Conversations in Design

Hosted by Homes & Gardens
Swedish-born Beata Heuman has emerged as one of the UK’s most respected interior designers. Her playful, harmonious style is informed by her Scandinavian heritage, skillfully mixing the bold and theatrical with classical restraint. With an intuition for colour and detail, and the ability to draw inspiration from sources past and present, she shares her approach to creating imaginative spaces with acting editorial director Pip McCormac.

Leading designers – Tatjana von Stein, joint founder of Sella Concept and Peter Mikic of his eponymous studio – put the spotlight on the balance between creative fulfillment and running a successful business. Each is celebrated for their experimental mindset, but how do they achieve the realisation of their highly inventive concepts while satisfying the needs of the client? From conceiving a luxury penthouse, designing pop-up ‘living rooms’ for Netflix and Google to reimagining homes in the Balearics, join them as they reflect on the challenges of creating compelling interiors in a highly competitive market. Chaired by writer Charlotte Abrahams.

Hosted by FT How To Spend It
Patrick Frey, patriarch of renowned Parisian design house Pierre Frey, has a unique vision that challenges the norm. Relentlessly curious and an ardent traveler, he has a daring and optimistic approach that encourages us to consider the limitless possibilities of design. He shares his insights with Michelle Ogundehin, writer, design consultant and TV presenter, delving into what drives his imagination – from collaborations with cutting-edge artists to explorations of world cultures – and examining how he creates fabric and wallpapers that joyfully break the rules and shape the future of interiors.

Hosted by FT House & Home
Sharing how they made the leap from small practice to growing studio, three acclaimed interior designers explore their business success. Mike Fisher, founder of Studio Indigo, Samantha Todhunter of her eponymous studio and Emily Todhunter of Todhunter Earle reflect on their journey from fledgling designer to thriving, creative business leader. Expect personal insight, sage advice and plenty of entrepreneurial spirit as the panel delve into their rule books, revealing the pivotal decisions and shrewd strategies instrumental in growing their now well-established, dynamic studios. Chaired by editor Helen Barrett.

Hosted by House & Garden
Renowned interior designer, hotelier and director of design for Rocco Forte Hotels, Olga Polizzi is admired for capturing the essence of a location in her interiors. Marking an exciting period of new and forthcoming projects – from the landmark Balmoral Hotel in Edinburgh to an 18th-century palazzo atop Rome’s Spanish Steps – she explores her design philosophy in conversation with editor, Hatta Byng. Expect captivating insights and learn the secrets to hotel interiors that are highly individual, yet alike in quality and comfort.

Hosted by ELLE Decoration
Renowned for creating elegant, effortless interiors, designers Martin Hulbert and Jay Grierson of Martin Hulbert Design pay extraordinary attention to the smallest detail. In conversation with editor Ben Spriggs, they explore what drives this highly considered approach, the hallmark of an impressive portfolio of projects that includes Cliveden, Nobu and The Grove as well as homes across the globe. Expect insider insights from this design duo who bring a rare combination of style, wit and artistry to their work in their quest for authenticity and individuality.

Hosted by Country Life
Rita Konig’s relaxed style has made her one of today’s most sought after interior designers on both sides of the Atlantic. Deftly layering pattern, texture and colour, her schemes bring a relaxed comfort, pairing quirky, classic pieces with modern accents. In conversation with executive editor Giles Kime, she discusses the secrets to her creative approach as well as her passion for sharing her expertise. Defining a new chapter with a very personal project – the renovation of a Victorian farmhouse in County Durham – she reveals the challenges faced transforming the seven-bedroom rural property into a dream family home.

Hosted by Livingetc
The digital age has transformed the lives of interior designers, creating new ways for them to imagine and communicate their vision for living. Leading designers – Emma Pocock, co-founder of Turner Pocock and Elnaz Namaki, founder of her eponymous studio – share how the growth of social media and design apps have changed interiors. The discussion will explore how the digital landscape has democratised the design process, allowing everyone to share in the creativity, and ask whether, at the dawn of a new decade, there will be even more change to the way our homes are designed and seen. Moderated by acting executive editor, Kate Burnett.

Hosted by Sleeper
Sustainability has been a hot topic in hospitality design circles for over a decade now, but as the effects of environmental disruption grow stronger and the planet approaches a true carbon crunch, what will be the responsibilities of hotel designers be? Industry experts – Jeremy Grove co-founder and managing director of Sibley Grove and Fiona Thompson, principal of Richmond International discuss how their businesses are realising a vision to design innovative global hospitality projects which foster a more sustainable, harmonious relationship with the natural environment. Chaired by Kristofer Thomas, features editor of Sleeper.

