Female-led design studios that should be on your radar
From industry veterans to emerging practices
To celebrate International Women’s Day, we’ve curated our hot list of female-led design studios who’re shaping modern hospitality, residential and commercial spaces across the globe.
Whether they’re rethinking trad and classical design, pioneering layered modernism or stripping things back via soft-minimalism, these designers control and countour space in order to tell a story and enliven our environments.
Moving freely between commercial and residential, high-end and affordable design for the likes of Ikea, Crawford’s style eschews trends in favour of fostering connections via tactile natural materials, layered textures, modernity, warmth and cosiness. Key projects: Ett Hem Hotel, Stockholm; 226 Development, Hong Kong; Soho House, New York. Key materials: brass, woven fabrics, wallpaper, wood. Photography: StudioilseStudioilse ‘We are trying to make generous spaces that make people feel cared for,’ Ilse Crawford told the Independent. ‘I’m absolutely not interested in things that are cool and aloof. It’s not the route to making happy spaces.’ Crawford cut her teeth as a sub-editor on the Architect’s Journal before taking on the role of launch editor of Elle Decoration aged just 27, and moving to Donna Karan in 1998. Three years later she launched her own design studio, Studioilse, and has become one of the industry’s most respected and sought after designers.
Moving freely between commercial and residential, high-end and affordable design for the likes of Ikea, Crawford’s style eschews trends in favour of fostering connections via tactile natural materials, layered textures, modernity, warmth and cosiness. Key projects: Ett Hem Hotel, Stockholm; 226 Development, Hong Kong; Soho House, New York. Key materials: brass, woven fabrics, wallpaper, wood. Photography: StudioilseLaura Seppanen Helsinki-based designer and stylist Laura Seppanen worked for Finnish magazine Deko while she was establishing her own creative practice, which covers interior design, styling visual and social media consultancy for companies within the design world. Her visual language exudes confident Nordic elements with bursts of colour and pattern to heighten cosiness. Key projects: Project Kalliorinne in Finland; Spa designs for The Housing Fair Finland, 2019 . Key materials: marble, ceramic, bricks, earthy fabrics, oak Photography: Laura Seppanen DesignLaura Seppanen Helsinki-based designer and stylist Laura Seppanen worked for Finnish magazine Deko while she was establishing her own creative practice, which covers interior design, styling visual and social media consultancy for companies within the design world. Her visual language exudes confident Nordic elements with bursts of colour and pattern to heighten cosiness. Key projects: Project Kalliorinne in Finland; Spa designs for The Housing Fair Finland, 2019 . Key materials: marble, ceramic, bricks, earthy fabrics, oak Photography: Laura Seppanen DesignX+Living X+Living is a Shanghai-based architectural design firm founded by Chinese architect Li Xiang, whose cross-disciplinary practice has won her cache of international awards. Simultaneously futuristic and otherworldly, Xiang uses muted natural materials and hi-concepts in her projects, which range from a children’s restaurant to the dizzying Escher-like Chongqing Zhongshuge Bookstore. Key projects: Chongqing Zhongshuge Bookstore, Chongqing; Meland Park, Shenzhen; Taiyuan FAB Cinema, Taiyuan. Key materials: mirrored glass, wood, glass, bamboo, black tiles. Photography: Feng ShaoX+Living X+Living is a Shanghai-based architectural design firm founded by Chinese architect Li Xiang, whose cross-disciplinary practice has won her cache of international awards. Simultaneously futuristic and otherworldly, Xiang uses muted natural materials and hi-concepts in her projects, which range from a children’s restaurant to the dizzying Escher-like Chongqing Zhongshuge Bookstore. Key projects: Chongqing Zhongshuge Bookstore, Chongqing; Meland Park, Shenzhen; Taiyuan FAB Cinema, Taiyuan. Key materials: mirrored glass, wood, glass, bamboo, black tiles. Photography: Feng ShaoNight Palm Californian modernism and rich 1970s colour palettes infuse the interior design projects of Tiffany Howell, who worked as a photographer and art directing music videos. Howell is the proprietor of small SIlver Lake furniture and art gallery, Night Palm, which has become a test bed for her style which is rich in colour and textures, blending vintage furniture with new pieces to moody and romantic effect Key projects: Malibu Beach House, Los Angeles; Beachwood Spanish Residence, Los Angeles; Paris-Texas residence, Los Angeles. Key materials: velvet, brass, lucite, stone, and wicker. Photography: Night Palm Interior DesignNight Palm Californian modernism and rich 1970s colour palettes infuse the interior design projects of Tiffany Howell, who