Our Story
Marsham Studio was founded by Tom Cottrell — an interior designer and interior architect with over fifteen years of experience delivering luxury residential, hospitality, and commercial projects across the UK and internationally.
The studio is named after Marsham Lane — where Tom and his wife bought their first home, had their two children, and built those early family memories. It felt like the right foundation for a practice built around how people really live.
Our Founders Story
by tom Cottrell
My journey began on building sites, driven by a genuine desire to understand the realities of how spaces come together. Working as a labourer and later in contracting, I gained a hands-on appreciation for the effort and collaboration behind every home. This experience gave me insight into the challenges people face in their day-to-day lives and the importance of creating environments that truly support them.
I found myself learning quickly, often working on large projects with complex needs. It became clear that thoughtful design isn’t just about style; it’s about listening, understanding different backgrounds, and carefully balancing structure, timeline, and resources. Every decision, from concept to completion, matters for the people who will live and work in these spaces.
That practical foundation continues to shape my approach. I still enjoy getting hands-on with DIY at home, not out of necessity, but because it keeps me connected to the craft and reminds me of the real lives behind every project. It’s this understanding—both personal and professional—that guides my work.
I may not fit the stereotype of a designer, but my focus has always been on creating spaces that are welcoming, functional, and thoughtfully tailored to the people who use them. My approach is rooted in honesty, practicality, and a deep respect for the diversity of backgrounds and lifestyles I encounter.
OUR Approach
Every project starts at the end. We begin with how you want to feel in a space, the frustrations you have with how things work now, and the reality of your day-to-day life. Then we work backwards — designing around those needs, not around a predetermined aesthetic.
We assemble the right team for each project. That might be architects, landscape designers, specialist contractors, or fellow designers — selected to suit the brief, the budget, the location, and the client. No two project teams look the same, because no two projects are.
This keeps us agile, it keeps costs honest, and it means every person on a project is there because they’re the right fit — not because they’re on the payroll.