Introducing SHH

Meet Bethany Prince, Senior Associate at SHH Architecture & Interiors. Working across residential, hospitality and commercial projects, SHH’s mantra states the practice’s ‘respect for heritage, alive to the present, and with an eye to the future’.

Describe how you work and what makes SHH’s approach to design and specification unique.
We love what we do and take pride in crafting unique solutions tailored to each client’s individual needs. What makes working with us distinctive and unique is our collaborative approach: every project team is handpicked to bring together the right mix of disciplines, unlocking the most remarkable results. This ensures we deliver a seamless design journey—from the very first foundations to the final stitch.

SHH boasts a 98% planning approval rate for heritage, buildings of interest and local landmark properties in Greater London. Does this impact the type of projects the business attracts?
We excel in heritage design thanks to our deep understanding of architectural history, our sensitivity to preservation, and our skill in blending period authenticity with modern functionality. Heritage projects are where our business first began, and in London, thriving without expertise in historic buildings is nearly impossible. That said, our portfolio extends far beyond heritage, attracting a diverse range of projects—including contemporary new builds across international markets.

How have tastes of UHNW customers changed in recent years and how does that impact SHH’s approach to a project?
As designers, we remain aware of trends, but our UHNW clients ultimately seek luxury and timelessness. Every design we create is fully tailored, with the aesthetic shaped entirely by each client’s personal tastes and preferences. I would say the way we approach a project is to achieve interiors that feel exclusive, elegant and enduring rather than trend-driven.

What would you say is the top concern for a typical prime residential client?
For prime residential clients, the top concern in interior design is usually achieving a truly bespoke result that reflects their lifestyle and taste, while ensuring absolute discretion and seamless delivery. It’s important that their homes not only look exceptional, bur also support daily living.

Why is collaboration integral to any project?
Collaboration is essential in interior design and one of SHH’s core values. It brings together diverse expertise; architects, designers, contractors, and clients, ensuring every detail works in harmony. It helps with creativity, prevents costly mistakes, and allows the client’s vision to be fully realised in a seamless, functional, and beautifully executed space.

When specifying electrical accessories how does your expertise guide clients? Do you have to be willing to compromise on the design detail when it comes to functionality?
When specifying electrical accessories, our expertise ensures that functionality and design detail work hand in hand rather than competing against each other. We guide clients through technical considerations, such as placement, safety standards, and integration with smart systems, while keeping the aesthetic vision front of mind. Every socket, switch, and control point is an opportunity to reinforce the design language of the space, whether through discreet placement, finishes that complement surrounding materials, or the selection of high-quality, design-led accessory ranges.

A long term customer of Focus SB, what would you say differentiates our products and services. How does that benefit the designer and ultimately the client?
What truly differentiates your products and services is the unique combination of craftsmanship, customisation, and reliability. Unlike many suppliers, Focus SB offers an exceptional level of flexibility in finishes, plate styles, and detailing, which allows designers to integrate electrical accessories seamlessly into the overall scheme rather than treating them as afterthoughts.

Giving Back and sustainability underpin SHH’s expertise. What’s important to you in terms of a healthy planet and opportunity for the next generation designers?
What’s most important to SHH is ensuring that the choices we make today actively contribute to a healthier planet and create opportunities for the next generation of designers to thrive. We strive to tread lightly on the planet, and we are constantly looking for more sustainable methods to bring our vision to life. We offer mentoring programmes to nurture and encourage the next generation of design talent. Because for us, education and diversity are the lifeblood of creativity.

What inspires you and how do you like to spend your spare time?
I’m continually inspired by the dynamic relationship between people, place, and purpose, and by the everyday rituals we create—rituals that are elevated and enriched by thoughtfully designed interiors. Spending time with people and traveling the world continually broadens my perspective as an interior designer, inspiring fresh ideas, and deepening my understanding of how diverse cultures, environments, and human connections can shape and enrich the spaces we create.