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It is increasingly recognised that our enjoyment of a building and its functional success are as dependent on the interior design as on the material it is made from and the efficiency of its infrastructures. It follows that the professionals who are responsible for how our domestic interiors look and work as spaces are as crucial to the outcome as architects and engineers. Good interior design is life enhancing, contributing positively to our well-being as well as to the value of our homes. At House & Garden we follow the careers of both established and emerging interior designers

and decorators, and every three years we publish our directory of leading practitioners based in Britain. Inclusion in the directory is by a rigorous selection process with many factors taken into consideration, but it is ulti-mately evaluated through the lens of House & Garden and must inevitably, therefore, be subjective. The list includes well-known firms and low-key individuals; there are traditionalists and modernists and 17 new entrants. What they all have in common is talent and a profound commitment to good design.

Susan Crewe, EDITOR

On the following pages we present our guide to the top decorators working in the UK today

ThE House & Garden DIRECTORy Of ThE 100 lEADInG InTERIOR DESIGnERS

A bSandra AnkarcronaBackground Sandra Ankarcrona trained at Parsons The New School for Design, in New York, followed by an MBA in

business administration; after working as a director at Clinique, she set up her own interior-design company – Coxe Design – in 1984. She has an international practice, with a team of five, and undertakes a healthy mix of residential and commercial work. Projects As well as the total refurbishment of a listed, Robert Adam building in St James’s, and of a Georgian town house in Kensington, Sandra is currently working on a town house in Holland Park, and the decoration of a Paris apartment. She is also designing private residences in the US and Spain.She says Luxurious interiors are a seamless harmony of pleasure, performance, and a touch of the unexpected.We say A well-established, discreet designer, for whom creating the ultimate ‘private space for public people’ is paramount. Her interiors are opulent, beautifully thought out, and confidently executed, often with an unexpected flourish.Contact Coxe Design, 29 Argyll Road, W8; 020-7938 1144; e-mail: enquiries@coxedesign.co.uk

Tom Bartlett at Waldo WorksBackground After studying architecture at Manchester University and the Bartlett School of Architecture, Tom Bartlett

set up his own company, Waldo Works, in 2001. His intention was always to ‘work hard at architecture and interiors of all sorts’, and he now heads up a team of eight, comprising architects, architectural designers and interior designers. Projects Tom is currently working on the substantial extension and redesign of a seventeenth-century house in Wiltshire; apartments in Hyde Park; the building and interior design of houses in Marrakesh; a private house in north London; and the architectural conversion, interior design and deco-ration of rental apartments in Covent Garden.He says We are a post-postmodernist, architecturally based interior-design practice; we like a bit of colour (sometimes), a straight line or two, and a few historical references, but most of all we like working to a client’s brief.We say Tom is a consistently creative and challenging designer with his finger on the pulse, unafraid to be experimental, and with a bold and witty take on architecture and design.Contact Waldo Works, Top Floor, 17 All Saints Road, W11: 020-7313 9029; e-mail: fran@waldoworks.com; www.waldoworks.com

Monika and Geraldine ApponyiBackground Monika Apponyi (right) trained at the Inchbald School of Design, and has been working as an interior designer

for 30 years. She launched her company, MM Design, in the Eighties. In 2006, her daughter, Geraldine Apponyi (left), a fine-arts graduate, became a partner in the business; their new team of four continues to work internationally.Projects Their current projects include the complete reconstruction of a collapsed nineteenth-century farmhouse near Salzburg, where they are rebuilding the exterior to traditional standards, but with an interior suitable for twenty-first-century living. They are also working on a new-build house, set on a Greek island amid olive groves, for returning clients. They say The wonderful thing about our partnership is the combination of Geraldine’s art-school creativity and Monika’s technical experience and strength in classical design, plus our excellence in execution. We are highly motivated when we work together and believe that we represent the best of the past, present and future.We say With the freshly formed mother-and-daughter team, this is an exciting new phase for a well-respected and award-winning designer, well known for turning out elegant, sophisticated and minutely detailed interiors.Contact MM Design, The Studio, Redloh House, 2 Michael Road, SW6: 020-7751 0171; e-mail: info@mm-design.co.uk

Bill BennetteBackground South African-born Bill Bennette has worked in London since 1967. He gained experience with Charles

Hammond and John Siddeley Design before opening his own practice in 1972, and now employs a team of five. He has studied specialist aspects of interior design throughout Europe and the States, particularly seeking knowledge in construction, joinery, marble and stonework.Projects Bill’s team is currently working on a large, new-build family house in north London; two ‘very special’ houses also in north London; a large house in Wilton Crescent; and a house on South Audley Street, Mayfair. All his projects involve complete refurbishment, including new bathrooms, joinery and stonework.He says I favour simple shapes and natural tones, but will occasionally break my own rules. My style is timeless and eclectic; I like order and discipline in interiors. Everything must be functional, and beautiful furniture and art must be allowed to breathe, without too many objets d’art.We say Attention to detail and an eye for luxury mark out this sophisticated, international designer, whose work typically features fine joinery, marble and stonework, custom-made furniture and unusual textiles.Contact Bill Bennette Design, Studio 10, 39 Tadema Road, SW10: 020-7351 2550; e-mail: bb@bbdesign.co.uk; www.bbdesign.co.uk

Alidad Background Persian-born Alidad came to London over 30 years ago, and – after working for many years as director of

Islamic art, carpet and textiles at Sotheby’s – he started his own interior-design business in 1985. He and his close-knit, Chelsea-based team work worldwide, but say they are just as happy to take on modest domestic projects as they are large, architecturally led ones. Projects The team is currently working on the design and decoration of large estates in Cornwall, Madrid, Sardinia, Kuwait and Beirut, and has just completed a large, private residential project in central London. Last year, Alidad launched his own hand-embroidered Bosphorus Collection of fabrics, based on sixteenth- to eighteenth-century Ottoman-inspired textiles.He says For me, every detail matters: the eye may not perceive that the job is perfect, but it will see harmony. My designs are always bespoke, and the client comes first, but I am also true to myself. My style is timeless.We say An award-winning, world-class designer with a distinctive style. Alidad’s elaborate, highly textured and richly coloured interiors are indi-vidual and recognisable, with a new strand of modern style creeping in.Contact Alidad, The Lighthouse, Gasworks, 2 Michael Road, SW6: 020-7384 0121; email: info@alidad.com; www.alidad.com

Charles BatesonBackground Charles originally studied fashion and textiles at Winchester School of Art. After working for three years as

product designer at David Hicks, he switched to interior design, working for John Stefanidis. Charles left in 1994 to launch his own practice, and describes his team of four designers as ‘small but perfectly formed’. Projects Currently executing a phased four-year project, including refurbish-ment of an old Cotswold-style house and the landscaping of its grounds, Charles is also working on a new-build junk in Hong Kong, from the layout and joinery to fabrics and furniture, as well as the full refurbishment of a house and garden in Holland Park, and a new-build house on the Isle of Wight.He says We are a compact design team working with a small number of clients in a very detailed and personal way. Our scope of work is very wide, from country estates to bespoke boats, from wrecking-ball demolition to joinery, and from one-off furniture to artworks.We say A versatile and approachable designer with a crisp, elegant style, unsurpassable efficiency, and a love of intricate finishes.Contact Charles Bateson Design Consultants, Unit 44, The Market Building, 191–195 High Street, Brentford, Middlesex: 020-8560 5260; e-mail: charles.bateson@btinternet.com; www.charlesbateson.com

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BentheimBackground David Bentheim studied at the Bezalel Academy of Arts & Design in Jerusalem, and Edinburgh College of Art,

followed by environmental design at the Royal College of Art. He set up his interior-design practice, Bentheim, in 1988, and has a team of five designers and architects.Projects These include an Eighties house in Belgravia, which has been refurbished with a mix of Italian furniture and ‘fabulous’ wallpapers; the remodelling of an artisan dwelling in Brick Lane; the makeover of a Sixties apartment in Knightsbridge; and designs for restaurants in Liverpool and Bristol. Bentheim has also redesigned the Crown restaurant, Suffolk.He says Our approach is primarily modern but never arid. Our schemes are tailored to the client’s ideas so that the final designs match their needs and aspirations. We are challenging and fun. Currently I am re-embracing pattern and ethnicity, and warming things up to mitigate recessional blues.We say A brave and versatile design team working across a wide range, from retail and offices, to restaurants and residential. Expect the unexpected, mainly modern but with an unusual kick.Contact Bentheim, 3 Rossetti Studios, 72 Flood Street, SW3: 020-7376 3427; e-mail: david@bentheim.co.uk; www.bentheim.co.uk

Tara BernerdBackground Tara Bernerd gained design experience by working with a property company, before becoming a partner at Philippe

Starck’s Yoo. She founded Target Living with architect Thomas Griem in 2002, and their groovy, Chelsea-based design studio now employs a team of 20. Projects Target Living has a mix of clients from the leisure and commercial-property industries, but also works on one-off private residential projects. The studio is currently working on the redesign of a private chalet in Gstaad; a 34-metre yacht in Monaco; the redesign of Aspinalls Casino; a new-build private villa in Majorca; and the interior architecture and design for a 1,100-square-metre private country house in Oxfordshire.She says Only one word comes to mind when I’m asked about my approach to design – honest. I always listen. The attention to layouts and space-planning is key, and only when I am comfortable with that do I explore interior finishes. I have a true love of colours and fabrics, interesting furniture and art.We say A confident, dramatic designer with an upbeat approach, unafraid to break some rules in the pursuit of a fresh, new look. An expert when it comes to integrating architecture and interiors.Contact Target Living, 2nd Floor Studio, 6 Burnsall Street, SW3: 020-7351 7588; e-mail: lucien@targetliving.com; www.targetliving.com

Benson StudiosBackground Carolyn Benson (left) and Rachel Niddrie (right) established Benson Studios in 2004, after they met while both

were working with the late Victoria Waymouth. Carolyn has 28 years of experience in the design industry, with a background in the restoration of historic buildings; Rachel began her design career by studying interior design at Chelsea College of Art and Design. Projects They are currently working on the refurbishment of a Georgian town house in Belgravia; the specialist decoration of a house in Kuwait; and the total refurbishment of a sixteenth-century property in Sussex. They also have various other decorative projects in Chelsea, Belgravia and Kuwait. They say We start with the interior architecture, then move on to the aesthetic angle. We both have a passion for lighting, natural textures and unusual weaves, and we love using pure colour.We say This confident and efficient team delivers a tailor-made style to clients, always going the extra mile to introduce hand-painted textiles, a polished-plaster finish, or customised furniture. Mixing antiques and modern pieces is a speciality, as is custom-made furniture.Contact Benson Studios, The Workshop, 121 Walm Lane, NW2: 020-7352 1099; e-mail: info@bensonstudios.com; www.bensonstudios.com

bDiana BlanchardBackground Diana Blanchard learnt the ropes on refurbish-ment projects with a property-development company. She

established her Primrose Hill design practice in 1991, where she leads a team of nine, and opened a studio in Dubai in 2007. She also launched a furniture and lighting company, More Blanchard, last year. Projects Current projects include the refurbishment and redecoration of a Nash house in Regent’s Park; a large family home in Hampstead; a new-build property on a private estate in Jersey; a boutique hotel in Belgravia; a period property in Richmond; and an art-deco private residence in Sunningdale.She says I believe in life-enhancing design. I also believe firmly in design that is built to last. At Blanchard, we are deeply committed to creating homes that our clients will love now and for many years to come.We say Blanchard is the place to come for chic, tailored interiors with bespoke lighting and furniture, and a personal approach. Diana’s warm, friendly manner belies a deeply professional and efficient service.Contact Blanchard, 55 Regent’s Park Road, NW1: 020-7722 1242; e-mail: studio@blanchard.uk.com; www.blanchard.uk.com | Dubai office: Design House, Sheikh Zayed Road, Al Sufouh, PO Box 213573, Dubai: 00-971-4369 4532; e-mail: studio@blanchard.ae; www.blanchard.ae

Louise Bradley Background Louise Bradley started working as an interior designer after successfully renovating her own houses. As a

natural succession to her design commissions, she opened a showroom in Walton Street in 1991, followed by another, in the King’s Road, in 1999. In spring 2009, she moved to new studios and a showroom in the Fulham Road.Projects Louise focuses on prestigious residential and commercial projects in both London and Dubai. Her current projects include the total refurbish-ment and extension of an apartment in a Grade II-listed Belgravia town house; a family estate in the Scottish highlands; the interior design of a new, 5,400-square-metre residence in the Middle East; and the interior design of a prestigious Queen Anne-style home in Surrey. She says I love combining elements from different cultures and periods. I am fortunate to be able to work on so many diverse and interesting projects that allow me to be inspired every day.We say A design team offering opulent, glamorous interiors, with a special talent for mixing modern pieces with decorative antiques, and a highly personal design service.Contact Louise Bradley, Kimbolton Court, 117b Fulham Road, SW3: 020-7589 1442; e-mail: showrooms@louisebradley.co.uk; www.louisebradley.co.uk

Ann BoydBackground Ann Boyd studied at St Martin’s School of Art, and worked in fashion journalism before becoming creative

director for Europe at Ralph Lauren. After teaming up with Jonathan Reed to create Reed Boyd, she went on to set up her own company, Ann Boyd Design, in 1997; she now has a team of four at her Lots Road design studios.Projects Ann and her team are currently working on the complete renova-tion and restoration of a large, eighteenth-century house in Oxfordshire; the furnishing of barns in Gloucestershire and Oxfordshire; the decoration and furnishing of a shooting lodge on the North York Moors; and the renovation and decoration of bedrooms and bathrooms for a large, late-eighteenth-century house in Somerset. She has also recently completed houses in St-Tropez and the Caribbean.She says I try to be a trend-free zone, and give the client a house that will stand up to the test of time, and that won’t date – also, somewhere that I would like to live in myself.We say Here’s a designer with a calm, tailored and understated style, but always with comfort in mind, and usually a decorative surprise in store.Contact Ann Boyd Design, 8 Fairbank Studios, Lots Road, SW10: 020-7351 4098; e-mail: ann@annboyd-design.co.uk b

