Studio Tour: ABDA Design
We are thrilled to bring you the latest article in our Studio Tour series. Nestled in the heart of Northamptonshire, ABDA Design is a creative studio with a proud heritage and a fresh, forward-thinking approach to interior design. Now under new leadership, ABDA is growing and evolving – while staying true to the values and creativity that have always defined it. We caught up with Claire Smith and Richard Steade to learn more about their studio, and to take us all on a tour!
Tell us the story behind ABDA Design?
ABDA Design began its journey in 1962 as Alan Bennett Design Associates. In 1995, David Summers took the reins, and just a couple of years later, the business became a limited company – what we now know as ABDA Design.
Fast forward to March 2025, and a new chapter began as directors Claire Smith and Richard Steade stepped into joint ownership. Today, ABDA is proud to be home to a close-knit team of 12 talented individuals, all sharing a passion for creating beautiful, and thoughtful hospitality spaces.
Please could you tell us about where you and your team work?
You’ll find ABDA’s studio tucked away in the charming village of Little Brington, right in the heart of the historic Althorp estate. Housed in a beautifully restored Baptist chapel from the early 1800s, our studio is full of character and offers a truly inspiring place to work.
Inside, the space is thoughtfully divided into a design studio and office area, with a large breakout zone perfect for collaboration and plenty of room for our ever-growing library of samples. Thanks to the abundance of natural light, the studio feels bright, open, and energising – something we believe really helps spark creativity.
Surrounded by peaceful countryside, we love making the most of our location with lunchtime walks or quick outdoor breaks… when the British weather allows, of course!
Could you introduce us to some of your team?
At ABDA, our biggest strength is our incredible team. Everyone brings something unique to the table, and it’s that mix of creativity, experience, and passion that drives our success.
Richard Steade, Managing Directors, ABDA Design
Richard Steade, one of our managing directors and shareholders, is passionate about interior design and architecture. He’s especially interested in design history and traditional drawing techniques such as sketching. Outside of the studio, Richard enjoys cooking, entertaining, and keeping fit. His love for food and lifestyle plays a big part in how he approaches hospitality design.
Claire Smith, Managing Directors, ABDA Design
Claire Smith, our other managing director and shareholder, brings almost three decades of experience in the hospitality design and build sector. She’s a dedicated mentor and a strong advocate for supporting young designers in the industry. Claire’s passion for food and hospitality shines through in her work and her leadership style.
Tansin Blankley, Senior Interior Designer, ABDA Design
Tansin Blankley, one of our senior interior designers, brings a thoughtful, psychology-led approach to her work – especially in front-of-house environments. Known for her bold ideas and attention to detail, Tansin also plays a key role in our marketing and social media. Outside of work, you’ll often find her exploring art galleries or getting lost in an audiobook.
Michael Hall, Senior Interior Designer, ABDA Design
Michael Hall is our longest-standing team member and a senior interior designer with a flair for colour and maximalist design. He’s all about creating fully immersive spaces and is constantly out and about, keeping up with the latest trends. When he’s not designing, you’ll likely find him at a gig or diving into his latest music discovery.
Kate Nuttall, Commercial Kitchen Designer, ABDA Design
Kate Nuttall, our senior commercial kitchen designer, holds a first-class degree in Interior Design from De Montfort University. She’s passionate about raising awareness of catering design and helping the next generation of designers find their feet. When she’s not designing, Kate enjoys a good noughties rom-com or getting stuck into a romantasy novel.
How would you describe your design approach?
At ABDA, our vision is to help create some of life’s most memorable moments by designing inspiring hospitality spaces that spark joy and emotion.
Our design philosophy is all about collaboration, creativity, and storytelling. Every project starts with a narrative – something meaningful that guides the design and connects with people on a deeper level. We also bring in elements of consumer psychology to make sure every space not only works beautifully but also feels truly engaging.
Anabel, Michael and Rachael
Behind the scenes, the support of team members like Louise Funnell in accounts is invaluable. Her attention to detail and seamless handling of the financial aspects ensures that creativity is backed by clarity and control, allowing our designers to focus on what they do best.
By encouraging creativity and diving into immersive research, we empower both our team and our clients to shape unforgettable, inclusive, and sustainable venues that leave a lasting impression.
Can you share details of some of the projects you have worked on recently?
We loved the challenge of transforming the café at Ravensbourne University into a vibrant street-food-inspired space. The brief included expanding the café’s footprint to add informal breakout areas for studying and meetings. Lead designer Anabel really pushed the boundaries with bold furniture choices and clever counter detailing, using striking metal frameworks and bulkheads to bring the space to life with energy and personality. The project was overseen by our projects director Gary Mackness and like any live-site refurbishment, the project came with its share of challenges. Gary played a crucial role in navigating these complexities, keeping the project on track and ensuring the vision was delivered through to completion.
We also recently teamed up with Valor Hospitality for an exciting rebrand project in Southampton, bringing the distinctive voco® hotel style to life. This full refurbishment covered bedrooms, select bathrooms, and key public areas, blending aesthetics with comfort and functionality. Taking inspiration from Southampton’s history as the ‘gateway to the world’ and its maritime roots, our senior designer Rachael and the team used ocean-inspired forms, shapes, and colours to create a calm yet vibrant environment where the guest’s experience begins the moment they enter the hotel, setting the tone for their stay.
Another exciting project we’ve worked on is Twelve Ashby, a refined fine dining and cocktail bar in Leicestershire. We were asked to create something truly unique: an immersive space that stands out from other venues in the local area. With a vintage-meets-eclectic design theme at its core, Michael, supported by junior interior designer Melissa, who joined us as a graduate from Northampton University, meticulously crafted a setting that shifts beautifully from day to night, offering guests an experience that feels exclusive, stylish, and full of atmosphere.
What does the future hold for the ABDA team?
With new leadership and a talented, diverse team, we’re excited about the future at ABDA. We’re focused on nurturing the amazing talent we already have, exploring new and inspiring design projects, and continuing to create exceptional spaces that leave lasting impressions.
Investing in our team’s creativity is a top priority. Our directors are passionate about supporting professional growth, and we’re expanding training opportunities across the studio to help everyone develop their skills and confidence. We’re also making big strides in improving our technology and upgrading our software to boost both creativity and efficiency in our work.
Looking ahead to this year and next, one of our key goals is celebrating the brilliant people behind our projects. We’re shining a spotlight on their work by nominating them for both industry and local awards. We’ve already had some great success with our operations coordinator, Amie Rice, recently winning a Rising Star Award, and we couldn’t be prouder.
Everyone at ABDA works incredibly hard, and we’re committed to recognising and celebrating the talent, creativity, and dedication that drives everything we do.