Laura Hammett on Timeless Interiors, Craftsmanship & the Art of Livable Luxury
people • DESIGNERS
Laura Hammett is a multi-award-winning London-based interior architecture and design studio, established in 2008 by husband-and-wife team Aaron and Laura Hammett. Specializing in detail-driven luxury residential projects, the studio serves discerning private clients and property developers worldwide, crafting bespoke homes that are authentic, livable, and timeless. Their signature classic contemporary aesthetic is tailored to each client, ensuring no two projects are the same. Expanding their design ethos, Laura Hammett Living offers a luxury lifestyle homeware collection, reflecting over 20 years of interior design expertise and a passion for creating beautiful homes.
WEBSITE: laurahammett.com INSTAGRAM: @laurahammett.interiors
Words: designeers
APRIL 2025
DESIGNEERS
Reflecting on 15 years of Laura Hammett, what stands out as your most defining moment or turning point in your journey?
Laura Hammett
Looking back, one of the most pivotal moments in my career came early on when I chose to trust my instincts over the opinion of a more established architect. Tasked with designing the interiors of a London apartment, I found the proposed layout impractical. The space simply wouldn’t work. Taking a risk, I proposed an alternative—flipping the layout to place the bedrooms downstairs and the living area upstairs. Despite strong opposition, the developer believed in my vision, and the result was a success—so much so that they chose to live in the apartment themselves.
That moment was a turning point. It taught me to advocate for my ideas, trust my expertise, and step forward with confidence. Since then, I’ve carried that lesson with me, focusing less on doubts and more on conviction in my craft.
DESIGNEERS
Your signature style is synonymous with timeless elegance and warmth. How has your design philosophy evolved over the years, and what are the core principles that remain unchanged?
Laura Hammett
From the beginning, my approach to design has been about creating spaces that exude timeless elegance while remaining warm and inviting. Over the years, I’ve refined this philosophy, embracing the art of layering—materials, textures, and lighting—to add depth and character. Craftsmanship and bespoke detailing have also become central to my work, ensuring each space feels thoughtfully curated and tailored.
Yet, some principles remain unchanged: an unwavering commitment to quality, meticulous attention to detail, and the belief that true luxury is as functional as it is beautiful. Fifteen years on, that foundation continues to guide every project we undertake.
DESIGNEERS
You've worked on an impressive range of projects, from luxury residences to private jets and yachts. Is there a particular project that felt like a career milestone for you?
Laura Hammett
Throughout my career, there have been many milestone projects, but one of the most special was the transformation of a Grade I Listed townhouse in the heart of London, built circa 1798. The project encompassed a full renovation of the original Georgian townhouse alongside the design of a contemporary mews house—two distinct styles, seamlessly connected through a shared design narrative.
With its grand proportions and architectural heritage, the property offered an incredible canvas, balancing scale with intimacy to create a warm, inviting family home. Restoring exquisite period details—such as Robert Adam-designed fireplaces and intricate ceiling mouldings—was a privilege, blending historical preservation with modern luxury. Adapting to the strict constraints of a Grade I listing presented its challenges, but it ultimately shaped our approach, reinforcing the power of thoughtful design within even the most complex parameters.
DESIGNEERS
London remains a strong base for your studio, but you've taken on projects worldwide. How does your approach shift when designing for different cultures and lifestyles?
Laura Hammett
Every project is a new journey, and the wonderful thing about designing for different cultures is that each place brings its own set of influences and traditions that inform the design process. I’ve always believed in honouring the cultural context of a space, so whether I’m designing in London, the Middle East, or Asia, there will usually be design nods to anchor the project to its setting and give it a sense of place. We tailor our approach to each client and their wishes, but we usually are allowed the design freedom to craft something that feels like our own signature style. It’s an exciting challenge to merge local culture with our design philosophy, creating something that feels rooted in its surroundings but also timeless and elegant.
“My design philosophy has always been centred around creating spaces that feel inviting and timeless—where elegance doesn’t feel cold or imposing, but rather warm and welcoming. ”
Laura Hammett
DESIGNEERS
You place a strong emphasis on craftsmanship and bespoke detailing. Who are your three favourite suppliers or brands that you love specifying?
Laura Hammett
I’ve been lucky to work with some incredibly talented craftsmen and suppliers who share my passion for detail and craftsmanship. Samuel Heath is a brand that I turn to again and again. Their dedication to British craftsmanship and quality is unparalleled, and their bespoke finishes are something I love specifying.
