Next in Design 2025 winner. Architectural interior designer Tola Ojuolape is entering a defining moment in her career, with a trio of headline projects that capture the quiet confidence, cultural fluency, and refined materiality she has become known for. Soon to open is Uncommon, a coffee shop in Knightsbridge conceived as a study in cool precision: brushed stainless steel, onyx surfaces, and an edited palette that reflects Tola’s belief in clarity, focus, and the power of restraint.
It follows the success of the Collect VIP Lounge at Somerset House, a makers’ library designed to encourage conversation and togetherness. Here, Tola crafted a cocoon of recycled wood, wool, felt, voile, and simple painted planes – an intentionally humble set of materials elevated through careful composition.
Her largest upcoming undertaking, the remodel of the Eko Hotel in Lagos, sees Tola weaving threads of cultural tradition into a contemporary hospitality environment. Decorating with pattern plays a vital role, drawing subtly from heritage African references while remaining entirely modern.
But that’s not to say she’s leaving residential projects behind – her work in the Nine Elms development, pictured, shows how her love of color and curation translates warmly into a home. As always, she creates spaces that carry both luxury and soul – and that feel, above all, deeply considered.
3 Design Rules from Tola Ojuolape Studio
1. Be Inspired by Your Everyday Surroundings
Always be inspired by the earth. I think there’s a tactility and an earthiness that comes with it that I always look to for many of my projects. I’m constantly finding inspiration in nature, in places I’ve visited, or even just around London. You can do the same in your home by collecting images and staying curious as you move through your day-to-day life. Whether that means looking up, looking around, visiting specific places, or going to galleries, it’s about being aware. London is a great place to gather inspiration from because it’s so beautiful, diverse, and cultured.
2. Work With Local Artisans
Where possible, work with local artisans and makers within the environment where your project is based. For example, if you’re designing a bedroom, you might source a local fabric upholsterer or a woodworker – something unique from the surrounding community to add an extra layer to your space. I think it makes for a much more interesting end result. We worked on a project in Battersea, London, where a colleague had a book called My Colorful Home. One of the featured artists lived in a beautiful home nearby and ended up contributing an art piece to the project. It’s a great example of how you can involve the local community.
3. Always Bring in Artwork
Try to infuse art into your space. You can work with a range of budgets and, again, support local makers and artists. Decorating with art is subjective, but ultimately it’s about the narrative of the space and honoring that. I also think art can evoke strong emotion. In a home, you might start with something subtle and gradually build intensity as you move into more private spaces like bedrooms. Art has a beautiful way of adding depth and character to an environment.
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