Edward Bulmer (new entry)Background Edward Bulmer studied art history at the Univer-sity of East Anglia. He worked on the restoration of Spencer

House with David Mlinaric, before setting up his interior-design practice in 1992. He specialises in the redecoration of historic buildings and the design of sympathetic additions; he has worked on Althorp, Home House and Good-wood. Alongside his Herefordshire-based practice of seven, he runs Pots of Paint, a company selling paint colours made from natural ingredients.Projects He is currently working on a scheme for a new classical house using natural paints and undyed wool carpeting, and the remodelling of a Sixties extension to a Tudor/Georgian/Victorian castle. He is also recreating the lost 1750s interior in a Georgian country house, and re-designing and upgrading interiors for a flat in London’s first mansion block.He says My work has a grounding in the past but is designed to meet the future needs of owners, houses and the planet in a creative, practical way.We say One of the UK’s leading architectural historians, yet a designer with a flair for colour, and a commitment to sustainability in everyday living.Contact Edward Bulmer, Court of Noke, Pembridge, Herefordshire: 01544- 388535; e-mail: Edward@edwardbulmer.co.uk; www.edwardbulmer.co.uk | Pots of Paint: www.potsofpaint.com

Juliette ByrneBackground Juliette Byrne trained at Chelsea School of Art, then at Conran, and set up her company in the Eighties. She has

a team of three at her new, Chelsea-based design studio, and has lectured at the Inchbald School of Design, and at the KLC School of Design.Projects Right now, Juliet is working on the refurbishment of a Chelsea town house involving extensive structural alterations, a Grade II-listed town house in Greenwich, and a basement extension for a Grade II-listed house in Regent’s Park. She has also just completed the decoration of rental apartments in a Chelsea riverside development, and apartments in Belgravia and Dublin.She says My philosophy is to interpret my clients’ requirements and carry them out to the highest possible standard, using a team of skilled craftsmen and in-house designers. I like to work within budget and complete the project within a predetermined time frame, providing a turnkey service that blends modern and traditional styles according to the client’s brief.We say A designer who remains true to her motto of ‘nothing is too much trouble’. Expect serene interiors, often executed with a muted palette, specially designed bespoke furniture, and a deft blend of old and new.Contact Juliette Byrne, 28 Old Church Street, SW3: 020-7352 1553; e-mail: office@juliettebyrne.com; www.juliettebyrne.com

Martin Brudnizki (new entry)Background Martin Brudnizki moved to England from Sweden in 1990 to study interior architecture and design at the American

InterContinental University. He founded his Chelsea-based studio in 2000, and has built up a team of 27 architects, designers and furniture designers. Projects Last year saw the culmination of a clutch of Martin’s restaurant designs, including Scott’s restaurant, The Club at The Ivy, the Brasserie at St Pancras Grand, and Corrigan’s Mayfair. Martin’s team is now hard at work on, among others, Le Caprice at The Pierre, New York. His residential projects currently include houses in Chelsea, Fulham and Covent Garden; he recently finished a 1,000-square-metre house in Putney.He says I believe that the clarity of interior architecture and how different spaces relate is as important as making those spaces comfortable to all five senses. My style is ‘minimalism deluxe’. Minimalism stands for precision in detail, space and the design concept, and deluxe for the quality of materials.We say An award-winning perfectionist, with a love of high-spec materials, bespoke furniture and lighting, and the desire to mastermind every last architectural detail.Contact Martin Brudnizki Design Studio, Unit 1g Chelsea Reach, 79–89 Lots Road, SW10: 020-7376 7555; email: studio@mbds.net; www.mbds.net

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Robert CarslawBackground Robert Carslaw studied interior design at the Lon-don College of Furniture, then spent three years at Christopher

Rowley Interiors. It is now 25 years since he launched his own practice and, since he opened a second office in Cornwall in 2003, he has enjoyed a significant rise in West Country commissions. Projects Robert is currently doing phase two of the design and build of a London penthouse apartment, collecting works of art and commissioning furniture, as well as the redesign of a family house in St Mawes, Cornwall, which includes a new wing. He is also working on the decoration of a new-build private mansion in Ireland, with Regency proportions but modern living in mind.He says My design style is discreet, subtle and comfortable, rooted in classical discipline, but with the occasional surprise for fun. My approach is based on my belief that good design must be functional and aesthetically satisfying, and always reference the clients as individuals.We say An exacting, disciplined designer with a love of subtle sophistication and a highly personal approach, happy to undertake modern or period styles. Contact Robert Carslaw Design, 3rd floor, Chelsea Reach, 79–89 Lots Road, SW10: 020-7376 4440 | Estray Park, Budock, Falmouth: 01326-251194; e-mail: info@robertcarslaw.com; www.robertcarslaw.com

Carden CuniettiBackground Eleanora Cunietti and Audrey Carden launched their interior design practice in 1996, and have since made their

name designing eclectic interiors. Eleanora (right) is a design graduate of the Ontario College of Art & Design in Toronto, and studied at Parsons The New School for Design in New York, while Audrey (left) has an art-history degree from Glasgow University. Their central London practice has a team of nine. Projects Current and recent projects include the complete interior design of a new-build luxury holiday home in Cap d’Antibes; the design of the Wild at Heart shop in Pimlico; the conversion of a Tudor barn in Berkshire, including restoration; and a modernist refurbishment of a London home.They say Our aim is to create as comfortable a home as possible for our clients – we always say it is their home, not ours, and our primary job is to help them realise their vision. We love using luxurious fabrics and furniture to create serene interiors, but spice it up with a dash of glamour.We say A consistently inventive design team with a flair for dramatic detailing, whether that’s decorative lighting, off-beat colour combinations or an unusual antique find.Contact Carden Cunietti, 1a Adpar Street, W2: 020-7724 9679; e-mail: cc@carden-cunietti.com; www.carden-cunietti.com

Nina CampbellBackground Now one of the world’s most influential interior designers, Nina Campbell started off as assistant to John

Fowler at Sibyl Colefax & John Fowler. She set up her own decorating business in 1967, then – in partnership with Mark Birley – opened a homeware shop in Pimlico. Today, she has a Walton Street showroom and a design studio in Fulham, and launches two fabric and wallpaper collections a year.Projects Nina is working on a new-build house near Shanghai; the restoration of an 1870s hotel in Colorado; a refurbishment project in an eighteenth-century house in Chelsea; the reconstruction of an attic eyrie near Sloane Square; and private homes in Jordan and Kuwait. She says I believe in listening to my clients and delivering to them a house they really want to live in. What I love about my work and travel is that I am always learning new things and seeing new products.We say A top-ranking designer, for whom comfort, high quality and client satisfaction are paramount. Her classic yet relaxed interiors are unmistakable, and her enthusiasm for design as infectious as ever.Contact Nina Campbell, Bridge Studios, 318–326 Wandsworth Bridge Road, SW6: 020-7471 4270; e-mail: info@ninacampbell.com; www.ninacampbell.com cJane Churchill

Background Jane Churchill started her career at Sibyl Colefax & John Fowler, and by the age of 21 had started up

her own interior-design business. In 1982, she reopened her shop as Jane Churchill Design, selling a range of fabrics and wallpapers, then in 1985 relaunched the business as Jane Churchill Interiors. She has a team of six. Projects Ongoing projects include a chateau in Bordeaux, which is also a working winery, designed for the owners and their guests. In addition, she is converting a Parisian office into a private apartment, updating a farmhouse for a young family, reconfiguring an Edwardian house in Ireland, and working on the total refurbishment of a listed house in Belgravia. Last year she launched a range of patterned Brussels carpets for Wilton.She says My style is traditional with a modern twist, and comfort is all-important. I believe that houses are built to live in, not to look at.We say Although the classical, restrained style of a Jane Churchill interior is unmistakable, Jane’s interiors are also comfortable and colourful, with an appreciation of twenty-first-century technology.Contact Jane Churchill Interiors, 81 Pimlico Road, SW1: 020-7730 8564; e-mail: info@janechurchillinteriors.co.uk; www.janechurchill interiors.com

Sibyl Colefax & John FowlerBackground The internationally recognised decorating firm Sibyl Colefax & John Fowler was founded in the Thirties. Today, its

five directors lead a team of 50 at its Mayfair premises. Wendy Nicholls, the managing director, first joined in 1976, followed by Emma Burns, Roger Jones and Philip Hooper. William Hodgson, design director, joined in 1985. Projects Current commissions include a ski chalet in the French Alps; a large, new private house on the Connecticut coast; a neoclassical house in Athens; a Grade I-listed house in Hampstead; a Grade II-listed, eighteenth-century house in Oxfordshire; and the senior common room of an Oxford college. They say However complex or straightforward the brief, by inviting our clients to be completely engaged with their projects throughout, we make certain we offer the highly personal service on which the reputation of the company rests securely. Equally relevant is the contribution of our architectural and interior-design studio, providing the essential architectural and technical context.We say A world-class interior-design company well known for its classical English style, with the emphasis on the craft of decoration and excellent work-manship, not to mention the watchwords of comfort, quality and practicality.Contact Sibyl Colefax & John Fowler, 39 Brook Street, W1: 020-7493 2231; e-mail: ed.foster@sibylcolefax.com

Carter TybergheinBackground Laura Carter and Patrick Tyberghein formed their practice, Carter Tyberghein, just over 10 years ago: the

pair had previously worked together at David Hicks in the late Eighties. French-born Patrick studied interior architecture in Paris, while Laura has a strong background in decoration, having worked for Sibyl Colefax & John Fowler. Their team of seven is based in Putney.Projects The practice works internationally, and its usually big-budget projects combine interior architecture and design with decoration. Current projects range from private residences in New Delhi, London, southern Ireland, and Cap d’Antibes, to apartments in Moscow, a boutique ski hotel in Montgenèvre, and the refurbishment of a listed property in central London.They say We model space to achieve the perfect environment for our clients, down to the final decorative touch. Each commission is viewed with a fresh eye to avoid a set practice style.We say A strong, architecturally led design team with an appreciation of space-planning, which turns out immaculately detailed, pared-down interiors, and leaves no stone unturned to find a focal piece of furniture or lighting. Contact Carter Tyberghein, Hyde Park House, 5 Manfred Road, SW15: 020- 8871 4800; e-mail: info@cartertyberghein.com; www.cartertyberghein.com

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DcCollett-Zarzycki

Background Collett-Zarzycki is a multidisciplinary practice working on architecture, interior design, furniture design and

landscaping. It launched 25 years ago, and has two Zambian-born part-ners, Anthony Collett (right) and Andrzej Zarzycki, who lead a staff of 20.Projects The practice specialises in high-end projects, offering architec-ture and interior design. It is currently working on a new house on a Greek island, new houses in the South of France, and the refurbishment of two Grade II-listed town houses in Kensington, together with the interior design of houses in Corsica, Marbella and Lucerne, and a penthouse in Barcelona.They say We regard our design style as having classical origins, but are versatile in our ability to adapt that sensibility to different situations. We work on a wide range of projects and the common thread through them is our preoccupation with detail, a sense of luxury, and our desire to be true to the inherent essence of the property.We say A well-established and highly regarded design practice for which no project is too complex, turning out sophisticated interiors, with an eye for symmetry, and the occasional splash of colour.Contact Collett-Zarzycki, Fernhead Studios, 2b Fernhead Road, W9: 020-8969 6967; e-mail: mail@czltd.co.uk; www.collett-zarzycki.com

David CollinsBackground David Collins studied architecture at the Bolton Street School of Architecture in Dublin. He launched his prac-

tice in 1985, and from the outset organised it with a holistic approach in mind, incorporating a mix of architects, interior designers, furniture and graphic designers. His vision was to create a one-stop-shop design service. He has a team of 30 at his London base, plus offices in New York and Buenos Aires.Projects As well as recently completing two ski chalets for private clients, David Collins Studio has designed The Charles codominium of 45 apart-ments on Manhattan’s Upper East Side, and is also working on an 80-metre bespoke yacht for a private client, a penthouse apartment at The Connaught, and residential projects in London and abroad.He says I am always curious about materials, styles and the various stages of the creative process. I have managed to create a business that builds ideas and sets precedents, but creativity is always my driving force.We say An über-cool designer, well known for his opulent designs for iconic restaurants such as The Wolseley and The Blue Bar at The Berkeley, not to mention private homes for influential figures in entertainment and fashion.Contact David Collins Studio, The Studio, 74 Farm Lane, SW6: 020-7835 5000; e-mail: studio@davidcollins.com; www.davidcollins.com

Cathy Connolly of Northwick DesignBackground Dublin-born Cathy Connolly started her career as a model in the Seventies, then trained in special decorative

finishes with Carolyn Benson. She set up Northwick Design in the early Eighties, and employs one designer at her St John’s Wood base.Projects Cathy is currently working on the furnishing and decoration of a house in Dublin designed by Tom de Paor, a new-build family home in County Meath, Ireland, and the conversion of a Fifties shooting lodge in Sussex into a weekend retreat. She is also working alongside architects Michaelis Boyd on the renovation of a family house in Notting Hill. She says I like a simple palette and clean, fresh lines, with the emphasis on a few beautiful pieces of furniture or paintings. My approach is client-led as I don’t like to bully people, but I gently steer them towards my taste. I love it when a house flows naturally from room to room, and there are no nasty surprises. Homes are meant to be lived in, not act as showpieces.We say Cathy is an approachable designer who consistently turns out subtle and timelessly elegant interiors, with a confident and thoughtful understanding of colour.Contact Northwick Design, 8 Belgrave Gardens, NW8: 020-7372 3305; e-mail: cathy@northwickdesign.com

cLavinia DargieBackground Prior to launching Dargie Lewis Designs in 1978, Lavinia Dargie spent two years boning up on practicalities,

from curtain-making to specialist painting and furniture restoration. She is the sole designer, drawing on a team she has worked with for many years.Projects Recent jobs have included working with developers on a conver-sion flat in a period building in Kensington; the decoration and furnishing of a family house in Wimbledon Village; and a Mayfair town house. She is also decorating and furnishing a Grade I-listed Georgian building in the country, and updating the offices at Cartier with a modern look.She says I am a discreet designer with a passion for elegance, scale, quality and comfort. Colour plays an important part in my design ethic: I treat it with respect and never allow it to get the better of a room. Expressing feelings and memories is the essence of decorating, as is interpreting clients’ needs.We say Lavinia designs elegant and unfussy interiors with a deft apprecia-tion of classical proportion and scale, yet with a personal approach. A safe pair of hands with a sense of fun. Contact Dargie Lewis Designs, Parsons Green House, 27 Parsons Green Lane, SW6: 020-7736 6840; e-mail: info@dargielewis.com; www.dargielewis.com

