DE S IGN CENTRE
ONES TO WATCH Discovering the next generation of design talent is always a joy. Elizabeth Metcalfe talks to a handful of those that
should be on your radar, including the designers from Homes & Gardens’ Next in Design initiative, who bring creativity, a meticulous eye for detail and a personal approach to all of their projects
ADURA DESIGN
Anu Akinyemi is the one-woman band behind this north London studio where she combines her Nigerian- Cameroonian heritage and British upbringing to create deeply personal, culturally rich interiors.
What inspires you? People, always. I think of myself as a quiet people-watcher in the most intentional, curious way. Their stories, their rituals. I’m inspired by beauty in all its forms – from fashion and interiors to culture and psychology. Music inspires me too: jazz and old- school R&B from the 1970s to 1990s are a constant source of creative grounding for me.
Describe your style in three words. Soulful, immersive and refined.
What’s the thread that runs through every scheme, regardless of aesthetic? Atmosphere. I design for how a space feels before how it looks. I love layering texture, tone, and light in ways that feel intentional but unforced. There’s always a sense of narrative and soul.
What projects are you working on at the moment? I’ve just finished a penthouse project in Chelsea’s Imperial Wharf and I’m currently working on a full gut-renovation of a four-bedroom property in north west London. It’s a dream project for a Nigerian client and we’re reimagining the space from scratch, with bespoke joinery, marble finishes and layered lighting.
What’s your latest discovery at the Design Centre? I’m obsessed with Arteriors: its furniture reminds me of home. It’s characterful, textured and never too polished.
OLIVER LYTTELTON
Man of the moment and House & Garden’s Rising Star award winner, Oliver Lyttelton has made quite the impression since launching his design studio in 2020. A Central Saint Martins graduate, he honed his eye and bold approach to colour through a six-month stint assisting designer Rachel Chudley.
What inspires you? I’m inspired by everything – which sounds like an easy answer but I find myself constantly looking around me for inspiration. Even the colour scheme used in retro underground station tiles. I even got inspired by the colour scheme of a duck in Clissold Park the other day…
What’s the thread that runs through every scheme, regardless of aesthetic? I’d say the perfect mix of colour, texture and light. I think when you get all of this right, it creates depth and provides enough personality without being overstimulating.
Do you have a specific starting point for a project? The most important starting point is the layout. It informs and helps the brain begin to get inspiration. I always try to get three images or keywords that the client loves and resonates with before going further into design.
What one thing do your projects always include? Textured walls.
What’s your latest discovery at the Design Centre? I’ve recently discovered the extensive range of Pierre Frey fire- rated and high Martindale-rated fabrics, which are a lifesaver when doing a commercial job.
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