Hosted by Country & Town House
Credited with popularising the boutique escape, James Lohan, founder of Mr & Mrs Smith and his sister, interior designer Hannah Lohan, explore the growing influence of hotel trends on our own homes. The dynamic pair talk to interiors editor Carole Annett about what makes guests fall in love with a particular place – from hotel city breaks to beach resorts, safari camps and wellness retreats – and predict what’s next when it comes to the crossover between where we live, and where we stay.

Exploring the power of a collaborative spirit, an internationally renowned panel discuss the merit of creative partnerships, shining a light on craftsmanship. Sarah Miller, luxury brand ambassador of the Wall St Journal, talks to Andrew Winch, founder and creative director of Winch Design, Ann Grafton, managing director and creative director of GP & J Baker, Staffan Tollgård, co-founder of Tollgård Design Group and Dr Thalia Kennedy, creative director of Turquoise Mountain.

Hosted by Homes & Gardens
Three of today’s most interesting and relevant tastemakers Suzy Hoodless, Susie Atkinson and Flora Soames share insights into creating beautifully curated interiors with editorial director, Sarah Spiteri.

Hosted by Vanity Fair
Interior designers are often credited with a particular design aesthetic, but to what extent is it shaped by early influences, both geographical and cultural? Listen to a trio of international panellists, Natalia Miyar, founder of her eponymous atelier, Fiona Barratt-Campbell, founder of Fiona Barratt Interiors and Hubert Zandberg, founder of Hubert Zandberg Interiors as they reveal the formative influences behind their design DNA to Vanity Fair‘s travel editor Michelle Jana Chan.

Hosted by FT How To Spend It
Anthony Collett and Andrzej Zarzycki, founding partners of Collett-Zarzycki, explore an extraordinary 30-year design portfolio. From London townhouses to Tuscan retreats, every project is defined by a bespoke aesthetic, distinguished by originality and individuality, and informed by an emphasis on craftsmanship, materiality and timeless elegance. In conversation with journalist and author, Dominic Bradbury.

Hosted by House & Garden
David Mlinaric, one of the most influential interior decorators of his generation, takes a fascinating journey through his 58-year career which has seen him work on an array of impressive projects the world over – from private houses for a starry client list to public buildings and galleries. In conversation with editor Hatta Byng.

Three visionaries explore the role of design in creating luxury hotel and residential spaces that fuse originality, imagination, hospitality and discovery. Paolo Moschino, interior designer and owner of Nicholas Haslam Ltd, Anna Beeber, partner at New York-based design practice Champalimaud and Bryan O’Sullivan, founder of Bryan O’Sullivan Studio, talk to Times Luxx travel editor Lisa Grainger about how they create sought-after destinations.

Hosted by Country Life
A former DJ and music promoter, Nicholas Ashley-Cooper, 12th Earl of Shaftesbury, is the unexpected saviour of his ancestral home, St. Giles House in Dorset. He describes his unconventional, yet ultimately award-winning journey to bringing the house back to life with interiors editor Giles Kime.

Hosted by Livingetc
Charu Gandhi, founder and director of Elicyon, Kate Guinness, founder of her eponymous studio and Nicholas Spencer, co-founder of Spencer & Wedekind, share personal experiences and perspectives from managing global projects and responding to a client’s brief to running a growing team and working with a loved one. Join executive editor Pip McCormac and learn how to take your business to the next level.

Hosted by Elle Decoration
Artist and designer Luke Edward Hall has taken the design world by storm with his playful, nostalgic, charming yet sophisticated work. In conversation with editor Ben Spriggs, he explores the happy and optimistic hallmarks of his aesthetic, which embraces an exuberant colour palette and whimsical and romantic themes.

Discover how four inspirational tastemakers bring a sense of joyfulness and wellbeing into their everyday lives. Fiona Leahy, creative director of her own event design agency, Clare Nolan, stylist, author and photographer, Clodagh McKenna, chef, cookbook author and broadcaster, and fashion editor and consultant Kim Hersov discuss how they each bring their own inimitable style to living life with authenticity, integrity, colour and fun. Chaired by lifestyle journalist Fiona McCarthy.

Hosted by Homes & Gardens
Sharing a respect for our rich and enduring design heritage, three internationally acclaimed designers explore how they are inspired to create imaginative spaces for the world we live in today. Russell Sage, founder of Russell Sage Studio fresh from his latest project restoring a Victorian lodge in Braemar, Katharine Pooley whose eponymous studio has worked on landmark projects worldwide and Beata Heuman, a designer renowned for looking at the past and to the future, talk to editorial director Sarah Spiteri about how they fuse heritage and modernity.

Three accomplished designers – Maria Speake, co-founder of Retrouvius, Shalini Misra, founder of Shalini Misra Ltd and Staffan Tollgård, co-founder of Staffan Tollgård Design Group – consider the business lessons they learnt in building their award-winning interior design practices. Join them as they discuss how to navigate commercial challenges, tackle international expansion, negotiate collaborations and manage client relationships while consistently delivering creative integrity and growth. Panel discussion hosted by design writer and TV presenter, Michelle Ogundehin.

