and thoughtfully considered family home that now feels both functional and distinctly their own.
About NB Interiors UK
I have a passion for colour and texture, I enjoy helping clients be brave and take the leap into injecting personality into their homes. Whilst keeping spaces cosy, welcoming and feeling like their home. I aim to create spaces that can be truly lived in, comfortable and that will stand the test of time.
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If you’d like to become SBID Accredited, click here for more information.
Designing interiors for large country homes presents distinct challenges. Working across historic and listed properties in Surrey, Berkshire and Oxfordshire, our approach focuses on creating interiors that continue to adapt to changing family dynamics and contemporary demands, while remaining relevant long after fashions have shifted.
Many of the large country homes Barclay Interiors works on are Georgian, Victorian or Edwardian, each bringing its own spatial logic and constraints.
Berkshire Estate and Oxfordshire Living are two projects that demonstrate this approach. Both involved significant period property renovation, yet each resulted in a different design outcome. Berkshire Estate took a more robust, rustic direction, while Oxfordshire Living adopted a lighter and more eclectic character.
Working within listed and historic properties means design decisions are shaped early by planning and conservation requirements. A detailed assessment of original features, spatial relationships and structural constraints informs layouts, joinery and finishes from the outset.
Where existing structures impose physical constraints, design decisions often require more active intervention. At Berkshire Estate, a period property renovation, heavy beams, low ceilings, inglenook fireplaces and irregular proportions were treated as guiding elements. Furniture layouts, lighting positions and sightlines were adjusted to work with the existing structure, with visual balance achieved through centred furniture, layered lighting and carefully placed focal points where symmetry was not possible.
Larger interventions, including Crittall glazing and selective ceiling adjustments, were introduced to improve light and clarify views while remaining sensitive to the original building.
In contrast, Oxfordshire Living called for a lighter touch. Panelling added depth, while a palette of whites layered with blues, creams and marbled finishes brought subtle variation to the interiors.
Despite these additions, the design approach remained consistent. Opening up the kitchen, dining and living areas was carefully managed to maintain cohesion and balance within the home’s generous layout.
Bespoke joinery played a key role in resolving the properties’ complex geometry and practical requirements. Across both projects, custom elements were developed for kitchens, wardrobes, dressing areas and storage, allowing awkward beams, plant rooms, and services to be integrated discreetly within the interiors.
For Berkshire Estate, hand-forged lighting brackets were designed specifically for spaces without flat ceilings, enabling statement pendants to sit correctly within exposed structures. Curtain poles were individually fabricated to accommodate deep reveals and varying wall depths, while custom furniture pieces, including dressing tables, cabinetry and metal island detailing, were developed in direct response to the architecture.
At Oxfordshire Living, bespoke cabinetry was combined with carefully refurbished existing pieces, ensuring new joinery sat comfortably within the home’s established character. In the dining room, the original archway was reinterpreted through the introduction of a black-framed glass door, retaining the historic form while supporting a more contemporary use of the space.
At Berkshire Estate, lighting and colour were used strategically to offset low ceilings and heavy timber structures, improving usability without diminishing the home’s character.
New glazing and selective reconfiguration of openings strengthened visual connections to the surrounding gardens and courtyards, improving daylight and circulation while maintaining appropriate thermal control.
A similar approach was applied at Oxfordshire Living, through lighter-touch interventions. Existing features were selectively updated and complemented with contemporary elements, with fabrics and finishes chosen to be paired with traditional furniture. Internal layouts were refined to improve flow and clarity, reinforcing the sense of space across the interiors.
Across both projects, key architectural features were retained and expressed wherever possible. Original beams, brickwork, stone floors and structural features were preserved as part of the design, allowing material continuity and authenticity to remain central to the finished interiors.
Our approach to designing large country homes is rooted in respecting historic proportions while supporting each client’s vision for contemporary living.
Although both projects required a sensitive approach to historic fabric, their outcomes differed in aesthetic and character, reflecting the importance of considered decision-making at every stage of the design process.
Early design thinking can play a critical role in shaping both experience and outcome. If you’re thinking about starting a period property renovation, get in touch with us to explore the possibilities.
