Design Insights:
Q&A with Rebecca Hughes
This month, we speak with Rebecca Hughes, Founder of the London-based studio Rebecca Hughes Interiors. Renowned for its refined, end-to-end approach, the studio oversees every stage of the design journey, from early spatial planning and consultation to full project management, refurbishment, and the thoughtful furnishing of both residential homes and commercial spaces.
Rebecca, can you share a little about your journey, what first drew you into the world of interior design, and how has your creative path evolved over time?
RH: After graduating from university, I felt dissatisfied working in advertising. I longed for a career that felt more creatively fulfilling, so I began to consider a change. I married relatively young, and my husband was a musician at the time. While his career was incredibly challenging, I was inspired by the way he followed his dream and pursued something he genuinely loved.
Additionally, as a child, I would often rearrange my room, experimenting with different colours and layouts. Over time, I began to realise just how important my surroundings were to my sense of well-being. Interior design felt like a natural progression. I love receiving a brief, getting to know a client, understanding a building – its limitations as well as its potential – and then starting to build a vision.
The studio works internationally across the UK, Europe and Asia. How does designing for different cultures, environments and architectural styles influence your approach?
RH: Working in different locations often requires a collaborative approach, understanding local architecture, craftspeople, and suppliers, and being sensitive to cultural nuances, especially in terms of material choices and lifestyle habits. Each project brings something new, and I love how it keeps us learning.
Rebecca Hughes Interiors is built on collaboration and discovery. How do you uncover a client’s personal vision and translate it into a space that feels deeply individual?
RH: At the heart of my work is curiosity. Designing a home isn’t just about aesthetics; it’s about capturing the essence of the people who live there and creating a space that feels both beautiful and deeply personal. To do this, I ask many questions, often beyond the obvious ones.
I want to know how a client lives day-to-day. Do they host large gatherings or prefer intimate evenings? Is the kitchen the hub of family life, or is it the drawing room? Do they travel frequently and bring back treasured pieces, or do they prefer calm continuity at home?
These insights guide the layout, flow, and functionality of the space. I also explore their preferences in colour, texture, and mood, asking how certain hues make them feel, which materials they instinctively gravitate towards, and what environments inspire them – whether hotels, restaurants, or even landscapes. Their answers form a palette as unique as their fingerprint.
Above all, my process is about listening carefully and reading between the lines. The more I understand about a client’s lifestyle, passions, and quirks, the more authentically I can translate their personality into a home layered with comfort, elegance, and a touch of the unexpected.
Your process moves beautifully from concept through detailed design to final execution. Which part of the journey do you find most creatively rewarding and why?
RH: The installation and styling phase is always my favourite – seeing everything come together and the client’s reaction is the most rewarding part of the process. We also love the photography stage and documenting the journey.
When building a scheme, what inspires you most, architecture, materials, history, travel, or something more unexpected?
RH: I believe interiors should reflect the personalities of those who inhabit them. As a studio, we enjoy getting to know our clients deeply – understanding what motivates their choices and their personal style. My approach tends to embrace classic English influences with a relaxed, layered aesthetic, creating spaces that feel effortless and comfortable, yet beautifully curated.
I often mix a variety of periods, materials, textures, and patterns to create a layered, evolved feel, as though the space has grown organically over time. I am a firm believer in designing for longevity rather than chasing fleeting trends. Ultimately, my goal is always to create a home that feels authentic to its owner.
When it comes to inspiration, I often look to stately homes such as Hatfield House and Kenwood House, which embody a sense of permanence and artistry that is rare today, every room is considered, every detail purposeful. What fascinates me most is the layering: the interplay of grand architecture, exquisite craftsmanship, and evolving styles accumulated over centuries.
These spaces teach the importance of contrast, opulence balanced with intimacy, bold gestures softened by subtle details. I am particularly drawn to how colour, texture, and proportion are used to create atmosphere, whether it’s the drama of a formal dining room or the quiet elegance of a library.
When I design, I am not seeking to replicate these interiors, but to translate their timeless qualities into a contemporary context. Craftsmanship, confidence in scale, and storytelling through materials are principles I bring into every project, ensuring homes feel enduring, characterful, and deeply personal.
You’ve worked with a range of Chase Erwin fabrics, do you have a particular favourite, or one you’ve enjoyed working with recently? What drew you to it?
RH: I’m a big fan of Chase Erwin’s 100% wool fabric Aliana, it hangs beautifully as curtains and has a real richness and depth to it.
Interior design is constantly evolving. Where do you see your studio heading over the coming year, are there new directions, materials or trends you’re excited to explore?
RH: No two projects are ever the same, and that’s what makes this work so fulfilling. It’s incredibly rewarding to see clients connect so personally and enthusiastically with what we create together, and to know we’re shaping homes that will endure – and spark joy – for years to come. Looking ahead, we’re eager to expand more into hospitality design; creating a hotel remains a dream of mine. We also hope to continue designing globally, with projects throughout the United States, the Middle East, and other beautiful destinations around the world.
And finally, what advice would you give to clients or aspiring designers about creating spaces that not only look beautiful, but genuinely enhance the way we live?
RH: The most successful spaces begin with a deep understanding of how they’re meant to be lived in. Beauty matters, of course, but true harmony comes from aligning aesthetics with daily rhythms, personal habits, and the little rituals that make life meaningful. Don’t be afraid to ask questions, observe how you move through a space, and invest in pieces that support comfort, flow, and longevity. Trends will come and go, but when a space is grounded in authenticity and purpose, it not only looks beautiful, it elevates your everyday life.
To learn more about Rebecca and her work, visit rebeccahughesinteriors.com follow on Instagram @rebecca.hughes.interiors.
Image credit: Rebecca Hughes Interiors.