We sat down with our in-house Design Manager, Amber, to find out more about her approach to furniture design, what inspires her, and how sustainability plays a central role in every project.
Design Manager
I’ve always loved making things. My Mum says I’d spend hours with Play-Doh when I was little. That hands-on creativity has stayed with me my whole life.
At A-level, I studied Art and Product Design, which introduced me to both creative thinking and problem-solving. It showed me that good design isn’t just about how something looks, but how it works and fits into people’s lives.
During my Art Foundation course, I explored various disciplines but kept coming back to 3D design. That led me into a Furniture and Product Design Degree at Nottingham Trent University, where I developed skills to turn ideas into real, functional objects.
A big step in my development was my year in industry. It gave me first-hand experience of the commercial furniture industry, from large-scale production to understanding how design decisions are made in a real-world context.
I’d describe my design style as both narrative and material led; I love anything that tells a story. For me, good design is about how it connects with people on a deeper level. I love exploring the meaning behind objects, whether that’s through the materials, the form, or the way something is made, and creating pieces that feel thoughtful and rooted in context.
Overall, I try to design with intention, making sure there’s a reason behind every decision and I find that leading with a story helps give the work depth, relevance, and longevity.
The opportunity to explore ideas freely and be hands-on throughout the design process. Our “Upholstery Lab” is a space where I can test concepts, experiment with materials, and refine designs in real time.
I also love seeing pieces in their final settings, whether that’s a high-end penthouse or a well-designed hotel. It’s satisfying following a product from initial sketch through to installation and understanding how it functions and feels in a real space. It’s nice seeing the connection of concept and context.
It’s about creating meaningful, lasting products. It represents a commitment to quality, sustainability, and craftsmanship. It’s all about adding value.
It’s also about keeping skills alive. Working for Foxwood means I can collaborate closely with our makers, understand the materials, and ensure that what I design is not only functional and aesthetically pleasing, but also made responsibly.
Sustainability has been a non-negotiable part of my design approach from the very beginning, it was built into the curriculum during my time at university, so, it’s something I was taught to consider as an integral part of the process. This means I naturally think about material sourcing, longevity, environmental impact, and responsible production from the outset of any project.
That said, I’m also very aware of the complexities, especially within the upholstery industry. It can be a tricky space to navigate. Sustainable alternatives aren’t always readily available, and the sheer number of materials involved in upholstered furniture makes things even more challenging. Combining timber, foams, fabrics, fixings, and finishes often means compromises must be made.
But I don’t see that as a reason to step back from sustainability, you can see across multiple sectors that designers are asking more questions and finding creative ways to make better, more informed decisions. Even small changes, like reducing waste during prototyping, designing for disassembly, or sourcing locally where possible, can have a meaningful impact over time. It’s about progress, not perfection, and continuing to push for more sustainable solutions wherever we can.
When designing for the contract market, long-term value is central to my process. In these environments, whether it’s hospitality, residential developments, or commercial spaces, furniture needs to perform well over time, adapt to changing needs, and still look great after years of use.
I often consider modularity as a key design strategy. Designing systems that can be reconfigured, expanded, or replaced allows clients to adapt a piece to different layouts or future projects without having to start from scratch. This extends the product’s lifespan and offers cost efficiency and flexibility – two things that are important in the contract sector.
Reusability and repairability are also considered. I try and make design decisions that allow for easy maintenance, i.e., parts that can be swapped out. In a high-traffic setting, this helps keep furniture in use longer and reduces the need for full replacements.
I tend to avoid overly trend-led aesthetics and instead focus on clean lines and strong proportions that will hold up visually over time. In the contract market, it’s important that pieces feel relevant across different interior styles and remain appealing for years to come.