About Barclay Interiors Limited
Headquartered in the UK, Barclay Interiors has been a leading name in interior design for 25 years, with a global portfolio of residential and commercial projects. Known for a timeless and individual approach, the practice emphasises uncompromising discretion and transparency. The skilled team avoids a prescriptive style, creating beautiful, tailored spaces through close collaboration with architects, artisans, and contractors. Their proactive and responsive nature has made them a trusted partner for homeowners, investors, luxury hospitality operators, HNWIs, and developers.
This week’s instalment of the Project of the Week series features a characterful cottage design by 2025 SBID Awards Finalist, Isobel Star Interior Design.
Isobel Star Interior Design was commissioned to reimagine a historic holiday cottage in Helmsley, to balance character with modern comfort. The design sensitively embraced the cottage’s charm and thoughtfully updated it and maximised functionality. A mix of vintage finds, natural materials, and a warm, timeless palette creates a welcoming, layered, lived-in feel. The bold yellow front door ensures the cottage stands out in holiday listings, while evoking the charm of long English summer days.
Design Practice: Isobel Star Interior Design
Project Title: Helmsley Railway Crossing Cottage
Project Location: North Yorkshire, United Kingdom
Design Practice Location: York, United Kingdom
The clients wanted to create a holiday home that felt warm and personal while keeping the charm of the Victorian railway cottage. Their aim was to offer guests something more thoughtful and unique than a standard holiday let, comfortable, welcoming, and full of character. It also had to be practical and easy for the clients to maintain.
The cottage itself was the main source of inspiration. I worked with its original features, existing elements such as the bathroom sanitaryware, and the building’s quirks rather than against them choosing colours, textures, and details that embraced the cottage’s history and its countryside setting. I wanted the interior to have the storybook quality of an English country cottage.
Working within a tight budget was the biggest challenge. We had to make careful choices about where to invest and where to be resourceful. Combining bespoke joinery, window dressings, and quality finishes with vintage finds and high street pieces gave us the right balance.
Seeing the cottage come together as a space that feels both calm and inviting was a real highlight. The tradespeople and delivery teams loved being there as the project took shape, often commenting on how charming and welcoming the cottage felt. The clients are delighted with the finished result, and it has been hugely rewarding to see it so warmly received. Guests have shared wonderful feedback about the interiors, and the cottage is now fully booked well into 2026, with many already planning return visits.
The SBID Awards are highly respected in the industry, and it felt like the right platform to share a project that shows what can be achieved even on a tight budget and to celebrate the collaborative effort with my clients.
It has been a huge boost. As a young studio, it is encouraging to have this recognition so early on. It has helped raise the profile of my work and given me confidence to continue creating projects that are thoughtful and honour the setting and soul of a building.
Questions answered by Isobel Star, Interior Designer & Founder of Isobel Star Design Studio.
If you missed the last instalment of Project of the Week, featuring a seamless and cohesive residential design, click here to read it.
Lucy Jones, Design Director at Studio Sempura worked closely with her clients, Farcroft Homes to design the Interior Architecture of four architecturally stunning semi-detached houses located only a stones throw away from Southbourne beach in Dorset.
This project, Ora Mare was not only an award winner for the United Kingdom Property Awards 2025-2026 but also an SBID Awards Finalist 2025 in the Show Flats and Developments Category.
Lucy worked on this project from the early planning stages to ensure the interior layouts offered the functional, impactful spaces that were suited to both modern family living and holiday retreats.
At Studio Sempura, Lucy pushes the boundaries for 'safe' Interior Architectural design by adding character and identity through the use of carefully selected colours and materials. Creating designs that are unique and impactful addresses one of the design challenges for developments which is to not only to stand out in the market, but appeal to the majority at the same time.
The kitchens and bathrooms are key selling points to any development so Lucy focuses on making sure these spaces are thoroughly thought through and designed to have a ‘wow’ factor. Applying clever, cost effective design solutions to create unique, impactful spaces. Lucy also designed stand out master bedrooms with bespoke joinery and en-suites. Whilst across the four houses, offering two colour schemes for the key rooms such as the kitchen and master bedroom allowed more choice for potential buyers.
