Design Insights:
Q&A with Andrea Benedettini
This month, we sit down with Andrea Benedettini, Founder of his namesake studio. Since launching in 2020, Andrea has swiftly established himself within London’s design landscape, shaping a signature aesthetic that bridges the classical with the contemporary. His work celebrates modern craftsmanship, clean lines and refined textures, resulting in interiors that feel both timeless and beautifully composed.
Your journey into design is quite unique, beginning with a scholarship to the English National Ballet School. How have your early years in dance shaped the way you approach spatial composition, movement, and balance in interior design?
AB: My years at the English National Ballet School were incredibly formative and continue to influence how I see and shape space today. Dance teaches you to be acutely aware of proportion, rhythm, tension and release, all elements that translate very naturally into interior design. I think a lot about how people move through a space, how one room leads to another, and how balance can be achieved not just visually, but emotionally. There is also a discipline and precision ingrained through dance training, alongside an understanding that beauty often lies in restraint. Those principles remain central to my work.
You later pursued architecture before discovering a passion for interiors during an internship in New York. What was it about interior design that resonated with you so strongly, and when did you know it would become your path?
AB: Architecture gave me a strong technical and spatial foundation, but it was during my time in New York that I realised how powerful interior design can be in shaping everyday life. Interiors operate at a very human scale they are intimate, tactile and experiential. I was drawn to the idea that design could influence how someone feels the moment they walk into a room, how they live, entertain and unwind. That immediacy and emotional connection made it clear to me that interiors were where my creativity felt most fulfilled.
You’ve worked with some exceptional design studios, including Laura Hammett, before founding your own in 2020. What key lessons or experiences from those years helped shape your philosophy and creative direction?
AB: Working with established studios was invaluable. I learned the importance of rigor, attention to detail and delivering a consistently high level of finish not just aesthetically, but across every touchpoint of a project. Those years taught me how essential collaboration is, whether with artisans, suppliers or clients, and how craftsmanship should always be at the heart of design. Perhaps most importantly, they reinforced the idea that good design should feel timeless rather than trend-driven, something I remain deeply committed to today.
The Andrea Benedettini aesthetic bridges classical and contemporary influences with a strong focus on craftsmanship and texture. What are your core inspirations; cultural, artistic, or personal, that most inform your work today?
AB: My inspirations are layered and quite personal. Growing up in Italy instilled in me an appreciation for classical proportion, materiality and history, while living and working in London has sharpened my love for clean lines and modern restraint. I’m inspired by art, sculpture and architecture, but also by places historic homes, galleries, and even landscapes. Ultimately, I’m always drawn to craftsmanship and authenticity. I believe spaces should feel curated rather than decorated, with a sense of quiet confidence that unfolds over time.
You have collaborated with Chase Erwin on multiple projects, including designing the Chase Erwin Library for WOW!House 2024, and most recently the Echoes Cushion Collection. What draws you to our brand and which fabrics do you find yourself returning to time and again in your schemes?
AB: Chase Erwin shares a deep respect for craftsmanship, material integrity and understated elegance, which aligns very naturally with our studio ethos. Their collections feel considered and timeless, with a richness that comes from quality rather than excess. I often return to their textured linens, refined velvets and beautiful woven fabrics pieces that add depth and softness without overpowering a space. The collaboration on WOW!House and Echoes felt very organic, rooted in a shared design language and mutual trust.
Texture clearly plays a significant role in your work. Could you share how textiles contribute to mood and atmosphere in a space, and what you look for when selecting the perfect fabric for a project?
AB: Texture is fundamental to creating atmosphere. It’s what gives a space warmth, tactility and emotional depth. I often think of textiles as the element that softens architecture and brings it to life. When selecting fabrics, I look beyond colour I consider how a fabric catches the light, how it feels to the touch, and how it will age over time. The perfect fabric should enhance the architecture, sit comfortably alongside other materials, and feel appropriate to how the space will be lived in.
Is there a project or moment that felt particularly defining for your studio?
AB: Designing the Chase Erwin Library for WOW!House 2024 was a defining moment for the studio. It allowed us to articulate our design language on a public platform and to create a space that felt immersive, layered and deeply considered. It was also a celebration of collaboration bringing together artisans, makers and brands we admire. That project marked a real moment of confidence and clarity for the studio. And also our North London Family Home project which won un our first awards is very special to me!
Since launching your practice, you’ve quickly become part of London’s design conversation. Looking ahead, what ambitions do you have for the studio, and where would you like the next chapter of Andrea Benedettini Interior Design to lead?
AB: Looking ahead, my ambition is to continue refining the studio’s identity while taking on increasingly meaningful projects, both in the UK and internationally. I’m interested in expanding our work across carefully considered product collaborations and further exploring the relationship between architecture, interiors and craft. Above all, I want the studio to remain thoughtful, personal and design-led creating spaces that feel enduring, expressive and quietly luxurious.
To learn more about Andrea and his work, visit andreabenedettini.com follow on Instagram @andreabenedettini.
Image credit: Andrea Benedettini.