Sarah Delaney (new entry)Background Sarah Delaney studied English and American literature before turning her hand to design. She has been

designing interiors for over 10 years, and deliberately keeps her Notting Hill-based business small, so that she can offer a bespoke service. Projects Sarah is currently working on three refurbishments of Notting Hill houses with local architects, and a farmhouse in Oxfordshire with Ptolemy Dean Architects. Recent projects have included two London town houses; a large live/work flat in a converted industrial space in Portobello; a converted barn in France; and the revamp of the Harwood Arms pub in Fulham. She says We believe that houses should be homes, and clients are often surprised by how keen we are that they incorporate their ‘old stuff’ into their new interior. Although we love to do residential work, our portfolio is expanding. Last year we worked on a restaurant, offices and a hairdressers, bringing a lived-in feel to commercial environments.We say Sarah’s designs have a distinctive, spare elegance, underpinned by her love of luxury textiles, quality basics and twentieth-century furniture.Contact Sarah Delaney Design, 38 Leamington Road Villas, W11: 020- 7221 2010; e-mail: sarah@sarahdelaneydesign.co.uk; www.sarahdelaney design.co.uk

Charlotte CroslandBackground Charlotte Crosland studied interior design at Chelsea College of Art and Design, then – after working for an

architectural practice – joined the design team at Charles Hammond. She set up her close-knit interior-design company in 1999.Projects Charlotte is currently working on a grand house in Wimbledon for a developer, which has been completely redesigned to feature glamorous lighting and an emerald mosaic swimming pool; the redesign of a flat in The Boltons; the total refurbishment of, and structural works to, a country house in Buckinghamshire; and the redecoration of a large, Grade II-listed house in Norfolk and a house in Connaught Square.She says It is very important not to stick to one style because, as with fashion, we change our minds or get bored with a look. A good mix gives variety, which brings more interest to the eye and mind. All my projects work in a comfortable, attractive way, as proper homes, not show homes.We say A confident, award-winning designer who focuses on light and space, without sacrificing cosiness, and approaches each job with an enquiring mind.Contact Charlotte Crosland Interiors, Unit 19, Pall Mall Deposit, 124–128 Barlby Road, W10: 020-8960 9442; e-mail: mail@charlottecrosland.com; www. charlottecrosland.com

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DNicky DobreeBackground After studying languages at Bristol University, Nicky Dobree did a U-turn and retrained in interior architecture

and design, going on to work for seven years with Taylor Howes Designs. She launched her own company in 2003 and is the sole designer, but has a ‘fabulous’ back-up team of draughtsmen, carpenters and upholsterers. Projects Nicky specialises in luxury chalets and modern residential interiors. Her current projects include a villa in Italy, which has been rebuilt from a ruin; several projects in the Alps, from luxury chalets to new-builds; and the renovation of a large, Victorian family house in Dulwich and an elegant South Kensington apartment.She says I offer a bespoke service that is a reflection of the client and their needs rather than anything formulaic. Authenticity of place is paramount to every project, as is creating interiors that are full of warmth and life.We say Nicky is a super-efficient designer who loves to layer natural materials with luxurious finishes such as linen or cashmere, often with a flash of the unexpected, like glass or lacquer. Look out for subtle accents of colour, tailor-made to suit each client.Contact Nicky Dobree Interior Design, 25 Lansdowne Gardens, SW8: 020-7627 0469; e-mail: info@nickydobree.com; www.nickydobree.com

Devas DesignsBackground Philippa Devas learnt the decorating ropes at Percy Bass, then spent 12 years working with leading designer

Chester Jones. She started her Chelsea-based company in 1998 and is the sole designer, with one assistant, but often works with an architect or builder. Projects Current and recent commissions include a house in Belgravia for an art collector, with the decoration intended as a backdrop for the works of art; the decoration of a large private motor yacht in Barcelona, completed to a tight deadline; a modern interior for an apartment in Chelsea; and a simple, light interior for a country house in County Mayo, Ireland.She says Attention to proportion and a respect for the inherent character of a building is the foundation for each project. Colour schemes usually emerge from a particular carpet or painting. My aim is to create restful interiors: the use of decorative, often painted furniture, old and new, together with a limited use of pattern, combine to bring serenity to the room.We say An approachable designer, with a love of soft colour and natural materials, and a particular interest in working with clients who share her enthusiasm for elements of Green design.Contact Devas Designs, 22 Halsey Street, SW3: 020-7584 9966; e-mail: mail@devasdesigns.co.uk; www.devasdesigns.co.uk

Christopher Dezille @ HonkyBackground Christopher Dezille trained at an interior-design practice for 10 years, working primarily with developers on

new-build and refurbishment projects. He set up his design consultancy, Honky, in 2001, and has recently moved to larger premises to accommodate his growing design team, which currently numbers seven.Projects Honky works on private and commercial projects in the UK and abroad. Current commissions include the modernisation of an apartment in the French Alps; the design and fit-out of a 370-square-metre, new-build apartment in north London, including a roof terrace designed by Stephen Woodhams; and the refurbishment of a substantial family home in Hendon. He says We’ve developed a strong reputation for delivering modern luxury: clean lines, considered detailing, and good-quality materials. Textures are layered to produce interiors with substance, and, if we’ve fulfilled our role correctly, something unexpected, unspoken. Our interiors strike a reso-nance in our clients, who find our work inspiring yet attainable.We say An award-winning designer with a perfectionist’s eye, delivering grown-up, sophisticated interiors with a cool, modern edge.Contact Honky, Unit 1, Pavement Studios, 40–48 Bromells Road, SW4: 020-7622 7144; e-mail: info@honky.co.uk; www.honky.co.uk E

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Fox Linton AssociatesBackground Mary Fox Linton launched her company over 40 years ago, and was joined by interior designer Martin Hulbert (bottom) and architect Chris Holmes (middle) over 10 years ago. Together they have built an award-winning, world-class design company, with a team of more than 40 designers and architects.Projects Their top-end projects are a mix of commercial and residential commissions, and they work internationally. As well as ongoing work at hotels such as The Athenaeum and The Grove, new projects include the Waldorf Astoria in Edinburgh.

Residential projects include a Georgian-style house and a flat in Moscow.They say Our greatest strengths lie in the individuality of the three directors and the great people we have working with us. We thrive on innovation, creativity and a desire to produce design of the highest quality – and, of course, the most important thing is that we enjoy it.We say A cutting-edge design firm with the resources to work on very high-budget, large-scale projects, and which constantly delivers unfussy, breathtakingly beautiful interiors to an exemplary standard. Contact Fox Linton Associates, 4 Hewlett House, Havelock Terrace, SW8: 020-7622 0920; e-mail: email@foxlinton.co.uk; www.foxlinton.co.uk

Mark GilletteBackground Mark Gillette trained at the Inchbald School of Design and subsequently spent seven years at Jamandic,

before launching Mark Gillette Interior Design in 1994. He has a team of seven at his Chester-based practice, including two architects. Projects Current and recent projects have included the architectural and interior refurbishment of a Georgian house and estate buildings in Cheshire, the complete refurbishment of a substantial shooting lodge in Scotland, an important historic house in Lincolnshire, including architectural restoration and design, and the modern redesign of a Manchester apartment.He says I capitalise on the architecture of a property, in terms of either res-toration or addition. I work to reflect the lifestyle of my clients, but deliver an interior that stands the test of time and gives a good return on investment.We say A natural perfectionist, and a designer who has built up a reputation for the sensitive renovation of historic country properties. Yet he’s not averse to twenty-first-century touches: ‘modern’ materials, such as wool, leather, stone and fumed oak, are favourite choices.Contact Mark Gillette Interior Design, Mollington Grange, Parkgate Road, Mollington, Chester: 01244-851897; e-mail: enquiries@markgillette.com; www.markgillette.com

Eicker & Houghton (new entry)Background Eicker & Houghton twins a pair of designers with contrasting backgrounds. Stephan Eicker trained in Paris

with architect Pierre-Hervé Walbaum, then worked with Diana Sieff at Sieff Interiors, while Gavin Houghton worked as a stylist on The World of Interiors, then as creative director for Vogue promotions. They joined forces in 2006.Projects Commissions range from a new-build in the Hamptons, US, to a 13-bedroom hunting lodge in Scotland, untouched since the Thirties. They have just completed the refurbishment of a house in Chelsea, are embarking on an über-modern flat in Holland Park, and have launched a furniture collection.They say A room should feel like someone you’d like to get to know – warm, charming, beautiful, intelligent and witty. We like rooms to have depth; to feel multilayered and as if they have evolved over time. Our philosophy is to be guided by classicism but to add a modern energy with charm and a little wit.We say An innovative design duo with a repertoire of bold interiors, tempered by crisp, clean lines. Expect eclectic furniture or textiles from junk markets, plus clever sourcing from Gavin’s vast contacts book.Contact Eicker & Houghton, Yew Tree Lodge, Coln St Aldwyns, Cirencester, Gloucestershire: 01285-750804; e-mail: mail@eickerhoughton.com; www.eickerhoughton.com

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GGuy GoodfellowBackground Guy trained as an architect, then spent eight years at Sibyl Colefax & John Fowler, where he became the

company’s youngest ever director. He set up his Oxfordshire company in 2002. All projects are drawn, schemed and detailed by Guy, though he works closely with a team of designers, draughtsmen and project managers. Projects Guy is working on listed country houses in five counties, including the renovation of a medieval manor house on Dartmoor, with the addition of a modern wing, and a ‘gentle restoration’ at Hopetoun House, Scotland. In London, he is working on three town houses, one of which is a total rebuild. He says My interest is in bringing together classic and current elements, chosen for their unique style, to create an environment which will transcend fashion and time. We print and weave our own fabrics, design and make fur-niture, and use antique textiles to craft an interior as individual as the client.We say A skilled designer with a well-deserved reputation for sensitively renovating grand English country houses for twenty-first-century living. His elegant, finely detailed schemes are jam-packed with bespoke work.Contact Guy Goodfellow, The Granary Barn, 31 High Street, Watlington, Oxfordshire: 01491-613911; e-mail: mail@guygoodfellow.com; www.guy goodfellow.com

Christophe GollutBackground Although Christophe Gollut originally read law at university, it wasn’t long before he retrained at the Inchbald

School of Design in the late Sixties. At his showroom in the Fulham Road, clients will find an intriguing mix of antique furniture, lighting and textiles, alongside the interior-design service. He remains the sole designer, with commissions worldwide. Projects Christophe is currently working on an enormous Lutyens country house in the Canary Islands, a seaside house and an apartment in Lebanon, and projects in Venice and Sardinia. Back home, commissions include a Regency house in Belgravia and a Victorian house in Little Venice full of ‘texture, colours and exoticism’. He says My style is a mix of colours, comfort, ethnic and grand materials, rich textures – a feeling of a room that has been designed many years ago but without a sense of being old-fashioned; rather, a room that feels timeless.We say A sophisticated designer with a classical training at his fingertips and an encyclopedic knowledge of antiques. Well known not just for his timeless, decorative interiors, but also for an engaging sense of humour.Contact Christophe Gollut, 116 Fulham Road, SW3: 020-7370 4101; e-mail: gollut@christophegollut.com; www.christophegollut.com

Goodchild InteriorsBackground Paul Goodchild and his wife and co-director, Gill Richardson, together bring a wealth of experience. While Paul

has a background in joinery and art and is a chartered designer, Gill trained originally in theatre. They launched Goodchild Interiors in 2001; their close-knit team of three recently relocated to a Georgian coach house in Bristol.Projects Ongoing architectural and interior-design refurbishments include a country estate in Devon with farmhouse, cottages and outbuildings; an his-toric Victorian estate in Somerset; a nineteenth-century Gothic, 10-bedroom detached house in Hampstead; a Twenties house in Highgate, working with an appointed architect; and an art-nouveau-style interior for a bar in Soho.They say We’ve been told we have an Englishness about our design work, and we think this boils down to three things: we understand how to use colour, we applaud English tradition with English innovation, and we’re terribly polite in company.We say It is no surprise that this approachable design team has won several awards. Paul and Gill turn out painstakingly designed, richly coloured, mod-ern or period interiors, with a sensitive understanding of the architecture.Contact Goodchild Interiors, 3 Granby Hill, Clifton, Bristol: 0117-927 9475; e-mail: gill@goodchildinteriors.net; www.goodchildinteriors.net GVivien Greenock

Background One of interior design’s best-known names, Vivien Greenock worked at Sibyl Colefax & John Fowler for

27 years, initially as assistant to the then senior partner, Tom Parr, then went on to become a senior director herself. She has been running her own Pimlico Road business for eight years and is the sole designer.Projects Vivien has always worked internationally and is currently fulfilling commissions on both sides of the Atlantic. Recent projects include the total redecoration of two Grade II-listed houses in Gloucestershire, a stately home in Northamptonshire, and a listed house in Mayfair. Work abroad spans a large, luxurious apartment in Athens, a sizeable horse farm in Virginia, and several houses on Nantucket.She says My style is relaxed and cosy, and has an ‘undecorated’ look. My years of experience and wealth of contacts give me the ability to adapt my talents to an international clientele in both traditional and modern styles.We say An extremely well-established designer with a talent not just for executing quintessential English country style, but for comfortable, modern looks too. High quality and superb craftsmanship are a given.Contact Vivien Greenock, 52 Pimlico Road, SW1: 020-7823 6665; e-mail: vivien@viviengreenock.co.uk

Veere GrenneyBackground Veere Grenney has been a leading figure in the design industry for over 20 years. He was a director at Sibyl