worked as a photographer and art directing music videos. Howell is the proprietor of small SIlver Lake furniture and art gallery, Night Palm, which has become a test bed for her style which is rich in colour and textures, blending vintage furniture with new pieces to moody and romantic effect Key projects: Malibu Beach House, Los Angeles; Beachwood Spanish Residence, Los Angeles; Paris-Texas residence, Los Angeles. Key materials: velvet, brass, lucite, stone, and wicker. Photography: Night Palm Interior DesignClaudia Moreira Salles Whether it’s an office in Lima or an airy pavilion in Morungaba, wood and natural materials form the focal point of Claudia Moreira Salles’ interior design projects. The Rio-based designer picks up the baton passed on by Brazilian modernists of yesteryear, infusing her own projects with a dose of tropical modernism informed by uniquely South American flavours and outfitted with her own furniture designs. Key projects: Apartment Ipanema, Rio de Janeiro; Morungaba Pavilion, Morungaba; apartment Itaim, Sao Paulo. Key materials: wood, leather, warm-hued fabrics, rattan, suede. Photography: Claudia Moreira SallesClaudia Moreira Salles Whether it’s an office in Lima or an airy pavilion in Morungaba, wood and natural materials form the focal point of Claudia Moreira Salles’ interior design projects. The Rio-based designer picks up the baton passed on by Brazilian modernists of yesteryear, infusing her own projects with a dose of tropical modernism informed by uniquely South American flavours and outfitted with her own furniture designs. Key projects: Apartment Ipanema, Rio de Janeiro; Morungaba Pavilion, Morungaba; apartment Itaim, Sao Paulo. Key materials: wood, leather, warm-hued fabrics, rattan, suede. Photography: Claudia Moreira SallesStudiopepe With over 20 years in the business, Arianna Lelli Mami and Chiara Di Pinto have become stalwarts of the design scene, starting out as stylists and set designers on editorial giants Elle Decor and T Magazine and expanding their repertoire across hospitality and residential projects. Their editorial backgrounds influence the overarching aesthetic of Studiopepe, encompassing both eclecticism and minimalism in the same breath. Think 1960s Italian cinema, the dolce vita, clean white bones and jewel-tone colour pops. Key projects: Les Arcanistes installation, Milan Design Week, 2019; OKKO Hotel, Paris; private apartment, Milan. Key materials: pastel fabrics, velvet, marble, metal. Photography: Giuseppe Dinnella Studiopepe With over 20 years in the business, Arianna Lelli Mami and Chiara Di Pinto have become stalwarts of the design scene, starting out as stylists and set designers on editorial giants Elle Decor and T Magazine and expanding their repertoire across hospitality and residential projects. Their editorial backgrounds influence the overarching aesthetic of Studiopepe, encompassing both eclecticism and minimalism in the same breath. Think 1960s Italian cinema, the dolce vita, clean white bones and jewel-tone colour pops. Key projects: Les Arcanistes installation, Milan Design Week, 2019; OKKO Hotel, Paris; private apartment, Milan. Key materials: pastel fabrics, velvet, marble, metal. Photography: Giuseppe Dinnella Cristina Celestino Italian designer Cristina Celestino has many strings to her bow, working across objects, spaces, editorial and branding in her professional practice. The self-confessed devoted collector of Italian design has a strong background in research – something which provides the backbone for all of her projects, which always showcase geometry and scale, and blur the line between fashion, art and design, old and new. Her product studio, Attico Design, collaborates with Italian artisan makers and craftspeople on furniture and objects at this intersection, ranging from cufflinks to armchairs. Key projects: Tram Corallo, Milan Design Week 2018; Palazzo Avino Hotel, Ravello; Caffè Concerto Cucchi, Milan Design Week 2019, 28 Posti restaurant, Milan. Key materials: velvet upholstery, pastel fabrics, brass, patterned fabrics. Photography: Delfino Sisto LegnaniCristina Celestino Italian designer Cristina Celestino has many strings to her bow, working across objects, spaces, editorial and branding in her professional practice. The self-confessed devoted collector of Italian design has a strong background in research – something which provides the backbone for all of her projects, which always showcase geometry and scale, and blur the line between fashion, art and design, old and new. Her product studio, Attico Design, collaborates with Italian artisan makers and craftspeople on furniture and objects at this intersection, ranging from cufflinks to armchairs. Key projects: Tram Corallo, Milan Design Week 2018; Palazzo Avino Hotel, Ravello; Caffè Concerto Cucchi, Milan Design Week 2019, 28 Posti restaurant, Milan. Key materials: velvet upholstery, pastel fabrics, brass, patterned fabrics.
