The Story Behind Fanni Bickell Design: Creating Beautiful, Functional Homes That Evolve

Which elements of your profession do you enjoy the most?

I’m especially drawn to the problem‑solving side of design — the moments when a home isn’t keeping up with real family life. With children, rooms constantly change identity: a play area becomes a homework zone, a spare room becomes an office, and storage needs seem to double overnight. I love rethinking layouts so a home feels calmer, more efficient, and able to evolve as children grow and routines shift.

Clients often say, “I’d love this, but I don’t have the space,” and proving that a home can work much harder than expected is deeply satisfying. Tight corners, awkward layouts, and unexpected requirements become opportunities to design clever, functional solutions that still feel beautiful.

These moments — when thoughtful design turns daily frustration into ease and helps a family feel more supported by their home — are the parts of the profession I find most fulfilling.

What has been your most memorable career highlight from the past year?

Last month we completed a beautiful project that became a real highlight for me. Due to health complications, the client was largely absent, which meant that many of the decisions fell to me and the project manager. We took that responsibility seriously and worked tirelessly to ensure the final result wasn’t just outstanding, but genuinely perfect for our client’s needs.

It was a good‑sized, fast‑paced project with a huge impact. Along the way, we had to make several changes to the original plans to accommodate new requirements, and those challenges turned into opportunities to showcase smart, thoughtful design — solutions that combined functionality with aesthetics in a way that truly elevated the space. Seeing it all come together so beautifully felt fantastic.

What are your favourite types of projects to work on and why?

My favourite projects are full house renovations and extensions, because they allow me to influence the flow of the property in its entirety. When I can shape how rooms connect, how families move through the space, and how the home feels as a whole, the result is far more coherent, calm, and effortless.

I do this through my love of cabinetry, by designing and delivering kitchens, utility rooms, boot rooms, laundry rooms, dressing rooms, and media walls. These spaces are the backbone of a well‑functioning home, and creating them allows me to keep the flow and aesthetics cohesive throughout the property.

Naturally all projects come with clear challenges or unusual requirements. These limitations, become opportunities to design something truly unique.

What are the most challenging aspects of working in interior design?

One of the biggest challenges is dealing with the unexpected and how deeply we rely on each other to bring a project to life. No matter how well a scheme is planned, something always appears on site — a soil pipe in the wrong place, underfloor heating manifolds where storage was meant to go, or a steel beam sitting lower than expected. These moments demand quick thinking, coordination, and calm decision‑making.

It becomes a constant exercise in guiding clients, builders, and trades toward smart compromises while protecting the core of the design. The hours spent in the studio are actually small compared to the time spent managing, adapting, and keeping everyone aligned. This balance between problem‑solving, communication, and maintaining the design vision is challenging, but it’s also what makes the profession dynamic and rewarding.

What do you wish you knew before working in the field?

I wish I had known how much psychology sits at the heart of interior design. It’s not just about creating a beautiful space — it’s about understanding people deeply enough to uncover their real dreams. Every client, couple, or family has their own dynamic and their own version of “home,” and guiding them gently toward what they truly want can be complex.

Many clients know what they like but aren’t always brave enough to make bold choices. Encouraging them to embrace a unique, personal vision rather than settling for “safe” requires sensitivity, confidence, and trust. No one ever regrets creating a bold, magazine‑worthy space; regret only comes from talking themselves out of great ideas.

Balancing empathy and the courage to push boundaries is one of the trickiest part of the any project but it also makes my bond special with my clients and this is the reason they come back to me time after time with new projects and to discuss ideas.

If you could give one tip to aspiring designers, what would it be?

One of the best lessons I learned at university came from a project design teacher at university who said, “Never fall in love with your design. It isn’t yours.” That advice has stayed with me throughout my career. As designers, we have to be able to change, adapt, and let go. Our role is to help someone else’s dream come to life — not to impose our own.

Clients may not always have the vision, but they always know what they want. If their thinking feels muddled or uncertain, it’s our job to guide them gently in the right direction. Ultimately, we design their dreams, not ours. Their needs, their lifestyle, and their aspirations sit at the heart of everything we create, and respecting that is essential to becoming a truly great designer.

How do you see the interior design industry evolving in the year ahead?

I think client expectations are rising, and AI has played a big part in that. Many clients can now visualise what they like before we even meet, and they come to us with a clearer sense of what they want to achieve. I see this as a positive shift. It opens the door for deeper conversations, more refined ideas, and a more collaborative design process.

What’s exciting is that interior design is becoming more accessible to the middle class. People are realising that good design isn’t about picking items off the shelf or walking into a one‑stop shop — it’s a complex, layered, and highly bespoke process. Once they get a glimpse of what thoughtful design can do, they understand its value and the level of expertise involved.

Overall, I think people are becoming more curious, more open‑minded, and more willing to expand their vision. They’re embracing the idea of tailored solutions, custom joinery, and design that truly fits their lifestyle. I’m very happy with this direction — it pushes the industry forward and encourages a richer, more creative dialogue between designers and clients.

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