Meet Our Next in Design Winners: Amber Yard

A side-by-side composite image. On the left, designer Tess MacGeachy sits on a beige sofa in front of white paneled walls. On the right, a country-style kitchen features a white farmhouse sink, sage green cabinetry, a checkered tile backsplash, and a brass faucet under a window with cafe curtains. — (Image credit: Darren Chung)

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3 Key Design Rules with Tess MacGeachy

Tess MacGeachy didn’t take the most obvious route into interior design – instead, her first job was in construction, followed by a role at a design and build firm. But both experiences have put her in very good stead to run Amber Yard, the studio she founded in 2021.

‘I did everything,’ she says of those early roles. ‘I learned a lot about architectural elements, spatial planning, lighting design, and joinery, and it has all worked in my favor as it means I can take control of every aspect of my projects now, from the floor plans and flow right through to the finishing touches.’

A vibrant, contemporary open-plan kitchen and dining room. In the foreground, a white marble kitchen island sits next to tall, rust-orange cabinets with dark mesh panels. The background features a long dining table with mismatched orange and patterned chairs, set under a skylight and eclectic pendant lighting, with colorful abstract artwork on the walls. — Tess brings a holistic approach to her interiors and likes to emphasize tranquility and timelessness in schemes

Growing up in Scotland, Tess now lives in London and has worked on projects up and down the UK. ‘London homes tend to be quite narrow, but outside of the capital it’s fun to work on more interestingly shaped spaces, to open them up and bring the views in,’ she says.

Her style is characterized by blending warm tones with what Tess calls ‘flamboyant antique pieces,’ and her innovative approach finds her sourcing materials such as the radiator grill-like metal that now flanks the terracotta-colored kitchen cabinets in a recent project (pictured above). ‘I wanted to create a space where guests would want to spend time. Those grills brought the extra bit of warmth we needed.’

3 Key Design Rules with Tess MacGeachy

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1. Functionality
The first thing to think about when designing your home is how you're going to live in the space. Do you need that hidden storage for coats and boots? Do you need lots of prep space in the kitchen for large gatherings and families? Where do you see yourself relaxing after a long day of hard work? Once you've gone through these key questions, you can start to look at your furniture layouts, lighting fixtures, and joinery placement. Really understanding what is required and where it is required within each space is essential.

2. Scale
When it comes to interiors, a lot of people fear putting larger items into their home, believing that it will make the space feel too cramped or too full. But the reality is that it can actually be the complete opposite. Placing a large lamp with an oversized shade, an area rug that extends underneath your sofas, or even a tall headboard that rises up your wall can really ground the space, making it feel balanced and complete. Don’t be scared to go bigger.

3. Layers
The key to good design is layering. No one wants their home to feel one-dimensional or like a show home. Collect items that bring you joy – like a reupholstered armchair or an antique mirror – as well as layering different fabrics, from texture to print to pattern. Combining these with your hard materials – natural stone, wood, and metal – can really make the space sing, create a story, and add depth and dimension.

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Pip Rich is an interiors journalist and editor with 20 years' experience, having written for all of the UK's biggest titles. Most recently, he was the Global Editor in Chief of our sister brand, Livingetc, where he now continues in a consulting role as Executive Editor. Before that, he was acting editor of Homes & Gardens, and has held staff positions at Sunday Times Style, ELLE Decoration, Red and Grazia. He has written three books – his most recent, A New Leaf, looked at the homes of architects who had decorated with house plants. Over his career, he has interviewed pretty much every interior designer working today, soaking up their knowledge and wisdom so as to become an expert himself.