Photography: Mattia BalsaminiForbes Masters Atlanta has a rich and vibrant creative scene that is birthing a new generation of creative designers and makers. Among them are Tavia Forbes and Monet Masters, whose firm Forbes Masters is a full-service design practise that specialises in residential and commercial spaces. The duo is based out of the Atlanta Arts District and creates bold and layered interiors outfitted with detailed personal touches that mix vintage and bespoke furnishings. Key projects: Midtown Home Office, Atlanta; East Atlanta Home Gallery, Atlanta; Urban Tropical Dining Room, Atlanta. Key materials: bouclé fabric, leather, glass, velvet, patterned fabrics. Photography: Forbes MastersForbes Masters Atlanta has a rich and vibrant creative scene that is birthing a new generation of creative designers and makers. Among them are Tavia Forbes and Monet Masters, whose firm Forbes Masters is a full-service design practise that specialises in residential and commercial spaces. The duo is based out of the Atlanta Arts District and creates bold and layered interiors outfitted with detailed personal touches that mix vintage and bespoke furnishings. Key projects: Midtown Home Office, Atlanta; East Atlanta Home Gallery, Atlanta; Urban Tropical Dining Room, Atlanta. Key materials: bouclé fabric, leather, glass, velvet, patterned fabrics. Photography: Forbes MastersVSHD Design Montreal and Dubai-based interior architect Rania Hamed has become something of a specialist in creating encounters with design in unexpected places. A recent example is her studio VSHD’s Warehouse Gym in Dubai (her third for the brand) whose colour palette was inspired by the work of Memphis Group founder Ettore Sottsass – albeit with a slick and contemporary bent. Hamed foregoes the stereotypical ‘ultra-luxe’, high-gloss aesthetic usually associated with Dubai in favour of ‘calmness and restraint’; she is ‘fascinated by the challenge of integrating traditional culture and technique into contemporary design.’ Details such as colour pops, rugs and the texture of materials hone a sense of locality and connection to the wider urban environment. Key projects: ZAAZ Wellness & Beauty Spa, Dubai; The Warehouse Gym, Dubai; The Ranch, Orlando. Key materials: plaster, concrete, mirrors, wood, glass, monochromatic fabrics. Photography: VSHD DesignVSHD Design Montreal and Dubai-based interior architect Rania Hamed has become something of a specialist in creating encounters with design in unexpected places. A recent example is her studio VSHD’s Warehouse Gym in Dubai (her third for the brand) whose colour palette was inspired by the work of Memphis Group founder Ettore Sottsass – albeit with a slick and contemporary bent. Hamed foregoes the stereotypical ‘ultra-luxe’, high-gloss aesthetic usually associated with Dubai in favour of ‘calmness and restraint’; she is ‘fascinated by the challenge of integrating traditional culture and technique into contemporary design.’ Details such as colour pops, rugs and the texture of materials hone a sense of locality and connection to the wider urban environment. Key projects: ZAAZ Wellness & Beauty Spa, Dubai; The Warehouse Gym, Dubai; The Ranch, Orlando. Key materials: plaster, concrete, mirrors, wood, glass, monochromatic fabrics. Photography: VSHD DesignRomanek Design Studio Los Angeles-based designer Brigette Romanek only founded her design practice in 2018, but in just three short years she’s been named on Architectural Digest’s AD100 list and Elle Decor’s A-List. Celebrity clients range from ballerina Misty Copelan and Gwyneth Paltrow to Kelly Rowland while commercial designs include interiors for ‘massage mecca’ Lifehood, and The Allbright West Hollywood – the first international outpost for Debbie Wosskow and Anna Jones’ London members club for women. Interiors play with colour pops and textures – think velvet, rich leathers and warm rattan juxtaposing crisp white. Key projects: The Allbright West Hollywood, Los Angeles; The Bu residence in Malibu, Los Angeles; Laurel Canyon residence, Los Angeles; Queen’s Road residence, Los Angeles. Key materials: leather, rattan, wood, glass, oak, velvet. Photography: