In Conversation With: Matthew Williamson
Matthew Williamson is an iconic British designer renowned for his vibrant use of colour, pattern, and print. After graduating from Central Saint Martins in 1994, he launched his namesake label in 1997 with a standout debut at London Fashion Week, which was worn by style icons such as Kate Moss and Jade Jagger.
His signature aesthetic quickly gained international acclaim, leading to a role as Creative Director at Emilio Pucci (2006–2008) and high-profile collaborations with brands such as H&M, Macy’s, and Bulgari. In recent years, Matthew pivoted toward interior design, bringing his signature maximalism into homes, hotels, and commercial spaces, including a new dining space for the Design Museum. He now leads a successful interiors studio and is the author of Living Bright (2023), while also appearing as a guest judge on the BBC’s Interior Design Masters.
Pooky X Matthew Williamson
Here, The Fluxx discusses Matthew’s latest collaboration with Pooky, the third instalment of this hugely successful partnership. The biggest to date, maximalist design lovers can enjoy new additions, including wall lights – all inspired by the bohemian care-free mood of the Balearic landscape.
You've just released your third collaboration with Pooky, the largest to date. A collection featuring terracotta wall lights, rechargeable lamp bases and nine new patterned shades. Working with Pooky seems to really evoke having fun with design. How important is it to you to work with brands that enable this side of your design personality to flourish?
Our latest collection is the biggest launch to date, and it’s my favourite, as I’ve learnt lots now about lighting from the previous two drops. The range covers printed shades, wall lights and table lamps.
My collaborations always start with me asking myself if I will get on with this partner and if I can see myself having a good time with them throughout the creative process. Are we aligned on most points and essentially on the same page with lots of common ground? Ultimately, do we both want the same results from the collaboration?
Without this in place, a collaboration is unlikely to work, so it’s wise to pick your partners with this in mind. A bit like how I imagine going on a first date would be! It’s always a risk but can work out wonderfully if the fit is right. The Pooky team and I are on the same page and I love working with Jo, the Head of Design. She and I have a similar taste and work well together.
How has your product design process evolved since your earlier collections with Pooky and in general?
It’s a bit more sophisticated now, but still fun. I think the core Pooky customer is looking for vibrant pieces, nothing too serious or minimalist.
If you could create a bespoke lighting design or collection, with no price or material limitations, what would it be?
I’d love to design a hotel and perhaps a cocktail bar too, as I feel with these jobs I could be quite decadent with the lighting schemes. Have fun and create interesting atmospheres throughout the spaces.
You describe your interior style as ‘rustic decadence.’ For many design enthusiasts, this would translate to a form of maximalism too (in terms of embracing bold colour and patterns). Yet they always embody a sense of serenity. What tips can you offer to our readers to achieve this balance?
I’ve been forever drawn to things which have a pattern, patina, interesting texture or colour, and items which seem to tell a story. Ultimately, our homes are or can be a reflection of our personalities and our tastes, so I like to pull these characteristics out when working with a client, and I try to reflect their passions in their interiors.
I always start with the location and ask myself ‘where are we in the world and what can I pull from the location as inspiration for the interior’? The next step for me is to ask my client 20 easy-to-answer questions, for example, what’s your favourite city, colour, flower? What’s your dream holiday destination? Do you have a style icon? These questions are listed in chapter 2 of my book, Living Bright. The chapter explains how I then make a mood board of images from the clients’ answers, as this can become a really good springboard to use to design their space, as the images will reflect everything they love.
Do you see interior design as storytelling? If so, what stories are you most drawn to tell through your spaces?
Without a doubt. I see every interior as an unfolding story that reveals the personality, travels, tastes, and quirks of the people who live there. Personally, I’m constantly inspired by the natural world. More specifically, the vegetation and native species of all the places I visit, but also their buildings and architecture. More recently, I’ve been inspired by Spain, in particular Deià in Mallorca, where I live. I can see my work becoming a little more rustic as of late, largely due to observing my immediate surroundings.
Your book ‘Living Bright’ is a call to embrace colour and ‘the paint pot’ - are Brits finally starting to experiment and enjoy 'the art of colour' or are we still too trapped in ‘beige and greige' heaven’?
When I started in interiors, there was a hesitance around colour, a belief that neutral equalled timeless or safe. But I’ve always believed colour is the quickest and most joyful way to change how a space feels. It’s transformative, emotional and deeply personal.
Through Living Bright, and my personal reflections and practices around colour in interiors, I wanted to show that you don’t need to coat an entire room in fuchsia to embrace colour. A useful chapter called ‘Find your style’ explains how I create a personalised style and palette for a new client before beginning each project, which is bespoke and unique to them.
It’s a simple set of questions answered by them to create their own collaged moodboard, which acts as a guide for the interior design steps ahead. It’s this chapter I hope the readers find most useful and be able to try it out for themselves.
What would you love to see more of in the interior design world?
I’d love to see even more personality and storytelling in interiors - spaces that feel deeply lived-in and unique to the people who inhabit them. There's something incredibly powerful about a home that reflects who you are, your experiences, your memories.
I always find myself drawn to rooms that mix eras, embrace colour with confidence, and celebrate craftsmanship, whether that’s a handwoven textile, an antique piece of furniture with history, or an artwork that holds emotional value. More than ever, I think interiors are moving in a direction where individuality is celebrated, and I’d love to see that continue.
Can you tell us about a life-changing or really enjoyable travel experience?
My favourite trip to date was to the Maldives a few years ago. It felt so special, remote and peaceful. We stayed at the Soneva Fushi resort, which was a real luxury and ‘pinch me’ moment. I remember the hotel, its staff and services being second to none.
The days were long, peaceful and uninterrupted, the meals being some of the best I’ve ever had, and we really enjoyed doing very little for a while as a family, as our lives, like most, are pretty hectic day to day. My favourite memories from the trip are seeing my daughter, Skye, ride a bike, snorkel and watching movies at night at the outdoor cinema on the beach.
I also got a chance to paint and draw, which is always a bonus for me, as I can bring back artworks and doodles which remind me of the trip and no doubt will inspire my work as a designer.
You split your time living between your family homes in London and Mallorca. Can you recommend a few restaurants, bars, cafes or hotels where you experience design heaven?
I’m lucky enough to call Deià, the mountain village in Mallorca, my home. One of my favourite places here is Hotel Corazón, opened three years ago by my friend, photographer Kate Bellm. It’s a creative oasis that embodies laid-back, barefoot luxury. The interiors, designed by More Design, are warm, textured, and full of personality; it’s the kind of place that makes you want to stay awhile.
If you’re after something a little more classical, La Residencia is a timeless beauty in the heart of the village. It’s particularly special to me, as I designed Suite 67 there, a serene, sun-drenched space with views across the mountains.