Colefax & John Fowler, and spent time at Mary Fox Linton before launching his own company in 1996. He employs a team of eight at his Chelsea studio.Projects Clients are international, and current projects include the design/build and decoration of a house on the Lower East Side, New York; the complete redesign, rebuild and decoration of a house in Holland Park; and the redesign and decoration of a further three houses in Belgravia and Chelsea. Veere is also working on the refurbishment of two houses in Mustique.He says My approach to design is based on the way architectural space can be used to accommodate my clients’ needs. Therefore, successful projects have architectural spaces that include a purity of design, a quality of finish and harmonious decoration.We say A talented designer, highly regarded by his global, art-collector clients for his skill at decorating to complement important art collections. He has a playful but assured skill for mixing furniture styles, from eighteenth-century pieces to mid-twentieth-century finds.Contact Veere Grenney Associates, 1b Hollywood Road, SW10: 020-7351 7170; e-mail: info@veeregrenney.com; www.veeregrenney.com

Helen GreenBackground Last year, Helen Green moved her expanding team to design studios in Milner Street, where she also has

her flagship furniture showroom. Helen trained at the Inchbald School of Design, then ran the interior-design arm of Northacre for eight years. She launched her own company in 2002 and has a 16-strong team.Projects Current residential projects include a new-build chalet in the French Alps; several modern flats in Mayfair; the interior architecture, specification and dressing of a crescent of Lutyens-style houses in Belgravia; and an inspiring, zero-emissions new-build in the country. The company has just completed the spa at the Coral Reef Club in Barbados.She says My philosophy is simple: to make environments a pleasure to live in, to enthuse others, and to take inspiration from everything around me. My designs are known for being refined, luxurious and elegant, but also for the minute details about which I obsess – and in which I delight.We say This large and talented design team runs on well-oiled wheels, turning out opulent interiors with a modern slant and a predominantly neutral palette. Laid-back glamour at its best. Contact Helen Green Design, 29 Milner Street, SW3: 020-7352 3344; e-mail: mail@helengreendesign.com; www.helengreendesign.com

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hRabih HageBackground Lebanese-born Rabih Hage grew up in Paris, where he studied architecture. After coming to London, he

began working as an interior designer, and launched his gallery and design studio in 2002. Alongside his regular commissions, he dedicates himself to uncovering pioneering design, discoveries which in turn inform his work. Projects Rabih has designed the Rough Luxe hotel in King’s Cross, and will work on future projects for the group. Current commissions include a listed country house in Oxford, where the period features are being mixed with modern design to create a rural retreat; and an apartment in Paris, featuring a classical interior with a fresh twist. He says I design instinctively, using my trained subconscious. I like to put my stamp on my designs, yet adapt to the personality of the place and client. The result is a unique mix of my client’s soul and our mutually shared emo-tions for the building: a timeless design and a perpetual discovery.We say Rabih is a charming, innovative designer with a taste for modern interiors teamed with classical detailing. The perfect choice for those who like intellectual stimulus alongside their interior design. Contact Rabih Hage Gallery, 69–71 Sloane Avenue, SW3: 020-7823 8288; e-mail: info@rabih-hage.com; www.rabih-hage.com

Stefa Hart (new entry)Background Stefa Hart, aided by a team of assistants, runs her design business from a converted barn at her Rutland

home. She gained a diploma in fine and decorative arts at the V&A, before cutting her design teeth decorating Hambleton Hall, a hotel that she co-owns with her husband. She launched her company in 1989. Projects Stefa is currently working on the interior design of a country house in Austria, as well as the interior decoration of two Grade II-listed properties in Lincolnshire, and a Grade II-listed house in London. Her most exciting contract at present is the interior design of an 85-metre motor yacht, working alongside naval architects. She says I am interested in helping clients to express their own personality in a way that is practical, comfortable and aesthetically pleasing, but which takes account of the spirit of the building. My strength lies in my knowledge of, and interest in, period houses; through my painting, I also have a good appreciation of colour.We say A designer with a passion for architecture and the decorative arts, who designs rooms that are pretty, classic and beautifully conceived.Contact Stefa Hart, Hambleton Decorating, The Old Hall, Market Overton, Oakham, Rutland: 01572-767145; e-mail: stefa@hambleton.co.uk

Nicholas HaslamBackground Nicky Haslam pursued a career in art direction in the States, then ran a ranch in Arizona, before returning to

London in 1972. Finding himself in demand as a decorator for a burgeoning collection of grand clients, he set up his own architectural and design practice, NH Design, now employing 14 staff.Projects NH Design works worldwide, and current projects include a coun-try estate in Ireland; an ultra-modern condominium in the Time Warner Center in Manhattan; a belle-époque villa in the South of France; two glamorous penthouses in Park Lane; and a beachside villa in Barbados. He says Never opting for pure minimalism nor overblown fussiness, an NH Design interior has exhilarating chic, and a touch of opulence that entirely seduces the moment you catch a glimpse. I have an instinct and originality which enables me to make rooms look stunning and sexy, yet liveable; practical, and above all flattering to their owner and their surroundings.We say A flamboyant yet thoughtful designer, happy to experiment with unusual or decorative finishes, but always in search of the perfectly planned space. These are couture interiors of the highest quality.Contact NH Design, 243–247 Pavilion Road, SW1: 020-7730 0808; e-mail: flora@nh-design.co.uk; www.nh-design.co.uk h

Suzy HoodlessBackground Suzy first pursued a career in journalism and art direction, spending five years as interiors editor for Wallpaper*

magazine. She set up her own interior-design company in 2000, gaining a reputation early on for cutting-edge commercial interiors, including designs for The Hospital Club, a private members’ club in Covent Garden. She opened her showroom in 2005, and has designed two wallpaper collections. Projects Suzy is currently working on a 750-square-metre house in Holland Park; another large house in Notting Hill, which has been completely redec-orated with a mix of modern and antique furniture; and the interior design of a town house in Luxembourg. She launched a new range of fabrics this spring, and is designing a collection of rugs for The Rug Company.She says I think that interiors should be visually magical but underpinned with precise ergonomics. Design should be individual, informed and classic, mixing colour as well as materials and furniture styles.We say A cool young designer with a surprising take on each interior she handles. Expect groovy colours, an unusual mix of decorative and twentieth-century ‘antiques’, and a thoughtful approach. Contact Suzy Hoodless, 10 Clarendon Cross, W11: 020-7221 8844; e-mail: naomi@suzyhoodless.com; www.suzyhoodless.com

Kelly HoppenBackground Kelly Hoppen has worked in interior design since the age of 16, and is well established as an international de-

signer. She has moved her design studio, school and shop to new premises in Chepstow Road, and employs 35 members of staff here and at her offices in Paris. This year, she was awarded an MBE for services to interior design. Projects Kelly’s team is presently working on the total refurbishment of a jewellery shop in London; the complete redesign, including structural work, of a 539-square-metre house in Germany; a house in north-west London, which is being rebuilt to the design of the original façade, but with new lower-ground and second floors; and the decoration of a new, 929-square-metre house in Naples, Florida, with a blend of modern and traditional elements.She says My style is constantly evolving. I have just moved homes and I en-joy going to markets and antiques shops; I have always loved the art-deco era, and mixing modern and period pieces gives an eclectic look, which I love.We say Kelly Hoppen’s name has become synonymous with her trademark neutral, quietly sophisticated, but always modern, interiors.Contact Kelly Hoppen Interiors, 102a Chepstow Road, St Stephen’s Yard, W2: 020-7471 3350; e-mail: vsparey@kellyhoppen.co.uk; www.kelly hoppenretail.com

Hindlip & PrenticeBackground Fiona Hindlip (left) and American-born Nancy Prentice (right) were friends long before they launched their

interior-design business in 1996. Nancy originally worked for an interior dec-orator in New York, sourcing art and antiques; Fiona honed her skills while doing up a series of her own London homes. Projects The pair has just finished a two-year commission – involving extensive building work and decoration – on the basement and top two floors of a house in Holland Park. They are currently working on the redecoration of a flat in Belgravia, for a past client, and of a house in South Kensington.They say It’s all about the clients – it is their house, and they are the ones who will live in it; we are not bossy, preferring to guide. People are very sophisticated these days – we’ll ask them to point out things they love in interiors magazines, and then it’s up to us to source everything and interpret it for them.We say Their deliberately low-key profile belies a fine-tuned partnership that delivers faultlessly detailed, classic but not stuffy interiors with a traditional bias, and a keen interest in architecture and architectural detailing.Contact Hindlip & Prentice, 8 Ennismore Street, SW7: 020-7581 9251; e-mail: nancyprentice@hotmail.com

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JamandicBackground Jamandic is a family business, originally founded by Sally McParland in 1975, and currently run by her son,

Dominic, and Rebecca Clarke. Rebecca has a degree in theatre design, while Dominic has worked in the design industry for 12 years. This year, the company celebrates its thirtieth year in its Chester showroom. Projects Current projects include the redecoration of a large family house in Chester; the complete renovation of a fire-damaged country house in Knutsford; the interior design of a large country house in the Wirral; and a modern barn conversion in north Wales.They say We enjoy working closely with our clients, using our knowledge and expertise within the industry to interpret their aspirations. The schemes we produce combine traditional and current approaches to create timeless interiors that are comfortable and practical. A faith in high-quality materials and exacting attention to detail is important to us in all our projects.We say Jamandic is a well-established design company, deservedly popular in the north of England but with clients countrywide, and as willing to under-take the design of just one room as an entire house.Contact Jamandic, The Dutch House, 22 Bridge St Row, Chester: 01244- 312822; e-mail: enquiries@jamandic.co.uk; www.jamandic.co.uk

Chester JonesBackground Chester attended art school before qualifying as an architect. He joined Colefax and Fowler in the late Sixties,

where he ran its interior-design and decorating arm; in 1987, he became a director of Sibyl Colefax & John Fowler. He set up his own design studio in 1990, and now employs a team of five. His varied portfolio spans everything from grand houses to cottages, and he works internationally. Projects Chester has just completed the refurbishment of a Grade I-listed house in north London, and is currently working on the conversion and refurbishment of a house in Provence, a modern flat conversion in Belgravia, and the redesign of a large motor yacht. He is also working on the complete renovation of a town house in South Kensington.He says My design and decoration is architecture based. I use a considerable amount of twentieth-century art, and buy a mixture of original twentieth-century classics, eccentric antiques, and tribal art.We say One of the most highly respected interior designers of our time, with a genuine dedication to sourcing unusual pieces of art for his schemes, and a passion for designing his trademark bespoke furniture for each interior.Contact Chester Jones, 240 Battersea Park Road, SW11: 020-7498 2717; e-mail: enquiries@chesterjones.ltd.uk

Isherwood Interior Design (new entry)Background Pip Isherwood (top) set up Isherwood Interior Design in 1995, then teamed up with Karen Batchelor (below) in 1997. Pip studied at the Inchbald School of Design, though originally trained as an artist; Karen gained a degree in interior design at North London University. They employ a team of six at their Cheltenham offices.Projects Pip and Karen are working alongside a French architec-

tural practice on a new-build home in Cap d’Antibes, as well as completing the finishes and furniture for a villa in the Algarve. They are also remodelling and extending the living spaces of two substantial family homes in the Cotswolds. They say Our approach to design is summed up in all areas of our lives, from our homes to our clothes. It is sophisticated but comfortable, understated and sim-ple, and we are both obsessed with detail and accuracy of colour. Although we need organised spaces and a home for everything – we hate clutter – we are both party people, so we keep a healthy balance.We say A well-honed partnership – friends as well as co-designers – who create tailored, exquisitely muted interiors, planned with streamlined living in mind.Contact Isherwood Interior Design, 12 Imperial Square, Cheltenham, Glouces-tershire: 01242-226966; e-mail: contact@isherwoodinteriordesign.com; www.isherwoodinteriordesign.comJ

JR DesignBackground Jane Ormsby Gore has an eclectic design back-ground, having worked with the antiques dealer Christopher

Gibbs, and then at Vogue magazine. In the late Eighties she joined David Mlinaric, where she spent a decade perfecting her decorating skills. In 1998, she launched JR Design, where she employs a team of four.Projects JR Design is currently working on the refurbishment of a Grade II-listed property in Kent, using antique textiles discovered in the house. The team is also busy with an innovative project on the Ivory Coast; work-ing alongside the builders and architect, it is creating the client’s dream home, an amalgamation of English tradition and African culture. She says If I am struck by sleeplessness, I muse on the rooms on which I’m working. I go into them, and ‘listen’ to the ingredients. One of my current favourite houses is, on first impression, somewhat gloomy, but once filled with colour, it becomes a warm, friendly home. Nature is my greatest teacher.We say An inspiring designer, with the confidence to handle wide-ranging commissions, from a 100-bedroom Elizabethan house to a new-build flat. This is the place to come for a brilliantly focused understanding of colour. Contact JR Design, Ground Floor, 5–7 Vernon Yard, Portobello Road, W11: 020-7221 9048; e-mail: jane@jrdesign.org; www.jrdesign.org

Louise Jones (new entry)Background Louise originally trained as an accountant, but in 1995 answered the siren call of design and took a diploma at the

Inchbald School of Design. She worked for seven years at Todhunter Earle Interiors, before leaving in 2001 to set up her own company. At her Lots Road offices, she runs a ‘small but extremely productive’ team of seven.Projects Louise has just completed the interior design of a 1,600-square-metre new-build house in The Boltons – a four-year project. Her team is currently working on houses in South Kensington, Chelsea, and Regent’s Park, as well as a country house and attached properties just outside Henley, and has just begun work on a new-build chalet in Verbier. She says My approach is to bring a high degree of individuality to each project. I like to work closely with my clients, using any inspirational material they may have to develop a unique look and feel, without compro-mising on the way the house functions.We say An extremely busy designer, keen to experiment with new finishes to create an entirely tailor-made interior for each client. Her schemes are elegant with a modern twist, and with a subtle, soothing palette.Contact Louise Jones Interiors, Office 15, Fairbanks Studios 2, 65–69 Lots Road, SW10: 020-7351 6858; e-mail: louise@louisejonesinteriors.com

