The Interior Design Business

Traditionally, interior designers in the UK were well-heeled, well-connected lady decorators with good posture and expensive handbags, creating interiors for people just like them. One could even go so far as to say ‘Pale, Stale and Female’. It felt like this would never change, but then, in 2020, seemingly out of nowhere, a charity called United in Design appeared with a mission to shine a light on the issue and do something about it! Jeff and Susie welcome Alex Dauley and Eman Akbar from United in Design to talk about the charity, explain what exactly did they set out to do and find out how are they doing it? This episode was recorded at the wonderful showroom of The Rug Company in Chelsea Harbour, London. We are a Wildwood Plus production.

As interior design gains ground as a serious career and profession, more and more academic institutions are offering degree and master’s level interior design courses to teach the rudiments of this highly technical subject. But is this enough? Susie and Jeff are joined by three renowned designers - Charu Gandi from Elicyon, Franky Rousell from Jolie Studio and Laura Hammett from Laura Hammett Interiors to discuss whether design schools adequately equip budding designers with the skills they need to take their place in our industry. We explore the the important subjects that they don't teach at design school, and invite our panel to suggest what students and employers should do to identify and plug those gaps. This episode was recorded in front of a live audience of designers at Arte in the Design Centre Chelsea Harbour. Thank you to our series supporters, Decorex 2026. We are a Wildwood Plus production.

Interior designers have a bad rep on building sites for being demanding, difficult and dis-organised, but is this fair? In their drive for perfection, are interior designers their own worst enemy? Do designers efficiently provide the information needed by builders, or do contractors sometimes wilfully misunderstand their design intentions? What can designers and contractors do to make each other’s lives easier? In this episode, Jeff and Susie are joined by renowned interior designer Joanna Wood, Founder of Joanna Wood Interiors and Paul Fitzgerald, Founder and Managing Director of Hawksmoor Construction to answer these questions and more. This episode was recorded as part of the Design Talks programme at Decorex 2025. Thanks to Decorex and to our episode partners, Sofas & Stuff for their support.

It has often been said that interior design would be a great job if it wasn’t for the clients. They can be unappreciative, indecisive, and unreasonable even when their project is on track and bellicose, belligerent, and litigious when things go wrong. In fact, the designer-client relationship which often begins as a love affair can sometimes end tragically in the bitterest of divorces. But is there really such a thing an awkward client, or are any problems just down to poor communications? What can make a good client turn bad? And how can designers effectively manage this most important and sensitive of relationships? Jeff and Susie are joined by Simon Mayhew from Txtured and James Roberts from James Roberts Interiors to answer these and other questions in front of a live audience of designers at the Design Central North West event at Capesthorne Hall in Cheshire. Thanks to our series partners Naturalmat for their support.

In this episode, Jeff and Susie dive into the dynamic world of pop-up installations while exploring the enduring appeal of Decorex. Recorded at the Sofas & Stuff showroom on the Kings Road, they’re joined by designers Tolù Adẹ̀kọ́(Adẹ̀kọ́ & Co) and Lucy Mayers (Sibyl Colefax & John Fowler), both creators of standout temporary spaces for Decorex 2025. Together, they explore what makes a pop-up truly successful, the creative and logistical challenges behind these here-today-gone-tomorrow marvels, and how temporary design can deliver lasting value. The conversation continues with insights from Decorex’s Sam Fisher, QEST’s Deborah Pocock, and Ricky Partner from Sofas & Stuff. They look at the secrets behind Decorex’s ongoing relevance, the importance of curation, and the role of live craftsmanship in engaging audiences. Whether you’re a designer, exhibitor, or simply passionate about interiors, this episode offers inspiration and practical advice on making the most of pop-ups and trade shows. Tune in for expert perspectives, behind-the-scenes stories, and a celebration of creativity at the heart of the design industry. Thanks to Sofas & Stuff and to our series partner, Naturalmat, for their support. We are a Wildwood Plus production.

