Artichoke is hiring a senior FF&E interior designer to join its team in Bristol, UK.
Location: Blagdon, Bristol, Somerset/hybrid
Salary: competitive
Employee benefits: pension, cycle to work scheme, career progression, free parking and staff socials
Role overview
As a senior interior designer at Artichoke, you will lead the creative development of luxury bespoke interiors, delivering exceptional spatial designs and carefully curated FF&E across high-end residential and heritage projects. With a refined sensitivity to space, materials and craftsmanship, you will generate distinctive concepts ensuring the successful translation of design intent into detailed, buildable, and beautifully presented interior schemes; Leading projects from concept to installation and completion.
At Artichoke, we seek designers who embody our philosophy: the ability to balance classical principles with creative ambition, crafting bespoke luxury interiors in which exquisite form is paired with practicality, meaning, and a deep sensitivity to the historical and architectural integrity of a home.
This role demands fluency in interior design and FF&E, strong organisational capabilities, and confidence in liaising with clients, suppliers and cross-functional design teams. You will be a key contributor to defining the creative strategy of a project and collaborate with creative designers, technical designer, and project management office to ensure coherence and excellence throughout.
This role is ideal for an experienced senior interior designer who has a passion for period and listed buildings and craftsmanship with an ambition to lead a creative team.
Key responsibilities
Design ownership:
- initiate and lead design strategy for selected rooms including kitchens, bathrooms, living spaces, and utility areas in collaboration with the Lead interior designer
- produce and revise drawings, layouts and joinery designs using AutoCAD and Sketch-up –prepare elevations, GAs, presentation boards and budgets for client review and sign-off
- develop detailed room-by-room material and FF&E schemes – Source fabrics, finishes, lighting, furniture, materials and ironmongery, maintaining awareness of current trends and strong supplier knowledge
- participate in site meetings, liaise with contractors and support the resolution of design-related queries
- plan, coordinate and oversee on-site installations and styling as required
Team collaboration and mentoring:
- mentor and support Midweight and Junior Interior Designers, reviewing and guiding their output
- attend internal design reviews and site visits to ensure design execution reflects design intent
- help to manage and update drawing packages, issue sheets, and document control across the studio
Cross-disciplinary co-ordination:
- work with project coordinators and junior designers to ensure spec sheets, invoices, and POs are accurate and timely
- monitor procurement and specification accuracy, ensuring schedules are aligned with budget and timelines. Collaborate with suppliers to ensure quality and timelines are maintained
- ensure joinery and FF&E are aligned across disciplines and design phases
- align the design scheme with architectural layouts and MEP constraints
- liaise with project designers to refine elevations, finishes, and joinery details
Client and supplier engagement:
- alongside the Lead Interior Designer, engage directly with clients to understand aspirations, tastes, and functional needs
- present design schemes, samples, and room presentations with authority and clarity
- coordinate with external suppliers, specialists, and craftspeople for accurate costing and lead times
- contribute to the continual development of materials libraries and supplier networks
Documentation and delivery:
- oversee and manage the collating of information for presentations, specifications, costings and budgets with the support of mid/junior designers
- maintain and ensure clear documentation across all project stages, and act as a quality gate for accurate file storing, ensuring team’s files are up to date and in their correct locations
- manage the design team on the project to ensure information and designs are produced and presented in line with the construction and internal programme. Including management of hourly resource throughout the project in coordination with a project director if Artichoke is manufacturing the fitted furniture
Key skills and attributes:
- confident in client-facing roles with excellent communication and presentation skills
- organised, resourceful, and calm under pressure
- highly organised with experience managing complex documentation and spec sheets
- deep working knowledge of fabrics, finishes, furniture, lighting, and decorative elements in luxury interiors
- ability to multitask across several rooms or phases while maintaining accuracy and design cohesion
Advanced proficiency in:
- AutoCAD
- Adobe Creative Suite (InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator)
- Microsoft Excel
- Esti PC
Non-essential but advantageous:
- SketchUp (3D conceptual modelling)
- hand sketching and tracing ability
Experience and education:
- minimum five years of experience in high-end interior design, preferably involving heritage or listed buildings
- degree in interior design, interior architecture, or a related discipline
- a strong portfolio demonstrating sophisticated, historically respectful interiors
- proven experience delivering projects across all phases – concept to procurement and presentation
- experience with custom joinery, classical detailing, and FF&E specification is essential
How to apply
If your skills and outlook align with our approach to carefully considered, architecturally grounded design, we invite you to send your CV, cover letter and portfolio to fox@artichoke.co.uk.
