London-based interior designer, Henry Prideaux is known for combining classic and contemporary interior styles to create authentic environments that emphasise the character and decorative detail in each project. With an eye for detail and a love of colour, texture, and pattern, every design scheme is artfully crafted within a blend of old and new pieces, bringing each space to life. Following a successful career working at some of the industry’s most renowned design practices, Henry Prideaux Interior Design was established in 2014 to provide a personalised interior design service for private residential and boutique commercial clients.

1. Could you tell us how your journey into interior design started?

I started as an intern in university holidays for the interior Designer Jonathan Hudson who was helping my parents refurbish their house. Post University I went back full time I enjoyed it so much and from there never turned back. I then worked for Nicky Haslam for several years followed by time designing projects for Harrods top private clients before setting up Henry Prideaux Interior Design in 2014.

2. Do you think there has been a defining moment in your career?

A few key moments would be securing my job with Nicky Haslam, which really opened my eyes to all sorts of design styles. Then, I created the entrance display to Decorex International, the preeminent Interior Design Show in the UK, in 2018. I was then selected in the list of House and Garden’s Top 100 designers in 2024.

3. What do you think is the key to a successful interior design? And in your business in general?

The key element to any design is listening to your client and interpreting what they are saying into something tangible but better than they were thinking. Within the business it is having a happy team all working towards the same goal of creating joyful interiors for our clients.

4. How would you define your signature style? Do you have “a mantra” that encapsulates your taste in design?

We don’t have a fixed style as our clients all seem to have different tastes but I would say we like to create comfortable, functional interiors that are an updated take on classic interiors.

There are three main things that inform the design of a project. 1 – the client brief and what they are saying they want to achieve and what their taste is. 2- the property itself and how it feels like it should be designed. 3 – my interpretation of the client brief into the space they have bought, aligned with my ideas for how the spaces could look.

A keyword can inform the design – we are doing a house at the moment with the key word being ‘Seventies’ which is bringing all sorts of unusual colour and pattern to the fore. Equally we can turn our hand to more pared back and calm projects. As long as the brief is met. The architectural layout is pretty much the first port of call on the design side, ensuing the flow of the house works.

6.  Could you tell us about one of the favorite projects that you worked on?

All projects become your favourites, it’s so hard to pick just one. We are working on an art deco themed sailing yacht, a seventies themed house, a pared back oast house and a Jacobean Priory amongst others that are all going to be spectacular in their own way. If I could choose one to live in though, apart from our own home, it would be a small city house we recently completed with a beautiful entrance hall, cosy sitting room and brilliant work from home area complete with large fitted bar. A great entertaining spot in town.

7. What would be your advice to beginner interior designers?

Learn the software packages designers use on a daily basis. Learn about who the designers you admire use as their furniture and fabric suppliers. Keep sketching – this will always come in handy to show ideas on the fly.

8. What was one of the hardest learned lessons in your journey?

Knowing when to let go is a hard one as your business becomes your baby. I think I should definitely have hired a bookkeeper sooner though to take some of the more complicated finances off my plate.

9. What are your 3 favorite pieces from the Philia Collection?

10. What was the best advice you have received in your path?

The best advice for the design to be a success is simply to listen more, in particular to your client. And then for the finances, don’t pay for goods in advance of receiving the funds for them. These should stand you in pretty good stead.

11.  Are there any books/podcasts you would like to recommend to our readers?

House Guest podcast by Carole Annett for Country and Townhouse is a great podcast with some short sharp insights into top designers work.

A book I return to time and again to learn and inform my interiors is: ‘The Elements of Style: An Encyclopedia of Domestic Architectural Detail’ by Stephen Calloway, but is now sadly out of print.

The Nicky Haslam book: ‘A Designer’s Life: An Archive of Inspired Design and Décor’ is a great insight into a really creative mind.

12. If you could pick one interior design tip that is important to you, what would it be?

I generally use three colours in any one interior that provides enough impact without overpowering.

13. Finally, what are your upcoming projects? Anything you’d like to share or add to the interview?

We have a fishing lodge in Scotland, a family house in Fulham, a villa in Richmond amongst others. All have a different aesthetic we’re excited to showcase them in due course.

Thank you so much Henry, for sharing your answers with us!