I have a deep affection for the work of my lighting designers, so I often work with specialists like Nulty, who bring an incredible sensitivity to lighting that transforms any space. These brands—each for their attention to detail and quality—help elevate the work I do.
In 2023 I launched my luxury homeware brand, Laura Hammett Living, with all my own accessories, furniture, and lighting designs. So it’s a joy to place some of my pieces on projects, and lots of my collections are inspired by our design projects; for example, my Modern Heritage collection was informed by a beautiful townhouse in Chelsea we worked on.
DESIGNEERS
You recently launched Laura Hammett Living. What inspired you to extend your brand into a product line, and how do you see this evolving in the future?
Laura Hammett
The idea for Laura Hammett Living had been in my mind for years. Having designed bespoke furniture and lighting for private clients, I always envisioned creating a homeware brand that would make these designs more accessible to a wider audience. The true impetus, however, came from a desire to offer beautifully handcrafted, bespoke pieces to those who may not be in a position to hire us for a full interior design project.
I wanted to translate the craftsmanship, elegance, and timelessness that define my interiors into a collection that people could seamlessly incorporate into their own homes. More than just creating beautiful products, my focus has always been on ensuring each piece is designed with the same care, attention to detail, and longevity as my interior projects.
The collection is evolving organically, and this year marks an exciting expansion into new categories, including paint and wallpaper, along with additional accessories, lighting, and furniture. This is just the beginning—there are many more plans in development for the years ahead!
DESIGNEERS
What's your all-time favourite hotel in the world, and what makes its design so special to you?
Laura Hammett
The Rosewood in London is a personal favourite. It’s the epitome of classic luxury, with its rich history and sense of opulence that doesn’t feel overstated. What I love about it is how the hotel manages to be both grand and intimate, with details that transport you to another era yet with a contemporary sense of comfort. It’s the perfect balance of luxury and warmth, and the design truly evokes a sense of place, blending old-world charm with a refined, modern touch.
DESIGNEERS
If you could invite one design hero (past or present) to dinner, who would it be and why?
Laura Hammett
It would be Robert Adam, the renowned Georgian architect from the 18th century. We have just completed a Grade I Listed Townhouse in London, which was a Robert Adam design, circa 1798. I did lots of research into his work to inform the project, and I developed a real appreciation for his signature style, which took inspiration from ancient Greek and Roman architecture and the grandeur of his classical proportions. I love his ability to create vast yet intimate spaces, which is something I aspire to. The townhouse we worked on had lots of original Robert Adam plasterwork, which we restored, and I’ve never seen such beautiful, intricate detailing.
DESIGNEERS
Your designs feel deeply personal and inviting. What's your secret to creating spaces that feel both luxurious and truly livable?
Laura Hammett
For me, it’s all about getting to know the clients on a personal level. You’re designing their home, our most intimate, personal space, so you can’t truly understand what they desire from a surface conversation. We like to delve deep and gain a real understanding of how they want to live in the home, what their pain points about their current living space are, and what kind of feeling and mood they want their home to evoke. Then, to create ‘liveable luxury,’ we always stand by the ethos that a space is only as beautiful as it is functional, so every detail is seamless and serves its purpose. The best designs marry those two principles, deeply tailored to the inhabitants, and function flawlessly.
DESIGNEERS
What's next for Laura Hammett? Any exciting projects or new directions we can look forward to?
Laura Hammett
There’s always something exciting on the horizon! Right now, we’re working on a striking contemporary villa in China and three extensive villas in the Middle East, where we’re pushing the boundaries of our design and creating unique, bespoke interiors. Also, a beautiful estate in Yorkshire, a historic property in Scotland, a holiday home in Portugal, as well as some beautiful family homes in Surrey, Sussex (this one with a 75-person nightclub in the basement!), and some apartments in ultra-prime central London. This is set to be a busy year for us! I’m also excited to continue developing the Laura Hammett Living collection, expanding it into new categories like paint and wallpaper coming in May 2025 and launching new designs into our current Contemporary and Modern Heritage collections. I’m always looking for ways to evolve, but at the core of everything I do is the same commitment to quality, craftsmanship, and timeless design. So I look forward to sharing new designs and collections as we continue to expand and develop the brand into new territory.
