Design Studio
BEHIND THE DESIGNS
Who we are, how we work & what we do
What's your style?
Relaxed, easy glamour is probably the simplest way to describe it. I love interiors that feel polished and naturally chic, but never precious or fussy. Elegant without being formal, and luxurious in the sense that they make everyday life feel a little more special. The best homes are welcoming, comfortable and full of personality. They should feel as though they’ve evolved with their inhabitants over time rather than arrived fully formed. And there should always be an unexpected twist, something that makes you look at the room again and gives it an extra layer of personality.
A signature look?
Not really, and I think that’s important. My role isn’t to recreate the same house over and over again. Every client, every building and every location is different. What remains consistent is the way we approach proportion, comfort, craftsmanship and the layering of colour and texture. I think there’s a signature to our work, relaxed chic with traditional flourishes, but not a signature “look”.
What makes a house a home?
It isn’t about how much you’ve spent or whether everything matches. It’s about creating rooms that reflect the people who live there. Favourite books, collected objects, inherited furniture, beautiful fabrics and good lighting all contribute to a home that feels authentic rather than staged. There should be a sense of fun, generosity and joy. More joy. Always.
What & Where?
Our portfolio spans everything from London townhouses and country houses to listed buildings, coastal retreats, city apartments and international residences. Whether we’re refreshing a much-loved home or undertaking a complete renovation, our approach remains the same: creating interiors that feel timeless, comfortable and beautifully resolved.
Our studio is based in Chelsea, London, but we undertake projects throughout the UK and internationally. Recent work has included homes in London and across the English countryside, Puglia, Portugal, San Francisco, Aspen, Connecticut, Chicago, the South of France and Mexico.
Where to begin?
With the people. Before colours, fabrics or furniture, I want to understand how my clients live. Every design decision becomes much easier once you understand the rhythms of everyday life.
Often there are key elements that a client already loves, and we begin there. It might be a favourite painting, an antique, or even a colour they have always been drawn to. Finding that anchor ensures the client is always reflected in the design.
We also love mixing old and new, incorporating cherished furniture, artwork and antiques into fresh schemes. Combining existing pieces with bespoke designs and carefully sourced finds often creates the most layered and interesting interiors.
Can a home ever really be finished?
I’m not sure it should be. The most interesting homes continue to evolve as their owners travel, collect and discover new things. Good design leaves room for a house to grow gracefully with the people who live in it.
We often return to refresh a home several years after the initial project. As our clients’ lives evolve, their homes should evolve with them. It’s one of the most rewarding parts of what we do.
colour?
Always. Colour is one of our studio’s signatures, but that doesn’t necessarily mean bold colours. Even the calmest neutral room is built on subtle shifts in tone, warmth and texture.
Colour should create atmosphere and work like a beautifully put-together outfit, speaking of timeless style rather than demanding attention. Personality comes from composition, craftsmanship, texture and carefully chosen pieces, not simply colour. Some of the most memorable rooms I’ve designed have been wonderfully understated.
INSPIRATIONS?
I’m constantly inspired by everything around me. If you look closely enough, there’s inspiration everywhere, architecture, balconies, tiled façades, landscapes, fashion, art and travel.
My editorial background taught me to observe carefully and to think about how different elements work together to tell a story. Inspiration comes from paying attention, and it can come from absolutely anywhere.
favourite spaces?
Every room presents a different opportunity, but sitting rooms are always a joy because they’re where life unfolds. They’re spaces for conversation, reading, entertaining and quiet evenings, all within the same four walls.
Bizarrely, I also love bathrooms because they’re an opportunity to create something unexpectedly beautiful with stone, lighting and texture. I love turning what is traditionally a utilitarian space into a room in its own right by introducing details you wouldn’t necessarily expect, generous armchairs, curtains, rugs and beautiful decorative lighting.
Then there are the rooms where you can really indulge in layers of fabric and texture, living rooms where grasscloth or silk-covered walls become the backdrop for pattern, upholstery and collected pieces.
Whatever the room, though, lighting is everything. Good lighting transforms the mood of a space from morning through to evening. Layering decorative lighting with softer ambient sources creates warmth and atmosphere in a way that overhead lighting alone never can.
Any Rules?
Listen to the house before you start changing it. Every building has its own character, proportions and strengths. The best interiors work with that personality rather than against it.
And forget the idea that everything has to match. Some of the most beautiful rooms are built from unexpected combinations. We love introducing a little “disruptor”, something that creates gentle tension between colours, styles or periods and brings a room to life.
Why do clients come back to you?
I hope it’s because they feel heard. Every project is a collaboration, and creating a home that genuinely reflects someone’s life is always more rewarding than imposing a particular style.
I’ve been running my own studio since 2012 and I’m fortunate enough to still work with several repeat clients, one of whom we’ve now completed seven homes with. I hope her testimonial speaks for itself.