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Keech Green Background Michael Keech (right) and Graham Green (left) set up their architectural design company in 2002. They met

while working at Ralph Lauren. They specialise in high-end remodelling and refurbishment of domestic interiors, and have a team of eight at their Chelsea Harbour offices.Projects Michael and Graham are currently working on executive offices in Berkeley Square, penthouses in New York and Hampstead, a Kensington mews house, an apartment in Mayfair, the refurbishment of a mansion in Geneva, and the interior design of two new-build apartments in Dubai. This year will also see the completion of their first super-yacht project.They say Our style is masculine and glamorous and can be best described as a conjunction of the clean lines of modernist architecture and the opulence of art deco.We say A committed team with its design roots firmly fixed in art deco, but delivering a sleek, modern version that is both elegant and comfortable. Michael and Graham are not afraid to gut a building and start from scratch in the pursuit of excellence. They also specialise in bespoke furniture.Contact Keech Green, 414 The Chambers, Chelsea Harbour SW10: 020-7351 5701; e-mail: info@keechgreen.com; www.keechgreen.com

Charlotte Lane FoxBackground Charlotte Lane Fox has been an interior designer for 25 years. Having trained for three years with Colefax and

Fowler, she joined her mother’s interior-design company, Prue Lane Fox, forming a successful design partnership that has lasted for two decades. A high percentage of work is repeat business.Projects Charlotte’s ongoing commissions include the total redecoration and refurbishment of a mews house in Knightsbridge, and the complete renovation of a large flat in Regent’s Park. She is also working on a family house in Southwold, which is being built ‘from scratch’. Last year, she completed the interior decoration of two period houses in Kensington with modern schemes. Prue Lane Fox prefers to focus on just one big job a year. She says Our priority is that people feel it is their house. We aim to work within their style and requirements rather than imposing our own style, so the interiors reflect the client, incorporating their favourite possessions.We say A design team that offers a pleasing convergence of Prue’s traditional English style and Charlotte’s talent for creating modern interiors, but always with a healthy respect for period architecture.Contact Prue Lane Fox, 19 Soudan Road, SW11: 020-7627 3311; e-mail: charlotte@pruelanefox.com

Robert KimeBackground Robert Kime started as an antiques dealer, and has been decorating houses since the Seventies. He has a staff

of 20, based at his Wiltshire design studios and at his Kensington furniture and fabric showroom. He is best known for his interior-decoration projects for the Prince of Wales at Highgrove and Clarence House.Projects Robert and his team are engaged on a large manor house in Gloucestershire, and a Grade II-listed country house in the Thames Valley. He has recently completed the renovation and refurbishment of a house on a large estate in Tuscany.He says In harmonising new elements with the existing architecture and objects, I create rooms with no excess. A recent project necessitated an enormous amount of architectural work on a simple eighteenth-century house, and I felt the old house was losing out to the modern services. I like to preserve the existing fabric, which means one has to decorate less.We say Robert Kime is perfectly at home designing the grandest of houses, yet with a lightness of touch, so that his interiors look gently evolved. One of the UK’s most highly respected interior designers.Contact Robert Kime, 121 Kensington Church Street, W8: 020-7229 0886; www.robertkime.com

Hugh LeslieBackground Hugh Leslie studied design in his native New Zealand, before coming to London, where he worked for

Colefax and Fowler, John Stefanidis, and Mlinaric, Henry & Zervudachi, followed by a stint with Chester Jones. He launched his own business in 2003, and has a team of five at his new South Kensington office.Projects The team is currently working on the complete refurbishment and decoration of two houses in Notting Hill, a country house in Hertford-shire, and a house in Wimbledon, as well as the refurbishment and decoration of an apartment in the Montevetro building in Battersea, and the interior design of new-build houses in Sheen and Buckinghamshire. He says We love creating memorable homes that are inviting and intrigu-ing. From architecture to decoration and sourcing artwork, we like to combine styles to surprise and challenge people’s expectations. Artwork, textiles and objects are all essential to reflect our clients’ individuality.We say A designer with cast-iron credentials, having worked with key names in the business, who has an infectious love of colour, textiles and artwork. He enjoys the challenge of complete refurbishment projects.Contact Hugh Leslie, 29 Thurloe Street, SW7: 020-7584 7185; e-mail: mail@hughleslie.com; www.hughleslie.com

Tessa KennedyBackground Tessa Kennedy launched her interior-design career after spending three years working with David

Mlinaric. In 1968, she won a competition to design the Grosvenor House Hotel, launching her own company with Michael Sumner that same year. In 1988, she reformed as Tessa Kennedy Design, and now has a staff of 18 designers with projects around the globe.Projects Right now, Tessa is working on the interior architecture, façade and decoration of a new-build house in Moscow. She is also doing the interior architecture and design of a new-build house in Hampstead; the conversion, in a modern style, of two apartments in Kensington; and the redesign of the main rooms of a house in Mayfair, complete with eighteenth-century-style ceilings and cornices.She says I would describe my style as opulent, rich, unafraid of colour; I relish giving my clients the houses they thought they could only dream of.We say A prestigious designer with a wealth of experience and a starry list of clients, from royal families to actors and pop stars. Tactile, sometimes theatrical, and always richly detailed interiors are trademarks.Contact Tessa Kennedy Design, Studio 5, 2 Olaf Street, W11: 020-7221 4546; e-mail: info@tessakennedydesign.com; www.tessakennedydesign.com

Sylvia Lawson JohnstonBackground Sylvia Lawson Johnston trained at the Inchbald School of Design, before establishing her Aberdeenshire

interior-design company in 1982. She employs one other designer, and has recently refurbished her design studio. Projects As well as the architectural restoration and interior decoration of a Napoleonic battery in the South of France, Sylvia is doing the renovation and decoration of a seven-bedroom family house in Aberdeenshire, the refurbishment of two Chelsea apartments, the upgrading of a London home in a modern style, and the restoration of a colonial home in Antigua. She says I like glamorous projects, working in traditionally proportioned buildings. I like to produce a modern look, using tonal colours and different textures. The overall aim is to achieve a peaceful, elegant place to live in.We say For those in search of soigné modern interiors neatly dovetailed into period buildings, Sylvia is the designer to call. Her understanding of historical projects is second to none. Scottish residents may be smug to have her in their midst, but she works all over the UK and abroad, too.Contact Sylvia Lawson Johnston Interior Design, The Stables, Inverernan, Strathdon, Aberdeenshire: 01975-651402; e-mail: info@sljinteriors.co.uk; www.sljinteriors.com

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mLMarion Lichtig (new entry)Background Marion Lichtig studied fashion at St Martin’s School of Art; her love of interiors led her to set up her

Hampstead-based company in 1985. She works on her own to provide a personal service but over the years her contacts have grown into a ‘great team’. She works on selected projects with her daughter, Olivia Lichtig. Projects Marion is currently working on the complete refurbishment of a nineteenth-century cottage in Cornwall and a family house in Hampstead, as well as a new-build chalet in Verbier. She has recently completed the gutting and refurbishment of an Edwardian house, also in Hampstead.She says A house should feel as though it has evolved over time. I favour a clean look, using neutral backdrops to bring out the beauty of furniture and objects, while introducing a splash of colour. The key to interior design is harmony with the architecture and the light and space it produces.We say Marion’s talent lies in creating beautifully simple interiors that are also fabulously comfortable, true to her clients’ tastes, yet characterised by her unmistakable love of fresh, pretty interiors. The sort of insider designer that everyone loves to discover.Contact Marion Lichtig, 8 Turners Wood, NW11: 020-8458 6658; e-mail: marionlichtig@hotmail.co.uk; www.marionlichtig.com

John McCallBackground John McCall has been in business since 1985 and works predominantly on private residential projects in the UK

and Europe. He studied interior design at the Inchbald School of Design, and worked as a designer at CVP Designs for 10 years. He employs a team of four at his Berkshire studio, and is the sole designer. Projects John’s current projects include the design and decoration of houses in Chelsea, Kensington and Knightsbridge. His country-house projects include an early-eighteenth-century manor in Dorset, working in collaboration with English Heritage, and a large Victorian house in Berk-shire, including conservation work. He is also working on the planning and decoration of a newly constructed neoclassical-style house in Hampshire.He says Too much decoration is a dangerous thing; ‘simplify rather than embellish’ is the key. The home today is a sanctuary, so we need a cocktail of supreme comfort and discreet technology, mixed with character.We say A busy designer working across a range of historic houses, yet com-mitted to combining a strong architectural bias with the latest technology. Contact John McCall, New Farm House, Coombe Road, Compton, Newbury, Berkshire: 01635-578007; e-mail: john@mccalldesign.co.uk; www.mccalldesign.co.uk

McWhirter Morris (new entry)Background James McWhirter and Sarah Morris started McWhirter Morris in 2005, having already worked closely

together. Sarah trained for 12 years under Wendy Nicholls at Sibyl Colefax & John Fowler, before running her own design team there. James opened an antiques shop in 1988, and is known for his diverse and decorative stock. Projects Sarah and James are engaged on a rolling programme of redecoration at a farmhouse in Connecticut, a new design for a yacht, an apartment in Chelsea for a racing driver, and the renovation and redecoration of a house in Scotland. Recent projects include a house in Kensington, an art-deco house in Poole, and a Boston town house. They say Our style is quietly British and resolutely anti-fashion. We like to make each project relevant to the architecture and location while interpreting our clients’ individual taste and personality. Important to our decoration is comfort and enduring style, with a dash of quirkiness.We say Super-efficient, friendly design team, as happy to turn their creative attention to the sympathetic redecoration of a bothy in Scotland as to the sensitive restoration of an historic building.Contact McWhirter Morris, 22 Park Walk, SW10: 020-7349 2575; e-mail: sarah@mcwhirtermorris.com

Douglas MackieBackground Douglas Mackie studied architecture at Cam-bridge University, then – after working in an architectural

practice in New York – relocated to London to pursue his interest in interior design, spending three years with Tessa Kennedy. He launched his own company in 1995, and has a team of two designers. Projects Douglas is now working on a large Arts and Crafts house in Chelsea, aiming to restore it as closely as possible to its 1901 form. The dec-oration will include bespoke fabrics that have been commissioned from traditional silk weavers. He is also working on two apartments in Knightsbridge, and a Grade I-listed country house in Gloucestershire. He says We aim to design interiors that reflect our clients, their artwork and their lifestyles. The architecture of the house is always the starting point; once we have resolved the spatial aspects, then the design of the interiors flows naturally. I aim to create balance, using form and colour.We say Douglas Mackie’s tailored, symmetrical interiors are unmistakable, imbued with dramatic scale, and muted schemes spiced up with colour. He has a genius for showing off clients’ artworks to their best advantage.Contact D Mackie Design, 8 Holland Street, W8: 020-7937 1051; e-mail: douglas@dmackiedesign.com; www.dmackiedesign.com

Mlinaric, Henry & ZervudachiBackground David Mlinaric launched his interior-design company in 1964, to be joined by Hugh Henry (below) in 1969, then Tino Zervudachi (above) in 1983. In 1989, the partnership Mlinaric, Henry & Zervudachi was formed. Today, teams in London, Paris and New York work both independently and collaboratively.Projects Current projects include interiors for a Grade I-listed

building in Suffolk, and at the Ashmolean Museum in Oxford. The team is also architectural and design adviser on a development scheme in Montenegro. Recent projects include a new-build house in Tokyo, and a hotel in Austria.They say The mixing of cultural references and periods is something that we encourage to help create ‘living interiors’ that are exciting and comfort-ing. Excellence in the workmanship of the interiors – in all categories of the trade – is of the utmost importance to our work, and essential to its success.We say A world-class design team working on very large-scale projects and with the highest standards in quality, design and design philosophy.Contact Mlinaric, Henry & Zervudachi, 38 Bourne Street, SW1: 020-7730 9072; e-mail: info@mhzlondon.com; www.mhzlondon.com | Mlinaric, Henry & Zervudachi SAS, 44 rue Saint Anne, 75002 Paris; 00-33-1 42 61 03 80; e-mail: info@mhzparis.com

John MinshawBackground John Minshaw studied fine art at Camberwell College of Arts, and has been designing for over 30 years. He

is an architectural designer and currently has a team of six. Projects Current projects include a town house in Chelsea, retaining the front façade while rebuilding the rest to suit the client’s needs; a large home with subterranean pool in Hampstead; and the conversion of a group of buildings in Oxfordshire into a family home. The team has just finished work on Sullingstead House, a Lutyens design, complete with a linked pool complex and garage for a collection of vintage sports cars. He says We are well known for our turn-key service, focusing on getting the architectural bones and spatial planning right first, integrating the behind-the-scenes kit for the modern house, and then adding the layers of finishes, bespoke details and antiques in a pared-down manner.We say A first-class architectural designer, highly respected in the industry, with a talent not just for beautifully designed architectural spaces, but also for the minutiae. He leaves nothing to chance.Contact John Minshaw Designs, 17 Upper Wimpole Street, W1: 020- 7486 5777; e-mail: enquiries@johnminshawdesigns.com; www.john minshawdesigns.com

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Carole Roberts at No. Twelve Queen StBackground Carole Roberts spent four years studying textile design and then worked in her family’s antiques business. After

a spell at Coexistence in London, she set up her company with Keith Stables in 1984. They have a design team of three at their offices in Bath.Projects Carole is currently decorating a house in Suffolk; designing interiors for the Old Custom House in Fowey, Cornwall; and working on a mews house in London, and two Grade II-listed houses in Devon. She is designing all the rooms for a new five-star hotel in Hampshire, and has ongoing work for the Bath Priory hotel and Durrants Hotel, in London. She has also been working on a private house in Rancho Santa Fe for three years.She says I developed my interest in interiors through a great love of textiles, historic houses, art and people. I spend a lot of time researching each project and getting to know a client. Colour, versatility, imagination and individuality are so important. To see a happy client is why I love decorating.We say For those in search of a personal design service, with a specialist knowledge of textiles, Carole Roberts has the ability to imbue even hotel rooms with the comfortable, relaxed air of a private home.Contact No. Twelve Queen Street, 12 Queen Street, Bath; 01225-462363; e-mail: interiors@twelvedesign.co.uk; www.bida.org

