Inspiration
Inside WOW!house with Emma Sims-Hilditch
A Journey into Timeless, Crafted Design.
As one of the most anticipated design showcases of the year, WOW!house invites the UK's leading designers to craft immersive, richly detailed rooms that inspire and delight. This year, interior designer Emma Sims-Hilditch, founder of the celebrated design studio Sims Hilditch, brought her signature blend of elegance and practicality to the forefront with a beautifully conceived modern mud room, named 'the Courtyard Room'. We spoke with Emma to uncover the inspiration behind the space and how craftsmanship, nature, and timeless materials shaped her vision.
WOW!house is known for its immersive, beautifully crafted interiors.
What was your vision for the set design, and what kind of atmosphere did you want to evoke?
Our goal was to create a space that feels like a true country home - elegant yet deeply inviting. We wanted it to strike a balance between refinement and warmth, ensuring it felt lived-in and welcoming, never too formal. We were guided by the character of The White Hart, a place that beautifully blends old and new, and we aimed to reflect that same layered, storied feeling. Nature played a big role too, influencing the colours, textures, and mood of the space.
The Sims Hilditch Courtyard Room features a bootroom, dog room and central multifunctional space for storage, flower arranging, socialising and relaxing. All photography by Chris Horwood.
Of all the spaces in a home, why did you choose to focus on a mud room?
A mud room might seem humble, but it’s such an interesting space to design because it must be both practical and beautiful. It gave us the opportunity to explore thoughtful interior architecture - like the boot room, dog shower, and even an inviting sitting area - while embracing the challenge of making every element purposeful, yet aesthetically pleasing.
What were the key design elements that helped bring your vision to life?
We began with a soft, natural palette - warm neutrals, gentle greens, and earthy tones that echo the surrounding countryside. Then we layered in textures: rustic timber, natural stone floors, linen upholstery, woven baskets, and handcrafted Delft tiles, which added a wonderful sense of detail and heritage.
Furniture played a key role too. We used a mix of antique pieces and bespoke joinery to give the space a feeling of craftsmanship and history. And the lighting was carefully considered, from warm wall sconces to soft lamps, to create a cosy, relaxed ambiance.
L-R: a George Smith Furniture 'Billy' chair upholstered in La Maison Pierre Frey fabric in front of bespoke 'Blackberry' wallpaper by Marthe Armitage prints. On the right is a custom built boot room featuring handpainted motifs by Tess Newall, mirroring The White Hart collection designs.
Functionality is especially important in a space like a mud room. How did you balance practical needs with aesthetic appeal?
Thoughtful storage solutions were essential. We included bespoke cabinetry, open shelving, and deep butler sinks to keep the space organised while still feeling stylish. Durable materials like stone flooring and solid timber were chosen not only for their practicality but also for their character.
The use of our White Hart tiles added a layer of craftsmanship and beauty, bringing elegance even to the most functional areas. We also combined task lighting with soft ambient options to enhance usability while maintaining a warm, inviting feel.
The White Hart handpainted Delft tiles feature both across the walls of the dog room and as a custom built dog shower, combining practicality, design and beauty in a space that is traditionally austere.
Nature and craftsmanship are hallmarks of your work. How did these values influence your approach to the WOW!house space?
Nature is always a central influence in our designs. For this project, it inspired our colour palette - soft greens, earthy browns, and warm neutrals - all drawn from the British countryside. We also focused on handcrafted elements: bespoke joinery, artisanal tiles, and carefully selected antiques to ensure the space felt authentic, rooted, and timeless.
Everything in the room was chosen with intent, reinforcing a deep connection to both place and tradition.
The Courtyard Room features a wealth of hand-selected antiques and artisanal features, from custom block printed wall paper to an antique dresser and custom joinery and dresser from Titchmarsh & Goodwin.
If someone wanted to recreate the look and feel of this space in their own home, what would you suggest?
Start with natural materials - wood, linen, stone, and handcrafted ceramics bring warmth and integrity to any space. Don’t shy away from layering textures, either. Mix smooth painted cabinetry with raw timber, soft upholstery, and organic accessories.
Lighting is key: blend overhead lights with wall sconces or table lamps to build a layered, atmospheric effect. And consider using decorative tiles in unexpected places, a tiled splashback or feature wall in a utility space can add so much charm and personality.
Above all, embrace timelessness. Avoid fleeting trends and focus instead on quality craftsmanship and classic design elements that will endure.
With its grounded palette, thoughtful design, and tactile craftsmanship, the Sims Hilditch mud room at WOW!house is a masterclass in creating spaces that are both purposeful and poetic.
For those seeking to bring similar inspiration into their own homes, the message is clear: beauty and practicality can (and should) go hand in hand.
Explore The White Hart collection
The White Hart collection is home to four classic seasonal designs - a tulip, wild strawberries, oak leaf and mistletoe. Each design can be chosen simply with corner motifs, or inside a circular or diamond shaped border. Explore the full collection and order samples online now.
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