Meet the NiD25 – The Future of Design Starts Now

This is the inaugural edition of NiD25 – a celebration of the freshest, most exciting talent redefining the world of interiors. As part of Next in Design – Homes & Gardens’ ongoing mission to spotlight emerging voices – this first edition brings together
a diverse group of designers whose work inspires, innovates and pushes boundaries. These are the names to know now – the ones shaping the spaces of tomorrow with fresh perspectives, fearless creativity and a deep understanding of how we live today.

The Next in Design Board is made up of industry luminaries – designers Tolù Adèkó, Charu Gandhi, Alex Dauley, and Kit Kemp, creative director of Little Greene Ruth Mottershead, CEO of Design Centre, Chelsea Harbour Claire German, and Sarah Spiteri and Jo Bailey from Homes & Gardens. They sifted through the many entries to pick the first annual NiD25, presented below in alphabetical order by studio name, chosen for their innovative design ideas and talent.

Adura Design, Anu Akinyemi

Anu is the founder of the London-based studio Adura Design. Her projects combine her Nigerian-Cameroonian heritage and British upbringing to create culturally rich interiors. Recent work includes the FF&E of this period property in St John’s Wood, above.

‘Anu has a clever ability to balance scale, and clearly understands how to use pattern
to ground a room,’ says Kit Kemp.

Amber Yard, Tess MacGeachy

Amber Yard was founded in 2021, after Tess began work at a construction firm in southwest London on the interiors side. She now uses that early training to offer spatial planning and joinery design along with FF&E and full decorative refurbishment.

‘I find her work very accessible, in that she uses colour in a way that seems really inviting and welcoming,’ says Ruth Mottershead of Amber Yard’s layered aesthetic.

Amy Stoddart Studio

Founded during lockdown, Amy Stoddart Studio is now fast approaching its five-year milestone. Since then, Amy has been recognised as a finalist at the SBID Awards, heralded for her polished and spirited work on Kingscliffe House in London. Amy has just secured her largest project to date – an 18,000 square foot property in Hertfordshire.

‘She has embraced a bold palette in a way I find very exciting,’ says Claire German.

Anna Møller.Design

Having trained in interior architecture, Anna’s work shows a true understanding for how to get the best out of what she calls ‘The Canvas’, meaning the floors, ceilings, natural light and the building’s flow. She recently opened her own Anna Møller.Design studio on King’s Road, sharing a space with the rug brand Coral & Hive.

‘Anna’s work feels very cohesive, and I’m impressed by how she has harnessed the warmth of earth-inspired colours,’ says Ruth Mottershead.

Arall, Ananth Ramaswamy

Arall was founded in 2022, with an early focus on hospitality design. Ananth moved to London from Bangalore in 2008 to train as an architect, finding it challenging to complete a degree, navigate the job market and find an authentic voice when you’re not from the country you’re working in. But his determination paid off.

‘I can see his design language shining through as his work progresses,’ says Tolù Adèkó.

Atelier Akuko, Judith Achumba-Wöllenstein

Judith’s entry into interiors was through a pro-bono project designing a refugee family’s home – a deeply personal experience that proved to her how design can be transformative. She now runs Atelier Akuko from Brighton, and the energy Judith pours into her work is evident as soon you open her website to see a gif of her dancing.

‘The way Judith plays with accent pieces shows an inspiring and uplifting sense of adventure,’ says Sarah Spiteri.

Atelier Como, Sheila Cortale and Ines Moyes Li-Wearing

Both co-founders of Atelier Como were born in the UK, but Sheila’s mother is Thai, and Ines’s mother is Chinese-Peruvian – they cite their varied backgrounds as the source of their design inspiration. Their portfolio includes transforming High Wycombe Library into an inspiring modern work space.

‘Their work is very good, and I think that they have a great understanding of design,’ says Tolù Adèkó.

Claire Welsh Design

Based in Edinburgh, Claire Welsh Design was founded in 2022 after Claire had previously worked a 12-year stint at a heritage fabric brand in London. Many of her studio’s projects now include pieces crafted by makers and artisans local to Scotland, imbuing Claire’s work with a heartfelt and individual sense of personality.

‘Her work is rich and layered,’ says Kit Kemp. ‘I’d really like to sit in her rooms.’

Half a Hall, Hannah Ellis

Half a Hall’s design studio is actually only half of what Hannah offers – she also runs The Art Shop at Half a Hall. Both offerings allow her to play with history and storytelling to create very rich and fascinating schemes. Based near Chester, her clients span the North West and beyond.

‘Hannah is not afraid to embrace bold colours, and knows how to use them in ways that are very sophisticated. It can be hard to do that,’ says Ruth Mottershead.

JANAYE, Bee Janaye

Since launching JANAYE in 2021, Bee has built a practice rooted in neuroaesthetics – the connection between design, wellbeing and emotion. She believe in crafting immersive, personality-driven spaces that challenge traditional notions of exclusivity, and has transformed homes across London.

‘I’m impressed with how Bee has picked the perfect neutrals to underscore richer tones used in her schemes,’ says Alex Dauley.

Jessica Adams

Establishing Jessica Adams as a studio in 2020, Jessica has managed to find work in both the UK and US, each project imbued with her modern decorative take on the English country aesthetic. She has a focus on curating design that crosses prices points, aiming to ensure that good decor is available to all.

‘Her work looks really well finished and layered,’ says Kit Kemp. ‘She has a clear understanding of how to position the right-sized furniture in a room.’

