Known for her warm approach, and intelligently designed interiors, Caroline Riddell has been recognised by House and Garden magazine as one of the 100 leading UK interior designers for many years.
Caroline studied fine art at City and Guilds before setting up her burgeoning interior design business in 1999. She has designed homes ranging from Country Manor houses, Grade II listed townhouses, architect-designed city apartments, and ski chalets to a mews house, a converted priest house, a Suffolk long house and a castle in Tuscany to name but a few.
1. You have chosen to work with George Smith on several beautiful projects, what is it about our designs that resonates with your vision and keeps you coming back?
We have frequently come back to George Smith, and it is more than likely that you will find your furniture throughout a lot of my projects I have worked on over the years. Your pieces sit comfortably within my philosophy of remaining sympathetic to the period of a house while interpreting each client’s vision. By guiding clients through the design process, I aim to create homes that feel warm, comfortable, and familiar, and George Smith furniture supports that approach beautifully, bringing a sense of timelessness and ease to every scheme.
2. Can you share a memorable project where George Smith furniture played a defining role in the overall design?
One particularly memorable project was a recent townhouse in Wandsworth designed for a young family. Two George Smith Signature sofas formed the heart of the living room. Upholstered in a luxurious mohair, the fabric is soft and durable, ideal for everyday family life. The sofas are refined without ever feeling precious, making the room feel effortless and lived-in, yet carefully composed, a space that is both practical and inviting.
3. When you start a new project, how do you balance your own design instincts with the client’s personal tastes and lifestyle?
We find this balance through a period of detailed and thoughtful discussion at the beginning of each project. Understanding how a client lives is essential, whether they require formal entertaining spaces or prefer a more relaxed, informal environment, particularly when young children are involved. Some homes still benefit from clearly defined, more formal rooms, while others love a space without any “out of bounds” areas at all.
4. Your background is in fine art, how does that artistic training inform the way you approach interiors today?
My fine art training has been so valuable in the way I approach interiors, particularly in understanding composition, balance, and the use of colour. It has informed my sensitivity to spatial layout and the relationship between structure and decoration, ensuring that schemes feel considered rather than contrived. We also offer art consultancy as part of our services. My background in fine art is key, whether sourcing new pieces or advising on the placement or reframing of existing ones. Art brings a home to life, adding character and a sense of the people who live there.
5. You have designed everything from historic country homes to modern townhouses, how does the architecture of a space guide your interior decisions?
The architectural context of a property is always carefully considered, and we aim to remain sympathetic to its period while allowing the interiors to feel relevant and lived in. Colour and fabric choices often provide an opportunity to introduce a more contemporary sensibility, even within historic settings. George Smith pieces lend themselves particularly well to this approach.
6. Sustainability and longevity are clearly important to you, how do you decide when to reuse an existing pieces versus introducing something new?
We always begin by assessing a client’s existing furniture and, wherever possible, encourage re-use or re-upholstery. High-quality pieces deserve to be preserved and giving them a new lease of life is both sustainable and meaningful. We use George Smith pieces as they are built to last. We always recommend fabrics that will withstand everyday use while maintaining their quality. Investing in well-made pieces reduces the need for replacement and supports a more considered, sustainable approach to design.
Photographer Alexis Hamilton, Signature Chair & Run Up Stool
8. What is one piece of practical advice you would give someone who wants to elevate their home but doesn’t know where to start?
Begin by looking at images of interiors, not only to identify what you like, but perhaps more importantly, what you don’t. Understanding what you want to avoid can be just as revealing. I believe a home should feel layered and evolve over time, rather than follow trends too closely. Trust your instincts and focus on the atmosphere you want to create. A thoughtful, personal approach will always result in a more enduring and meaningful interior.
9. Lastly, any exciting projects in the pipeline where we might see more George Smith furniture?
We are currently working on a beach house along the Suffolk coastline, where several of George Smith’s more contemporary, clean-lined pieces will sit beautifully within the relaxed setting. In addition, we have a Georgian farmhouse in Oxfordshire in progress, where the family is keen to create a warm, comfortable, and welcoming home. Pieces such as the Edwardian Armchair and Study Chair will play an important role in achieving that relaxed yet characterful feel.
