After years of working with international brands such as W Hotels, Virgin, and Lufthansa, our Next in Design 2025 winner, Sandra Flashman, launched her own studio in 2020, bringing a wealth of experience in shaping how people interact with spaces. Her background in the hospitality sector taught her how interiors can influence behavior.
‘The work I did was about shaping experiences, encouraging people to socialize and relax,’ she explains. ‘That understanding of how experiences are formed is something I find really important – I get to know a client, their habits, what they like, who they are, whether they entertain, bake, or host family, and I make their space unique to them.’
Her studio philosophy is rooted in calmness, with what she calls tactile moments – those small but powerful details that turn practicality into joy. ‘Think about how a material feels against your skin, or the smoothness of the curve of wood when you’re reading a book in a chair,’ she says.
Current projects range from a Primrose Hill apartment with a roof terrace inspired by Dutch garden designer Piet Oudolf’s planting schemes to a bold conversion of an old candle factory in Battersea. Whatever the brief, Sandra’s work carries her signature blend of serenity and soul.
5 Key Design Rules with Sandra Flashman Studio
1. Layer Textures and Warm Materials
Adding natural materials to a space can really warm up a minimalist environment. This could be high-quality wood flooring paired with a wool rug, or a beautiful kitchen cabinet with glass details. Don’t be afraid to mix and match different timbers and textures to bring a space to life.
2. Work with the Architecture
You can make a space feel calmer and more open with some simple changes. This might mean framing a doorway with timber or installing full-height cabinetry to make the space feel taller. You can even treat timber doors with an oil to match the timber flooring, which ties the whole space together.
3. Add Something That Makes You Smile
Always include something that brings you joy. It could be a pop of color in a canary-yellow chair, a print you brought back from Kent, or even a massive tiger you’ve inherited. Always add a little something that makes you smile as you go about your day.
4. Play with Different Bathroom Materials
Consider using two or three different bathroom materials and experiment with varying sizes and datum lines. This creates a more defined space and makes the bathroom feel more spacious.
5. Plan in Art and Plants
Art and plants are key to adding individuality and breathing life into a space. Coordinate your color palette around your art and plan where your plants will live. One of my favorite features is a trio of hanging plants – it’s an easy addition and a great way to liven up a space.
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