My Route into Interior Design: The Not-So-Direct Journey

Aug 9

3 min read

Updated: Aug 10

Earlier this year, the Society of British and International Interior Design featured me in an article discussing my background and approach. The questions prompted me to reflect on my journey over the past 14 years. I wanted to take a moment to share my story more fully.

SBID-accredited Surrey interior designer Anita de Villiers working on technical designs at a laptop.

A Scientific Background and the Shift

I grew up in South Africa, where homes and lifestyles centered around large, open-plan spaces connected to generous gardens. From a young age, I loved beautiful spaces, craftsmanship, and art. However, I never thought of studying design.

I originally studied computer science and mathematics at university, spending my early career working as a systems analyst. This technical background fundamentally shaped how I work today. I view a space as a structural problem that needs to be solved logically.

A project requires analytical thought and logical planning. It is a sequence of decisions to be implemented and managed with precision. A well-designed space needs to feel right and function effortlessly for everyday family life.

The shift toward the design industry happened when my husband and I built two large speculative homes in South Africa. I was directly involved in the building, designing, and furnishing of these properties from the ground up. The process proved to be highly complex, but I found it very rewarding and ultimately more fulfilling than my corporate career.

Refining the Process in the Mediterranean

In 2012, my family relocated to Cyprus, where I officially made the career shift. I qualified as an interior designer with the National Design Academy and began taking on professional commissions.

My first major project was a large Mediterranean residence located on a coastal hillside. The lessons learned while working alongside a multidisciplinary team were invaluable. It taught me the importance of architectural integrity and precise project management.

This project also helped define my design philosophy of quiet luxury and timeless, elegant interiors. That home was designed for longevity and remains impressive over ten years later.

Elegant Master Bedroom design with large nightstands and long mirrors. Nude sketch framed art.

"Anita interpreted our needs and taste with efficiency, creativity and sensitivity. She had great ideas for the spaces and came up with designs we would never have thought up by ourselves. The entire process was painless despite the size and complexity of the project."

Settling in Surrey

In 2018, my family and I settled in Reigate. I now run a boutique interior design studio serving clients across Surrey and the South East of England.

The homes in this area require a thoughtful approach that respects their unique architectural character. I focus on bespoke interior design for discerning clients who want to work with a designer capable of interpreting their exact requirements. My goal is to provide a dedicated personal service you can trust completely with your home renovation.

Award-winning living room design - A luxurious seating area with 4 velvet green armchairs and elegant drapes.

A Structured Approach to Design

As an SBID-accredited designer, I believe a successful project requires a clear, structured process. I oversee every phase to ensure architectural integrity and complete spatial clarity.

Before any construction begins, I deliver highly detailed technical packs, precise floor plans, and 3D CAD visualizations. This technical precision removes the guesswork and gives you absolute confidence in the final design.

Technical elevation drawings for a living room design in Reigate.

Material sample board for a luxurious living room design for a Reigate interior design project.

Running a boutique practice allows me to manage every detail directly. When you work with my studio, you collaborate exclusively with me. This ensures a deep understanding of your personal style and practical needs.

Surrey interior designer Anita de Villiers working on material selection for residential designs in studio.

The Design Journal

This design journal focuses on how I work, why certain decisions are made, and what a project actually involves. It provides a much clearer picture than a portfolio alone. It is a record of my design thoughts that I hope you find insightful.

If you are considering a bespoke interior project in the Surrey area, I would be happy to discuss..

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"I had a wonderful design experience onsite and online with Anita for 4 rooms (guest bedroom, boy’s room, living room, and kitchen). Anita has such a great sense of my style, but she also elevated it with creative ideas, perfect layout, and great pieces I would have never chosen on my own. The process of design was simple, efficient, and in a timely manner. Anita took my space to the next level. I never imagined my home could look and feel so good!"

IRA VOLOVA

"When designing our new kitchen, Anita supported us every step of the way. Her collaborative approach and eye for detail meant that we now have a stylish and functional kitchen that really works for us. Nothing was too much trouble for Anita. Her strong sense of design and style has ensured that we are incredibly happy with the end result. I would highly recommend using Anita for any interior design project."

VIKTORIA TEGARD

"Anita did an amazing job at designing all of our bathrooms during our house renovation. The visuals she produced were amazing and helped us to confidently make decisions quickly. The builders and plumbers were really impressed with the level of detail on the drawings and this helped the installations run smoothly. We get so many comments from friends and family about how beautiful our bathrooms are and I can’t thank Anita enough for all her hard work. I would 100% recommend her!"

SALLY STICKLAND

"We collaborated with Anita on a visual design for the renovation/refurbishment of our apartment and the outcome surpassed all our expectations. The design was perfectly put together in detail, providing us with an effective design plan that was easy to follow and implement. Anita has the vision to create the most beautiful and stylish designs effectively and in no time. Strongly recommend her for a visual design consultation. An easy and effective design solution which can be implemented in your own time."

SOPHIA MORPHIS NIKA

"We hired the incredible Anita to help us with the interior design of our forever home. Our expectations were well understood and the appropriate recommendations were discussed. Anita interpreted our needs and taste with efficiency, creativity & sensitivity. Anita had great ideas for the spaces and came up with designs we would never have thought up by ourselves. Her communication, collaboration and design expertise made everything run smoothly. Always available to talk and meet throughout the project which virtually made the ordeal painless despite the size and complexity of the project. It was an absolute joy to work with Anita and we would most definitely recommend her."

BASIL AND MARY-ANN BILLIS

"Our collaboration with Anita De Villiers was excellent. She constructed a very detailed presentation for her vision of our showroom space, and the result was on point. She is a professional, characterised by consistency and passion for what she does."

CHARALAMBOS. K

"Anita has done a commercial project for us and she did an outstanding job for us. We are so pleased with the end result and have had so many compliments on the end result. We would definitely use Anita again without a doubt."

Sonia Varma

"I had an amazing experience working with Anita for my home renovation project. She is incredibly talented, detail-oriented, and truly understands her clients' vision. Anita transformed my kitchen living space to a stylish, functional, and unique to my taste. She was always professional, responsive, and willing to go the extra mile to ensure I was happy with the results.

Her design ideas were innovative, yet she stayed within my budget, which I greatly appreciated. From selecting the perfect color palette to choosing furniture and decor, Anita’s expertise was evident in every step of the process. I highly recommend her to anyone looking to elevate their space!"

Frank Templeton

"I had a wonderful design experience onsite and online with Anita for 4 rooms (guest bedroom, boy’s room, living room, and kitchen). Anita has such a great sense of my style, but she also elevated it with creative ideas, perfect layout, and great pieces I would have never chosen on my own. The process of design was simple, efficient, and on timely manner. Anita took my space to the next level. I never imagined my home could look and feel so good!"

Elias Efstathiou

"Anita helped us with all our bathroom designs and renovations. The whole process was made easier, from choosing the ideal layout and product to guiding our installers. We are very pleased with our new bathrooms, and we highly recommend her services."

Nese Safakli