Romanek Design StudioRomanek Design Studio Los Angeles-based designer Brigette Romanek only founded her design practice in 2018, but in just three short years she’s been named on Architectural Digest’s AD100 list and Elle Decor’s A-List. Celebrity clients range from ballerina Misty Copelan and Gwyneth Paltrow to Kelly Rowland while commercial designs include interiors for ‘massage mecca’ Lifehood, and The Allbright West Hollywood – the first international outpost for Debbie Wosskow and Anna Jones’ London members club for women. Interiors play with colour pops and textures – think velvet, rich leathers and warm rattan juxtaposing crisp white. Key projects: The Allbright West Hollywood, Los Angeles; The Bu residence in Malibu, Los Angeles; Laurel Canyon residence, Los Angeles; Queen’s Road residence, Los Angeles. Key materials: leather, rattan, wood, glass, oak, velvet. Photography: Romanek Design StudioStudio Ashby ‘I believe there is a poetry in the tension of combining art, antiques, craft, colour, pattern, and texture; the careful layering brings character and feeling to a home,’ says London-based interior designer Sophie Ashby. After cutting her teeth as the apprentice Victoria Fairfax, the South-African born, British-raised designer founded her own practice in 2015 and has been dubbed ‘the poster girl for millennial interiors’ by the FT’s How To Spend It. Ashby – who is married to fashion designer Charlie Casely-Hayford – launched her own retail arm, Sister by Studio Ashby in 2020, and has grown a cult following in just 6 years. Her top tip? ‘Start with the art, and always approach a space without fear of colour: two of the golden rules that drive everything we do.’ Key projects: Robertson Small Hotel, South Africa; Ikoyi restaurant in St James’s, London; BBC Television Centre apartment, London. Key materials: wood, velvet, linen, marble. Photography: Micky HoyleStudio Ashby ‘I believe there is a poetry in the tension of combining art, antiques, craft, colour, pattern, and texture; the careful layering brings character and feeling to a home,’ says London-based interior designer Sophie Ashby. After cutting her teeth as the apprentice Victoria Fairfax, the South-African born, British-raised designer founded her own practice in 2015 and has been dubbed ‘the poster girl for millennial interiors’ by the FT’s How To Spend It. Ashby – who is married to fashion designer Charlie Casely-Hayford – launched her own retail arm, Sister by Studio Ashby in 2020, and has grown a cult following in just 6 years. Her top tip? ‘Start with the art, and always approach a space without fear of colour: two of the golden rules that drive everything we do.’ Key projects: Robertson Small Hotel, South Africa; Ikoyi restaurant in St James’s, London; BBC Television Centre apartment, London. Key materials: wood, velvet, linen, marble. Photography:Owen GaleChan & Eayrs Zoe Chan is co-principal of Chan & Eayrs with husband Merlin and is the founder of Atelier ChanChan. The daughter of an architect, she says, ‘I remember going to lots of derelict spaces growing up, and dreaming of what they could become.’ This life-long exposure to architecture has influenced her hands-on approach to design – she bought and developed her first site during her studied, using the proceeds to develop The Herringbone House, and undertaking every aspect of their projects from finding the site to designing its interiors. Their personal travels and heritage form the basis for their distinctive interior stylings, with an emphasis on craftsmanship and slow-living. Key projects: The Herringbone House in London; The Beldi, London; New Cross Lofts, London. Key materials: plaster, concrete, wood, warm-toned fabrics. Photography: Michael SinclairChan & Eayrs Zoe Chan is co-principal of Chan & Eayrs with husband Merlin and is the founder of Atelier ChanChan. The daughter of an architect, she says, ‘I remember going to lots of derelict spaces growing up, and dreaming of what they could become.’ This life-long exposure to architecture has influenced her hands-on approach to design – she bought and developed her first site during her studied, using the proceeds to develop The Herringbone House, and undertaking every aspect of their projects from finding the site to designing its interiors. Their personal travels and heritage form the basis for their distinctive interior stylings, with an emphasis on craftsmanship and slow-living. Key projects: The Herringbone House in London; The Beldi, London; New Cross Lofts, London. Key materials: plaster, concrete, wood, warm-toned fabrics. Photography: Rosella DegoriEmmanuelle Simon Emerging French-Israeli interior architect and designer Emmanuelle Simon learned her practice under the tutelage of Jean-Marie Massaud and Pierre Yovanovitch and has a distinct aesthetic that draws on elements of wellness, serenity and Japanese influences. White walls, warm woods and natural textiles form the basis of her projects, which encompass residential and commercial spaces – all with a tranquil bent. Key projects: Saint-Germain apartment, Paris. Saint Dominique apartment, paris. Evidens de Beauté Spa, Paris. Key materials: neutral fabrics, pile rugs, wood, rattan, linen, brass, stone. Photography: Emmanuelle SimonEmmanuelle Simon Emerging French-Israeli interior architect and designer Emmanuelle Simon learned her practice under the tutelage of Jean-Marie Massaud and Pierre Yovanovitch and has a distinct aesthetic that draws on elements of wellness, serenity and Japanese influences. White walls, warm woods and natural textiles form the basis of her projects, which encompass residential and commercial spaces – all with a tranquil bent. Key projects: Saint-Germain apartment, Paris. Saint Dominique apartment, paris. Evidens de Beauté Spa, Paris. Key materials: neutral fabrics, pile rugs, wood, rattan, linen, brass, stone. Photography: Emmanuelle SimonIsabelle Stanislas For many, luxury means gilded surfaces, hi-gloss and opulent finishes. But for French designer Isabelle Stanislas, the ultimate luxury is space. Blending influences drawn from her roots in Morocco, France and Israels, Stanislas creates immersive environments that celebrate considered design and tactility. Key projects: Séguier, Paris. Manor house extension and renovation, Beaumont-en-Auge. Rue de Lille apartment, Paris. Key materials: marble, velvet, cream-hued fabrics, leather. Photography: Isabelle StanislasIsabelle Stanislas For many, luxury means gilded surfaces, hi-gloss and opulent finishes. But for French designer Isabelle Stanislas, the ultimate luxury is space. Blending influences drawn from her roots in Morocco, France and Israels, Stanislas creates immersive environments that celebrate considered design and tactility. Key projects: Séguier, Paris. Manor house extension and renovation, Beaumont-en-Auge. Rue de Lille apartment, Paris. Key materials: marble, velvet, cream-hued fabrics, leather. Photography: Isabelle StanislasPatricia Urquiola Named Wallpaper’s ‘Designer of the Year’ not once, but twice, in 2006 and jointly in 2015 respectively, Patricia Urquiola is one of the most prominent designers and architects working today across hotels, showrooms and residential designs. The Spanish designer and architect has also created textiles and furniture Moroso, Mutina and B&B Italia since founding her Milan practice in 2001. Key projects: Patrizia Moroso’s home, Udine. Missoni Store, Milan. Luisa Via Roma, Florence. Das Stue Hotel, Berlin, Villa Pliniana, Como. Key materials: technicolour and patterned fabrics, metal, pile rugs, stone, marble. Photography: Patricia UrquiolaPatricia Urquiola Named Wallpaper’s ‘Designer of the Year’ not once, but twice, in 2006 and jointly in 2015 respectively, Patricia Urquiola is one of the most prominent designers and architects working today across hotels, showrooms and residential designs. The Spanish designer and architect has also created textiles and furniture Moroso, Mutina and B&B Italia since founding her Milan practice in 2001. Key projects: Patrizia Moroso’s home, Udine. Missoni Store, Milan. Luisa Via Roma, Florence. Das Stue Hotel, Berlin, Villa Pliniana, Como. Key materials: technicolour and patterned fabrics, metal, pile rugs, stone, marble. Photography: Patricia