Top Designers in the UK: David Collins Studio

The extremely talented interior designer with an architectural education David Collins, best recognised for his luxury restaurant and bar interiors that can be found all over London and in many places abroad. His sudden death in 2013 moved deeply fashion and design world everywhere. His work is continued now by the David Collins Studio – interior design and decoration practice he established in 1985 in London.

The legend of interior design began his career working on small residential interior jobs. He made his name in restaurants, on the High Street with Café Rouge, The Dome and Chez Gerard, then in more upmarket surroundings like those already mentioned.

Café Rouge, London, UK

He has designed shops for Amanda Wakeley and David Morris, among others. The designer worked with famous private clients – Madonna and Tom Ford, both close friends – and increasingly abroad, designing hotels in New York, Los Angeles and Las Vegas, and working in South America, Africa and the Far East.

David Collins and Madonna at the 2007’s GQ Men of The Year Awards

2015 marked the thirtieth Anniversary of David Collins Studio. The studio hosted an exhibition at Phillips on Berkeley square curated by Nick Vinson of the Vinson view. Bringing together imagery and physical elements from some of the most celebrated projects, the exhibition offered an insightful look into the studio’s creations over the past three decades and a look to the future.

‘Past Present Future’ provided a chance to celebrate and showcase the David Collins Studio’s body of work since its inception in 1985.

From private residences to retail spaces, the exhibition explores David Collins Studio’s unique approach to architecture and design through imagery and examples of furniture. Memorable examples of the studio’s work include Claridge’s Bar, The Wolseley and Alexander McQueen flagship stores in Miami, London, New York and Tokyo.

The Wolseley London by the Top interior designer in UK David Collins

Alexander McQueen flagship store, Aoyama, Tokyo by the Top interior designer in UK David Collins

The reputation the studio have built reflects their passion for design, hard work and interesting challenges that express their creativity. In 2014 David Collins studio joined Walpole British Luxury. In 2013 Walpole honoured David Collins with the lifetime achievement award.

The Most Iconic Projects

The Connaught Bar in London, UK

Created in 2008 for the Maybourne Hotel Group, the Connaught bar comprises three rooms featuring hand-dyed degrade leathers, metal studded black leather tables, and silver leaf mirror artwork created by David Collins Studio. The bar is panelled in a hand-painted Hibernian landscape designed in collaboration with atelier Pierre Bonneville and realised in dusty pink, pistachio green, and pale lilac all framed in platinum silver leafed oak panels, representing the Irish landscape.

Artesian, The Langham Hotel in London, UK
Created for Langham Hotels & Resorts and opened in 2008, the award-winning artesian bar takes its eclectic inspiration from the Victorian cabinets of curiosities featuring hidden textures, details and references including jewelled mirror jewelled panelling, blue and purple crocodile leather tiles, bespoke lacquers referencing la chasse aux papillons, and a pagoda bar.