We spend a lot of Studio time designing hotel bedrooms and whether they are spacious luxury penthouse suites, or bijou boutique guestrooms, well thought-out storage is vital to an excellent guest experience. Effective storage doesn’t just create more space; it involves creating the right kind of space, tailored to real guest behaviour. Our goal is to design hotel bedrooms that are both functional and intuitive.

As one of the Junior Designers at Sibley Grove, part of my job is helping curate the content for our Instagram account. I love this part of my job because I get to tell the stories of who we are as a Studio, and a collective of designers. As the Studio evolves, we’re embracing a more dynamic and creative strategy to better reflect who we are and how we think about design.

When it comes to curating artwork and dressing hotels, photography can be highly effective. Not only can it be highly impactful, it can also tell stories, build a greater connection between the guest and the hotel, and in some cases, help to manage challenging budgets.

In a world where design can increasingly be generated by algorithms, hand-sketching keeps our work grounded in human touch and intuition. In this way, drawing becomes more than a method; it’s a philosophy. It reminds us to stay curious, to think with our hands and to design spaces that aren’t just beautiful, but meaningful, sustainable and deeply human.

By its nature, AI works off data, but in heritage buildings, the data constantly changes. Survey drawings evolve, surprises are common, and the real opportunities often reveal themselves only when the plaster comes off. You never truly know a historic building until the enabling works begin.

For hoteliers, project managers and designers alike, understanding this concept is vital to reducing environmental impact, cutting costs and creating spaces with longevity. In hotel interiors, where enormous amounts of materials are consumed for relatively short-term aesthetics, this carbon footprint can be staggering.

Technology should never be introduced for its own sake, or simply because competitors have adopted it. Design leadership requires the confidence to question rather than follow; to assess whether a system truly enhances the experience or simply adds another layer of unnecessary complexity. Ultimately, our role as designers is to strike the balance. To create spaces where technology supports, rather than overshadows, quality craftsmanship and thoughtful design. To ensure that every choice, automated or manual, adds value for the guest, the operator and the environment. If we design with clarity, purpose and responsibility, that’s where true innovation lies.

The best hotels are more than beautiful facades. They are, in my mind, like high-performance sports cars - breathtakingly elegant, but also brilliantly engineered. Every engine component is designed for optimal performance and every line in the bodywork worked and reworked until it’s perfect; the car’s styling, functionality, and theatre must work in perfect harmony from the inside, out. The same standard and design thinking should be applied to luxury hotel design.

As a studio, we select materials aligned with our principles and prioritise working with artisan makers, craftspeople and reputable suppliers; we go to great lengths to understand where and how materials are sourced.

But when project bring new challenges and ideas, we often need to source materials quickly and technology is playing an increasingly crucial role; blockchain and AI are making supply chains more transparent, and as a design agency, we are eager to embrace this change.

Whilst some chairs can very definitely be considered ‘art’ for the sake of the aesthetic, I think the very best public chairs aren’t just about fitting a theme - they invite rest, reflection and inclusion. Part of my job as a designer is to think deeply about the space that a chair will occupy and the type of activity it will enhance.

Back in 2016, Jeremy and Kate gave me the opportunity to work for Sibley Grove, this was with the large caveat of moving to Devon, from London. A big decision to make, but not for me. The Southwest of England has always had a place in my heart, but not necessarily for the cliched cream teas and laid-back lifestyle. The resonance of this outlier of England’s creative output has interested me since studying fine art at A Level.  Not long after passing my driving test I drove from Slough 150 miles to St Ives Cornwall, just to pour over the Barbara Hepworth sculptures, ponder the large Patrick Heron paintings that were so much inspired by the landscape and the quality of light.

We are delighted to announce Sibley Grove has been appointed to design the interiors of Donington Hall in West Leicestershire, a historic property that will be transformed into a 49-bedroom luxury hotel. Donington Hall Hotel is the vision of Jonathan Palmer, Chief Executive of MotorSport Vision, which owns six motorsport circuits in the UK and acquired the Donington Park circuit business in 2017. The redesign of Donington Hall will feature a rich blend of timeless luxury with careful integration of its outstanding motorsport heritage. Sibley Grove has been tasked with creating stunning interiors celebrating British manufacturing, traditional crafts and techniques, and racing icons of the last hundred years.

Thinking carefully about the patrons of the hotel bar is just the first step in a lengthy and thoughtful design process. This week I share my approach to hotel bar design and what makes for memorable guest and operator experience.

Why are some luxury hotel project design challenges met with such resistance? Much of the answer is found in human nature, but there is a significant proportion of ‘not my fault’ that comes down to team dynamics and culture. On a project team, there are representatives from multiple organisations, each of which have their own organisational directive. If their company culture fosters blame and punishment, it’s difficult for the representative to actively take responsibility for their part in a problem or challenge. Trust, empowerment and striving for the same shared goal go a long way to helping projects teams solve the design challenges that will inevitably arise.

It can be tricky to find the right sustainability accreditation for your luxury retail organisation, but here’s a guide to the best known certifications in the industry and their pros and cons.

There are so many layers to delivering a successful luxury hotel project on time and in budget but at it’s heart, clear communication and a thorough understanding of the project processes are key.

Sustainability is not an aesthetic. It is about good design and better processes. It is about quality, longevity, and understanding the end of product life. Society tends to see natural materials as more sustainable, but that school of thought is somewhat outdated.

Sustainability in design isn’t just about the materials we use or the technologies we implement, it’s about how we think. By embracing a 3D perspective on space, we can create buildings that are not only beautiful and functional but also efficient and resilient. The next time you look at a floor plan, try and think beyond the lines on the page. Imagine the space as a volume that interacts with its environment. Ask yourself how every cubic meter can contribute to not just the feel and aesthetic of a space, but also how that space will work now and into the future.

The future of luxury lies in shifting focus from the accumulation of material goods to the elevation of experiences that create connection, fulfilment and lasting value. For brands, this presents an opportunity - those who redefine luxury as meaningful, sustainable and human scale will resonate in a world yearning for a greater connection and meaning.

Sibley Grove’s approach to The Drayton Court Hotel’s refurbishment exemplifies how thoughtful design can breathe new life into existing spaces. By working with what was already there and enhancing it through creative, sustainable methods, they have crafted a hotel that respects its history while catering to the needs of modern travellers. The result is a property that feels timeless yet contemporary, embodying the perfect balance of function, beauty and sustainability.