UrquiolaJoana Astolfi Miniature vignettes, vintage chairs, lamps, toys, diaries and photographs of people are just some of the items said to inspire the practice of Lisbon-based designer Joana Astolfi. Studio Astolfi has created projects for Hermès, Belcanto, Bairro do Avillez, Claus Porto, São Lourenço do Barrocal, A Padaria Portuguesa, Lx Factory, and PARK Bar among others, with artisans, architects and technicians part of her in-house team. Key projects: Canto, Lisbon. Belcanto restaurant, Lisbon. Hermès Windows Displays, Lisbon. Key materials: wood, suede, moody-hued fabrics, velvet, rattan, plants, grit floorings. Photography: Studio AstolfiJoana Astolfi Miniature vignettes, vintage chairs, lamps, toys, diaries and photographs of people are just some of the items said to inspire the practice of Lisbon-based designer Joana Astolfi. Studio Astolfi has created projects for Hermès, Belcanto, Bairro do Avillez, Claus Porto, São Lourenço do Barrocal, A Padaria Portuguesa, Lx Factory, and PARK Bar among others, with artisans, architects and technicians part of her in-house team. Key projects: Canto, Lisbon. Belcanto restaurant, Lisbon. Hermès Windows Displays, Lisbon. Key materials: wood, suede, moody-hued fabrics, velvet, rattan, plants, grit floorings. Photography: Studio AstolfiAlda Ly While you might not know her name, you’ll likely know the work of New York-based designer Alda Ly, who rose to prominence as the go-to designer for all-female coworking space and members club The Wing. Ly was born in New Zealand and raised in Los Angeles, and is currently based out of New York where she champions holistic design and biophilic elements through her interior practice ALA. Recent projects include Parsley Health’s new flagship centre in New York, as well as Rent the Runway’s early spaces and the Bulletin flagship. Key projects:The Wing, New York City, DC, Los Angeles and San Francisco. Bloomberg Media Experience Lab, New York City. Key materials: pastel-hued fabrics, colourful tiles, wood, plants. Photography: Alda Ly ArchitectureAlda Ly While you might not know her name, you’ll likely know the work of New York-based designer Alda Ly, who rose to prominence as the go-to designer for all-female coworking space and members club The Wing. Ly was born in New Zealand and raised in Los Angeles, and is currently based out of New York where she champions holistic design and biophilic elements through her interior practice ALA. Recent projects include Parsley Health’s new flagship centre in New York, as well as Rent the Runway’s early spaces and the Bulletin flagship. Key projects:The Wing, New York City, DC, Los Angeles and San Francisco. Bloomberg Media Experience Lab, New York City. Key materials: pastel-hued fabrics, colourful tiles, wood, plants. Photography: Alda Ly ArchitectureDanielle Arps Named among Curbed’s ‘Young gun’ creatives and House Beautiful 2019’s ‘Next Wave Interior Designer’ lists, Dani Arp specialises in office design for New York’s burgeoning start-ups. She’s clocked up 250,000 sq ft of projects since founding her eponymous practice in 2014 and Arp’s designs offer a sophisticated, and often industrial riposte to the stereotypical ‘office as a playground’ aesthetic that grew out of Silicon Valley; start-up meets grown-up. Key projects: Day One Agency, New York City. SeatGeek, New York City. First Round, New York City. Key materials: leather, wood, glass, steel, muted and colourful fabrics alike. Photography: Dani ArpsDanielle Arps Named among Curbed’s ‘Young gun’ creatives and House Beautiful 2019’s ‘Next Wave Interior Designer’ lists, Dani Arp specialises in office design for New York’s burgeoning start-ups. She’s clocked up 250,000 sq ft of projects since founding her eponymous practice in 2014 and Arp’s designs offer a sophisticated, and often industrial riposte to the stereotypical ‘office as a playground’ aesthetic that grew out of Silicon Valley; start-up meets grown-up. Key projects: Day One Agency, New York City. SeatGeek, New York City. First Round, New York City. Key materials: leather, wood, glass, steel, muted and colourful fabrics alike. Photography: Dani ArpsNike