Creamy Tones and Textures by Callender Howorth

Callender Howorth is an interior design studio design, build, renovation and project management services to both residential and commercial properties throughout the UK, Europe and North America. Founder Mark Howorth, an award-winning interior designer, started his career in Los Angeles and Southern California before moving back to London and establishing Callender Howorth in 1997.

Balancing creative design with constructive project planning, the studio interprets each client's needs and vision without focusing on a particular style, in a versatile approach that allows for diverse and innovative projects.

Read our interview with Mark and discover his favorite époque, where he draws his inspiration from and his love for color and texture.

How did you first become involved in the world of design? Tell us your story.

From a young age, I was fascinated with colour and space. I apparently would move furniture and objects around from the age of 6 at home when left to my own devices! I do clearly remember being very pleased when I chose a dark navy paint for my bedroom and a union jack bedspread at this age.

Studying art and interior design and then working in LA for 5 years at the start of my career really fuelled my passion for design and the process of creating a home. Working on residences in Bel Air, Beverly Hills and Malibu was a great way to start and I learned so much about how important it is to get the “personality” of each home right for every client.

Setting up Callender Howorth in 1997 upon my return to the UK was the foundation for working with some amazing clients over the past 20 years -creating unique homes with personality.​

How would you describe your personal style and what is the personal signature that makes your projects unique.

All of our projects are different as are our clients in the UK, South of France and New York. We do not have a “house style” but rather work with each client to realise their dream home that truly reflects them. We have a team of excellent and international designers that bring specific insights to each project allowing us to focus on making each of our clients’ homes unique and special to them.

​Are there any specific trends that you're currently blending in your practice?

We tend not to follow “trends.” Trends tend to date and we want all of our projects to stand the test of time. And again, our clients want unique designs so we avoid anything that is too faddish or of the moment. We rather focus on excellent materials to form a solid base to the designs and build up a language of design and ideas that then reflects our clients.

Where do you draw inspiration for your projects?

Inspiration is vital. It’s all about ideas and pushing boundaries and design to get the best results that we can for our clients. It all starts with the clients brief. And all clients are different. Inspiration develops from the initial brief and early on in concept design we like to push ideas and challenge clients to look at many different ideas and options. It always makes me smile when a more radical idea / inspiration turns out to actually be one of the main successes of a project. It’s so important to push ideas to get the best end results.

What's the decorative piece you enjoy the most selecting or styling for your clients and why?

I have always loved colour and texture. This is such a simple way to create impact and drama. From paint to polished plaster - the depth of colours and combinations can be truly awesome and inspiring.

In a hyper-digital world, do you turn to social media and online moodboards for inspiration? If yes, which is the social media platform you use and why?

We do create many mood boards at the start of the design process. But images and ideas can be things that we have seen out and about and photographed. We have a weekly meeting at the studio to share inspiring things that we have seen and photographed that week. These are then put into our internal inspiration ideas files. Also the best get plastered on the inspiration board in the studio. Recently I photographed some fishermens nets in Dungeness which were so intricate and patinated that we then developed them into fretwork for a bespoke joinery piece. We are very active on Instagram and do share our thoughts via that platform.

​What is your favorite project you have worked on and why?

It's really difficult to pinpoint one project as a “favourite.” They are all so different as they reflect the uniqueness of each of our clients. We have been so lucky to work with very interesting clients and it's always a joy to spend time with them and develop their homes.

What would be your dream project to work on?

I would love to get my hands on one of the Royal Palaces. Perhaps Balmoral! I do think that the Palaces could do with a makeover!

​What do you think it's going to be the next big trend in interior design?

As said, we really don’t follow trends. But the move to people working from home more is going to change the dynamic of the home and we are already seeing clients who want us to really consider work space at home and how this combines with family life. This is a fascinating shift that we will see many more clients adopting and we look forward to creating a balanced home with integrated works spaces.

Do you have an interior design master that you look up to?

I have always had huge respect for Terrance Conran who brought us the duvet and terracotta pots back in the 60s. Way ahead of his time and he has always been spot on with his ideas and vision.

What epoque inspires you the most in terms of aesthetic?

I have always loved the Georgian period – I live in a Georgian house in London and I love the symmetry and soaring ceilings.