The Art of Still: Designing with Intent, Emotion and Quiet Power
people • DESIGNERS
In an age where time is our most treasured commodity, Studio Still invites you to embrace intentional living through the art of design. Founded by Shaun Cothill, the studio transcends traditional notions of luxury, offering a philosophy that intertwines heritage, craftsmanship, and contemporary aesthetics—championing emotional resonance in design. Drawing inspiration from art, literature, and culture, Studio Still crafts spaces that not only reflect personal narratives but also foster meaningful connections with our surroundings. Their curated services, ranging from architectural design to product design, empower individuals to redefine elegance and beauty in a manner that resonates with the spirit of our times. At Studio Still, design is more than visual appeal; it's a thoughtful exploration of meaning, encouraging us to live our stories with purpose and grace.
Words: designeers
MAY 2025
WEBSITE: thestudiostill.com
INSTAGRAM: @thestudiostill
DESIGNEERS
Can you recall a specific moment or experience that ignited your passion for interior design?
Studio Still
From a young age, I have found myself captivated by the emotional resonance of every room I enter. It’s a reflexive journey of exploration. I contemplate how a space makes me feel, the elements that draw my admiration, and the unique beauty it embodies. Each encounter invites me to imagine how I might enhance the environment, transforming it into something born of conscious choice and quiet beauty.
DESIGNEERS
How has your background in law, particularly your work with global creative brands, informed your approach to leading a design and lifestyle studio today?
Studio Still
My path into design wasn't linear, but it felt entirely natural. An established career as legal counsel to global brands across the worlds of fashion, luxury goods, hospitality, and finance offered a front-row seat to the power of storytelling, aesthetic identity, and strategic thinking. That legal foundation instilled a disciplined ability to listen, distill complexity, and bring clarity, qualities that now inform our design process and the way we foster lasting client relationships.
DESIGNEERS
Outside of your professional life, what activities or hobbies do you engage in that contribute to your well-being and fuel your creativity?
Studio Still
Outside the studio, I find inspiration in moments of stillness and exploration. Long walks in nature offer a quiet clarity, while time spent in galleries and museums reconnects me to the power of artistic expression and cultural lineage. Travel, whether to vibrant cities or secluded landscapes, expands my perspective and nurtures curiosity. Living in the UAE, a place where heritage and modernity sit side by side, I’m constantly reminded of design’s ability to bridge past and present. These experiences ground me, fuel my creativity, and reinforce my belief that meaningful design begins with a deep connection to the world around us.
DESIGNEERS
Which designers or artists do you admire, and in what ways have they impacted your design philosophy?
Studio Still
I have great admiration for designers like Axel Vervoordt and Tadao Ando, each masterful in their own, contrasting ways. Vervoordt’s philosophy of quiet minimalism, grounded in art, antiquity, and cultural narrative, aligns closely with my own pursuit of spaces that feel timeless and soulful. His ability to create balance between restraint and richness continually informs my design sensibility. Tadao Ando, on the other hand, evokes emotion through architectural purity, his command of light, shadow and spatial rhythm offers a poetic connection between nature and the built form. Both have shaped my belief that thoughtful design should move beyond visual beauty to evoke feeling, meaning and presence.
“At Studio Still, we believe in the power of creative synergy and continue to explore collaborations across both design and lifestyle that celebrate authenticity, materiality and story.”
Studio Still
DESIGNEERS
If you had to describe your design style using just three words, what would they be and why?
Studio Still
Metaphorical, intentional, resilient.
DESIGNEERS
What current or emerging design trends excite you, and how do you envision them influencing your future projects?
Studio Still
At Studio Still, we’re less driven by transient trends and more attuned to the broader shifts in society, art, and culture. One movement that deeply resonates with me is the renewed celebration of heritage and cultural narratives. It’s a powerful countercurrent to homogenised design, one that honours the past while grounding people in a sense of identity and belonging.
DESIGNEERS
Who are your favourite suppliers or artisans to work with, and what makes these collaborations special?
Studio Still
Bien Fait creates wallpaper that transcends surface design; their collaborations with artists result in pieces that feel like art installations. Kohler, with its legacy of innovation and refined engineering, brings timeless functionality to our spaces, elevating the everyday through beautifully crafted fixtures. These partnerships enrich our work in meaningful ways.
DESIGNEERS
Is there a design hotel anywhere in the world that has particularly inspired you? What elements of its design resonate with your aesthetic?
Studio Still
One&Only resorts inspire me with their ability to fuse luxury, landscape, and cultural heritage in a way that feels both timeless and intentional. Royal Mirage in Dubai echoes classical Islamic architecture- colonnades, courtyards, and intricate detail—while The Palm leans into a contemporary, refined elegance. Desaru Coast in Malaysia pairs tropical modernism with local vernacular, using timber, rattan, and deep overhangs to blur the boundary between architecture and nature. What resonates most is the quiet confidence across each property, where emotion is conveyed through space rather than spectacle.
DESIGNEERS
If constraints were non-existent, what would your ideal project entail?
Studio Still
My dream project would be a destination retreat, an expansive hotel where architecture and nature exist in quiet harmony. Think open, light-filled spaces that dissolve the boundary between indoors and out, each one drawing the surrounding landscape inward. The design would honour the local culture and heritage, weaving in artisanal craftsmanship, natural materials, and regional narratives that lend authenticity and soul. Every element, from bespoke furnishings to curated art, would be chosen with intention—an embodiment of intentional living where form and feeling speak as one. It would be a sanctuary of warm, understated luxury, inviting stillness, creativity, and a deep sense of place.
DESIGNEERS
How do you define luxury in the context of interior design, and how does this definition manifest in your work?
Studio Still
For me, luxury in interior design is not defined by extravagance, but by intention. It’s the quiet confidence of quality materials, the elegance of restraint, and the deep comfort of spaces that reflect personal identity. True luxury prioritises well-being, authenticity, and emotional resonance.
DESIGNEERS
What does STILL mean to you?
Studio Still
To me, stillness isn’t about absence; it’s about presence. It’s about how space feels when nothing needs to be added or explained. STILL is where design stops performing and starts feeling, where space is shaped not just to impress, but to hold presence.
