Meet The Interior Designers: Sims Hilditch

Sims Hilditch is an entry in our Interiors Book 2023.

Sims Hilditch: Country & Town Interiors Book 2023

Emma Sims-Hilditch launched her studio in 2009, using the skills she honed through her career in film production for Ridley Scott. Emma has built an expert team of 40 strong interior designers, interior architects, and procurement managers, led by Creative Director Louise Wicksteed and newly appointed CEO Henry Hird. The team champions fine craftsmanship and works with the highest quality materials to create timeless interiors. ‘It is our belief that a home should last for generations to come. Therefore, for each interior scheme, we source antiques to add individuality, good quality upholstery for longevity, and artwork for personality,’ says Emma.

At Sims Hilditch, the wellbeing of people and the planet are at the forefront of every decision. Longevity is seen as the principal form of sustainability and, as a result, Emma believes in buying once and buying well. Antiques embody a sense of history and heritage, reduce waste and save energy on new production. Beautiful, natural materials are integral to the studio’s design ethos, so when the team do procure new pieces, the focus is on using organic and renewable materials that can naturally regenerate within their lifetime. Inspiration is drawn from various sources and travels, and one-of-a-kind items are acquired that nod to the distinctive charm of the English country house style.

This year, the studio has been working on over 35 projects, internationally and throughout the UK, including a quintessential Cotswold manor. It is a Grade II-listed country house of two halves, with a grand Georgian main section leading to an earlier farmhouse bearing more vernacular architectural details. ‘We introduced some richer notes of colour and pattern to the rooms to punctuate the scheme while respecting and preserving the original detailing and overall understated elegance,’ explains Emma. New for Sims Hilditch is a capsule collection of bespoke furniture and pieces, soon to be available online.

Tips, Tricks and Tools

1. ‘Painting the walls, ceilings, and woodwork in one colour creates a contemporary look. Painting these in different colours lends a room a classic feel.’
2. ‘Look for sightlines throughout the home and enhance them, for example by ending a corridor with a console and artwork.’
3. ‘Consider loose covered upholstery that can be removed and cleaned for a busy family life.’
4. ‘Use different levels of lighting. Decorative ceiling lights, wall lights, and a mix of table and floor lamps can create different atmospheres, especially when on individual lighting circuits. We always use specific dimmer switches to control lights.’
5. ‘We love mixing antique furniture styles and periods to include English Georgian, Swedish 19th Century, and some Scandinavian mid-century furniture. Completely continental.’

Secret Address Book

• Tiles: Our go-to tile company is Marlborough Tiles (marlboroughtiles.com).
• Lampshades: We love the hand-painted lampshades by Bloomsbury Revisited (bloomsburyrevisited.co.uk). 
• Fine Art: Treasures from Etalage often find their way into our projects (etalage.co.uk).

SIMS HILDITCH
The White Hart, Gloucestershire. Cotswolds SN14 8JR
+44 (0)1249 783087
simshilditch.com
@simshilditch