The interior style of Ora Mare reflects the seaside location; with soft neutrals, blue accents, natural textures and bronze brassware for a timeless, contemporary aesthetic and an opulent, luxury look and feel.
Studio Sempura's company ethos is to be as environmentally conscious and sustainable as possible. Development projects are very budget driven, so this can be a challenge, but Lucy strives to achieve this in any way possible. Working closely with her clients, local business and suppliers to making sure the quality of every finish and product is as good as it can be to ensure longevity.
Some environmentally conscious design decisions for Ora Mare include the use of tiles made in the UK, as well as replacing tiles with wall panelling or even just paint where possible to still create a cleanable surface that’s a part of a more circular material. Other finishes such as the carpet were specified with at least 50% wool and the multi-drop pendant in the staircases is made from recycled glass. When styling and dressing the houses, Lucy uses a mixture of charity shop and second hand market finds, to smaller items coming from her own home. She avoids buying cheap furniture and props for single use. Everything is either stocked and used again or found another home.
About Studio Sempura
Studio Sempura is a leading environmentally conscious Interior Architecture and Design practice based on the Dorset Coast, owned and directed by Lucy Jones. Lucy trained as an Interior Architectural Designer and therefore offers knowledge and expertise of all elements of a project from planning and spacial plans to interior styling. Studio Sempura can offer a full turn-key service. Whether your project is residential or commercial, new build or renovation, we can help you create a space that has purpose, meaning, longevity and style. We also put a huge emphasis on sustainability and carefully consider everything we design and specify.
This week’s instalment of the Project of the Week series features a seamless and cohesive residential design by 2025 SBID Awards Finalist, Róisín Lafferty.
Róisín Lafferty was commissioned to reimagine two neighbouring semi-detached properties as one highly functional, long-term family home. The brief required a complete spatial rethink while retaining two entrances, staircases, and mechanical systems. The goal was to create a seamless, cohesive interior that could eventually be divided into two independent homes for the client’s children. The point where the properties meet became the design’s central focus.
Category: Residential House Over £1M
Design Practice: Róisín Lafferty
Project Title: 2:1 Residence
Project Location: Dublin, Ireland
Design Practice Location: Dublin, Ireland
The clients wanted to merge two neighbouring semi-detached houses into one forever family home - but with the ability to divide them again in the future for the next generation. The challenge was to create a seamless, unified interior while retaining two staircases, entrances, and independent systems. At the heart of the brief was flexibility: a home that could evolve over time without compromising function or flow. The brief also celebrated connection to the larger garden, ensuring key views and interactions with the landscape from multiple rooms, while eliminating wasted corridors so that every space had purpose.
The design centred on the point where the two houses meet. Instead of disguising the joint, we made it the conceptual heart of the home, incorporating a sculptural sunken lounge at the original boundary line. This recessed lounge – finished with an inset marble floor and mirrored ceiling to reflect the garden indoors – became the hub that unites both houses. From here, a terrace extends the geometry into the garden, further strengthening the indoor / outdoor connection.
Throughout the house, the concept was about balance and discovery: twin music rooms linked by cobalt shelving that wraps around a central chimney breast, concealed oversized pivot doors that read as seamless wall panels, and a monumental steel-clad sliding screen that can transform the spatial flow. The playfulness of the layout encourages exploration, with endless routes and subtle surprises, while still maintaining proportion and calm.
One of the biggest challenges was the technical complexity of merging two houses into one while keeping them fully independent behind the scenes. Every system, from underfloor heating to lighting, data wiring, and ventilation; had to be designed to work both together and separately. Structurally, new connections had to be created without introducing visual obstructions. Balancing that level of engineering with the desire for a seamless, calm aesthetic required meticulous planning, smart routing for services, and constant collaboration across trades. It meant rethinking how we normally approach design and construction, but it allowed the project to function beautifully now while remaining future proof for generations to come.
The highlight was seeing the two houses truly come together as one; not just structurally, but emotionally. Spaces like the twin music rooms, unified by cobalt shelving and a shared chimney breast, embody that balance between individuality and cohesion. And the sunken lounge at the centre, with its sculptural form and connection to the garden, felt like the moment the vision became reality. For the team, it was incredibly rewarding to watch the design evolve from concept into a home that feels both elegant and deeply liveable.
