Next in Design 2025 winner, Susan Chesney has always designed with people, not objects, in mind. Long before she founded her interiors studio in 2022, she was the child who instinctively reshaped her surroundings. Later came psychology and sociology at university – subjects she chose because she was fascinated by how people behave and connect. Looking back now, she can see the dots connect: she designs homes by reading between the lines of how people really want to live.
Her early career was in fashion, where she developed a love of texture, materiality, and the tactile side of luxury. But interiors became the natural meeting point of all her interests: human behavior, beauty, craft, and everyday practicality. ‘My brand of luxury is things working well,’ she says. ‘Homes should have flow, ease – spaces that breathe. They should be interesting enough for your eyes to wander, but never overwhelming.’
Much of her work revolves around families, and she designs with an eye on the next decade, imagining how lives will evolve. She is currently translating the coziness of a Swiss ski chalet she once designed into a brutalist UK home, with earthy textures, grounded tones, and modernity warmed by nature. ‘If old and new can live together comfortably,’ she says, ‘that’s when you know the design works.’
4 Design Rules From Susan Chesney Interiors
1. Have a Clear Intention
Get clarity on what you want your space to do, how it's going to function for you, and how you want it to feel. This is going to be your foundation for all your decisions going forward.
2. Factor in Free Space
As you plan your space, make sure you leave enough room to move about freely, and think about storage furniture to keep clutter at bay.
3. Choose Quality Materials
Make sure you choose your materials for the long run. They might be a bit more of an investment up front, but they will last longer.
4. Incorporate Your Character
When it comes to styling, this is really an opportunity to show your character. Take a slow, layered approach to ensure the result is authentic to you, and use lots of textures to add tactility and depth.
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