After honing her craft at some of London’s most renowned design firms, our Next in Design 2025 Winner, Rachael Gowdridge, launched her eponymous studio in 2021 with the goal of creating interiors that are layered, timeless, and expressive.
Her first role at David Collins Studio instilled in her an appreciation for detail. At Martin Brudnizki Design Studio, she learned that ‘every single trim and lampshade was thoughtfully considered,’ while also developing expertise in bespoke furniture. ‘You learn everything about dimensions, filling, and the fundamentals of what makes furniture functional. There’s nothing worse than a table being the wrong height.’
Later, at Ennismore, Rachael worked on hotels including The Hoxton and Gleneagles, further broadening her understanding of how design balances beauty with practicality.
Now leading her own practice, she focuses on blending eras to create spaces that feel both natural and enduring. ‘I don’t like things to feel too modern or too traditional,’ she explains. ‘By combining a 1950s sideboard with a 1900s chair, it feels timeless rather than contrived – like it has come together naturally and can evolve over the years.’ Vintage pieces are central to her approach, valued both for their individuality and for the rare materials often used in earlier craftsmanship.
3 Key Design Rules With Rachael Gowdridge
1. Let the Architecture Lead
Before adding anything new, take cues from what already exists – proportions, molding, patina, and light. Respond to those details rather than competing with them. Once the foundations are honored, you can begin layering in contemporary pieces that feel like a natural extension rather than an interruption.
2. Mix Eras Through Materiality
Heritage design is not about creating a museum piece; it’s about creating contrast in a thoughtful way. I love balancing old and new through materiality, pairing warm woods or brass with clean, contemporary finishes. When the textures speak to each other, the whole space feels cohesive.
3. Curate Stories
A heritage-inspired home should feel collected over time. Mix inherited pieces, antiques, and modern design – but always with a point of view. Each element should add meaning, not clutter. Look for ways to weave in narrative – a contemporary light over an antique table or a modern textile on a vintage chair. This will make the space feel lived-in, personal, and quietly elevated.
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