Iconic Interiors Designers Series - Part II
A celebration of timeless taste and iconic style
In the world of interiors, trends rise and fall, but certain names to me will stay evergreen.
Whether rooted in classical elegance, bold experimentation, or quiet luxury, these designers have shaped more than rooms; they have and are shaping a culture.
Here are seven iconic figures whose influence is felt every time we pick wallpaper, organise our libraries, or choose lighting in a beautifully lived-in space.
1. Bunny Williams. The Queen of Comfortable Elegance
Bunny Williams has spent decades proving that classic doesn’t have to mean stiff. I share this idea! Her rooms are graceful and traditional, but they are also deeply welcoming. She mixes fine antiques with cosy textiles (she loves Schumacher fabrics). A true believer in layered living, she shows us that beauty and comfort can, and should, coexist.
Signature: Blue-and-white porcelain, textured neutrals, antiques with soul.
2. Ralph Lauren. The American Dream in Room Form
Ralph Lauren, one of my absolute favourites, is more than a fashion designer; he is a world builder. His interiors channel old-world glamour, New England prep, and rugged ranch style with equal flair. I cannot help but think about Katherine Hepburn when I think about Ralph Lauren Interiors. Everything he touches feels cinematic. Walk into a Ralph Lauren-designed space and you’ll feel the narrative: an adventurer, a gentleman, a timeless spirit.
Signature: Dark woods, leather, tartan, equestrian motifs, and Americana charm.
3. Martha Stewart. The Original Lifestyle Architect
Martha Stewart didn’t just teach America how to make a bed or bake a pie; she gave everyday life a sense of ritual and refinement. Her homes are a masterclass in clean lines, soft palettes, and attention to detail. Her eye for harmony and her ability to elevate the domestic arts helped transform the so-called ‘good taste’.
On top of that…she is a bad-ass!
Signature: Soft neutrals and greens, traditional Americana, fresh flowers and plants, and seasonal living.
4. Paola Navone. The Bold with a Global Soul
\well, well, it is not only about Americans..Italian designer Paola Navone lives between worlds, geographically and stylistically. Her work pulls from Asia, Africa, and Europe, often with playful scale and handmade textures. She’s not afraid of imperfection, and her designs have an emotional, often spiritual quality that feels deeply human.
Signature: Indigo shades, rough ceramics, oversized silhouettes, raw meets refined.
5. Antonio Citterio. The Master of Modern Quiet Luxury
Sleek, understated, and meticulously engineered, Antonio Citterio's work is Italian modernism at its most mature. His interiors are never flashy but always elegant. He creates spaces that feel serious yet sensual, where comfort is built into every proportion and materials speak louder than ornament. His bathrooms are my absolute favourites.
Signature: Leather, glass, calm palettes, precision over decoration.
6. Kelly Hoppen. The Neutral Minimalist with Maximum Impact
South African-born British designer Kelly Hoppen made taupe sexy long before it became mainstream. She champions tonal layering, feng shui, and East meets West. Her interiors are almost spa-like, full of symmetry, serenity, and light. If you like elegant hyper-modernism, she is your designer. Her absolute pet peeve? Cushions chopping…beware!
Signature: Neutrals on neutrals, clean lines, mirrored accents, balance and symmetry.
7. Joanna Wood. The British Tastemaker with Quiet Confidence
Joanna Wood, another one I truly love, is elegant, unpretentious, and quintessentially British.
She mixes comfort and polish with an eye for timeless detail. Her work often includes English antiques, tailored upholstery, and a subtle colour palette perfectly suited to both countryside retreats and city apartments.
Signature: Understated elegance, traditional silhouettes, subtle texture, personal touches.
This image is my personal interpretation of the styles of these great design masters, brought to life through AI tools based on my creative direction. All rights reserved to Abode Est. 2025.
Each of these designers brings a different tempo to interior design, some more impetuously and others more quietly. Some take you to distant lands, dreaming of worlds you may not be able to visit for some time, while others invite you into a timeless home you never want to leave.
I find myself somewhere in between: a maximalist, but always with intention. I appreciate the flair of Navone, but adore Bunny's timelessness and Ralph Lauren's memories brought into our era. Like Martha, one of my heroes, I believe that how we live, how we set the table, fold the towels, light the room…actually does matter! because design is more than a style. It’s a way of being.
Who inspires you the most?
For more reflections on interior decor, ideas and mood boards, and one-of-a-kind finds from Italy and beyond. Follow along on
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