Onile Toronto-based interior designer Nike Onile will be a familiar face to Canadian readers – she’s the go-to design expert on daily talk show Cityline, where she specialises in helping viewers reimagine their small spaces. The Nigerian-Canadian designer is the principal of design studio ODE and has created the country’s first entirely shoppable apartment and photo studio. Onile’s interiors favour restrained, mature colour palettes, where she often maximises the feeling of volume to create interiors that belie their floorplate. Key projects:Community restaurant, Oakville. Project 710, Toronto. Carlton Rowhouse, Toronto. Key materials: suede, marble, muted fabrics, leather. Photography: OdeNike Onile Toronto-based interior designer Nike Onile will be a familiar face to Canadian readers – she’s the go-to design expert on daily talk show Cityline, where she specialises in helping viewers reimagine their small spaces. The Nigerian-Canadian designer is the principal of design studio ODE and has created the country’s first entirely shoppable apartment and photo studio. Onile’s interiors favour restrained, mature colour palettes, where she often maximises the feeling of volume to create interiors that belie their floorplate. Key projects:Community restaurant, Oakville. Project 710, Toronto. Carlton Rowhouse, Toronto. Key materials: suede, marble, muted fabrics, leather. Photography: OdeIndia Mahdavi Queen of colour India Mahdavi has designed some of Europe’s most instagramed interiors, from Germain bistro in Paris to cult restaurant Sketch in London. ‘I don’t want to sound like I’m boasting, but I changed the way people thought about pink,’ she said of the 2014 space, which she doused in rosy-hues. Her use of the colour helped usher in the era of ‘Millennial Pink’, and she has also repopularised candy-stripes and jewel tones. Key projects: Sketch restaurant, London. Café Français, Paris. La Villa des Alyscamps, Arles. Ladurée, Geneva Key materials: velvet, wallpaper, technicolour and maximalist patterned fabrics, brass, leather. Photography: François HalardIndia Mahdavi Queen of colour India Mahdavi has designed some of Europe’s most instagramed interiors, from Germain bistro in Paris to cult restaurant Sketch in London. ‘I don’t want to sound like I’m boasting, but I changed the way people thought about pink,’ she said of the 2014 space, which she doused in rosy-hues. Her use of the colour helped usher in the era of ‘Millennial Pink’, and she has also repopularised candy-stripes and jewel tones. Key projects: Sketch restaurant, London. Café Français, Paris. La Villa des Alyscamps, Arles. Ladurée, Geneva Key materials: velvet, wallpaper, technicolour and maximalist patterned fabrics, brass, leather. Photography: Rob WhitrowFyra Finnish design practice Fyra was founded by Eva-Marie Eriksson, Hanna Neuvo, Niina Sihto and Tiina Närkki, and were named the Interior Architecture Agency of the Year 2020 by the Finnish Association of Interior Architects. Based out of Helsinki, the studio has been making waves for its moody colour palettes and sumptuous (though often spartan) use of fabrics to create soothing interiors in the capital’s hospitality scene. Key projects: Bardot restaurant, Helsinki. Original Sokos Hotel Vaakuna Helsinki. Bardem restaurant, Helsinki. Key materials: timber, velvet, patterned tiles, leather, steel, bricks, deep-hued fabrics. Photography: Riikka KantinkoskiFyra Finnish design practice Fyra was founded by Eva-Marie Eriksson, Hanna Neuvo, Niina Sihto and Tiina Närkki, and were named the Interior Architecture Agency of the Year 2020 by the Finnish Association of Interior Architects. Based out of Helsinki, the studio has been making waves for its moody colour palettes and sumptuous (though often spartan) use of fabrics to create soothing interiors in the capital’s hospitality scene. Key projects: Bardot restaurant, Helsinki. Original Sokos Hotel Vaakuna Helsinki. Bardem restaurant, Helsinki. Key materials: timber, velvet, patterned tiles, leather, steel, bricks, deep-hued fabrics. Photography: Riikka Kantinkoski1 of 52
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