The Challenges and Rewards of Co-Founding an Interior Design Studio

For many interior designers, starting a studio is a career goal closely associated with more creative expression and flexibility, the desire to break away from salaried positions at other practices, and the opportunity to forge your own path. But, sometimes, a little company along the way is no bad thing, particularly at such a pivotal moment in your professional life.

Many designers have chosen to co-found studios with former colleagues or friends, drawn to the idea of a shared sense of leadership, complementary skills and strengths, and of course, having someone by your side to share in the success. The list of benefits is long, but of course, navigating any close professional relationship can be hard work.

This week, we spoke to the co-founders of two design practices, Studio Brisa and Stevenson Wright, to find out a little more about how they protect their working relationships, handle disagreements, and why they love working together.

Débora Foresti and Carla Dutra, Co-Founders of Studio Brisa

“We met through a network of Brazilian architects based in the UK, and connected over a shared interest in design,” says Débora Foresti, who co-founded Studio Brisa, a high-end, residential, London-based interior design studio, with Carla Dutra. “We began attending design events and showrooms together, and soon discovered a strong alignment in our approach to interiors,” she says, which is grounded in a blend of Brazilian heritage and British craftsmanship.

“Débora expressed a desire to collaborate more closely with someone, so when a suitable opportunity came up, I invited her to co-design a living room project,” says Dutra. The scope of this first project was initially limited to FF&E, as the renovation was already in progress without interior designer involvement, but it quickly expanded, and before they knew it, Dutra and Foresti were working on a full refurbishment of a Grade II listed Georgian townhouse.

“That project became a milestone,” says Dutra. “We worked together across all phases, from space planning and lighting to bespoke joinery and final styling.”

This project led to further commissions for the pair via word of mouth, and by the time Studio Brisa was formalised, they had already built a very strong relationship through several completed projects.

Clear communication and mutual respect are two rules that Foresti and Dutra apply in their working relationship. “Because our partnership started professionally rather than as a friendship, we set clear expectations from the outset,” says Foresti. “We’re both committed to honesty and transparency, and we regularly check in to ensure we’re aligned, not just on project work, but on how the business is evolving.”

When it comes to specialisms and sharing the workload or value, Foresti and Dutra are a natural fit. “Débora is very process-driven and enjoys exploring new platforms and technologies to refine the way we work,” says Dutra. “Her strength is in seeing the bigger pictures, how the overall story of a home comes together and how to translate our clients’ aspirations into something coherent and lasting.”

For Foresti, Carla’s international experience is key. “Having previously run a successful business in Brazil, she also leads on client communications and operations. Her background working across different cultures is particularly valuable in London’s international context,” she says. Although, it is also about collaborating and harnessing these strengths, and together they “combine creative vision with practical execution.” They review all design decisions together, but divide tasks based on strengths. “This process has evolved organically and continues to work well,” says Foresti.

Natalie Stephenson and Juliette Wright, co-founders of Stephenson Wright

Natalie Stephenson and Julitte Wright first met at the Chelsea-based Helen Green Design, a luxury interior design studio, in 2004. “We instantly struck up a friendship and found we had a shared common work ethic and passion for delivering high-quality projects,” says Wright, adding that all of this was “interwoven with humour.” Throughout this time, they shared the train journey into the office together every day, where they would discuss their shared vision to work together on projects of their own. Things finally fell into place in 2013 when they launched Stephenson Wright.

“We knew we could work together,” says Wright, adding, “there was just a feeling, combined with a mutual respect for each other’s experience and personalities.

As we built the business together, we saw that our talents slotted into roles quite organically.” For Stephenson, Wright offers a sense of direction and dexterity that moves a project forward. “Juliette has an intuitive vision for the overall style direction of a project and will be relentless when sourcing, turning her hand to any brief to suit each project,” she says. “She will guide the initial look of the project, whipping up early sketches to work through a design concept.”

For Wright, Stephenson’s combination of expression and diligence makes her the perfect co-founder. “Natalie has a flair for colour and materiality,” says Wright, “which pairs well with a strong budgetary control over the estimate. This way, she ensures any project is delivered professionally and seamlessly.”

When it comes to handling disagreements, Wright and Stephenson have a tried and tested formula for making it out the other side. “We don’t hold grudges,” Wright says, adding that, “it’s much like family, where you can be open and honest about a situation - it is said and then you move on.” For Stephenson, too, it’s about hashing things out through conversation. “Sometimes we strongly disagree about an aspect of a design, but through our discussions, we do find that a happier result is achieved, as we have both ‘fought’ for what we believe is the right approach,” she says.