Dream Design founder Andrew Rizza is a respected interior designer and creative director with over 40 years of experience crafting timeless luxury interiors. Known for his calm, client-focused approach, Andrew combines craftsmanship, spatial design, and innovation to create beautifully considered homes across the UK and internationally.

What first inspired you to pursue a career in interior design?

Originally, I was going to go to art university, although I was not completely sure which direction that would take. After talking through the options with my mother, she suggested that it would be better to learn a physical trade, such as carpentry or cabinet making.

She knew of a role coming up with a local cabinet-making company, so I went for an interview and started a few weeks later. It gave me an understanding of how things are made, even though my real love was always creating unique pieces. That understanding of the fundamentals — how things are constructed and put together — is something I have found useful from that day to now.

How has Dream Design evolved since you founded the company in 1984?

Dream Design originally started as a manufacturing company, producing one-off bespoke kitchens, bedrooms and furniture.

The company grew fairly quickly, but we found it difficult to find local craftsmen who could produce work to the level we demanded. We then began looking at European manufacturers who could offer more options and a consistently high level of quality.

Over time, it became apparent that what was already being produced by some of these historic European companies — some of which had been manufacturing for hundreds of years — was so good that it was no longer worth pursuing manufacturing ourselves in the same way.

Dream Design therefore evolved into a design company, with the ability to create one-off bespoke designs manufactured by carefully selected partners.

What makes a truly timeless interior in your opinion?

For me, a truly timeless interior is usually a fusion of styles.

If you go ultra-contemporary or very traditional, you can end up creating a look that may or may not stand the test of time. When you fuse styles and create something unique — something that cannot be easily pigeonholed — I think it has a much better chance of remaining current and evolving well over time.

How would you describe your personal design philosophy?

My design philosophy is about avoiding being restricted by one particular style.

It starts with listening to the client, understanding the space, and creating something that feels homely, comfortable and considered. I like interiors that are not over-fussy, but still have character and individuality.

The aim is always to create something that works for the client and will stand the test of time.

What are clients looking for most in luxury interiors today?

When clients imagine luxury, I think it often comes down to incredible service and incredible products, brought together in a way that resolves their concerns.

Luxury is about creating a fundamentally well-planned, cohesive space. It is not just about the individual pieces, but how everything works together and how confidently the client feels guided through the process.

Can you talk us through your creative process when starting a new project?

The process starts with obtaining a clear brief from the client.

That means understanding their dislikes as well as their likes, their must-haves, and how they want the space to work. It is also helpful when clients can share images of private spaces they have seen, whether from Instagram, Pinterest, previous homes or places they have experienced.

From there, we can understand what worked for them in the past, what did not, and how we can take a lead from that while still looking forward.

Which project has been the most memorable or rewarding for you so far?

One particularly memorable project was for a client we have worked with across several homes.

The main residence was an incredible property on the water in Hampshire, and the client’s brief was to design the best kitchen I had ever designed. That was quite a challenging brief and put a lot of pressure on me to create something exceptional.

Fortunately, there was not too much of a steer in terms of style or budget, which allowed me to develop something unique. The client felt I had achieved the brief, which made it incredibly rewarding.

How do you balance aesthetics with functionality in a home?

I would almost turn that around and say functionality comes first.

Flow, spatial planning and ergonomics are fundamental to the design. Once those things are properly resolved, the aesthetics can be developed through conversations with the client — understanding their likes, dislikes and the atmosphere they want to create.

The home needs to work beautifully before anything else.

What trends do you think will shape the future of interior design?

I try to avoid trends.

A lot of people refer to Instagram, and there are many companies — particularly European manufacturers — that pioneer new looks or variations on previous styles. Those ideas can then be picked up, magnified by lesser companies and overexposed on social media.

For that reason, I prefer to avoid anything that feels too trend-led.

After four decades in the industry, what still excites you most about design?

What still excites me is the ability to design a space that can significantly improve a client’s everyday life.

Sometimes simple decisions in spatial planning can have a lasting benefit. That is still the most rewarding part of the work.

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