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When starting out your interior design practice or studio, the first thing you need to do is build a reliable list of suppliers you love. As years go by, it’s typical to get stick to the same list and end up designing similar spaces over and over again. To avoid getting bored with your own output, we’ve compiled a list of our favourite suppliers by category, so you can explore new brands who you’ll love. Think ironmongery, tiles, lighting, paint… No need to spend hours scrolling, or doubting whether these suppliers are reliable; they have been vetted by our CEO and interior architect, Lori Bolon.
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Why suppliers are key to interior designers
As an interior designer, your ability to create beautiful and functional spaces relies heavily on the quality of the materials and furnishings you use. That’s why choosing the right suppliers is crucial. Not only do suppliers provide the necessary products, but they also play an important role in the success of your project.
First and foremost, suppliers offer a wide range of products that can cater to your clients’ specific needs. They often have access to unique and rare materials that are difficult to source elsewhere. This means that you can provide your clients with one-of-a-kind designs that are tailored to their preferences. Additionally, suppliers can help you stay up-to-date with the latest design trends and advancements in materials technology, ensuring that your projects are innovative and current.
Beyond just providing products, suppliers can also offer valuable advice and support. Many suppliers have extensive knowledge and experience in their specific field, and can offer guidance on the best products to use for a given project. They can also help you navigate any technical issues that may arise during installation or maintenance, ensuring that your project runs smoothly from start to finish.
Working with reputable suppliers can also help you build a strong reputation as a designer. By using high-quality materials and products, you can ensure that your designs are not only aesthetically pleasing but also durable and functional. This can lead to increased client satisfaction and referrals, as well as positive reviews and testimonials.
When choosing suppliers, it’s important to consider factors such as quality, reliability, and price. Look for suppliers who have a good reputation in the industry, and who can provide references and samples of their work. Consider the overall value of their products and services, rather than just focusing on price alone.
The best suppliers in the UK and Europe: Paint
COAT Paints
COAT stands out as a paint company that goes above and beyond in terms of sustainability. Not only are their eco-friendly formulations and recycled packaging environmentally conscious, but they also support UN Gold projects, carbon offsetting, and have B Corp certification. On top of that, their paints are made using premium ingredients that result in rich colour, smooth application, and long-lasting finishes. Plus, their low-toxin, low-odour water-based recipe makes it safe to use in your home.
Pickleson Paint Co.
Pickleson Paint Co. creates sustainable paint products that are both responsible and stylish. Their chic pink packaging is just the beginning of their beautiful paint selection, which includes a variety of colours and finishes such as chalky matt, just matt, eggshell, and gloss. With great coverage, quick drying, and non-toxic ingredients, it's all you need for a beautiful and environmentally friendly paint job.
The best suppliers in the UK and Europe: Ironmongery
Croft
Croft is a fifth generation family-run British manufacturer of architectural hardware, specialising in pulls, levers, handles and other ironmongery specialities. They have a reputation for excellence and an unparalleled attention to detail. With a predilection for unexpected materials and classic looks, their craftsmanship is a defining characteristic, seen in their individually developed range of finishes, many of which are expertly applied by hand in Willenhall.
The Beardmore Collection
JD Beardmore has been a renowned name in English ironmongery for over 160 years. With their in-house design team, they constantly introduce new contemporary product ranges while maintaining their reputation for English workmanship. Their hand-crafted door furniture, decorative grilles, and electrical fittings are found in grand public buildings and fine homes across the world.
The best suppliers in the UK and Europe: Bathroom and Kitchen fixtures
Abi Interiors
ABI Interiors was founded to create a space where luxury and affordability could coexist in the plumbing and hardware industry. Their architecturally designed products for the laundry, kitchen, and bathroom areas are made with durable materials and top-of-the-industry fixtures. Designed in Australia and adhering to Australian guidelines, ABI Interiors' quality is not just a priority, but a guarantee.
Rutland London
Rutland London, a South Coast English manufacturer, has over 100 years of experience creating luxury bathroom and heating products. They combine classic and modern elements in their timeless designs made with high-quality materials and craftsmanship. Their mixers, shower heads, and vanity suites are popular with designers and homeowners, featuring elegant balance and natural materials like marble.
Studio Ore
Studio Ore creates handcrafted and hand-finished brass taps, showers, and bathroom fittings that are available worldwide. Founder Daniel Lee's vision for his home inspired the company in 2014, and since then, Studio Ore has been committed to using premium-quality materials and unrivalled craftsmanship to design and produce a growing range of products in Sussex, England. Their discreet style and precision engineering embody the beauty of the understated and are perfect for any interior space.