Mrs Monro Background John Lusk had a fleeting career as a stock- broker before becoming one of the founding graduates of

the Inchbald School of Design. He joined Mrs Monro in 1970, and has a studio in Chelsea and a showroom in Kent. John is the principal designer and works closely with Geraldine I’Anson, the in-house garden designer. Projects John is engaged on the restoration of houses in Scotland and Northumbria, on Squerryes Court – a seventeenth-century manor in Kent – and on Pashley Manor, a Grade I-listed house in Sussex. He is also working on three town houses in Guernsey; modern designs for several London properties; a private bank in the States; and a holiday house in Majorca.He says I seek to achieve an integrated whole that combines comfort and elegance to meet the needs of modern family life. No amount of coordination of colour, style, texture and design will compensate for practicality.We say John Lusk stays true to Mrs Monro’s trademark English country-house style, delivering quiet sophistication, but with an understanding of the needs of historic houses.Contact Mrs Monro, The Plaza, 535 King’s Road, SW10: 0844-984 1524 | The Edenbridge Galleries, 1 The Square, Church Street, Edenbridge, Kent: 01732-864163; e-mail: design@mrsmonro.co.uk; www.mrsmonro.co.uk

Paolo MoschinoBackground Unusually for a designer, Italian-born Paolo Moschino studied political science in Florence, before moving

to London. Paolo worked with Nicholas Haslam in his Holbein Place shop, which he then retained after the business was split. He divides his time between interior design, two retail showrooms, and a trade office marketing his collection of furniture and decorative accessories.Projects Paolo is currently working on a country house in New Jersey, the redevelopment of a sixteenth-century cliff-top house in Cornwall, four town houses in London, and two country houses in West Sussex. He is also completing the interiors of an apartment in Paris, and two private boats.He says I design houses and rooms to live in, not stage sets. My look whispers but never shouts. My objective is to mix styles, periods and provenance to achieve rooms that people feel and look good in.We say A charming designer with a love of muted colour and a talent for mixing textures and pattern, always with a polished and luxurious finish.Contact Paolo Moschino, Nicholas Haslam, 12–14 Holbein Place, SW1: 020-7730 8623; e-mail: sales@nicholashaslam.com | 202 Ebury Street, SW1; 020-7730 0445; e-mail: ebury@nicholashaslam.com; www.nicholashaslam.com

Penny Morrison (new entry)Background Penny Morrison’s design career began as a result of developing houses in London. Now, from her studio in Wales,

she has amassed a back-up team – ‘loved by our clients’ – from builders and architects to upholsterers and curtain makers.Projects Penny is currently completing a Grade II-listed house – untouched since the Fifties – in a Chelsea square, as well as two country houses, and another town house in Chelsea. She is also working on a beach house in South Africa, and the creation of new suites at the Ile de France hotel in St Barths. Penny has also developed her own range of hand-printed linens.She says I use a mix of antique and modern furniture and textiles to create an interesting atmosphere, while focusing on comfort. Understanding each client’s requirements and lifestyle, and the style of their property, is the starting point; I always like to incorporate the client’s existing possessions.We say Penny has a classic style, using lots of linens and with a focus on deep comfort, though she handles modern interiors with aplomb. An insider designer with exquisite taste – her interiors are always beautiful.Contact Morrison Interiors, Evancoyd Court, Presteigne, Powys: 01547-560460; e-mail: penny@pennymorrison.com; www. pennymorrison.com

Guy OliverBackground Guy Oliver studied architectural and design his-tory at the University of Edinburgh, then, after serving in the

navy, began his design career as a trainee director at Sybil Colefax & John Fowler. He joined David Laws Designs in 1994, assuming ownership of the company in 2000. He works internationally from London and New York.Projects Right now, Guy is working on a Schloss in Germany, a new-build farmhouse in Brazil, the refurbishment of The Princeton Club of New York, of a penthouse on Madison Avenue, and of a London town house; and the restoration of interiors at the Connaught Hotel, and of an eighteenth-century palace in Moscow.He says Working as a designer is like directing a film; you form a vision and introduce a client to bespoke elements. The opportunity to promote the work of skilled artisans, tradesmen and artists gives me particular pleasure.We say Polished, elegant interiors are a trademark; repeat business is common. Guy’s wide-ranging interests, from modern furniture to historic buildings, allow him to work on an equally wide range of commissions.Contact Oliver Laws, 9–10 Savile Row, W1: 020-7437 8487 | 27 West 16th Street Suite 4g, New York 10011: 00-1-64 6678 2303; e-mail: enquiries@ oliverlaws.com; www.oliverlaws.com

Gabhan O’KeeffeBackground Gabhan O’Keeffe works from a studio in Belgravia with a team of highly specialised architects and artists,

and has worked as a designer for over 20 years. He originally trained in eighteenth-century decorative arts at Christie’s, then worked at the antiques dealer O F Wilson, before launching his own company.Projects Gabhan is currently working on the refurbishment of the interior of a beautiful Grade II-listed house in Belgravia, restoring it to its former glory; a yacht for a Greek shipping family; and a residential project outside Moscow, a combination of refurbishment and new-build. He says Style is personal to each client and it is important to keep a balance within this relationship between client and designer. I have an insatiable curiosity about the structure and mystery of things. This translates into an obsessive attention to detail on one hand, and care for the overall environ-ment on the other. If you don’t experiment, you never make discoveries.We say For interiors that glitter with fantasy and originality, Gabhan O’Keeffe should be top of the list. He is the master of luxury, creativity and the decorative, taking clients on a design journey with a capital ‘J’.Contact Gabhan O’Keeffe, 3 Kinnerton Place South, SW1: 020-7259 5658; e-mail: gabhan@gabhanokeeffe.com

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Michael PriestBackground Michael Priest always wanted to be an interior decorator, and for the past 35 years has lived out his ambition.

He is the sole designer, working primarily from his Buckinghamshire office; he also has a base in Design Centre Chelsea Harbour.Projects Michael is just starting the restoration of a 740-square-metre, nineteenth-century town house in Antwerp, including the complete decoration. He is also restoring a large country house in Oxfordshire, including the addition of an orangery and indoor swimming pool, and working on the refurbishment and redecoration of an early-eighteenth-century, Grade II*-listed six-storey house in St Leonards Terrace. He says My aim is to create stylish, sophisticated homes, without forgetting the practicalities of life for busy people. With a worldwide client base, I have been privileged in creating many important, beautiful homes.We say For addicts of English country-house style, complete with ‘acres’ of chintz, Michael Priest is the man. He happily asserts that he is ‘not fashionable’, and is discretion itself for his publicity-shy clients.Contact Michael Priest, The Old Rectory, Church Lane, Radnage, Buckinghamshire: 01494-485468; e-mail: mpriest@globalnet.co.uk; www.michaelpriestdesigns.com

Colin OrchardBackground Edinburgh-born Colin Orchard worked closely with the decorator Jimmy Thompson at A F Drysdale for five

years, then joined Colefax and Fowler to work with Imogen Taylor. In 1989 he set up his own company, and he has run a small, tightly knit team from his Chelsea studio ever since. Projects Colin is currently decorating a ‘wonderful’ Queen Anne house in Berkshire, in traditional style but with new bathrooms and kitchen, as well as a large London town house, in which he is creating a subtle backdrop for his clients’ collection of important furniture and paintings. He is also restoring a Grade I-listed Regency house in Ireland, and working with a New Zealand architect on a new-build stone house on South Island.He says Being asked to design a house is a huge compliment. It is really important to get to know the client and find out how they live. I like to be able to work with clients, and carefully lead them in the right direction, without giving them anything alien to the way they want to live.We say A subtle designer, who can genuinely claim that he designs tradi-tional interiors ‘with a twist’, and has a wonderful understanding of colour.Contact Colin Orchard, 219 King’s Road, SW3: 020-7351 5501; e-mail: info@colinorchard.com

Steven Payne at maison adBackground Steven Payne began his design career by working with the hotel designer Frank Solano, followed by

a stint with John Stefanidis. He set up his own company in 1989, and, despite maintaining a small team, works on projects internationally. The company has recently relocated to new studios in Fulham. Projects As well as the complete build and interior design of a beachfront home on the St James coast, Barbados, Steven is also engaged on the re-development of a 465-square-metre riad in Marrakesh, two residential projects in Kensington, the furnishing of three flats and a penthouse in Mayfair, the furnishing of a duplex penthouse overlooking Hyde Park, and the refurbishment of a flat in Holland Park.He says My approach to design starts with my insistence that every room features a vista, so that upon entry one has the ‘wow’ factor. I listen to what each space says to me, combined with the wishes of the client.We say The thinking client’s designer, who turns out chic, intelligently designed spaces, often teamed with meticulously crafted bespoke furniture. Innovative, with a love of luxurious finishes.Contact maison ad, Unit 1 Melbray Mews, 158 Hurlingham Road, SW6: 020-7384 1335; e-mail: info@maisonad.com; www.maisonad.com

Caroline PatersonBackground Caroline Paterson spent six years in the furniture department at Christie’s and a fine-art gallery in St James’s,

before training with Chester Jones at Sibyl Colefax & John Fowler. In 1988, she set up her own business, and recently relocated to new premises in Walton Street, where she has a team of five.Projects The team is working on the renovation of an Edwardian house in Oxford; a listed house in Upper Cheyne Row; a modern, Kensington apartment; and the addition of a new wing to a house near Henley-on-Thames. There are also ongoing commissions in Somerset and Dorset, including a newly constructed country house and an eighteenth-century property. She says We are often asked what style of design we favour; much depends upon clients’ architecture, preferences as collectors, how they wish to live and entertain, their family, and balancing the aesthetics with the practicalities. The fact that each project is so diverse keeps the creative flow and interest.We say Caroline’s dedicated ethos is to adhere to the brief and deliver on time, within budget. Her crisp, sometimes colourful, interiors are minutely de-signed to the very last detail.Contact Caroline Paterson Interiors, 77 Walton Street, SW3: 020-7584 6890; e-mail: cpinteriors@btopenworld.com; www.carolinepatersoninteriors.co.uk

Private LivesBackground Annabel Hall started off in 1972 with her own shop, selling interior furnishings and decorative objects,

before opening her Surrey design studio in 1981. She now operates from a converted barn and outbuildings at her home, with a team of designers. Projects Currently, Annabel is finishing an Edwardian house near Godalming, which has involved major space-planning as well as total redecoration, and the complex refurbishment of a medieval-to-eighteenth-century house in West Sussex – a project that will run into next year. She is also working on a country house in Hampshire, and a villa in Cyprus.She says My style is as varied as the personalities of my clients. One of the nicest compliments, which my clients often give me, is, ‘I would never have thought of that, but now that you have done it, I love it.’ Talent, versatility and meticulous attention to detail are my hallmarks.We say Annabel’s list of prestigious clients, which includes royalty and celebrities, is testament to her ability to turn out diverse interior schemes, which are consistently inviting, and frequently dramatic.Contact Private Lives Interiors, The Old Parsonage, Church Street, Crondall, nr Farnham, Surrey: 01252-850527; e-mail: annabel@private lives.co.uk; www.privatelives.co.uk

Propositionfive Background Linda Blair and Andrew Protheroe both attended art college prior to joining the world of interior design.

Andrew first worked as an artist, and Linda’s interest in design grew as a result of her own property development. They set up Propositionfive in 1999, and work closely on two or three projects at any one time.Projects Linda and Andrew are currently deep into the redecoration of a six-bedroom Regency villa in Primrose Hill, as well as the remodelling and redecoration of a large apartment in Holland Park. They recently completed a Georgian mansion in Kent, and a town house in Chelsea.They say Our approach to design can be summed up in the fifth proposition, set out in The Grammar of Ornament, written by Owen Jones in 1856. In it, he says: ‘Construction should be decorated. Decoration should never be purposely constructed. That which is beautiful is true, that which is true must be beautiful.’ We have followed this principle unfailingly.We say A cool design company – unsurprisingly a favourite of artists and pop stars – which turns out truly original interiors, whether using bold scaling, unusual colours, or opulent textures. A must for the little black book.Contact Propositionfive, 20a Sinclair Road, W14: 07932-713838; 020-7602 9458; e-mail: email@propositionfive.com; www.propositionfive.com

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Caroline Riddell (new entry)Background Caroline Riddell studied fine art, then worked at Colefax and Fowler in the late Eighties. After running an

interior-design company with Rebecca Nicolle for seven years, she launched her own in 2006. She is the sole designer, with two assistants.Projects Caroline is just completing the partial rebuild and interior reno-vation of a six-bedroom house in Chelsea, in conjunction with architects Powell Tuck Associates. She is also updating the furnishings at a ‘stunning’ vicarage in Chelsea. She has just completed the remodelling and decoration of a Regency villa in Barnes, and a Victorian house in West Kensington.She says I have a strong sense of home, based on my childhood memories – beautiful textiles, books and amazing ‘things’ that gave me a sense of place. I like to use my clients’ existing possessions and reflect them in the design. A modern approach to a traditional background defines my style.We say Here is a London-based designer for whom a comfortable, relaxed home is paramount. Clients will be treated to pretty interiors, cleverly woven around their own favourite things.Contact Caroline Riddell Interiors, 8 Boscombe Road, W12: 020-8743 4817; e-mail: caroline@carolineriddellinteriors.co.uk; www.caroline riddellinteriors.co.uk

Max Rollitt (new entry)Background Max Rollitt trained as a furniture designer and maker, and ran an antiques restoration workshop until he took

over his mother’s interior-design company in 1993. He also ran his own antiques shop. In 2006 he opened a large showroom in Alresford, now the base for his interior-design studio, where he also showcases his own handmade furniture, and antiques. There is a team of three.Projects Max has recently finished the renovation of a house in Holland Park, which was gutted and rebuilt, with the entire scheme influenced by the style of Sir John Soane. He is also working on two vicarages in Hampshire, two country estates, and the redecoration of a country house in Tunbridge Wells.He says I aim to create joyful homes, which are comfortable, elegant, and interesting, and look as if they have evolved over time. Combining period furniture with quirky, off-beat items helps me transform an interior space.We say Max has a detailed historical knowledge of furniture and creates decorative, English interiors with a fresh, simple touch, often suffused with subtle colour. An insider designer with a growing reputation.Contact Max Rollitt, The Old Telephone Exchange, Station Road, Alresford, Hampshire: 01962-738800; e-mail: penny@maxrollitt.com; www.maxrollitt.com

Michael ReevesBackground Michael Reeves came to interior design via the fashion industry, in which he worked as a designer for 20 years.

