Now in its second year, Next in Design is Homes & Gardens’ initiative designed to help emerging studios and interior designers take the next step in their careers. It provides industry access and editorial support, giving designers the opportunity to build connections, confidence, and a strong sense of community.
This year’s winners come from across the UK and bring a wide range of experiences and perspectives. Some are already well established, while others are just starting out. What unites them is their creativity, passion, and ambition – essential qualities for any designer.
We’re delighted to introduce the Next in Design 2026 cohort.
The Next in Design Process
Next in Design is overseen by a board of industry experts, united by a shared commitment to championing emerging talent and helping shape a more inclusive design industry. Winners are selected through a highly competitive Open Call process that attracts hundreds of entries from across the UK. We also encourage interior designers to sign up to In The Loop, Homes & Gardens’ weekly industry newsletter, where we share design insights, new launches, emerging talent we love, and career opportunities.
Our Board
Alex Dauley – Interior designer and founder, Alex Dauley Design
Charu Gandhi – Interior designer, architect and founder, Elicyon
Claire German – CEO, Design Centre, Chelsea Harbour
David Nicholls – Director of editorial development, Homes & Gardens
Jo Bailey – Editor, Homes & Gardens
Kit Kemp MBE – Interior designer at Kit Kemp Design Studio and founder and creative director, Firmdale Hotels
Sarah Spiteri – Global brand director and group editor in chief, Homes & Gardens
Tolu Adeko – Founder and creative director, Adèkó & Co
Introducing the 2026 Next in Design Cohort
28 a.m.
'In my work, I want to move the conversation beyond ‘decoration’ and toward emotional longevity. As our world becomes increasingly digital, I believe homes will need to serve as a tactile, analog counterbalance. My work combines the precision of my training with the restorative needs of modern Londoners.'
Winnie Tam, founder of 28 a.m.
Ayisha Onuorah
'As a career changer, I’ve become fully immersed in the design world in a way that has genuinely changed my life. I live and breathe it. With roots in England, Africa, and the Caribbean, my work reflects a rich mix of cultural influences. Clients come to me for interiors that feel layered and expressive.'
Chizitera Interiors
'I have a design style that blends bold, intentional use of color and pattern, along with contrasting yet balanced juxtapositions of different shapes and styles. I also use clean lines well, allowing designs to have space to breathe. I bring this to clients with a deeply personal approach.'
Chizitera Pennington, founder of Chizitera Interiors
Feather & Fossil Interior Design
‘My work celebrates bold pattern, maximalism, curiosity and culture, bridging my background in scientific research and my life as an interior designer. This combination ensures every project is creatively ambitious, yet grounded in research, history and context. I create spaces that tell stories, reflect individuality and invite people to engage with their surroundings.’
Abbie Downey, founder of Feather & Fossil Interior Design
House of Hamiltons
‘I am a designer shaped by a lifelong passion for making. My background in construction, years in tech and ongoing hands-on work in my own projects have given me both a practical understanding of how spaces are built and a deep respect for the process behind them. Design, for me, is grounded in time spent making – not just specifying.’
Andy Hamilton, founder of House of Hamiltons
Irfana Ahmed Creative
‘I am a self-taught interior designer, constantly absorbing information and learning as much as I can from the people I work with. I’m proud to design homes that are inviting and feel like the warmth of tropical sun on your skin at sunset, that feel intentional but still leave room for owners to add their experiences in.’
Irfana Ahmed, founder of Irfana Ahmed Creative
Jasmine Fisher
‘I design spaces layered with meaning, shaped by my upbringing as the child of a Polynesian-Chinese mother and an English father, and by having been raised across different countries. I approach each project as a story: curating artworks, working with makers, and selecting materials that reflect the lives and identities of the people who inhabit them.’
JGraham Design
‘I’ve known I wanted to pursue interior design since age 12, and before entering university I worked across nearly every corner of the industry – from fabric showrooms to hospitality firms, kitchen companies and home staging. Those early experiences gave me a grounded understanding of how design comes together at every level.’
Jessica Graham, found of JGraham Design
Kaye Design Studios
‘Running a one-woman studio means managing every aspect of the process – from concept and sourcing to site management and client relationships. It has been the most demanding and rewarding education I could have had as a designer, forcing me to learn quickly, trust my instincts and constantly raise my standards.’
Ella Jones, founder of Kaye Design Studios
Matthew Taylor Design
‘My approach is holistic and always begins by identifying the building’s history, its materiality and its story. I like to listen to the building and go on a journey together with it. I am very material and surface driven, and strive to retain original texture or reveal and inject it wherever possible and appropriate.’
Matthew Taylor, founder of Matthew Taylor Design
Studio Calvagno
‘I have a Sicilian background, was born in Germany, and have lived in the United States and now the UK, all of which have strongly shaped how I approach design. My background in dance also influences my work, particularly in how I think about movement, rhythm and how people experience space.’
Filippo Calvagno, founder of Studio Calvagno
Studio Flora London
‘Good design is about creativity and consideration, not just cost. I’m passionate about helping clients with smaller budgets create beautiful, considered homes without compromising on style. I guide my clients through every stage of the process, making design approachable, transparent and tailored to individual needs.’
Flora Slater, founder of Studio Flora London
Studio Mac
‘I am a designer with an instinctive eye for visual storytelling and spatial flow. Growing up surrounded by antiques and historic homes shaped my understanding of how history, character and architecture influence the way a space feels. I believe each room should hold its own personality, while contributing to a cohesive narrative throughout the home.’
Ailsa MacConnell, founder of Studio Mac
Thirty Stories
‘Our work is anchored in architectural clarity, considered proportion and an instinctive sense of comfort. We believe interiors should feel layered and timeless; spaces that reflect the character of the building and the personality of its inhabitants. This philosophy guides every project, creating individual designs each time.’
Frankie Pritchard & Indie Robinson, co-founders of Thirty Stories
Zoe Willis Design
‘My projects are known for bold use of color, sculptural composition and a cinematic sense of atmosphere. They are not trend-led but narrative-driven. As someone who did not follow a traditional interior-design route, I am continually proving that instinct, lived experience and commercial intelligence can translate into serious, disciplined design.’
Zoe Willis, founder of Zoe Willis Design
