House Of Lexden

15/10/2026

What makes a house truly feel like home?

It’s a question I’ve always found fascinating as an interior designer.

Why do some spaces make us feel immediately comfortable, while others, however beautifully designed, leave us feeling strangely unsettled?

I recently explored this with cognitive hypnotherapist Kate Hickmore.

We talked about the relationship between our surroundings, our sense of identity and emotional wellbeing, and why creating a home that feels right goes far beyond choosing beautiful things.

Our conversation became The Home You Return To, a new article on the House of Lexden Journal.

I hope you enjoy reading it.

Read the full article via the link in my bio.

Michaela x

Interior design — House of Lexden
In conversation with — Kate Hickmore

10/10/2026

Explore a selection of projects and learn more about my approach to interior design: creating thoughtful, individual spaces shaped by the architecture, light and character of each home.

Based in Colchester, I work on residential projects across Essex, Suffolk and South Norfolk.

Visit via the link in my bio.

07/10/2026

One of my favourite projects in Wivenhoe.

My client loves mid-century modern design and has a real love of art, so it was important that both became part of the room and that it still felt very much like him.

We kept some of the pieces he already owned and brought in new furniture, bespoke joinery, lighting, art and accessories to create a living and dining space that felt warm, interesting and individual.

I really loved working on this room and seeing it all come together, but one of my favourite things was a message he sent me afterwards:

“I still like to sit in different spots and take in the different perspectives of the room. I don’t think I’ll ever get bored of that.”

I loved that, because for me that’s what a room should do. It shouldn’t just look good in a photograph. It should be somewhere you love spending time in and keep noticing different things.

Wivenhoe, Essex — living and dining room interior design by House of Lexden.

Interior design - House of Lexden
Photography - Anya Rice | Interiors Photographer

InteriorDesignEssex MidCenturyModern ResidentialInteriorDesign

04/10/2026

Hello, I’m Michaela, founder and interior designer at House of Lexden.

Interior design wasn’t my first career. I spent many years working in television before turning to something I’d always loved: homes, architecture, beautiful things and, above all, how a space makes you feel.

I design individual rooms and whole homes across Essex, Suffolk and beyond. I start with the home itself: its architecture, proportions and natural light. Then I get to know the people who live there, how they use their space and what they want it to feel like.

I’m drawn to beautiful lighting, natural materials, craftsmanship and thoughtful details. I can spend a long time considering the height of a light or the undertone of a paint colour, because those small decisions shape how a room comes together.

My style is classic design with a touch of rock and roll: thoughtful, layered and personal.

If you’re planning a project in Essex, Suffolk or beyond, you can find out more about working with me through the link in my bio.

16/09/2026

We have a few spaces left for October …

11/09/2026

HOUSE OF LEXDEN

Elegant, timeless interiors designed around the way you live.

I believe the most successful interiors begin with the architecture -considering light, proportion, flow and function before the decorative layers are added.

The result is a home that feels considered, individual and quietly beautiful.

Architecture first. Decoration last.

Interior Design · Consultations · Whole Home & Room Design

Essex · Suffolk · Norfolk

10/09/2026

There’s something very special about seeing House of Lexden in print.

I’m delighted to be featured in the September issue of Absolutely Essex, talking about my journey into interior design, the way I work, and some of the ideas that have come to define House of Lexden.

For me, good design begins long before choosing furniture or finishes. It starts with the architecture, the light, the character of a building and the people who will experience it. I’m interested in creating interiors that feel considered, atmospheric and individual — spaces with a sense of permanence rather than something designed simply for the moment.

It was particularly lovely to see one of my latest Wivenhoe projects featured too, photographed beautifully as part of the story.

Thank you to Absolutely Essex for giving me the opportunity to talk a little more about the studio, and to the talented Anya Rice and Rebecca .photography , whose photography helped bring the feature to life.

Elegant, timeless interiors across Essex, Suffolk & Norfolk.

I’m hoping to share the full feature on the House of Lexden website shortly. In the meantime, I believe the September issue is available to pick up in Waitrose.

House of Lexden
Interior Design Studio.

25/08/2026

18/08/2026

Do we always have to keep period features?

This is my own house and I know some people will think this was sacrilege.

I adore period features. I just didn’t love these period features.

This was originally one long, narrow, dual-aspect living/dining room. I chopped it up to create a utility and cloakroom, which meant the living room lost some of its natural light.

With its north-facing aspect, the dark beams, red brick and off-centre fireplace suddenly felt too heavy.

So I took them out.

For me, good interior design isn’t about keeping something simply because it’s old. It’s about understanding the architecture, the light, the proportions and how you actually want to live in the space.

Would you have kept it?

11/05/2026

Sometimes it’s not the layout that changes a space.
It’s the atmosphere.

This little utility room started life with bright red walls, a shower, mismatched finishes and no real sense of calm. The footprint stayed largely the same, we did knock out an internal wall, but by softening the palette, introducing texture, new cabinetry and layering warmth through materials and lighting, the whole feeling of the room changed.

I’ve also been exploring how styling influences emotion within a space. The final images in this carousel are creative styling explorations, looking at how softness, restraint and layered detail can completely shift the mood of a room.

Good design is rarely about adding more.
Usually, it’s about editing well.

House of Lexden
Classic design with a bit of rock and roll.