We’re lucky to be working on numerous hotel projects right now, each with its own story and design personality. The challenge with having projects in similar stages is to ensure they don’t start influencing each other, something we watch closely. But no matter how much the shapes, forms, and movement in our spaces evolve, I really do need to stage an intervention with myself and boycott burl woods, terracottas, greens, yellows, and lacquer finishes. Wish me luck!
Christian Bense
We have found ourselves working on quite a few large lateral apartments this last year, which as a South African has felt quite familiar and a refreshing break from the confines of the more typical stacked arrangements of London homes we have done in previous years. However as a studio, we do love the charms and quirks of a traditional property, so are looking forward to a few more townhouses on the books in 2026. Our vision board has a classic Chelsea townhouse as one of our goals for the new year, as we’d love to design a quintessential traditional property with a Christian Bense flair. Thinking upholstered walls, timber clad libraries, wall to wall pattern, the works.
There is a part of me which feels like I am an old dog learning new tricks, but we feel that a greater incorporation of AI into the way we design is something which is going to be more difficult to ignore and is something we need to get on board with. Not to let AI do the work for us, but improve the design process and allow clients into our creative vision more quickly which would only improve on the quality of the work we do – it would remove any uncertainty, allowing us to explore and implement more creative and inventive designs.
Rachel Aisling Walker
Heading into the new year, I’m focusing even more on material-led design, creating spaces and objects that are shaped by craftsmanship. Collaborating with makers on our first furniture and objects collection – launching in 2026 – has been so inspiring, and watching artist and rush-weaver Ella Merriman intuitively shape handles for my new teapots has strengthened my commitment to seeking out more extraordinary artisans.
Charlotte Boundy
I am hoping that 2026 becomes the year of specialist wall finishes. An ambition sparked, somewhat inconveniently, by the discovery that water can indeed seep through wallpaper when your chimney pointing is up the spout. It means I must reluctantly say goodbye to my beloved Pierre Frey jewel-box guest bedroom, but I’m choosing to see it as the perfect excuse to begin again. I have had my eye on Emma Grant’s wallpaper and fabric collection since its launch in 2022, and her beautiful Eden Stripe is firmly earmarked for the makeover.