Because this project embodies what great design can do: solve highly technical challenges while creating a home that feels calm, generous, and deeply personal. It’s deceptively complex, and we wanted to celebrate that on an international stage.
It’s hugely affirming for our team and our clients. It shows that innovation, adaptability, and forward-thinking design resonate far beyond Ireland. For us, it reinforces the importance of pushing boundaries while always keeping the needs of the family at the centre.
Questions answered by Róisín Lafferty, Founder & Creative Director at Róisín Lafferty.
If you missed the last instalment of Project of the Week, featuring a refined penthouse design, click here to read it.
Dr Esther Milardi, Design Director of Di Oro Interiors, has given her insights into the industry.
I moved from Italy to the UK in my twenties to study Comparative Literature and explore the relationship between identity and forms of visual and written expression. During this time, I became fascinated by how emotions powerfully shape daily experience, memory, and our sense of self.
This sensitivity to emotional depth and storytelling naturally guided me towards interior design and visual art, fields I had long been drawn to. In 2016, I founded Di Oro Interiors, bringing together a passion for creating emotionally resonant spaces with an intuitive understanding of how interiors and art can reflect, support, and inspire individual identity.
Interior design felt like a natural meeting point between my academic background and the elements that have always guided me, namely emotion, storytelling, and beauty shaped with purpose. I see interior design as a powerful form of communication, much like other artistic forms of self-expression, where spaces shape our experiences, identity, and sense of belonging. This understanding is what drew me to the profession, as well as a desire to move beyond the narrow perception of interior design as purely decorative or trend driven.
At the heart of my work lies in fact a genuine passion for helping clients realise that the spaces they live and work in should be more than a clever combination of furniture. They should at heart reflect the depth of who they are. It is my firm belief that it is only when environments are informed by personal memories, values, and individual rhythms, that they become places that nurture creativity, offer peace, and support everyday life.
What I enjoy most is the deeply human side of design, the conversations, the listening, and the gradual uncovering of what truly matters to a client. I love the moment when a project moves beyond surface preferences and into emotion: memories, daily routines, and dreams. That is where design becomes meaningful.
I am particularly drawn to the early conceptual phase, when ideas are still fluid and the narrative of a space begins to take shape. Translating intangible feelings into colour, texture, light, and form is both challenging and profoundly rewarding.
One of the most memorable highlights of the past year was designing a medical and aesthetic clinic across three floors. The project was especially rewarding when inspectors were so impressed by the overall design and functionality that they elevated the clinic to the level of a day hospital. This recognition was incredibly affirming for our team and deeply meaningful for our client.
What made the experience even more special was the trust the client placed in us, shaped by her response to a previous space we had designed for her. She had described that earlier project as feeling like “walking into Narnia,” a place where she felt happiest and fully recharged at the end of her working day. Knowing that our work could consistently create environments that meet strict professional standards while also offering emotional comfort and renewal made this achievement particularly memorable.
I am most drawn to residential projects and intimate commercial spaces where a strong emotional narrative can unfold. Homes, in particular, hold layers of personal history, making them incredibly rich creative territory. I love working with clients who are open to introspection and collaboration, those who see design as a journey rather than a checklist.
Ultimately, my favourite projects are those where trust is present and where the design process becomes a shared exploration of identity. These are the projects that result in spaces that feel timeless, meaningful, and deeply lived-in.
One of the greatest challenges I encounter is managing expectations in a world increasingly influenced by fast trends and curated imagery. Helping clients move beyond Pinterest-style references and towards a more personal and lasting vision involves patiently encouraging reflection rather than instant decisions.
I would have reminded my younger self that building a practice takes time. Developing a distinct voice, attracting aligned clients, and refining a philosophy is a gradual process. Trusting that journey and staying true to one’s values is far more important than rushing towards quick success.
My advice would be to develop your sensitivity before your style. Trends change, but your ability to observe, listen, and understand people will remain your greatest strength. Interior design is ultimately about people, not products.