Jessica Summer

Jessica Summer has managed to complete three projects in the two years since she founded her own studio, filling each one with a sense of warmth and richness. Based in London, she is now working on her first out-of-town project in Surrey Hills.

‘I’m very into the quietness of her aesthetic, and the way she has introduced character and rhythm to each room. Her use of paint is very impressive,’ says Ruth Mottershead.

Kavand Interiors, Amanda Kavand

Amanda is a totally self-taught designer who started her career in finance, but she felt she was missing any creative expression and so founded her Kavand Interiors in 2023. A big focus, and something she is educating clients about, is on healthy materials and how the interiors we inhabit can influence our wellbeing.

‘I like how Amanda takes on different projects, and shows you how to use warm colours differently – but perfectly – in each,’ says Tolù Adèkó.

Lucy Goldbart Interior Design

Lucy founded her Lucy Goldbart Interior Design in 2022 and it has an emphasis on craftsmanship, texture, natural materials and statement features. She spent time living in Paris and this sparked her love of sourcing 20th-century pieces from dealers and antique markets.

‘There is a richness and ambition that I admire, and you can tell Lucy understands scale and form,’ says Sarah Spiteri.

Nefarious Design, Adam Knight

Adam had been studying a BSc in Food Technology before pivoting to an MSc in International Creative Advertising. This gave him the skills to take a practical yet creative approach to design, founding Nefarious Design in 2020. His projects all have a pleasingly chalky palette, modernising classic design themes.

‘The studio’s work is full of interesting and enriching design ideas,’ says Charu Gandhi.

Rachael Gowdridge

Having worked for designers such as David Collins and Martin Brudnizki, Rachael Gowdridge branched out on her own in 2021. Her first solo project, an eight-bedroom house in St John’s Wood, led to a Georgian townhouse in Clerkenwell and since then the studio has grown organically, working across both residential and hospitality design.

‘She has a talent for materiality and for bringing together so many different details,’ says Tolù Adèkó.

Sandra Flashman Studio

Sandra founded Sandra Flashman Studio in 2020 with the aim of creating spaces that delight and give joy. Her work attempts to marry modern sensibilities and practicalities within period properties.

‘It’s not easy to blend architectural period details with a flair for contemporary design, but Sandra bridges the divide perfectly,’ says Sarah Spiteri.

Sarah Southwell Design

Working between both London and Somerset, Sarah founded Sarah Southwell Design in 2020. In addition to creating schemes that feel as though they’ve developed over time, she also specialises in interiors that acknowledge neurodiversity, considering elements like texture, sound, lighting, colour and furniture design.

‘Sarah’s work is very well put together,’ says Kit Kemp.

Sophie Garland

After establishing her own design studio a couple of years ago, Sophie Garland has completed projects including a house in west London and a 17th-century cottage in Wiltshire. They all blend old and new pieces and incorporate various materials to add depth to a space.

‘This was a huge “yes” for me. I like the eclectic elements and the mix of eras in the furniture,’ says Tolù Adèkó. ‘I’m very impressed with her confidence and how she combines colours.’

Studio Enass, Enass Mahmoud

Enass founded Studio Enass in 2017 and cites the fact she grew up in London with
a North African and Arab heritage as the inspiration behind her aesthetic. She likes to ensure that each space she designs could only belong to the client it was designed for.

‘Enass’s detailing is really good and the way she picks out colours in one pattern to use elsewhere is really clever,’ says Sarah Spiteri.

Studio Jey, Josie de Guzman and Jess Murphy

Studio Jey, founded by Josie de Guzman and Jess Murphy, is a London-based interior architecture and design studio with a focus on contextual, carefully-crafted spaces. Since completion of their first project in 2022, their portfolio now spans residential, retail and hospitality.

‘Studio Jey are a total vibe, the look of now, and very cool,’ says Charu Gandhi. ‘They have a consistency in their design language,’ she adds.

Studio Kaimi, Minako Bryson

Born in Japan, Minako has lived in the UK for over 20 years, drawing inspiration from both cultures. Based in London, as Studio Kaimi her designs mix together bright colours with some well chosen darker undertones, and just the right neutral grounding.

‘Sometimes it’s hard to use such playful colours in a sophisticated way, but Minako has truly managed it,’ says Ruth Mottershead. ‘Her schemes feel original.’

Studio Yarner, Laura Graham and Hianta Cassam Chenai

Devon-based Studio Yarner was only founded in 2024 but has already been able to create an impressive body of work. Founders Laura and Hianta’s mission is to become the leading interior design studio in the South West, as the region emerges as a renewed hub for art and design.

‘They are able to draw on both country and urban aesthetics, infusing their work with the best of both,’ says Tolù Adèkó.

Susan Chesney Interiors

With a background in sociology, psychology and fashion, Susan Chesney approaches interiors with a deep understanding of how spaces shape wellbeing. She has worked in the US, UK and Japan and her projects are imbued with a sense of classic, quiet luxury.

‘Susan works with quite pared-back palettes yet there is a real warmth that shines through,’ says Sarah Spiteri.

Tola Ojuolape Studio

Tola set up Tola Ojuolape Studio in 2021, having previously worked at the design agency Blacksheep. She has done both residential and commercial spaces, but it’s her refurb of London’s The Africa Centre in all its earthy, rich tones that truly started getting her some notice.

‘She is amazing and you can see she is going to do very, very well,’ says Charu Gandhi.