We are joined by Mark Tremlett, founder and managing director of Naturalmat, Fiona Watkins founder and creative director of Fiona Watkins Studio and Melanie Zarins, Project Director at international design powerhouse, tp bennett to explore the topic of wellness and interior design. Interior design has evolved way beyond mere aesthetics to embrace wellness as a core principle. Whether designing homes, workplaces, or public spaces, integrating wellness into design decisions is no longer optional - it’s essential. But whereas in the past wellness referred only to physical comfort and health, today’s definition has expanded to include mental health, the long-term health of our planet and of society as a whole. Never before in the history of the built environment have interior designers had so much to worry about or been under such pressure to do the right thing! But what exactly is the right thing? What and how should we be specifying to ‘Do No Harm’, and how can we fight against the tide of greenwash that threatens to engulf and overwhelm us? This episode was recorded in the beautiful and very comfortable Naturalmat showroom in Knutsford, Cheshire. Thanks to our series partner Naturalmat for their support. Idb is a Wildwood Plus production. Books mentioned by Fiona Watkins: BIID Interior Design Project Book by Susie Rumbold The Little Book Of Colour by Karen Heller

It’s a problem most interior designers are familiar with. You have been given a brief for a lovely project, and you quote a fee based on that brief. But then the actual job turns out to be much more complex and difficult than you had expected and nothing like what you had quoted for. What can designers do to protect themselves from goalposts that move and projects that creep? And what steps do they need to take at the start of a project to ensure smooth running further down the track? We’re joined by two renowned interior designers, Anna Burles founder of Run For The Hills, and Andrea Benedettini, founder and principal designer of Andrea Benedettini Interiors to explore the issues and potential solutions. This episode was recorded at the London office of Run For The Hills. idb is a Wildwood Plus production.

We live in interesting, if not very challenging, times. But how do global conflicts, trade wars and economic uncertainties impact on the cosy world of interior design? Is this turmoil having a detrimental effect on our international clients both at home and abroad? And if so, can interior designers do anything to protect themselves from the chill winds of change? Jeff and Susie are joined by international design duo Nicole Salvesen and Mary Graham, founders and co-directors of Salveson Graham, to find out more and learn how they are continuing to thrive against all the odds.

The British have always been famously crazy about their animals, cossetting them with as much tender treatment as they do their children. Today there are 13.5 million dogs, 12.5 million cats, 1.5 million birds and 1.0 million pet rabbits in the UK, plus nearly a million each of tortoises, horses, Guinea pigs, hamsters and snakes. Unsurprisingly, interior designers are now being asked to design spas and bespoke bedrooms especially for pampered pets of all shapes and sizes, treating them as significant stakeholders in their projects. Jeff and Susie are joined by Lyne Arbid of Studio Indigo, Jo Sampson of Absolute Project Management and Katrina Burroughs, Interiors Editor of The Times and Sunday Times to explore this design trend in more detail and find out where it might be heading next. This episode was recorded in front of a live audience of designers as part of the Design Talks series at Decorex. The Interior Design Business is a Wildwood Plus production.

Interior designers are forever being asked for their opinions on the latest trends in paint colours, kitchen, tiles, furniture styles and so on. And the supposed answers fill the pages of countless glossy style mags and newspapers, encouraging consumers to update their homes. But how should we respond to these questions? As we move away from the throw-away attitude of recent times and journey towards a more sustainable future, do trends have any part to play in the work we do and the stories we tell? And how should we be advising our clients in this regard? In responding to these questions and more, Susie and Jeff are joined by two Northern Design Award winners, Helen Knox from Lewis Knox and Jen Williams from Mon Interiors. This episode was recorded in front of a live audience of designers at Design Central North-West.

In a world far, far, away from your average night club, cult rapper Stormzy, with a little help from design dynamo Sally Anne McCoy and her friends at the Cream Group, has just opened, House Party, the ultimate party place in a 7-storey building in London’s Soho. But what is the back story to the project? What inspired the team to come up with their wildly original theme and why is it so perfect for right now? Find out in this fascinating conversation with Sally which took place on location in the House Party kitchen. The Interior Design Business is a Wildwood Plus production.

There are few UK designers as admired and emulated as Laura Hammett, both for her signature style and for the glamorous international projects in her portfolio. But what is her back story? Has her eponymous company always been so successful? How does she continue to stay one step ahead of the competition? And where is she planning to take her business next? In this episode, Laura joins Jeff and Susie in conversation to share her fascinating story.

25 years ago, there were only a handful of UK universities where undergraduate students could study interior design. Today there are 53 offering a total of 117 courses, and this does not include the growing number of private schools who also offer interior design degrees. But are these courses producing well-rounded students, fully equipped and ready to take their place in industry? Is the current degree model a bar to inclusivity? And would apprenticeships be a better way to train new talent in what is essentially a practical discipline? To help us untangle these complex issues we are joined by Professor Graeme Brooker, Head of Programme, Interior Design at the Royal College of Art, Leanne Wookey, Director at international commercial design juggernaut, T P Bennett, and Courteney Kieley, Founder and Creative Director of Scene Interiors and instigator of the Interior Design Apprenticeship Scheme.