Take time to explore who you are, what moves you, and what stories you want to tell through space. Build a strong foundation by learning the technical aspects of the profession, but never lose sight of emotion and meaning. Be curious about art, literature, travel, and life, all of these feed good design.
Most importantly, be patient with yourself. Confidence and clarity come with experience. Trust your instincts, remain open to learning, and allow your voice to evolve naturally. When your work is rooted in authenticity rather than imitation, it will resonate far more deeply with clients.
I believe the industry is moving towards a more thoughtful, human-centred approach. Clients are increasingly seeking spaces that support wellbeing, emotional balance, and a sense of identity, rather than purely aesthetic statements. I sense a growing desire for interiors that feel meaningful.
As far as sustainability is concerned, I hope that it will continue to evolve beyond materials and processes, extending into longevity and emotional durability: spaces that are loved and lived in for years, rather than frequently replaced.
Ultimately, I am convinced that the future of interior design feels quieter and more intentional.
Being an SBID Accredited Interior Designer represents both professional recognition and personal alignment with values I hold deeply. It acknowledges a responsibility to integrity and expertise, and a commitment to designing with care, depth, and purpose.
About Di Oro Interiors
Renowned for its multi-award-winning designs, Di Oro Interiors specialises in creating timeless interiors for residential and commercial clients. Founded in 2016, our interior design studio has built an invaluable reputation over the years for creating high-end luxurious interiors and for providing the highest level of design services. Our mission is to inspire joy and fulfilment, ensuring our clients feel a sense of excitement every time they walk into their space. With extensive experience and meticulous attention to detail, Di Oro Interiors is the ideal partner for discerning clients seeking expert guidance in bringing their visions to life.
Victoria Newall, Founder and Interior Designer at Drawn Interior Design, has given her insights into the industry.
I’m the founder of Drawn Interior Design, an award-winning boutique studio based in South East London. My background spans over 25 years of design across private homes, film, and global luxury brands including Chanel, Hermès, BBC and Film4.
This cross-disciplinary experience brings a strong sense of narrative, nuance and identity — qualities that shape everything I do. I create refined, characterful interiors for discerning homeowners, and work with high-end developers to craft spaces that resonate with buyers and express a clear, compelling vision.
With deep roots in brand-led design and an instinctive understanding of how people feel in space, my focus is on creating environments that connect — emotionally, visually and commercially.
I always loved art and design, but wanted to apply it in a way that was tangible and useful. Interior design felt like the meeting point between creativity and real life, shaping how people live, move and feel every day.
Studying interior design at university gave structure to that instinct, combining aesthetics with function, problem-solving and human experience. That balance continues to motivate my work.
I enjoy the aspects of design that genuinely improve everyday life; creating spaces that work better, feel more considered, and support how people actually live. When design is thoughtful, it adds value not just visually, but in the way a home is experienced over time.
The most rewarding projects are those where the result feels intuitive and purposeful, enhancing both comfort and long-term value without needing to shout.
The past year has been particularly rewarding as Drawn Interior Design has continued to refine its approach to creating thoughtful, considered interiors. It’s been especially satisfying to see our work genuinely enhance how people live in and experience their homes, tailoring each space to the individual needs and personalities of our clients.
I enjoy projects where there’s an opportunity to create a home that feels thoughtful, functional, and genuinely tailored to the people who live in it. I’m drawn to spaces where design can quietly improve daily life; whether that’s through better flow, more intuitive layouts, or subtle interventions that enhance comfort and enjoyment.
I enjoy the challenge of understanding a client’s needs, translating them into a space that feels both practical and personal, and seeing the difference that considered design can make in their everyday experience.
One of the most challenging aspects of interior design is working creatively within the practical parameters of a project ; budgets, timelines, and existing conditions. Every project presents its own set of constraints, and it’s the designer’s role to find solutions that are both functional and beautiful.
Translating complex decisions into something that feels simple and intuitive for the client is part of the challenge, but it’s also what makes the work rewarding: problem-solving within these boundaries often leads to spaces that truly enhance how people live
Looking back, what I wish I’d known earlier isn’t about design itself, but the broader realities of running a business. After 20+ years of working in design, the challenges I faced were more about managing projects, clients, and operations as a businesswoman than about the creative work itself.
