Lucy Jones, Owner and Design Director at Studio Sempura, has given her insights into the industry.
I graduated with a First Class Honours Degree in Interior Architecture and Design in 2015. Soon after this, I started my professional career working for a shipping container conversion company based in Cornwall, where designs were focused around sustainability. I then progressed to a London firm specialising in Hospitality, Spa and Wellness design and these projects were heavily influenced by Biophilic design. After moving to Dorset to be nearer the sea, I joined a local firm working on a range of projects from Residential Developments to Restaurants, Offices and Student Accommodation.
I have a deep rooted connection to nature and the environment that stems from being brought up on the North Coast of Cornwall. So, I set up Studio Sempura in 2022 in order to create an environmentally conscious design studio that reflects my passion for the outdoors. In the last three years I have been very fortunate to work on some wonderful projects.
My passion for interior design runs in my family. I have always loved being creative, up-cycling and from a young age, making a space look it’s best. I feel that the inspiration to follow this pathway was inspired by observing my Mum and Granny design and renovate houses. When I was six years old my parents lost me in B&Q. They found me looking around the kitchen and bathroom sections, where I was enjoying being curious and opening every cupboard!
I wanted to work in the interior design profession to use my love of design to positively impact and improve the health and well-being of people. During my degree I developed a strong passion for Biophilic Design and this gave me the tools to achieve the desire to improve how people feel in a designed space.
I really enjoy working alongside my clients and helping them create a home or a space that makes them feel happy. A really fun part of a project is the conceptual phase. Having received a brief, I then create a design that meets the client’s requirements. I put together ideas and consider what would make the space unique and special for them. Once a project is complete, it is the best feeling seeing my designs come to fruition and to see how happy my clients are with their new space.
One of my most memorable highlights would be the completion of a development project consisting of four houses in Southbourne. I was heavily involved in this project from the planning stages to organising the final photo shoot. The individually designed interiors gave me the opportunity to source materials that reflected my ethos towards sustainability and Biophilic design.
It was a large responsibility to produce a technical design package for construction, ensuring the project would run as smoothly as possible. I am delighted that the project has been very successful and I have received some really positive feedback from my clients and prospective buyers.
I worked for a wonderful design practice in London that specialised in Hotel, Spa, Fitness and Wellness Design. These design projects have been my favourite so far because they enabled me to create spaces that directly affected the wellness of their clients using Biophilic ideologies as the key influence.
Interior design is naturally subjective, and when combining this with time and budget constraints, managing client expectations is something that can be challenging.
I always aim to specify materials and fixtures that are the best quality and have the least environmental impact. These tend to come with a higher price tag, so it can be a challenge to convince clients to spend that little extra for better quality.
This has always been what I wanted to do, so I have openly accepted any challenges that have come my way. However, in order to produce accurate drawings and information packs required for construction on site, I spend a lot of time at a computer. This is a very important part of the job, but I really do enjoy being out and about spending more time on site and interacting with people.
This industry is constantly evolving so it is important to stay relevant by keeping an open mind, learning and exploring new trends, solutions, materials and technologies. Take your time to learn from others and get as much experience as you can. Work in different sectors and network. Be open to all the opportunities that come your way and always say yes. Don’t run before you can walk. Cliché, but it is worth the wait.
The industry will hopefully continue moving forwards in relation to sustainability and the development of environmentally friendly design solutions. It is great that the topic is being taken seriously, from suppliers and designers to clients. The design choices that we make are having an environmental impact and it is important that we get in touch with our innate connection to nature through Biophilic design. This is why I believe the colour of the year 2025 is ‘Mocha Mousse’, a warm, chocolate brown that reflects our natural environment and the ethos of Biophilic design. I believe we will be seeing more rich, darker colour pallets, with an increase in the use of darker furniture and antique pieces. I believe this will create a more eclectic mix of old and new which lends itself to the ideology of re-using and making more environmentally conscious choices.
It has been a huge achievement to be recognised by the SBID. This has given me the confidence in my journey as a designer and enabled me to signify to my clients that I am part of one of the UK’s leading interior design bodies. I look forward to attending the design events and keeping on top of CPD’s that the SBID offer. I am also really excited to have an opportunity to apply for the Awards in this coming year.
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.
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