London-based designer Michael Anastassiades launched his London studio in 1994 to explore contemporary notions of culture and aesthetics through lighting, furniture, objects and spatial design. In conversation with Sarah Miller, founder of Sarah Miller & Partners, he discusses the principle notions of dialogue, participation and interaction that have defined his practice to date. Expect an insightful view into the world of this renowned designer, celebrated for his notable lighting and acquired work in the permanent collections of international museums such as MoMA and the V&A.

Hosted by House & Garden
Renowned New York designer Steven Gambrel talks to editor Hatta Byng about his unique approach, creating interiors that are both familiar and unexpected. Fusing a classical design vocabulary with the ways his clients live now, thoughtful compositions, superior craftsmanship and attention to detail are the hallmarks of his work. From a beach house in The Hamptons to an exclusive suite in Manhattan’s Plaza Hotel, discover how his portfolio of spectacular projects are conceived with the same sophisticated layering of materials, textures and colours.

Hosted by FT How To Spend It
Specialising in luxury projects around the world, interior and furniture designer Francis Sultana is the go-to for international collectors who appreciate his ability to blend often large scale art, sculpture and installation pieces within interior spaces. His work is influenced by his Maltese heritage and the style of the 1920s and 1930s, and is distinguished by the use of noble materials and artisan techniques. Join writer Charlotte Abrahams as she talks to the design virtuoso celebrating 10 years of his eponymous studio.

Hosted by Country Life
Three renowned interior designers nominate inspiring figures – past and present – whose singular approach has informed their own design thinking. Join Emma Burns of Sibyl Colefax & John Fowler, Guy Goodfellow and Max Rollitt as they talk to interiors editor Giles Kime about their design heroes. From being mentored by a highly respected designer with an original aesthetic, finding inspiration in eclectic, cosmopolitan interiors to a notable furniture maker – they reveal the creative legends who have had a significant impact on their work

Hosted by ELLE Decoration
Forecast by ELLE Decoration as 2019’s ‘power couple’, Sophie Ashby, founder of Studio Ashby and fashion designer Charlie Casely-Hayford, talk to editor Ben Spriggs about their shared love for design. Charlie looked no further than his critically acclaimed wife to renovate his new fashion store on London’s Chiltern Street. Discover how Sophie’s modernist-meets-eclectic signature style, Charlie’s contemporary approach to tailoring and a mutual appreciation of art and culture marked their first working collaboration.

Hosted by Livingetc
Trying to describe 21^st century glamour is often full of contradiction – luxurious yet effortless, polished yet relaxed, confident yet natural. Cutting through the ambiguity, three style mavens come together to explore how to go about achieving a space that oozes modern glamour.  Join Lucy Barlow, founder of Barlow & Barlow, Johnny Holland, founder of Hackett Holland and Peter Gomez, head of design at Zoffany as they discuss what defines this most aspirational of interiors style. Chaired by Livingetc executive editor, Neil McLennan, expect to be inspired as this design-savvy panel share their imaginative creative vision.

Internationally acclaimed designer Kit Kemp explores the inspiration behind her creative process. In conversation with lifestyle writer Fiona McCarthy, the pair will discuss how Kit weaves a captivating narrative into all her interiors. Showcasing her unique approach Kit will delve into a selection of her latest designs, each treated as an individual work of art. Her interiors are tailored and highly detailed but still have a feeling of calm and pique curiosity, creating personal, authentic, handcrafted spaces which stand the test of time. This promises to be a visual journey that will delight the eye and capture the imagination.

Putting the spotlight on Instagram, three acclaimed interior designers consider how they have successfully developed the art of visual storytelling. Bee Osborn, founder of Osborn Interiors, Laura Hammett, co-founder of her eponymous studio and Sophie Paterson, founder of Sophie Paterson Interiors, talk to design writer Becky Sunshine about how they put together inspiring, authentic content to cultivate and engage their social media following. Expect insightful observations as they explore the impact of this powerful networking platform to help grow their business.

Hosted by Galerie
When it comes to creating a dynamic space, scale and proportion can be just as powerful as style and colour. These building blocks lay the foundation for the visual narrative and bring cohesive direction to every project. Join interior designer Lady Henrietta Spencer-Churchill, Christopher Peacock of his eponymous luxury cabinetry company and award-winning sculptor David Harber, along with Galerie editor in chief Jacqueline Terrebonne, for a lively discussion on this dynamic topic. The internationally renowned panel, who work on both sides of the pond, will touch on transatlantic commonalities and differences, historic and modern influences, plus how an emphasis on craftsmanship and a tailor-made approach brings a unique personality to their projects no matter the size.