Develop a point of view and trust it, but remember that design is ultimately about the people who inhabit the space. Balancing creativity with function and lived experience is what defines thoughtful, successful design.
In the year ahead, I think we’ll see a continued focus on design that genuinely supports the way people live, while also considering its wider impact. Clients are looking for homes that are beautiful, functional, and sustainable, where every decision feels considered and purposeful. The industry is moving towards thoughtful, lasting design rather than short-lived trends, which is exciting for both designers and homeowners alike.
Being an SBID Accredited Interior Designer is meaningful because it recognises both experience and professionalism. It demonstrates adherence to high standards and ethical practice, giving clients confidence that their project is guided by true expertise; something that’s increasingly important in an industry where professionalism can vary widely.
About Drawn Interior Design
Drawn Interior Design specialises in refined, distinctive interiors for private homes and new developments. Led by Victoria Newall, with over 25 years’ experience, we create cohesive, practical schemes that enhance function, character and value. For developers, we deliver market-aligned interiors that stand out, supporting faster sales and a stronger brand identity. For homeowners, we shape designs that reflect taste and support daily life. Every project is grounded in thoughtful direction, professional execution and clear communication. We bring efficiency, creativity and a considered approach to each stage, ensuring spaces feel purposeful, refined and individually attuned.
This week’s instalment of the Project of the Week series features a refined penthouse design by 2025 SBID Awards Finalist, La Bottega Interiors.
La Bottega Interiors was commissioned to design the Delano Penthouse, set at the pinnacle of the newly opened Delano Dubai. Conceived as a private sanctuary rather than traditional hotel accommodation, the 850-square-metre residence blends the warmth of a refined home with the elevated service of a five-star resort. The design balances bold identity with operational functionality, using intuitive spatial planning to separate guest and service zones. Rich materiality—including Calacatta Borghini marble, custom timber marquetry, and sculpted oak joinery—creates a tactile, immersive experience. Expansive terraces, an infinity pool, and bespoke amenities complete this elevated expression of experiential luxury living.
Category: Hotel Bedroom & Suites Design
Design Practice: La Bottega Interiors
Project Title: The Delano Penthouse
Project Location: Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Design Practice Location: Dubai, United Arab Emirates
The client’s brief was to create an ultra-luxury penthouse that feels at once like a private residence and an effortless resort retreat. It needed to reflect the Delano brand’s spirit of convivial sophistication and discretion, while providing generous spaces for entertaining, seamless indoor-outdoor living with panoramic terraces and a rooftop pool, five calm ensuite bedrooms, and high-performance service areas. The design was to balance understated glamour with timeless materials, bespoke detailing, and curated FF&E from leading international brands.
The design embraces a neutral, light-toned palette of whites, creams, and soft natural shades that defines the Delano identity. Originating in Miami, the brand established a distinctive language of serenity and effortless sophistication, where texture and light are complemented by carefully chosen accent marbles and colors. In the Dubai Sky Villa, this palette is reinterpreted with feature marbles, tactile woods, and subtle metallics, enriching the brand’s signature clarity with a contextual warmth suited to its Gulf setting. The intricacy of Dubai’s cultural tapestry also inspired the flooring, expressed through a bespoke timber design that adds depth, artistry, and a sense of place.
The toughest hurdle was adapting the space, which was originally conceived as a restaurant, into a residential penthouse. The ceiling heights were unusually high for a residence, and the arrival sequence was through a long corridor, both of which could have felt awkward. We turned these challenges into opportunities: the tall ceilings became a dramatic backdrop for layered interiors, and the long arrival corridor was transformed into a feature experience with an enfilade of columns and integrated lighting, creating a striking, ceremonial entry that sets the tone for the penthouse.
The team’s highlight was transforming the Penthouse into a seamless blend of residential comfort and an entertainment suite. Key moments included creating the feature arrival corridor with its enfilade of columns and integrated lighting, designing bespoke timber flooring inspired by Dubai’s intricate cultural tapestry, and layering the interiors with feature marbles, tactile woods, and subtle metallics to reinterpret the Delano palette for a Gulf context. Seeing the space come together as a cohesive, luxurious, and livable home that still embodies the brand’s signature sophistication was truly the most rewarding achievement.