"Over the course of seven distinctly different homes, I have had the extraordinary privilege of collaborating with Samantha on some of the most meaningful and personal spaces in my life. In that time, she has proven herself to be not merely a talented designer, but a true creative partner-one whose skill, professionalism, and artistry are simply unmatched. What sets Samantha apart is her extraordinary ability to listen. From our very first meeting, she has always made it abundantly clear that her goal is to translate my vision-not impose her own. She asks the right questions, absorbs the details that matter most, and then channels that understanding into spaces that feel deeply personal and uniquely right. This attentiveness is rarer than one might think in the design world, and I never take it for granted. I am currently in the midst of yet another project with Samantha, and I could not be more excited. I trust her completely, I admire her deeply, and I consider myself fortunate to have found a designer of her calibre. I recommend Samantha Todhunter without qualification or hesitation. Any client, project, or opportunity would be exceedingly well-served by her talent, her character, and her dedication. She is, in every sense of the word, a true professional and a gifted artist”
OUR PROCESS - THE PRACTICALS
How involved will I be?
That depends entirely on you. Some clients enjoy being involved in every decision, while others prefer us to guide the process from beginning to end. Our role is to make the experience enjoyable, inspiring and as effortless as possible, adapting the way we work to suit each individual client.
Can you simply redecorate my home?
Absolutely. We love a decorative refresh. Some commissions involve complete renovations, while others focus entirely on furniture, lighting, fabrics, colour and decoration to breathe new life into an existing home. A thoughtfully considered decorative scheme can transform the atmosphere of a house just as profoundly as structural changes.
Who deals with ordering, project management and logistics?
We do.
Once the design has been approved, our studio can manage the procurement process on your behalf, coordinating suppliers, placing orders, monitoring production and overseeing deliveries. Our aim is to make what is often a complex process feel seamless and enjoyable.
Throughout the project, we work closely with architects, contractors, craftspeople and specialist consultants, ensuring the design vision is carried through every stage of construction and installation.
Can you help style the space?
Absolutely.
As the project reaches completion, we oversee installation, furniture placement, artwork, accessories and the final styling of every room. These finishing touches are what transform a beautifully designed house into a welcoming and deeply personal home.
And once the project is complete, we’re very much still on hand. The best homes continue to evolve, and we’re always delighted to help clients with additional rooms, new acquisitions or simply finding the perfect piece years after the original project has been completed.
How do we start?
Every project begins with a conversation. We take time to understand not only the property itself, but how you live, what inspires you and, most importantly, how you would like your home to feel.
Every commission starts by discussing your aspirations, lifestyle, timeline and budget. From there, we establish a clear brief before exploring the opportunities within the property and developing a design journey that is entirely tailored to you.
No two projects are ever the same, but our involvement can encompass every stage of the process, from the earliest ideas through to the final styling before you move in.
When should someone involve an interior designer?
Earlier than they probably think. Even where a project is primarily decorative, having an overall vision from the outset helps every decision feel connected and considered. That said, we’re equally happy joining projects already underway or helping clients breathe new life into existing interiors.
We also enjoy collaborating with architects and the wider design team, ensuring the interiors feel entirely integrated with the architecture infusing the project with warmth, personality and a lived-in elegance.
How does the design process work?
Our studio is intentionally small and personal because we believe every client should receive an exceptional level of attention. Samantha is front and centre throughout every project, supported by an experienced and dedicated team.
The design evolves through layouts, sketches, furniture plans, colour palettes and carefully considered decorative schemes. Site visits, sourcing trips to Samantha’s carefully curated network of suppliers and regular design meetings all help shape the direction of the project.
As the scheme develops, we curate finishes, fabrics, furniture, lighting, antiques and artwork, building a complete vision that balances beauty with practicality. Ideas are presented through drawings, mood boards, material palettes, samples and furniture layouts, allowing every aspect of the design to be carefully considered before implementation begins.
Many of our projects also include bespoke joinery, upholstery and furniture designed specifically for each home. Where appropriate, we incorporate pieces from our own Warborough Collection alongside carefully sourced antiques and contemporary designs.
How are your fees structured?
Every project is unique, so our fee structure is tailored to reflect the scope, scale and complexity of the commission. Most projects are based on a design fee together with a handling fee relating to the procurement and management of furnishings, bespoke pieces and suppliers. The design fee is based on both time and the scale of the project. For smaller commissions, consultancy appointments or more focused pieces of work, we can also work on an hourly basis where appropriate.
As every home and every client is different, there is flexibility in how our services are structured. Following an initial conversation, we will recommend the most appropriate approach and provide a clear proposal outlining the scope of our involvement and how our fees will be applied.
A beautiful home begins with a Conversation
