Sims Hilditch - by Giles Kime (Hardcover)

About the Book

"Over three decades, Sims Hilditch has developed an approach that epitomizes the contemporary English Country House look. The firm embraces-in this, its second, book-the best of old and new British interior design, traditional materials, a pared-back aesthetic, and the best of twenty-first-century living. Spanning the extraordinary breadth of the studio's most recent work-projects in town houses, historic manors, and seaside villas-interiors have been sympathetically transformed to reflect the distinctive character of their settings. In the studio's hands, newly configured properties are transformed in a manner that faithfully respects their past, maintaining and enhancing their mood and history, while also providing the comfort and elegance expected by a new generation of homeowners. Led by founder Emma Sims-Hilditch, the studio has become a driving force in British interior design, renowned for its assiduous attention to detail, unparalleled professionalism, and celebration of the best of British design"--

Book Synopsis

Sims Hilditch creates interiors that epitomize the English country house look of today. The firm embraces--in this, its second, book--the best of old and new British design, traditional materials, and a pared-back aesthetic to create stylishly comfortable rooms for twenty-first-century living.

Spanning the extraordinary breadth of the studio's most recent work--projects in townhouses, historic country manors, and seaside villas--the interiors in this book reflect the design philosophy of founder Emma Sims-Hilditch: Every house needs to work on a functional level before one even considers the decoration. Spaces, from sumptuous entrance halls and sitting rooms to hardworking kitchens and boot rooms, are organized for efficiency and practicality before the design team introduces an abundance of floral and damask textiles, striking colors, both refined and comfortable furnishings, and decorative trims.

This book not only explores the fruits of complex and rewarding collaborations that artfully breathe new life into old buildings but also offers an insight into an exciting new chapter in the fascinating story of classic English country houses. New materials and technologies, paired with traditional decorative devices, reinvigorate a Victorian house in the city, an eighteenth-century country house, a Jacobean manor, an apartment in London's Old War Office, and many other quintessentially British residences.

The Sims Hilditch team comes to every commission with an open mind, ready to respond to the setting and architecture and create something original for each client--a style that is classic and comfortable but also highly relevant to the shift in the way many people are now living.

Review Quotes

House Beautiful Best New Design Book of 2025: "Anglophiles will find much to love in the latest book from Sims Hilditch design firm, which pays homage to all that makes British interiors so appealing."

"Sims Hilditch: Beautifully British Interiors is a richly layered new volume that redefines the English country house for contemporary living... Sims Hilditch has become synonymous with a modern British aesthetic--pared-back yet warm, rooted in traditional craftsmanship yet entirely relevant today. The firm's philosophy begins with function: Homes must work seamlessly before decoration is considered. That ethos translates into interiors that prioritize boot rooms, kitchens, home offices, and family spaces, which are then enriched with floral and damask textiles, refined color palettes, and a mix of comfortable, timeless furnishings." -- ELLEDECOR.COM

"If you subscribe to the Inigo real estate emails, if you rewatch Downton Abbey for the decor--in other words, if you're one of the many people who fantasize about owning a British country house, designer Emma Sims-Hilditch is likely already on your radar and you will thoroughly enjoy this, her second book. Leafing through its pages, you contemplate the glories of having a flower arranging room, a pantry, a boot room. Sims-Hilditch specializes in sensitively adapting centuries-old homes for modern-day families, from a Jacobean manor house to a Cornish coastal estate, with an emphasis on function and comfort woven into her beguiling designs." -- FREDERIC

About the Author

Giles Kime is the executive editor of Country Life magazine. Emma Sims-Hilditch launched Sims Hilditch in 2009, using the skills she honed through her previous career in film production. Today, she heads an expert team comprising interior designers, interior architects, and project managers.