Rebecca Hughes on Creating Homes with Quiet Elegance and Lasting Character

Designers

10 Dec

Written By Anca Enica

**people • DESIGNERS**

British interior designer **Rebecca Hughes** brings a thoughtful, intuitive approach to contemporary living, creating homes that feel elegant, deeply personal, and made to last. Known for her refined, layered sensibility and her commitment to British craftsmanship, she blends classic English influences with modern practicality, shaping interiors that grow with the people who inhabit them. Her work balances antique character with bespoke detailing, soft palettes with lively pattern, and a sense of lived-in comfort with an eye for enduring beauty.
In this conversation, Rebecca reflects on the inspirations shaping her current projects, the creative impact of motherhood, and the craft behind her recent Chelsea Barracks apartment. She speaks candidly about designing homes that reflect their owners rather than trends, the growing desire for bespoke furniture, and the delicate dance between elegance and function. With new international projects in Los Angeles and Dubai, the studio is expanding its global footprint while remaining rooted in the authenticity and emotional integrity that define her work.

Words: designeers
DECEMBER 2025

WEBSITE: rebeccahughesinteriors.com
INSTAGRAM: @rebecca.hughes.interiors

DESIGNEERS

What’s inspiring you creatively right now? (A material, a place, a project, a mood…)

Rebecca Hughes

As the seasons shift, I am continually inspired by the nature around us. I find it essential to step outside the studio and stay open to those influences. Lately, we have been incorporating hand-blocked prints and vintage floral wallpapers to create a playful feel, pairing bold patterns with plain linens, velvets, or wools to keep the space balanced rather than busy.

Since becoming a mother, I have become more open to inspiration from unexpected sources, often in moments when I am least expecting it. Motherhood has permitted me to be interrupted if an idea strikes, and it has made me more adaptable and resourceful in my design process.

DESIGNEERS

How would you describe the spirit of your studio in three words?

Rebecca Hughes

Collaborative, refined and elegant.

DESIGNEERS

Could you tell us about your recently completed Chelsea Barracks project? What part of this project excited you the most?

Rebecca Hughes

The project was set within the Chelsea Barracks development and created for a returning client seeking a warm, sophisticated pied-à-terre for her family. The goal was to bring personality to the space while offering a calm escape from central London.

We designed several bespoke pieces, including the sofa, dining table, sideboards, and leather-wrapped shelving. The most exciting challenge was maximising the layout through smart storage and tailored joinery, adding architectural interest without overwhelming the rooms. A refined contemporary palette helped balance minimalism with comfort.

The open-plan living area became a highlight. Once long and narrow, it was carefully zoned into kitchen, dining, and living spaces. An antique mirror wall now adds depth and character, reflecting my love of sourcing vintage pieces.

The client’s vibrant art collection, with works from Rise Art and Cricket Fine Art, influenced the bold accents and softer tones throughout, grounding the design in materiality and craftsmanship.

DESIGNEERS

What does a beautifully designed home feel like to you?

Rebecca Hughes

I am passionate that interiors should authentically reflect those that inhabit them; as a studio, we really enjoy getting to understand our clients and what motivates their lifestyle choices and personal style. For me, a beautifully designed home should be a reflection of one's personality that can be loved for years, a curated expression of personal journeys and values. It isn’t about designing for your guests, family, or friends; it is about what works for you in your own home.

I tend to embrace classic English influences with a relaxed, layered approach, creating spaces that feel effortless and comfortable yet still beautifully curated. I often mix a variety of periods, materials, textures, and patterns to create a layered look, making a space feel like it has organically evolved. I’m a firm believer that design should have longevity, rather than feeling too trend-driven.

DESIGNEERS

Tell us one thing about yourself.

Rebecca Hughes

I have three wild, energetic, and loveable boys, so, as you can imagine, the juggle between motherhood and work, let alone creativity, is very real. I believe homes should be both elegant and practical. I love creating spaces that are visually stunning but also comfortable and suited to modern living.

“I tend to embrace classic English influences with a relaxed, layered approach, creating spaces that feel effortless and comfortable yet still beautifully curated.”

Rebecca Hughes

DESIGNEERS

What’s one design idea or detail you think deserves more attention?

Rebecca Hughes

We’re replacing flat paint colours with ones with more movement, such as Bauwerk. This creates interest and movement and becomes a perfect backdrop for more earthy and organic schemes.

DESIGNEERS

London is your home. What’s one London spot that always sparks inspiration?

Rebecca Hughes

Space is a premium in London, and as a North London girl, I love escaping to Hampstead Heath and Highgate Village.

DESIGNEERS

You mentioned you have some clients and a project in Dubai. How does designing for Dubai differ from designing for London?

Rebecca Hughes

Expanding the studio internationally has always been a dream of mine, and now that dream is becoming a reality. While I have a strong affinity for London properties from living in Islington, there is something incredibly thrilling about working on international projects, such as in Los Angeles and Dubai. It allows us to connect with new suppliers and collaborate with local brands in different regions.

As you can imagine, various challenges come with managing a project abroad. Our studio is based in London, so factors such as time differences always make things complicated. For me, it has been about having people and suppliers on the ground that you trust. A good team is essential.

DESIGNEERS

A colour you love using right now?

Rebecca Hughes

Atelier Ellis’s Warm Mud Brown

DESIGNEERS

A material you can't live without?

Rebecca Hughes

De le Cuona’s Cape Linen (all colourways).

DESIGNEERS

A dream hotel you’d love to design?

Rebecca Hughes

I’d love to design a hotel by the sea, either here in the UK or abroad; luxurious and a haven from outside, but engaging the seascape

DESIGNEERS

A designer you'd love to have dinner with?

Rebecca Hughes

I’d love to have dinner with Steven Gambrel, I’m in awe of how he has grown and built his studio.

DESIGNEERS

What does “good design” mean to you at its core?

Rebecca Hughes

I’m a firm believer that good design should be about longevity, rather than feeling too trendy. As a studio, I am proud that we prioritise British craftsmanship that has been designed to stand the test of time. I want the spaces we design to be loved for years, and that means investing in the best. Although that occasionally comes with a price tag, I promise you won’t regret investing in a beautiful chest of drawers or a bespoke dining table that can be handed down to your children.

For me, good design is all in the details. Small design choices can make a huge impact and dramatically influence the whole feel of a room, whether that be the right lampshade or an antique piece of furniture.