12 Iconic Interior Designers We’re Inspired By

Interior design is an art form that can transform any room. It helps us express our personality and create environments that bring us peace and joy. Whether you’re looking for ways to refresh your bedroom, revamp your living room, or you’re planning a full home makeover, it helps to gather inspiration from successful designers in the industry! Here are 12 legendary interior designers whose work inspires us to live beautifully.

1. Bobby Berk

Best known as a design expert on Queer Eye, Bobby Berk’s influence in the world of interior design goes beyond reality TV. Hailing from Missouri, Berk moved to New York in his twenties and climbed the ranks in the retail world before launching his own design brand. His design style is clean, modern, and functional — with a focus on creating spaces that feel comfortable yet stylish. He has a knack for mixing contemporary furniture with personal touches that make a space feel lived-in. We particularly love this project he announced in February 2023, featuring a sage green and yellow palette that feels fun, yet down-to-earth.

2. Brigitta Spinocchia Freund

London-based designer Brigitta Spinocchia Freund is known for her eclectic yet luxurious designs. Originally from Australia, she founded her design firm in 2009 and quickly became known for her bespoke approach to interiors, tailoring each project to the client’s specific needs and tastes. Freund’s style blends rich textures, bold colors, and an international flair, creating spaces that feel both opulent and inviting. 

One of her most recent works worth checking out is a weekend home she designed in Berkshire. She combines mid-century modern style with Scandinavian design so effortlessly. What we love most is the way she finds ways to combine shades of green with other colors in each room — whether it’s utilizing plants or having a green couch as the centerpiece to accent chairs with warmer tones like orange and red. Sounds odd at first, but looks great when Brigitta shows you how it’s done!

3. Cristina Celestino

An Italian designer from Pordenone, Cristina Celestino has made a name for herself with her playful yet sophisticated approach to interior design. She studied architecture in Venice before venturing into design and furniture creation, eventually founding her own studio in Milan. Her rise to fame came with the recognition of her whimsical, luxurious, and often retro-inspired pieces at design fairs worldwide. Today, she sells her own uniquely designed products ranging from accessories like candles and incense holders to beautifully made chairs and lighting. We’d love to have any of the pieces she offers in our home!

Celestino’s style is a unique blend of geometric patterns, soft pastel colors, and richly textured materials. She’s been known to play with contrasts — think: modern meets vintage, subtle meets bold — which has led to her being a sought-after designer for high-end projects, including collaborations with iconic Italian brands such as Fendi. 

4. David Hicks

David Hicks was a British interior designer who became one of the most influential figures in 20th-century design. Born in Essex in England, Hicks rose to fame in the 1960s with his daring use of color and pattern, as his designs often featured bold geometric patterns — a striking contrast to the more subdued interiors of his time. His style was innovative and luxurious, and he had the resume to show for it as he was hired to design homes for the British aristocracy (and even royalty) including the Prince of Wales! 

His legacy lives on today, with many modern designers citing him as an inspiration for blending old-world elegance with contemporary flair. In 2024, his son wrote and published a cook called David Hicks: A Life of Design showcasing never before seen scrapbooks, personal journals, and photos from their family’s archive. If you’re on the hunt for inspiration from an interior design legend, look no further and check out the book.

5. Emily Henderson

After winning HGTV’s Design Star competition in 2011, Emily Henderson gained fame and credibility as a modern designer, stylist, and author. Her approachable style and bubbly personality have made her a household name, particularly through her blog: Style by Emily Enderson, where she shares tips on affordable, stylish living. Emily’s design style is eclectic and cozy, with a strong focus on mixing vintage decor with modern pieces. She believes in creating spaces that are both beautiful and livable, and her ability to mix high and low elements makes her designs accessible to a wide range of tastes.

6. Justina Blakeney

Justina Blakeney is the creative force behind the lifestyle blog The Jungalow and the author of several bestselling books on interior design, one of the titles sharing her blog’s namesake. Blakeney's rise to fame came through her unapologetically bold and bohemian style, characterized by lush greenery, vibrant colors, and a mix of textures and patterns. Her eye-catching design style is what drew us to her initially, but the more we learn about her, the more we fall in love. Her design philosophy revolves around creating spaces that feel like an extension of her soul: playful, personal, and full of life! 

