Studio Ashby – Senior Interior Designer, Cape Town

Who Are We?

Studio Ashby is an internationally recognised interior architecture and design studio founded by Sophie Ashby in 2014. With studios in London and Cape Town, we are a growing team of designers, creatives and specialists delivering luxury residential, hospitality and commercial projects across the UK and internationally.

We are known for creating thoughtful, characterful interiors that combine timeless design with contemporary living. Alongside interior architecture and design, our expertise spans creative direction, bespoke furniture, art consultancy and procurement, enabling us to deliver beautifully considered environments from concept through to installation.

We pride ourselves on our positive, professional and personal approach in everything we do. Collaboration sits at the heart of our business, and by working closely with our clients, consultants, craftspeople and suppliers, we deliver projects of exceptional quality whilst fostering an ambitious, supportive and creative culture across both studios.

What do we do?

Our mission is to create habitable spaces with identity. Whether designing a private home, boutique hotel, restaurant or commercial environment, we begin by understanding the people who will inhabit the space and designing around the way they live, work and experience it.

Art sits at the heart of our creative process. Inspired by Sophie Ashby's background in art history, we believe every interior should tell a story through carefully curated layers of furniture, materials, objects and artwork, creating spaces with warmth, authenticity and soul.

Beyond interior architecture and design, we provide creative direction, art consultancy, bespoke furniture, styling and procurement to deliver complete, immersive environments. From planting and fragrance to uniforms, books and bespoke collaborations, every detail is carefully considered to ensure our clients' vision is reflected across every touchpoint.

Job Summary

Reporting to the Directors and Associates, you will provide Interior Architecture and FF&E design direction and delivery across multiple South African and international projects.

What we're looking for:

  • Someone who demonstrates, through every aspect of who they are, a passionate love of design, art and beauty.
  • Someone who will work alongside the Directors and Associates of Studio Ashby at the highest level to lead multiple and varied IA and FF&E projects, with the assistance of more junior members of the team.
  • A confident, loyal, trustworthy, dynamic, charming person who can hold their own with clients, project consultant teams, suppliers, contractors, and fabricators.
  • Someone unafraid to take responsibility, ensuring Studio Ashby deliver a seamless service to our clients.
  • Good project leadership skills, including the ability to mentor more junior members of the team.
  • Someone with a proactive nature, great instincts and open to feedback.

The ideal candidate must have:

  • A degree or equivalent in Interior Design/Interior Architecture.
  • At least 7+ years post-graduate experience with a minimum of 4 years in the luxury residential sector.
  • Full proficiency using Vectorworks, Adobe Creative Suite & Microsoft Suite.
  • A strong background in Interior Architecture, a high standard of technical ability and broad knowledge of materiality.
  • A passion for FF&E with vast knowledge of suppliers, product and specialist finishes. Experience in procurement would be a plus but is not essential.
  • Experience working on all aspects of projects, through all stages of work, from concept to completion.
  • An understanding of project programs and deadlines.
  • Financial understanding of project costs and budget awareness.
  • An exceptional eye for scale and balance, detail and colour.
  • Impeccable and concise communication and presentation skills, verbal and written. They must be fluent in spoken and written English.

The role broken down:

Creative Direction

  • Lead the creative and conceptual stages of projects alongside the Directors and Associates.
  • Drive and inspire the design team through original thinking, sourcing and research.
  • Design bespoke furniture, lighting, joinery and interior architectural elements.
  • Present and confidently communicate design concepts to clients.

Design + Project Management

  • Provide strong project leadership and seamless service to our clients, with exceptional communication throughout.
  • Deliver confident, experienced and skilled space planning, applying knowledge of the planning process and building regulations where applicable.
  • Attend regular internal and external design team meetings and assist the designers on the conceptual and technical side of the design process.
  • Produce all delivery drawings and specifications to a design intent package level.
  • Coordinate and oversee the project's documentation, ensuring comments and revisions are always up to date.
  • Develop detailed specifications.
  • Support the Senior Management team in producing detailed project timelines with internal milestones. Provide regular and timely updates and progress reports to the Directors and/or Associates.
  • Manage and check information produced by consultants, sub-contractors and suppliers.
  • Respond effectively to complex questions and troubleshoot problems, whilst working and switching between various projects.
  • Apply strategic thinking to projects. Forecast, identify, and communicate risks and bring ideas and solutions to the table.
  • Close projects efficiently — support the project team on rectifying snags and wrapping up projects as quickly as possible.

Team support

Support the Senior Management team by:

  • Contributing to Studio Ashby's design standards and best practice.
  • Mentoring and supporting Middleweight and Junior Designers.
  • Helping streamline studio processes and improve quality and efficiency.
  • Promoting collaboration, team spirit, professional growth and Studio Ashby's culture.

Oversee and support Middleweight and Junior Designers across various projects by:

  • Mentoring, providing help and guidance on any design-based queries.
  • Redlining corrections, teaching the approved process, and ensuring procedures are followed.
  • Driving and constantly working towards improving the company and our staff's work experience, growth and studio culture.
  • Encouraging and promoting team spirit and motivation.

If you think that your skills, experience, and personality make you well suited to this role we'd love to hear from you.

Please submit a CV, covering letter and portfolio in PDF format to careers@studioashby.com with the subject 'Senior Interior Designer'.