10th October 2024 | IN EXPERT INSIGHT | BY SBID ShareTweetPinterestLinkedIn Emma Hemmings, Founder of Emma Louise Home Design, has given her insights into the industry. My career in interior design began in 2014 when I managed and designed my own home renovations. This experience led to project management and design work for friends and family, sparking a passion for creating spaces that felt both rewarding and inspiring. It was this realisation that motivated me to pursue interior design as a professional career. With a BSc and MSc from Bristol and Southampton Universities, and a young family to consider, I decided against returning to formal education for a degree or diploma in interior design. Instead, I took an independent approach, focusing on key areas like mastering 3D design software and attending CPD (Continuing Professional Development) events, especially in lighting, hosted by leading brands. Building relationships with trade professionals during those early projects was invaluable, as I gained hands-on insights into the various elements of interior design, including kitchens, bathrooms, and joinery. Today, I regularly attend industry events to stay updated on the latest trends and maintain close connections with suppliers to better understand the products and ranges available. Emma Louise Home Design Emma Louise Home Design Why did you want to work in the interior design profession? For me, working with samples, textures, and creating design schemes is my “happy place.” I am passionate about crafting spaces that inspire and evoke happiness. Each project is unique, designed with specific people, functions, and emotions in mind. Having experienced firsthand how changes in my home and workspace impacted my mood and productivity, I know I’ll never tire of working with clients to help them transform their spaces and build confidence in their design choices. Emma Louise Home Design Which elements of your profession do you enjoy the most? It’s hard to choose because interior design is such a multifaceted profession, and no two projects are ever alike. However, I particularly enjoy the process of understanding my clients on a personal level to design spaces that reflect their personalities, and I thrive in the creative challenge of bringing those ideas to life. Lighting and colour are two elements that fascinate me the most. Lighting is both technical and creative – being able to design lighting that enhances architecture and sets the perfect mood is incredibly exciting. Colour, on the other hand, is like a science. It has a profound impact on how a space feels, its perceived size, and the emotions it evokes. Both elements are endlessly inspiring to me. Emma Louise Home Design What has been your most memorable career highlight from the past year? One of my most memorable highlights was styling and photographing a recent project at Sandy Lane alongside Joey Kendal Brown. The project involved complete kitchen design with Jack Meadows Bespoke, as well as colour and lighting consultation. Seeing the space come to life and knowing I had a hand in every aspect of the design was deeply rewarding. Emma Louise Home Design Emma Louise Home Design What are your favourite types of projects to work on and why? I love residential projects, regardless of size. Working with clients to design their homes feels like a privilege. Homes are deeply personal, serving as spaces where people interact with loved ones, work, relax, and create memories. Being involved from the early stages – planning layouts, lighting design, and overall aesthetics, through to styling – is incredibly fulfilling. Emma Louise Home Design What are the most challenging aspects of working in interior design? Interior design, like any profession, comes with its challenges. One key challenge is keeping up with advances in technology. While I love hand-drawing, there’s no denying the value of computer-aided design in communicating ideas effectively. Managing client expectations is another important aspect – setting realistic goals and working as a team with the client is crucial. Finally, staying on top of design trends while striving for timeless designs can be tricky. While trends are exciting, my aim is always to create designs that clients will love for years to come. Emma Louise Home Design What do you wish you knew before working in the field? My journey into interior design felt a bit unconventional. I project-managed my own home renovations, fell in love with the process, and then sought out learning opportunities to deepen my knowledge. Starting with an understanding of the value of project planning, timelines, communication, and navigating the unpredictable nature of home renovations was, in hindsight, invaluable. These practical elements of the job – often harder to teach or fully grasp until you’re in the field – have given me an edge. I’ve come to realise that interior design involves so much more than creating beautiful spaces with colours and textures. There’s a lot of behind-the-scenes work that is essential to bringing those designs to life. That said, perhaps someone should have warned me that my mind would never fully switch off! I find myself constantly analysing architectural details, colours, and textures wherever I go, but I suppose that’s just part of loving what I do. Emma Louise Home Design If you could give one tip to aspiring designers, what would it be? Take time to discover which elements of design excite you the most, and focus on developing your expertise in one or two of those areas. This will help you stand out and bring a unique perspective to your work. Emma Louise Home Design Emma Louise Home Design How do you see the interior design industry evolving in the year ahead? AI is becoming a major player in the industry, and I believe it will have a positive impact, especially in facilitating design communication. However, I am confident that AI cannot replace the personal connections we build with clients, nor can it fully understand the emotions and memories a space should evoke. I’m excited to see how the industry evolves in the coming year! What does being an SBID Accredited Interior Designer mean to you? Being an SBID Accredited Interior Designer makes me feel like a valued member of the design industry. It’s an important recognition of my skills and dedication, and it gives me a sense of pride in my work. Emma Hemmings, Founder of Emma Louise Home Design About Emma Louise Home Design Emma Louise Home Design is a Surrey based design studio working in Esher and its surrounding areas, as well as throughout the UK via our E-design service. Emma understands what it takes to bring a successful interior together; from the importance of early space planning with consideration to services such as electrical points and lighting design, to the way a space is ultimately styled – and everything in between. Emma works closely with every client to understand their individual brief, striving to exceed expectations and deliver within budget and to an agreed timeline. Taking time to understand the clients’ desires, key objectives and personal style, Emma connects at a personal level with every project. Visit Profile If you’d like to feature your news or stories on SBID.org, get in touch to find out more. If you’d like to become SBID Accredited, click here for more information.