7. Joanna Gaines

American designer Joanna Gaines has become a popular face in the interior design community due to her warm, rustic, farmhouse-inspired designs, which emphasize natural materials and a neutral color palette. Between 2013 to 2018, she hosted a TV show called Fixer Upper alongside her husband Chip, which gave her the spotlight and catapulted her career as a popular American designer over the last decade. Her style is cozy yet elegant, often blending vintage finds with modern comforts to create timeless spaces. 

She has worked with a range of clients — from celebrities like Jennifer Lopez to everyday homeowners, transforming homes with her signature touch of warmth and character. Today, she has a lifestyle brand called Magnolia which has expanded into furniture and decor, solidifying her place as a modern icon in the world of interior design.

8. Pierre Yovanovitch

Pierre Yovanovitch is a French interior designer known for his minimalist yet luxurious approach to design. His rise to fame began after he transitioned from fashion design to interiors, bringing his couture-trained eye to the world of home decor. Pierre’s style is often described as “made-to-measure,” with every piece and space meticulously tailored. He favors clean lines, organic materials, and a muted color palette, allowing the quality of the materials and craftsmanship to shine. 

He has worked with an elite clientele, including high-profile art collectors and luxury hotels, bringing a quiet sophistication to every project. Although it doesn’t fall under the home decor category, one of our favorite works by Yovanovitch is his opera set design for Theater Basel in Switzerland. It features his signature clean lines and is striking enough that you can’t help but admire the masterful piece of work!

9. Rafael de Cárdenas

Celebrated for his bold, avant-garde approach to interior design, Rafael de Cárdenas’ fearless use of color and form makes him a stand out in the design world. With a background in fashion and architecture, de Cárdenas launched his design firm, Architecture at Large, and quickly gained attention for his ability to blend high-energy, modern elements with classic structures. His design style is often described as colorful, dynamic, and unapologetically artistic. De Cárdenas has worked on projects ranging from luxury residential homes to commercial spaces, including showrooms for brands like Baccarat and Cartier. 

10. Rodolphe Parente

Parisian designer Rodolphe Parente is known for his luxurious and refined interiors. He studied at the prestigious École Nationale Supérieure des Arts Décoratifs before launching his own studio. Characterized by sleek lines, rich textures, and a subdued yet sophisticated color palette, his work is all about balance — often combining classic French elegance with contemporary design. Parente has worked on high-end projects for clients in both fashion and art, creating spaces that feel both serene and artfully curated. 

In an interview with Financial Times, he shares that his style icon is Andree Putman, a French designer he had the privilege of working with early in his career before Putman passed. He seems to be carrying on her legacy one space at a time!

11. Tara Bernerd

An inspiration to many, Tara Bernerd is known for her chic and timeless designs. Her work often features a neutral color palette with splashes of texture and pattern, giving her interiors a calming yet stylish vibe. In 2023, her firm was awarded Design Firm of the Year by Hospitality Design, and she truly deserves all the praise! She has built quite a reputation in the interior design community, given that her clients include well-known brands like Four Seasons and Kimpton Hotels. For anyone based in London with a taste in interior design: her firm frequently adds job openings to their website so go check it out.

12. Tiffany Brooks

Tiffany Brooks is an American designer from Chicago who gained widespread recognition after winning HGTV’s Design Star in 2013. Known for her vibrant personality and bold use of color, Brooks has become a go-to designer for those looking to bring energy and personality into their homes. Her style is a mix of modern and traditional, often incorporating rich textures, unexpected patterns, and statement pieces. Tiffany has worked with a range of clients, including notable celebrities like Lebron James, and her work has been featured in numerous publications, including Architectural Digest and Forbes. We’ve truly enjoyed following along on her journey over the last decade and love gathering inspiration from her designs. We suggest you should do the same!