In 1994, he opened a retail showroom in Chelsea; in 1999, he designed his own range of glamorous furniture. He has a new showroom in Chelsea, where he showcases his furniture with a mix of antiques and art.Projects Michael is busy working on a new-build house in Mustique, and another in Cap Ferrat, where the interiors are being planned around the owner’s collection of art and sculpture. He is also refurbishing the public areas in a huge apartment building in Knightsbridge, as well as a town house in Mayfair, and a seven-floor house in South Kensington.He says The design process always begins with the space planning and ‘flow’ of the property, and any furniture, art or accessories the client wishes to incorporate into the scheme. Colour, fabrics and floor plans follow. I want my work to have longevity beyond fashion.We say Michael’s style is as chic today as when he first burst on to the interior-design scene in 1998, after winning the Andrew Martin International Interior Designer of the Year award. Think cool, neutral interiors and clean lines.Contact Michael Reeves, 30 Old Church Street, SW3: 020-7351 6515; e-mail: info@michaelreevesassociates.co.uk; www.michaelreevesassociates.co.uk

Diana SieffBackground Diana Sieff has been running her own interior- design company for 14 years. She had no formal training, but

began her design career by being ‘thrown in at the deep end’ after she was asked to refurbish a client’s six-bedroom house. Her company incorporates all aspects of interior design, both commercial and residential.Projects Diana’s recent commissions include the complete refurbishment of a 930-square-metre Notting Hill house, for which she is using a lot of special-ist finishes, including a ‘sensational’ paint-effect bronze bar. She has also been working on a private business club in central London, a Grade I-listed country house, a Scottish castle, and several smaller London homes.She says One thing I have noticed about the economic downturn is that people are wanting more colour and pattern, and a cosy, antique look. I hope that this will mean the end of plasma televisions hung over fireplaces, and a return to art and sophistication.We say A dynamic, very chic designer, as talented at creating deeply glamorous city interiors as she is at creating a soothing, relaxed country house. A faultlessly accurate eye for finding just the right antique piece, too. Contact Sieff Interiors, 7 Bridge House, Ebury Bridge Road, SW1: 020-7730 7706; e-mail: design@sieff.co.uk; www.sieff.co.uk

Stephen RyanBackground Stephen Ryan graduated from the Inchbald School of Design in 1980, then gained valuable design experience

working with Bill Bennette, Robin Guild and David Hicks. He established his company in 1993. The team is small ‘by design’ – with a maximum of five – to provide a personalised service at all times.Projects Recent and current projects include a boutique-style upgrade of The Mandeville Hotel in the West End, a castle in Croatia with classic interiors, and the remodelling of a large Victorian house in Kensington for an art collector, with an up-to-date interior. Stephen’s team is also working with an architect on an ecologically designed new-build house in Maidenhead.He says My design style is completely intuitive. All spaces ‘talk’ to a responsive designer. Then, within the given parameters of the brief, an ambience can be devised. My personal preferences are for tailored backgrounds with a layered mix of modern elements, juxtaposed with decorative antiques.We say Stephen designs polished, deeply sophisticated interiors, often with a bold or flamboyant flourish. Unusual colours and textures are a trademark.Contact Stephen Ryan Design & Decoration, 7 Clarendon Cross, W11: 020- 7243 0864 | 25 Rue de la Cerisaie, 75004 Paris; e-mail: info@stephenryan design.com; www.stephenryandesign.com

Charles RutherfoordBackground Charles Rutherfoord is an architectural designer, who trained in architecture at Cambridge and in interiors at

Kingston University. He worked first at Conran Associates, then launched his practice in 1984. The houses and gardens he designs often include new architectural work and restructuring, and he also designs furniture. Projects Charles is currently working on an 1840s villa in Notting Hill, which includes substantial restructuring, combined with modern elements, and ‘quite a lot of colour’. He has just finished a house in Sussex, which was a ‘grand and proper decorating project’ using sumptuous, modern and traditional materials. He has also just finished the restructuring of a terrace house in Notting Hill, which was converted into a house from two flats. He says I am passionate about space and tranquillity. I analyse interiors into static spaces – sitting, eating, sleeping – or dynamic spaces, such as staircases and corridors, and work with light and views to give distance to dream.We say Charles is a visionary designer, with a finely tuned colour sense – often taking inspiration for this from nature – and a talent for cleverly mixing modern furniture with fine antiques.Contact Charles Rutherfoord, 51 The Chase, SW4: 020-7627 0182; e-mail: mail@charlesrutherfoord.net; www.charlesrutherfoord.net

s sMark Smith (new entry)Background Mark Smith worked for 12 years in the fashion industry, then – via a stint running Oggetti on Jermyn Street –

studied at Chelsea School of Design, and worked part time for Terence Conran. He spent eight years at William Yeoward, where he became creative director, and left to set up Smithcreative in 2000. Projects Mark is designing an apartment in South Beach, Miami, a lateral conversion from two flats in Sloane Square, a Grade I-listed Nash house in Regent’s Park, a barn conversion in the Cotswolds, and ongoing refurbish-ment work for a rock-star client. Up next are another apartment in Miami Beach, an apartment in New York, and a New England holiday home.He says I choose the best style to suit the architecture and the client’s needs. I don’t ever want to push one ‘look’ – that’s so boring. I have so many ideas in my head, I find it impossible to stick to one style. Instead, I create a classic, neutral background to show off furniture, art and decorative objects.We say Mark has a rich mix of projects, all imbued with his tailored style. A charming designer, keen to work with clients with whom he has a rapport, and now working internationally.Contact Smithcreative, 15 St George’s Road, W4: 020-8747 3909; e-mail: office@smithcreative.net; www.smithcreative.net

Soane Britain (new entry)Background Antiques dealer Christopher Hodsoll and designer Lulu Lytle founded Soane Britain in 1997 to create architectur-

ally inspired bespoke furniture, lighting and artefacts. Previously, Lulu studied Egyptology, while Christopher ran his own antiques shop in Pimlico Road. Projects Lulu and Christopher work closely on selected interior-design projects. Current commissions include the refurbishment of a family pied-à-terre in Kensington, combining mainly new furniture with antique textiles and paintings. They are also working on the renovation and redesign of an eighteenth-century manor house in Oxfordshire, using a mix of antiques and new designs. A European hotel and a modern London office are future projects.They say Soane Britain’s decorating services grew out of a collection of light-ing and architectural furniture. The mix of historical one-offs alongside Soane designs is applied to our interior schemes. Scale is very bold: we prefer monumental paintings and sculpture to numerous small objects.We say The same rigorously pared-down, yet decorative aesthetic seen in Soane’s furniture is repeated in Soane interiors. One of the coolest insider design teams around; expert antiques advice guaranteed. Contact Soane Britain, 50–52 Pimlico Road, SW1: 020-7730 6400; e-mail: shop@soane.co.uk; www.soane.co.uk

Ian SmithBackground Ian Smith has a background in art and structural engineering. After training with Jimmy Thompson at A F

Drysdale, and becoming a director there, he launched his own six-strong Edinburgh-based company in 2003. This year the company will launch a prod-uct range, including upholstery, cabinetry, lighting and some bronze pieces.Projects 2009 is set to be a busy year; commissions include the refurbishment of the only large Italianate villa in the centre of Edinburgh, the interiors for a new apartment designed by Norman Foster, and phase one of the refurbish-ment of a nineteenth-century country house. The team is also refurbishing Hamilton & Inches jewellers in Edinburgh with bespoke furniture and carpets, and completing the design for Martin Wishart’s restaurant in Loch Lomond. He says We alter and remodel architecture to create a classic, elegant interior, always avoiding excess. We like to marry bespoke furnishings and art to create our own timeless look.We say This is a thriving, Edinburgh-based design practice, working on both sensitive restorations and modern redesigns. The look is smart and a clean, modern edge predominates. Contact Ian Smith Design, 3–5 Learmonth Avenue, Edinburgh: 0131-332 2500; e-mail: ian@iansmithdesign.com; www.iansmithdesign.com

John StefanidisBackground Alexandria-born John Stefanidis is a world-class designer with an international clientele. He studied at Oxford

University, and established his interior-design and architecture practice in Chelsea in 1967. Today, he runs a design team of 15, and specialises in the architectural and interior design of residential properties and hotels.Projects His recent projects include Le Richemond in Geneva, a Rocco Forte hotel; two historic houses on the Bosphorus in Istanbul; apartments in Athens and island villas in Greece; a ranch house and cabins in Colorado, US; a mansion in Kuwait; town apartments and country houses in the UK; and a grand private house in St Petersburg.He says However many wands are waved, webs spun and money spent, atmosphere depends on the people who live in a place. I have waged a life-long campaign against ‘safe’ good taste, using vibrant colour wherever possible. I love every shade of blue, as well as pink, grey, green and red.We say One of the design greats, John creates impeccably detailed and styl-ish interiors that are often richly coloured, and always elegant. His practice will design a house from top to bottom, including bedlinen and tableware.Contact John Stefanidis Design, Radstock House, 5 Eccleston Street, SW1: 020- 7808 4700; e-mail: enquiries@johnstefanidis.com; www.johnstefanidis.com

Henrietta Spencer ChurchillBackground Henrietta Spencer Churchill studied art history and languages in Florence and Paris, then interior design at the

Inchbald School of Design. She formed Woodstock Designs in 1981, and has a shop and office in Woodstock, and a studio in London. She lectures world-wide, has written 10 books, and has her own fabric and wallpaper ranges.Projects Work is in progress on a two-year renovation of a large house in Mayfair, the renovation and furnishings of a home in Yorkshire, and the architectural planning for a new-build apartment block in Panama. Henrietta is also working on a new-build house in Dallas, Texas.She says I don’t have a definitive style; I like to work with the style and period of the house, while incorporating twenty-first-century technology, and work-ing to my clients’ individual needs. As I often work abroad, I take inspiration from local cultures and trends and, where possible, use local craftsmen.We say Henrietta is in the classical mould, but with a refreshingly down-to-earth approach to the demands of modern life, and a genuine desire to create comfortable homes for her high-profile clients.Contact Woodstock Designs, Unit 5, 50 Sulivan Road, SW6: 020-7731 8399; and 7 High Street, Woodstock, Oxfordshire: 01993-811887; e-mail: london@woodstockdesigns.com; www.spencerchurchilldesigns.com

Maria Speake (new entry)Background Maria Speake started Retrouvius with her hus-band, Adam Hills, in 1993, while studying architecture at the

Glasgow School of Art. The business moved to London in 1997, where they focus on salvaging architectural antiques. For her interior-design projects, Maria is ‘passionate about layering salvage pieces in a modern, tactile way’.Projects She is currently working on a Victorian family house in Notting Hill, using reclaimed materials; a stable courtyard conversion in Hertfordshire, restoring and converting a stable block on Green principles; a single-storey, small barn conversion, also following Green ideas; the revamp of an art-deco flat in W1; and the reconfiguring of a family house in Primrose Hill.She says I love age, imperfection and asymmetry, and aspire to bring them together to create balance and calm. None of my jobs looks the same as an-other; I take clues from what already exists and try to create an environment that is unique to them. I enjoy the ghosts of archaeology within buildings. We say A creative designer, with a chameleon-like ability to generate an intriguing new look for each client, and an infectious love of customising reclaimed treasures. Deservedly popular.Contact Retrouvius, 2a Ravensworth Road, Kensal Green, NW10: 020-8960 6060; e-mail: design@retrouvius.com; www.retrouvius.com

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Studio ReedBackground Unusually for an interior designer, Jonathan Reed studied physiology at King’s College, London, then

pursued a career in fashion, working for Hackett and Ralph Lauren. In 1996 he set up Studio Reed, an architectural and interior-design consultancy. He has a 30-strong team, which includes architects, interior designers, and custom furnishing specialists. His high-profile clients have included David and Iman Bowie, and Elle Macpherson.Projects Studio Reed has recently completed the construction of the new royal palace for King Abdullah II and Queen Rania of Jordan. Among his current projects are the construction of a new country house in Surrey and a beach house in Kuwait, as well as the refurbishment of an ancient farmhouse on the North Yorkshire moors, and a house in Notting Hill. He says I aim to create very individual homes for people who appreciate my signature melding of eclectic style with great quality and craftsmanship.We say Jonathan has an unmistakable style: his interiors exude a quiet sophistication, tailored and masculine, but with a bold use of decorative an-tiques. A favourite on both sides of the Atlantic, with a star-studded client list.Contact Studio Reed, 151a Sydney Street, SW3: 020-7565 0066; e-mail: studio@studioreed.com

Taylor HowesBackground Gail Taylor and Karen Howes were already friends when they co-founded their company in 1991. Karen (left) worked

in property and art; Gail (right) was a kitchen designer. They work worldwide for private clients, property developers and hoteliers, with a design team of 20. Projects Their current projects range from a 1,000-square-metre house in the country, combining a Georgian, Grade II-listed building with a modern extension, to working for a London client on an interior scheme to complement an important art collection. They have just completed the refurbishment of a stylish hotel in Ireland and a development in central London, involving state-of-the-art computer design prior to construction.They say We have different approaches to design: Gail has an organic style, Karen’s is more glamorous. We are passionate about detail, and use the best craftsmen to create high-quality furniture and fittings. Our schemes are perfectly proportioned, beautifully tailored and harness the latest techno- logy, but you’ll always be able to kick off your shoes and enjoy them.We say A dynamic design team with a complementary range of skills, whose flawless, polished interiors are always tuned to the current design zeitgeist.Contact Taylor Howes Designs, 29 Fernshaw Road, SW10: 020-7349 9017; e-mail: admin@thdesigns.co.uk; www.thdesigns.co.uk

Studio OHM (new entry)Background Studio OHM is a design practice set up by Emma Old-ham, Louise Holt and Nia Morris in 2005. Nia (left), formerly a law-

yer, studied at the KLC School of Design; Emma (middle) trained in fashion design, and was an art director and merchandiser; and Louise (right) worked in finance. Projects Current and recent projects include the refurbishment of a nine- bedroom Victorian mansion and a family home in Hampstead, the redesign of a five-storey Georgian family house in Maida Vale, the refurbishment of a sixteenth-century Gloucestershire country house, a pied-à-terre in Maryle-bone, and the interior design of a large new-build house in Hertfordshire.They say Our projects are diverse, but there is a common thread throughout: energetic, confident, non-formulaic modern design. We have always paid close attention to longevity, steering away from trends. Practicality and ergonomics are key ingredients.We say A slick, creative design team, which thrives on sharing ideas and likes to introduce the unexpected, from a bolt of bright colour to a twentieth-century antique. These designers are resolutely keen to push the boundaries in order to challenge themselves and their clients.Contact Studio OHM, 1 Bentinck Street, W1: 020-7486 3050; e-mail: mail@ studioohm.com; www.studioohm.com

Todhunter EarleBackground Emily Todhunter (top) studied at Bristol Univer-sity, before pursuing a career as a specialist painter and work-ing in antique restoration. Kate Earle (below) went straight into a career in interior design. They forged a partnership in 1998, and have a team of nine designers. They have launched super-successful fabric, lighting and furniture collections.

