Interior Designer in Sussex

Listed Buildings, Country Houses & Barn Conversions

Having founded the practice in the heart of Sussex, our studio has developed a strong reputation in the area, delivering bespoke Interior Design services for both the residential and commercial sectors for over five years. During this time, our team has worked with an array of clients and subsequently developed a nuanced understanding of the varying properties that can be found across the region. Our experience spans period cottages, Regency townhouses, country homes and contemporary new-builds throughout both East and West Sussex, accepting commissions from clients across the whole of East Sussex and West Sussex, Haywards Heath, and other surrounding villages within the South Downs National Park and High Weald. Piers Thurston also works throughout Surrey, Kent and London, but maintain a constant presence throughout Sussex where several of our ongoing projects are located.

Our Services

Covering West & East Sussex From Chichester to Hastings

Whether the project is in Lewes, or Ditchling, Hassocks or Alfriston, we always look to respect the existing architecture of a home, and in the instance of heritage properties – which are so apparent in the area - this means balancing any historic features and the architectural integrity with the comfort and warmth our clients have come to expect of Piers Thurston, resulting in beautiful, yet functional homes that utilise modern conveniences and can facilitate family life.

Rather than compete with the heritage of a property, we allow it to inform the design. In understanding the features that gives a home character – be it original timber beams, ornate cornicing, generous proportions or sash windows – our team can balance these with contemporary interventions that improve the way a home functions, without compromising the architectural integrity of a building.

Such features look a little different for each home depending on the type of property and its advantages or limitations. Our most common enquiries across Sussex come from Barn Conversions, Victorian Homes and Country Houses set within Rural Estates.

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DESIGN Services

Every project is different, which is why we offer a range of services tailored to varying needs and stages of the design journey. From complete interior design and project delivery to focused consultations and specialist studio support, our approach remains the same: thoughtful, detail-driven and centred around creating spaces of character.

Full Interior Design
Our signature service for complete home transformations. From concept to completion, we manage every detail to create thoughtful, characterful interiors that feel beautifully lived in. Learn more
Design Consultations
Focused design support for those seeking expert guidance on a specific room, project or design challenge. Practical advice, clear direction and tailored solutions. Learn more
Studio Support
Technical and creative support for independent interior design studios. Professional drawings, visualisations and documentation delivered with precision, discretion and reliability. Learn more

Interior Design Tailored to Sussex Architectural Styles

Barn Conversions

Whilst Barn Conversions offer extraordinary spaces with double-height volumes and timber frames, their scale can feel overwhelming, hollow and cold if left untreated. Naturally, our approach varies client-on-client, but as a rule of thumb we would usually look to divide any open space into intimate zones, with strategic furniture layouts, mixed media flooring and large rugs. In doing so, any dramatic impact is preserved, and we avoid the install of additional walls.

Acoustics are of equal consideration when planning the interior of a Barn Conversion. Upholstered furniture, heavy linens, layered window treatments and natural fibres all help to soften sound, without detracting from the character of the building. Our team can take this as far as needed, even to the details of gathered skirts to sofas, or ruffled headings to curtains.

Victorian Properties

Possessing heritage craftsmanship and wonderful proportions, but not always suited to modern living, space planning and reconfiguration is always a key consideration when we’re working with a Victorian Property. In establishing smoother connections between rooms, our clients benefit from increased flow and maximised daylight, whilst preserving and restoring existing period features. Original fireplaces, cornicing, ceiling roses, joinery and sash windows become integral to our design proposal, but enhanced in a manner suited to contemporary living. Modern interventions are introduced sympathetically, allowing period detailing and modern furnishings to exist comfortably alongside one another.

Country Houses & Estates

In our opinion, a large country home should always feel as welcoming and homely as their smaller counterparts and never intimidating. At Piers Thurston, we focus on creating spaces that seamlessly facilitate everyday living and behavioural habits, whilst respecting the scale and architecture of such properties. Think layered lighting, tactile material, bespoke upholstery and curated antiques, all of which contribute to a warm, lived-in atmosphere, rather than a space that’s overly formal.

Specialist Interior Design for Listed Buildings & Heritage Homes

Naturally, many of the properties present across the landscape of East and West Sussex require some degree of planning requirements or Listed Building consent. In such cases, the Piers Thurston team will work alongside any appointed architects, planning consultants or conservation officers to develop a design proposal that respects the significance of a building, carefully balanced with contemporary functionality. Often, much of this involves considered decisions regarding material specification, to preserve any historic detailing and allow the existing structure to ‘breathe’. Where appropriate, we might look to lime plaster, natural stone, reclaimed timber, handcrafted tiles or solid timber flooring, with traditional finishes that complement the existing architecture

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Bringing Modern Country Warmth to Sussex Interiors

At Piers Thurston, our philosophy when designing for Sussex-based clients remains centred on homes curated in form yet effortless in function, that embrace “the undone beauty of characterful imperfections” and marries a client brief with the architecture of a home and the context in which it sits. Ultimately, we’re all about comfort, establishing homes to be lived-in; homes that support everyday life, and make routines easier, whether that’s catering to a young family, or a home for entertaining. In any case, we endeavour to yield work that feels of a superior quality, without it feeling precious, untouchable or unattainable

Our Services

Frequently Asked Questions

Absolutely. Whilst we would never impose a signature style, we do have a personal affinity for older period and character properties, taking great consideration to preserve their architectural features and balance them with revised furniture layouts, lighting proposals or new finishes suited to contemporary living.
Yes, we’ve worked with a number of clients who own second homes or live elsewhere during renovation works (on one occasion, as far as the Philippines), and contrary to popular belief, this actually allows for a more efficient install process, led by the guiding hand of our comprehensive project management services.
Yes, we accept commissions throughout Brighton, Hove, Lewes, Arundel, Midhurst, Petworth, Ditchling, Haywards Heath, Alfriston and the surrounding villages across both East and West Sussex.
Yes, in collaborating with architects, conservation specialists and experienced contractors, we can ensure a listed property is renovated sensitively while meeting modern standards.
Absolutely, in fact our portfolio of ongoing work currently encompasses both a townhouse in Brighton and an Arts & Crafts cottage on the Sussex-Surrey border, and both are given equal consideration and time of course.
Yes. Barn conversions require a considered approach to proportion, lighting, acoustics and zoning, so we would always recommend enlisting the help of an interior design studio like ourselves for such properties.
Piers Thurston endeavours to preserve as much character as possible, whilst carefully introducing contemporary comforts and conveniences. Original architectural features become the foundation of the design proposal, with modern additions integrated sympathetically so the home feels timeless rather than newly renovated.
Yes. Collaboration is central to every successful renovation, so we always work alongside architects, structural engineers, specialist consultants and trusted local contractors when required.
Absolutely. Beautiful homes should also be lived-in, so our interiors are designed around the realities of everyday life, balancing practicality, durability, comfort and aesthetics.

“IT’S BEEN A JOY”

Piers has bought the most considerate, thoughtful and inspiring energy to a very stagnant and quite daunting phase of my long-term house refurbishment. He picked up threads of my original ideas and ran with them, adding huge amounts of creative flair, knowledge of suppliers, and quietly confident instinct, which will create something so much more special than I ever could have dreamed of without his help. It’s been a joy.

— Bryony, H