Meet Our Next in Design Winners: Studio Yarner

The meeting of Laura Graham and Hianta Cassam Chenai felt like fate, two designers in the same small village with the same passion for beautiful but livable interiors

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A photograph of designers Hianta Cassam Chenai, sitting in a white blouse, and Laura Graham, standing in a beige sweater, posing in front of a white built-in bookshelf.
(Image credit: Matthias Peters)
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For our Next in Design 2025 winners, Laura Graham and Hianta Cassam Chenai, it was a meeting of minds – two interior designers living in the same Devon village, both on maternity leave, both passionate about the local design scene. ‘We just clicked – I knew I wanted her to be my partner,’ Hianta says.

That was only in 2024, but they’ve already worked on both residential and commercial spaces across Devon, with local brands like Naturalmat and Feldspar. Their aesthetic leans slightly Scandinavian, but with a joyful use of upholstery – pale woods and colorful prints.

An interior photograph of a small dining nook with light grey wood paneling, a rust velvet banquette with patterned pillows, a round wooden table, and a patterned ottoman.

(Image credit: Matthias Peters)

‘Comfort is key to what we do – we don’t like stuffiness,’ Laura says. She previously worked for Martin Brudnizki and Nicola Harding and attributes much of her approach to them. ‘From Martin, I gained a deep understanding of detail, while from Nicola I learned how to build truly nurturing relationships with clients.’

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Hianta says their clients often become friends. ‘Because we get to know them, we understand how they live and genuinely want the best for them,’ she says.

While they’re happy to take on projects anywhere, most of their work is in Devon, and they’ve become skilled at breathing new life into the area’s historic homes. Current projects range from period renovations in Salcombe to a wellness center in Totnes.

4 Key Design Rules with Studio Yarner

1. Layered Lighting is Essential
Lighting isn’t just practical, it creates a mood for the whole room. So we always recommend layering your lighting between ambient, task, and accent. This will add depth and personality to your schemes.

2. Don’t Forget About the Ceiling
Ceilings are quite often missed opportunities. By using the ceiling as a design feature, or fifth wall, you can instantly add character, depth, and structure into the space without affecting the overall footprint.

3. Honor Your Home’s Architecture
Let the style and era of your house guide your design decisions. Using existing architectural features such as moldings, arches, or your doors, and existing cabinetry will ground your spaces and give a sense of harmony.

4. Pay Attention to Touch Points
These are the small details that will make a big impact. Focus on the items that you interact with on a daily basis. These include things such as door handles, switches, taps, and ironmongery. By investing in great-quality brassware, such as a beautiful kitchen tap, it will stand the test of time and continue to get better with age.

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Pip Rich
Pip Rich

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.