The best suppliers in the UK and Europe: Rugs, carpets and tapestries
Tim Page Carpets
Tim Page Carpets sources beautiful rugs and carpets from around the world, offering options for eclectic and minimalist designers. Their range utilises various fibres, textures, and characteristics to improve any space, and they offer bespoke solutions for unique pieces. Designers frequently collaborate with the brand for fresh collections.
Pinton
Pinton has been providing carpets, rugs and tapestries for homes for 150 years, making them one of the most prestigious names in the industry. The Pinton family blends traditional weaving methods with modern technology to push their creativity to new heights. Their design style is characterised by boldness, eclecticism, and joyful artistry, which can be seen in their diverse range of rugs. The luxurious textures of their materials also take center stage in some designs.
Holmes Bespoke
Holmes Bespoke, established in 2018, specialises in creating custom handcrafted rugs, carpets and tapestries for luxurious interiors. Founder Laylah Holmes' vision is to offer a distinctive and personalised approach to bespoke interiors, with a focus on liveable luxury. With original designs and high-quality craftsmanship, Holmes Bespoke offers a tailored service from concept to installation, offering diverse weaving techniques and premium fibres. The brand collaborates closely with interior designers and project leaders to deliver unique design solutions for any interior.
The best suppliers in the UK and Europe: Lighting
Empty State
Empty State is a modern lighting brand from the minds behind Cameron Design House. Their debut collection of six designs is available in various finishes and made with the latest technology in the UK, before being hand-assembled in London. With over three decades of experience, Empty State creates unique and durable products.
Cameron Design House
Cameron Design House is an award-winning London-based bespoke lighting company founded by Ian Cameron in 2014. Their unique, contemporary designs are crafted by hand in their St John’s Wood studio workshop. Combining influences from central London and the Nordic countryside, their lights prioritise form and function, resulting in enduring and other-worldly designs that maximise lightness and clean lines.
Dowsing & Reynolds
Dowsing & Reynolds, based in Leeds, is a company that embodies a love for interior design and decor. Their diverse product range covers everything from lamps, switches, sockets, handles, taps, paint and more, all falling under the category of "finishing touches". The company's eclectic style draws from multiple design genres, creating a collection that appeals to designers yet remains true to the company's founders. Their products have been highly praised by customers and publications, receiving an average 5/5 stars from 10,000 reviews and being featured in Grand Designs, Elle Decor, and Living etc. With a focus on creating beautiful and joyful home decor, founder James Dowsing-Reynolds designs products that cater to both aesthetics and functionality, such as the pleasing sound of a light switch or the satisfying feel of a kitchen handle.
Northern Lights
Northern Lights started as a small family business in Chesterfield, crafting handmade stained glass products. Today, they are a leading bespoke decorative light fittings company, specialising in hospitality lighting solutions. Their highly experienced designers and sales team work together to provide bespoke solutions for clients, employing complex manufacturing techniques to create stunning designs. Northern Lights' creations are best described as "radically individual."
Ilala
Ilala is a high-end interiors brand that specialises in contemporary furniture and bespoke lighting handwoven in Africa. Founded by Miranda Vedral in 2018, the brand works with rural weaving communities in Malawi and Zimbabwe to create unique and sustainable designs from natural plant fibres. Their sculptural pieces celebrate the artistry's natural imperfections and irregularities, ranging from large-scale pendant lamps to smaller shades that create beautiful atmospheric spaces.
LEDs C-4
LEDs C-4 is a leading lighting supplier with over 13,000 clients in 140+ countries. Their mission is to enhance building spaces through tailored lighting solutions for both interiors and exteriors. With a portfolio of 3000+ projects, they prioritise quality, durability, and high performance, constantly optimising materials and processes while investing in innovation for the future. Their focus is on miniaturisation, light control, quality, connectivity, and digital services.
The best suppliers in the UK and Europe: Tiles
Giovanni Barbieri
Giovanni Barbieri, with a passion for marble since age 14, has developed numerous patents for tiles and mosaics, some of which are featured in global design museums. His designs are known for their use of natural materials, textures, and patterns, creating impressive and unique results in any space.
Maria Starling
Maria Starling's unique, playful range of Moroccan cement, porcelain and ceramic tiles is designed in-house and carefully handmade, embracing tiny differences and original patterns. Maria's bold and modern approach to tile-making places pattern and colour at the forefront, with key motifs including flowers, contrast and geometry present in almost all of her latest designs. The smooth yet hard-wearing cement tiles work especially well in floors and walls of bathrooms, kitchens, and hallways for both residential and commercial projects.
Cobolondon
The Cobo hollow bricks, inspired by Arabic Mashrabyia architecture, were created in Brazil in 1929. Adopted by the Brazilian Modernist movement in the 40s and 50s, they were widely used in public and commercial projects. Today, these unique ceramic glazed bricks are sought after by designers worldwide for their timeless modernist appeal and playful atmosphere.
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