From Studio Samples to Showhome Concept

Today’s placement focused on the product and service side of the design process, offering valuable insight into how Hawthorn Interiors manages ordering, product selection, and client communication. I spent the day in the studio, working closely with Jenny, who guided me through the steps involved in sourcing and managing samples, as well as applying that knowledge to real design planning tasks.

The morning began with a session shadowing Jenny, where I learned about the ordering process for fabric and wallpaper samples. This included how the studio keeps track of suppliers, the importance of lead times, and how to ensure the right samples are delivered for each stage of a project. This behind-the-scenes aspect of studio life revealed how much organisation and communication goes into maintaining efficient service and client satisfaction.

Following this, I was tasked with exploring the sample books myself reviewing what was up to date, identifying newly released collections, and familiarising myself with different price points. This was an important exercise in understanding how to match materials to a client’s budget and brief, while also considering availability and suitability. It deepened my awareness of the balance between design vision and practical constraints, as price points I hadnt really considered before.

Design Application: Concept Development for a Show home

Later in the day, I had the opportunity to apply this product knowledge to a creative task: contributing design ideas for a London-based showhome currently being developed by Katie. I was provided with the floor plan and a selection of site photos, and asked to plan two rooms based on potential client profiles and brief requirements.

I created initial moodboards, FF&E ideas, and design concepts using Photoshop building on skills I’ve used during university projects. This exercise allowed me to bridge practical knowledge of product selection with digital visualisation, simulating how design ideas are developed and communicated professionally in a real-world context.

Today was particularly valuable in helping me connect the logistical side of design ordering, pricing, and supplier communication—with the creative side, such as moodboarding and spatial planning. Key points of growth include:

- Understanding how product sourcing shapes a project’s direction, and how to adapt ideas to fit within client expectations and budget.

- Becoming more confident using professional resources, such as sample books and supplier updates.

- Translating technical and aesthetic knowledge into visual concepts using industry-standard tools like Photoshop.

Having the chance to contribute to a real client-facing project also made the design process feel more tangible and goal-oriented, and reminded me of the importance of efficiency and organisation in studio life.

Moving forward, I’m keen to further develop my ability to work independently with supplier materials and to refine how I present and explain my design choices. I also hope to continue learning how the team communicates these ideas to clients, and how studio systems support ongoing projects from concept to completion.