Sean Symington is a UK-based interior designer working on projects across the country. He lives in Bath in South West England, and works alongside his growing team in their new studio in the heart of the Cotswolds. Sean masterfully tackles both luxuriously contemporary projects and traditional, period homes with equal aplomb, and is fast becoming one of the UK's leading interior designers.
It's hard not to fall in love with the spaces Sean and his team curate, as they are unerringly smart and sophisticated. But what makes his craft particularly skilled is how he taps into a sense of nostalgia, comfort, and uncurated ease we all so want in our homes. We sat down with Sean to find out more about his country decor aesthetic, inspirations, and approach to design, to understand what makes him tick.
Where is home for you?
I grew up in the suburbs of Toronto with this absolute obsession with interior design and architecture. Honestly, I was that kid who'd rather rearrange furniture than play sports. In my early twenties, after studying at Toronto Metropolitan University's School of Interior Design, I decided to pursue this career in the UK, and I never looked back.
Home for me is definitely in Bath, Somerset, now, with my design studio nestled in Tetbury, Gloucestershire. Living and working in the Cotswolds is so special to me; the English countryside and architecture are endlessly inspiring. I mean, you're surrounded by these incredible centuries-old buildings and rolling landscapes that just make you want to create beautiful spaces.
What inspired you to become an interior designer?
My friends and I always joke that I came out of the womb decorating. There was never a Plan B for me! As a child, I would rearrange my bedroom constantly. I inherited this love for interior design from my mother, who was always decorating and redoing our house. We'd spend weekends antiquing and at auctions when other kids were at hockey practice. I remember being eight years old and coming home with some naff Georgian side table that I'd convinced my mother to buy — I was hooked.
In your opinion, what is interior design all about?
Interior design is all about the individual, it has to be. We're crafting interiors that are a perfect reflection of the people who live there and how they live, not just a Pinterest fantasy. A home should feel like you, they should tell the stories of the people within them: collected, layered, and evolving over time.
We always put the client at the forefront of every project, while respecting the architecture of the property. Being a young group of designers within my firm, we offer a very personal and relatable approach that’s not too regimented or corporate. It's collaborative and casual, with as much client involvement as they desire. Some want to be involved in every decision from paint colors to lampshade fabrics, others just want to see the finished result!
How would you describe your personal style?
I always describe my design style as classic with a fresh whimsy, which sounds funny when I say it out loud, but it's true. It's joyful and adventurous with color and pattern, yet with roots and an underlying classicism that keeps it from being too trendy. I'm all about that eclectic, layered look that feels like it's been collected over time.
What projects do you love to work on?
I've been fortunate enough to work with lovely clients who have become friends, that's the absolute dream. I want to work with nice people who have a similar vision or goal for their property. The best projects have a healthy budget and timescale, good bones, and lovely architecture to work with – blank canvases you can truly transform.
What does daily life usually look like for you?
My day typically starts with an early morning countryside drive into the office through the rolling hills of the English countryside. It can be a pinch-me moment from time to time!
I’m usually in and out of London, meeting clients, styling photoshoots, sourcing fabrics and furnishings. Sometimes it feels impossible to predict the week, especially now that I'm leading a team of eight.
What brands do you love and turn to often?
We buy loads from GP&J Baker, which is a brilliant British company that we've collaborated with on our studio interior, their fabrics feature heavily in our space. Schumacher is another fantastic brand for wallpapers and fabrics, as they have these wonderfully joyous prints and aren't afraid to be adventurous with color.
What's next?
We've got a breathtaking project in France that we're shooting at the end of June, I can't wait to share that one. We're also currently working on a project in Canada, which feels like coming full circle for me.
Also, we've just opened our new studio in the Cotswolds, which is a dream come true. Oh, and we just made the top 100 with Country Life, that was definitely a champagne moment for the team!