We entered the SBID Awards because they are one of the most prestigious design awards globally, recognized for celebrating excellence in creativity, innovation, and functionality. Being based in London, the heart of international design, the SBID Awards provide a platform that goes far beyond regional recognition — it allows our work to be seen on a global stage. For us, this project embodies a unique design rooted in cultural authenticity yet expressed with modern refinement. Entering SBID not only highlights the project’s values of craftsmanship, detail, and hospitality, but also gives us the opportunity to position our practice within an international community of leading designers.
Being an SBID Award Finalist has been an incredible honor and a milestone for our practice. It validates the hard work, creativity, and collaboration that went into this project, while giving us international recognition on one of the most prestigious design platforms. For our business, it has strengthened our visibility globally, positioned us among leading design firms, and reinforced the trust our clients place in us. Most importantly, it motivates us to continue pushing boundaries and delivering designs that are both meaningful and timeless.
Questions answered by Sahar Al Yaseer & Cristina Gallenca, Partners at La Bottega Interiors.
If you missed the last instalment of Project of the Week, featuring a vibrant residential design, click here to read it.
This week’s instalment of the Project of the Week series features a vibrant apartment design by 2025 SBID Awards Finalist, Pia Design.
Pia Design was commissioned to add personality and fun to a blank canvas apartment, a recently converted former post-office sorting building. The client was keen to think sustainably and not rip out any fixtures or fittings unnecessarily, and to mix and match new and vintage pieces. Through thoughtful design choices and a commitment to the client's vision, the Garden House project radiates colour and personality, turning a white box apartment into a vibrant and welcoming home.
Category: Residential Apartment Under £1M
Design Practice: Pia Design
Project Title: Garden House
Project Location: London, United Kingdom
Design Practice Location: Iver, United Kingdom
Our client wanted to transform a blank-slate, newly converted apartment in Islington into a vibrant home that truly reflects their personality. The brief called for warm, joyful colours - particularly pink and yellow - and challenged us to weave those playful tones throughout the space to create a cohesive, spirited sanctuary in the heart of London.
The project was inspired by the client’s passion for colour - especially bold, cheerful hues - and our desire to craft a lively, creative atmosphere. We embraced floral wallpapers and expressive prints to wrap each room in joyful energy. Custom details - like a scallop-edged wall to wall headboard in boucle with pink velvet piping, vibrant bespoke vanity units and a playful trolley island with a scallop edge trim and brass castor wheels - brought personality and flair to the home. These pieces, combined with vintage finds and thoughtful layering, transformed the newly built ‘white box’ into a warm, lived-in haven.
I am pleased to say this was quite a smooth-sailing project! However, one of the challenges was around the architecture of the space - with the many tall / narrow windows, there was not a lot of wall space, so the layout was tricky to resolve - particularly where to place the TV so that it didn’t produce glare. We resolved this with custom pink velvet curtains that could be drawn behind the TV when the light was too bright.
Our favourite moments were around the bespoke elements - the scallop-edged, upholstered headboard against the vibrant pink Woodchip and Magnolia wallpaper, and the impact of the bespoke kitchen island trolley on castors, the pink scallop trim contrasting against the monochrome of the existing kitchen. It was a joy to see so much colour injected into what was such a blank canvas apartment to begin with.
We decided to enter the SBID Awards to showcase the transformative power of bold, joyful residential design - and to celebrate how contemporary, sustainable interiors can be both fresh and expressive. Garden House exemplifies our believe in spaces that are authentic, personal and enduring, that come together through respect for the existing architecture and fittings, and how creative ingenuity can breathe new life into the old - and save landfill waste in the process.
This is our third-year running being named a finalist so we are very proud to be shortlisted again! Being named a finalist affirms our commitment to creating interiors with personality and purpose. It’s a wonderful validation of our design philosophy and for our team, it’s both an honour and a boost of confidence, reinforcing our direction and inspiring us to continue to create sustainable design projects.
Questions answered by Pia Pelkonen, Creative Director at Pia Design.
If you missed the last instalment of Project of the Week, featuring a sophisticated penthouse design, click here to read it.
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