Projects The team is currently working on a Grade I-listed Georgian house in the Scottish Borders, a three-year project in Egerton Crescent, and the interior design for a ‘sensational’ 57.5-metre sailing yacht. Also on the go are three new-build houses, in Courchevel, London and the Lake District.They say We favour a relaxed approach. We have the happiest atmosphere in our studio, and the most wonderful team – we all enjoy the whole process. Every project is different and the look is about our clients, not about us.We say Kate and Emily imbue the design process with a sense of fun, but at the same time design interiors laced with luxury, featuring a quietly restrained, neutral palette. Elegance personified.Contact Todhunter Earle, Chelsea Reach, 1st Floor, 79–89 Lots Road, SW10: 020-7349 9999; e-mail: interiors@todhunterearle.com; www. todhunterearle.com

Staffan Tollgard (new entry)Background Swedish-born Staffan Tollgard worked briefly in the film industry, then graduated from the Inchbald School of Design

in 2004 with a postgraduate diploma in architectural interior design. He went on to work for Rabih Hage, and launched his own design company in 2005. He employs six Inchbald-trained designers to meet the growing needs of his clients, and specialises in residential projects, at home and abroad. Projects Following a busy year in 2008, Staffan is now working on a 1,100-square-metre new-build house south of London, a 1,400-square-metre new-build family home in the Algarve, a private members’ club outside London, and several London-based, domestic renovation projects. He has recently completed family homes in Notting Hill and Hampstead, as well as the refur-bishment of a Grade II-listed Arts and Crafts country house.He says My favourite interiors work as ‘living landscapes’ of functional art. I like to be concise, but bold: keeping things safe is rubbish.We say A thoughtful designer, whose work is characterised by acres of bespoke storage space, a love of texture – and sometimes colour – and a boldness of scale. He has a passion for Seventies, retro-futuristic furniture.Contact Staffan Tollgard Design Group, Studio 22, Westbourne Studios, 242 Ack-lam Road, W10: 020-7575 3185; e-mail: info@tollgard.co.uk; www.tollgard.co.uk

Thorp DesignBackground Philippa Thorp set up her design company almost 25 years ago, after studying textiles. The practice provides a

comprehensive design service, including architecture, interior architecture, interior design, landscaping and project management. There is a team of seven architects, two interior architects and six interior designers.Projects Current jobs include the knocking together of two apartments in luxury development The Knightsbridge; the refurbishment of a large Geor-gian town house in Blackheath; the redesign and refurbishment of guest cottages at a Lutyens-style house; and the redesign and decoration of a seventeenth-century rectory, to include a spa, cinema and games facilities. She says We create bespoke environments tailored to clients’ wishes. We design not only the house, but also the majority of the furniture and fittings. We are driven by a relentless pursuit of perfection to produce new solutions to design challenges, both aesthetically pleasing and practical.We say Philippa is a tour de force, for whom efficiency and attention to detail rank as highly as the design process itself. Her multidisciplinary company turns out cutting-edge modern and traditional styles with equal skill.Contact Thorp Design, 10 Peterborough Mews, SW6: 020-7731 6887; e-mail: office@thorp.co.uk; www.thorp.co.uk

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VuRose UniackeBackground Rose Uniacke studied philosophy at London Uni-versity, then trained in furniture restoration and gilding. She set

up her own restoration business and, after living in France for several years, returned to London and established her design practice. She opened her new Pimlico Road shop earlier this year, which houses her interior-design studio, antiques, a collection of new furniture and her accessories range. Projects Rose is currently in the middle of several London projects. One house is to be very modern in style, while the other is much more classical, incorporating antiques to create a richer mood. Her upcoming projects, one abroad and one in England, are currently under wraps.She says I am interested in creating calm, comfortable and stylish interiors – mixing classical and modern styles both in the context of the building and by means of furniture.We say Rose has a cool, restrained style that is effortlessly chic and feminine, while her favoured muted palette, with flashes of white, creates a subtle backdrop. A designer who believes in allowing houses to ‘breathe’ by not over-filling the spaces.Contact Rose Uniacke, 76–78 Pimlico Road, SW1: 020-7730 7050; e-mail: mail@roseuniacke.com; www.roseuniacke.com

Christopher Vane PercyBackground Christopher Vane Percy served a six-year ap-prenticeship in the decorating department at Asprey and went

on to launch his own company, CVP Designs, in 1971. He has a reputation for exquisite work on important, historic buildings. As well as his close-knit team of four, he draws on a much larger team with many types of expertise. Projects Christopher has been commissioned to refurbish a Seventies, Denys Lasdun country house, which he decorated 20 years ago, and is re-designing a maisonette in Queen’s Gate. This year also sees the culmination of a 12-year project, masterminding the total refurbishment of the Garrick Club. He has just completed the redecoration and rebuilding of the Dock-master’s House at St Katharine Docks.He says I continue to strive for perfection, but am my own worst critic: I have very exacting standards. My goal is to get the bones right; I always say that a room should look fantastic even if it is painted white, with no furnishings. If you get that right then the decoration is easy – the icing on the cake.We say An A-list designer who is a master of grand English style, but with a refreshingly modern approach to design.Contact CVP Designs, The Old Dairy, 7 Hewer Street, W10: 020-8960 9026; e-mail: cvp@cvpdesigns.com; www.cvpdesigns.com

wPiers Westenholz (new entry)Background Piers Westenholz has been described as ‘an improver of English taste in the twentieth century’, and,

although best known for his antiques business, he also undertakes three to four decorating projects a year. He began decorating in the late Sixties with David Mlinaric, and has had several antiques shops, including one with David Mlinaric and two with Robert Kime. His current shop, specialising in antique decorative furniture and lighting, is on the Pimlico Road. Projects Piers is working on a manor house in the country, an apartment in Paris, and an important, large, eighteenth-century house in Scotland, among others. He has worked on a great many houses and apartments, including Wilton House, Madresfield Court, The Pavilion at Eythrope, Tyringham, and Whittington, as well as houses in Russia, South Africa and France.He says While I am working with a client it is very much in the forefront of my mind that it is their house, which they are going to live in. I therefore aim to provide simplicity and comfort.We say A discreet decorator with a wealth of experience and an encyclopedic knowledge of antiques, who respects his client’s privacy and comfort. Contact Westenholz Antiques, 80–82 Pimlico Road, SW1: 020-7824 8090; e-mail: shop@westenholz.co.uk; www.westenholz.co.uk

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wSerena Williams-Ellis (new entry)Background Serena Williams-Ellis worked at Christie’s before moving on to set up her own antiques business, supplying

interior designers in New York. She opened an antiques shop in London, but as more clients asked her advice on furnishing, she developed this service into a full-time career. She has a team of three in Cumbria.Projects Current projects include the interiors for a new-build riad outside Marrakesh, as well as overseeing furniture-making by local artisans, and the renovation of a Grade II*-listed house, with state-of-the-art technology and design. Serena is also working on two new-build London mews houses, the refurbishment of a holiday home in Cornwall and the complete refurbish-ment of a London family home.She says When it comes to design, less is more. I recommend keeping the bones of a project timeless – rather like the classic little black dress – simple and well cut. Then I’ll accessorise with quirky and eclectic art and furniture.We say Serena has a fresh, elegant touch, and stays true to her desire to create a simple backdrop for decorative furniture and accessories, with specialist antiques knowledge.Contact Serena Williams-Ellis, Lazonby Manor, Lazonby, Penrith, Cumbria: 01768-898073; e-mail: serena@serenawe.co.uk; www.serenawe.co.uk

Joanna WoodBackground Joanna Wood is internationally recognised as one of Britain’s leading interior designers. She established her

company over two decades ago, and offers a total design service, including architecture and interior design. She has a design team of 15. Projects Joanna’s current commissions include a house in Kensington, which has been gutted and fitted with new, modern interiors, including a dou-ble basement and swimming pool. She is also working on a cutting-edge bachelor pad, a shooting lodge in Scotland, the interior of an aeroplane, and the restoration of a 5,500-square-metre, Grade I-listed house in London. She says I always insist on working closely with my clients, spending time with them, understanding what they love and hate. My design style is very much led by my clients’ personalities, so it is constantly evolving. We respect both the style of the architecture of the property and its environment, creating elegant rooms that combine modern and traditional styling.We say Joanna’s well-trained team can deliver modern Asian, sleek city-style or pretty country-house decoration with equal talent, and the company man-tra is never to compromise on comfort. One of the big players in the industry.Contact Joanna Wood, Joanna Trading, 7 Bunhouse Place, SW1: 020-7730 0693; www.joannatrading.co.uk

Grant WhiteBackground South Africa-born Grant White describes himself as ‘self-taught’. After studying business science at the University of

Cape Town, he relocated to London and ran an antiques business in Chelsea for 10 years, then set up Grant White Design in 1999. He has a team of eight.Projects Right now, Grant is working on a modernist glasshouse in Argentina, an all-wood beach house in Uruguay, and a traditional shooting and polo estate in Hampshire. He is designing a new-build hotel in Dubai – an integration of traditional Arabic design elements with modern design – as well as working on a house in Belgrave Square and a house in Mustique.He says I am a maximalist. I love decoration and I am a chameleon – I like to work in different styles, depending on the client and the project. I enjoy the schizophrenic aesthetic of working on different projects at the same time, each one taking me in a fresh direction.We say An enviably stylish globe-trotting designer who tackles international projects with poise, as happy to design a thoroughly English country house as to conceive an uber-modern city apartment.Contact Grant White Design, One Parsons Green Depot, Parsons Green Lane, SW6: 020-7736 5858; grant@grantwhitedesign.com; www.grant whitedesign.com

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ZHubert ZandbergBackground Hubert Zandberg studied law and business man-agement in his native South Africa, but was soon attracted to

design. He moved to London and worked at Heal’s, then joined Champion Zandberg, where he later became creative director. He set up his company in 2003, and now runs a team of 10 designers and design administrators.Projects Hubert is currently working on the restoration of an eighteenth-century chateau, updating the historic layout, and mixing modern furniture with original features. Other projects include a new-build villa in Beirut, mixing restrained opulence with historic oriental references; the design and furnishing of a villa in Moscow; and several hotel apartments in Paris.He says HZI’s design language is driven by a clear interpretation of our cli-ents’ lifestyle, practical and stylistic needs, underpinned by an architectural and classical framework. We create richly layered interiors that mix styles and cultures, high and low art, elegance and edginess, seriousness and wit.We say Hubert has a confident, broad vision, which draws on a variety of influences and unexpected visual cues. He fosters a close relationship with his clients, believing the design process is a journey for both.Contact Hubert Zandberg Interiors, Studio 106, Network Hub, 300 Kensal Road, W10; 020-8962 2776; e-mail: info@hzinteriors.com

Photographs Lucas Allen | Ben Anders |James Balston | Robert Barber | Nic Barlow | Adam Beaumont-Brown | Tim Beddow | Neil Blake | Richard Booth James Brittain | Simon Brown | Hugo Burnand | Alun Callender | Carlos Dominguez | Dan Duchars | Marina Faust | Chris Gascoigne | Gary Hammil John Hammond | David Harrison | Nicholas Harvey | Ken Hayden | Winfried Heinze | Edward Hill | Hayley Lehmann | Mark Luscombe-Whyte James MacDonald | Ray Main | Paul Massey | James McDonald | Jane Mcleish Kelsey | James Mortimer | Oliver Pilcher | Jonathan Pilkington | Ed Reeve Damian Russell | Seamus Ryan | Rachael Smith | Studio Time Photography | Andrew Twort | Simon Upton | Edina Van Der Wyck | Andreas Von Einsiedel Philip Vile | Richard Waite | Henry Wilson | Mel Yates m

wMelissa WyndhamBackground Melissa Wyndham has run her design practice for over 25 years. She has discreetly worked her way through a

vast array of interiors, from the refurbishment of one of the UK’s grandest private houses to a Sixties London office. She has designed a range of fabrics for G P and J Baker, with strong colours, and geometric prints and weaves.Projects Melissa and her team are working on the decoration of a newly built chalet in Verbier; the refurbishment of a separate tower at Leeds Castle to complement a twentieth-century French interior by Stéphane Boudin, which will be used for private parties; and the restoration of a large house in St John’s Wood.She says Timelessness and comfort are two qualities that I always strive for in any interior, as well as absolute attention to detail. I like to let the architec-ture of a house speak for itself and mix furniture from different periods to create a sophisticated and interesting, yet calm space.We say An established designer, with an innate understanding of twentieth-century art and furniture. Even her most classical interiors are spiced with an unusual twist; she has gained a reputation for being quietly unconventional.Contact Melissa Wyndham, 6 Sydney Street, SW3: 020-7352 2874; e-mail: info@melissawyndham.com; www.melissawyndham.com

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