10th July 2026 | IN DESIGN ADVICE | BY SBID Share Tweet Pinterest LinkedIn Helen Bygraves and Jenny Weiss, Founder Directors at Hill House Interiors, have given their insights into the industry. Hill House Interiors was founded by Helen Bygraves and Jenny Weiss in 1997, growing from a boutique studio into one of Britain’s most established interior design practices. Today, the studio is known for couture residential interiors for private clients in the UK and internationally, with projects spanning London townhouses, country estates, private residences, villas, penthouses and yachts. Helen and Jenny came to interiors through different but complementary creative paths. Helen’s background as a professionally trained dancer informed an instinctive understanding of proportion, movement, theatre and composition, while Jenny’s lifelong love of art, textiles and film, alongside a background in property development, evolved into a passion for creating layered, welcoming homes. Together, their shared belief that thoughtfully designed surroundings can meaningfully enhance the way people live has shaped Hill House Interiors’ client-led, refined and deeply personal approach to design. Hill House Interiors - Miami Inspired Bar - Lane End - ©Nick Smith Hill House Interiors - Burwood Park Residence - ©Ray Main Why did you want to work in the interior design profession? For both of us, interiors began with a very instinctive understanding of how powerfully a space can influence the way people feel and function within it. A home is never simply a collection of rooms; it is the setting for daily life, and when it is carefully considered, it can bring comfort, ease and a strong sense of identity. Our individual journeys into design were different, but equally grounded in creativity. Helen’s early career in dance nurtured an appreciation for rhythm, spatial awareness and storytelling, while Jenny’s route evolved through creative exploration and hands-on experience within refurbishment and design of personal properties. What ultimately drew us both to interior design was the opportunity to bring together creative thinking with a more intuitive understanding of people, shaping environments that feel authentic, considered and genuinely supportive of the way our clients live. Hill House Interiors - Burwood Park Residence - ©Ray Main Which elements of your profession do you enjoy the most? Building relationships with clients is undoubtedly one of the most rewarding parts of what we do. Interior design is inherently personal; clients are inviting you into their homes and, in many ways, their lives. We value the process of getting to know a client on a more intuitive level, taking time to understand not only their aesthetic preferences, but what truly makes them tick, how they live, entertain, unwind and spend time with those closest to them. We also thrive on the creative challenge of ensuring every project feels completely unique. Hill House Interiors has never been about imposing a recognisable style. Each scheme is shaped by a combination of the client, the architecture, the setting and how the space needs to perform. The satisfaction lies in carefully orchestrating proportion, light, texture, materials and detail to create interiors that feel cohesive, characterful and quietly assured, however considered the process behind them may be. Hill House Interiors - Buckingham Place - ©Nick Smith Hill House Interiors - North London Residence ©LW What has been your most memorable career highlight from the past year? This past year has been particularly meaningful for us. Being awarded the SBID Icon Award was an extraordinary honour, not least because it is recognition from our peers within the industry. That level of acknowledgement carries a particular significance, as it reflects both longevity and contribution to the profession over time. Alongside this, receiving two major international accolades has further positioned Hill House Interiors on a global stage. These achievements have expanded our presence beyond the UK and reinforced the relevance of our work within a broader, international context, which is both humbling and incredibly rewarding. Hill House Interiors - Burwood Park Residence - ©Ray Main What are your favourite types of projects to work on and why? Our favourite projects are those which allow us to shape the foundations of a home from the outset, considering spatial planning, flow, lighting and atmosphere before layering in the decorative elements. That holistic approach allows for a more cohesive and resolved end result. We are particularly drawn to private residential projects that are deeply personal to the client, whether that is a London townhouse, a country estate, an overseas villa or a yacht. The most rewarding briefs are those centred around lifestyle rather than aesthetics alone, where the aim is to create a home that truly reflects how someone lives and what matters to them. Hill House Interiors - North London Residence ©Nick Smith Hill House Interiors - Buckingham Place - ©Nick Smith What are the most challenging aspects of working in interior design? One of the greatest challenges lies in balancing creativity with the level of precision required to deliver a project successfully. A refined interior is never solely about the final aesthetic; it relies on structure, technical understanding, project management, coordination and an exceptional level of detail. Behind every composed and considered space is an extensive and highly organised process. There is also a significant level of trust involved. Clients are allowing you into a very personal aspect of their lives, and that requires discretion, consistency and sensitivity. The designer’s role is to anticipate, resolve and guide, often quietly behind the scenes. Ultimately, one of the most rewarding moments is seeing a client’s reaction at the completion of a project, particularly when the result surpasses their expectations. That emotional response is what makes the entire process worthwhile. Hill House Interiors - Miami Inspired Bar - Lane End - ©Nick Smith What do you wish you knew before working in the field? If we were speaking to our younger selves, we would say to stay curious and trust your instincts. Research is invaluable, and a willingness to keep learning will always strengthen your work. We also came into building a business without formal business training, and in hindsight, we would strongly recommend seeking guidance early on, whether through a business coach or industry body. There will inevitably be challenging periods, so resilience, careful planning and a clear long-term vision are essential. The SBID, in particular, has been a constant source of support, providing guidance, structure and reassurance as we have grown. Having that level of professional backing has been invaluable throughout our journey. Hill House Interiors - North London Residence ©Nick Smith Hill House Interiors - Burwood Park Residence - ©Ray Main If you could give one tip to aspiring designers, what would it be? Understand your market and remain confidently within your lane, as that clarity will shape not only your design direction but also the clients you attract. For us, focusing on the luxury residential sector has defined both our creative approach and the way we position the business. Alongside this, presenting your work well is essential, so investing in professional photography from the outset will ensure it is perceived in the right way. Equally important is building a strong foundation around you by joining professional bodies such as SBID and engaging with networking groups and industry organisations. These connections provide invaluable support, visibility and opportunity, reinforcing both your credibility and your longterm growth within the industry. Hill House Interiors - North London Residence ©LW How do you see the interior design industry evolving in the year ahead? Clients today expect more from their homes than ever before. A home is no longer purely a place to live; it needs to function as a sanctuary, a wellness space, and often a working environment. That shift has changed the way spaces are designed, with a greater emphasis on adaptability, comfort and emotional wellbeing. Having experienced multiple shifts within the industry over the years, we have learned the importance of remaining agile and open to change. The ability to adapt, respond to new ways of living and interpret evolving styles is key to staying relevant. The rise of AI is also influencing expectations, with clients arriving with highly visualised ideas of their ‘ideal’ home. A crucial part of our role is to interpret those ideas, assess what is both practical and achievable, and translate them into a design that works in reality, both functionally and aesthetically. What does being an SBID Accredited Interior Designer mean to you? SBID accreditation means a great deal to us. It represents credibility, professionalism and a recognised standard within the industry. It provides reassurance to clients, while also reinforcing the integrity of the work we deliver. Beyond that, it offers a sense of support and community. Having that professional backing, guidance and recognition has been invaluable throughout our career, and it continues to play an important role in how we position ourselves and our projects within the industry. Helen Bygraves and Jenny Weiss, Founder Directors at Hill House Interiors 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 residential projects in locations as diverse as London, Dubai, New York, Lake Como, Antibes, the Bahamas, Ibiza and L.A. Projects can range from exclusive penthouse apartments to palatial homes, lakeside villa retreats or beautifully engineered yachts. Visit Profile If you’d like to feature your news or stories on SBID.org, get in touch to find out more. If you’d like to become SBID Accredited, click here for more information.