“Good design makes me happy,” says Anna Hewitson of her motivation for working in interiors. “I understand the power it has to transform people’s moods.” It is this understanding that helps her to create the sort of organic, eclectic interiors where people feel at ease. Working from her studio in the West Sussex countryside, Anna’s is a small and deeply personal business, where each client, whether in London, the country or abroad, gets her full attention.

Having first studied Fine Art and later trained at KLC, Anna’s initial years in the world of interior design were spent working for some of the UK’s biggest names, including Melissa Wyndham, Hugh Leslie and Janine Stone, from each of whom she garnered different skills and specialisms. Since 2013 Anna has been working independently, working on many London houses but increasingly moving her practice towards country projects.

Anna’s style balances neatly on the line between contemporary and traditional, with nods to classic English country house style. Fundamentally calm and restful, her interiors are lent warmth and interest by judiciously chosen antiques and patterned fabrics. “I never want anything to feel overly sleek or shiny,” she explains. “My own look is more of a clean take on the traditional look.” The art of layering is a key one in Anna’s world, with colour, texture, and interesting objects carefully added so as to look settled and comfortable. Designing bespoke pieces is a particularly enjoyable part of the process, and often forms part of her projects.

Working with a small and efficient company is an advantage for Anna’s clients. “It’s a very personal relationship, and I really listen to what my clients need and what they have to say. I don’t dictate to people, they can expand on what they want and I will be flexible in my approach to making it happen.” Good relationships are at the heart of what Anna does, and she stresses how rewarding it is to see a client living in their home and enjoying it once a project is completed. “Improving the way people live gives me such great pleasure.”