Your Burning Questions Answered

a contemporary neutral sofa, styled with bespoke navy blue and patterned cushions, in a bright apartment living room designed by Instyle Direct

We recently sat down with our talented interior designer, Emma Silburn. Emma has worked with renowned design firms and created beautiful show homes for London’s leading developers. Emma’s design aesthetic includes an excellent blend of timeless elegance and contemporary touches, she also likes to draw inspiration from many travels and her fashion background.

Today she joins us to answer all your burning questions.

Q1: To Start, Tell Us About How It All Began for Your Interior Design Career.

I’ve been in the industry since 2018. I graduated from KLC School of Design, gained valuable experience by working with various design studios and showrooms around London.

Q2: Talk Us Through Your Creative Process, What’s Your Approach?

My process starts with immersing myself to understand every aspect of the client’s needs from their lifestyle, vision, and to how they want to feel in the space. I then create mood boards, early layouts, and key material selections. I’m drawn to a warm, modern aesthetic, so I often look at balance, flow, and texture early on.

Projects that move quickly, like rental apartments and show homes, I like to draw inspiration from successful previous projects that I have done, and then customise them as per the new brief. For more bespoke and high-end residential works, I like to research and take inspiration from the property’s architecture, client’s taste, or even a single artwork or furniture to build my concept.

I then move onto the next phase which constitutes detailed planning and procurement, overseeing joinery, and supplier coordination. I maintain clear communication throughout and make sure every detail supports the overall vision. I like to create spaces that are beautiful, functional, and personal.

Q3: How Would You Describe Your Style?

I would describe my style as modern elegance with a sense of tailored warmth. I keep a balance between clean-lined modernism with classical sophistication, I make sure the space feels elevated but also equally inviting and comfortable. I use luxury in moderation through material choices, customised detailing, or thoughtful layering – without going overboard.

Ultimately, I want my interiors to feel livable and grounded, yet elevated that offers both comfort and confidence to clients.

Q4: If You Could Only Pick Two Projects at InStyle Direct That You’re Most Proud of, It Would Be?

317 The Auria– A showhome for Peabody. The soft colour palette, accented with gentle touches of orange and green, gives the space a hint of luxury while also being accessible.

1008 Koa House– Designed for a homeowner, featuring a gentle ambiance, abstract art, and refined details.

Q5: How Often Do You Balance Timeless Design Elements With Newer Trends? Have You Noticed a Change in Client’s Preferences?

I like to keep a balance between timeless design elements and newer trends like maximalism and eco-conscious textures, making the space both classic and fresh.

Absolutely, I’ve noticed clients becoming more interested in sustainable materials and bold, expressive styles. It reflects growing environmental awareness among people and a desire for unique interiors.

Q6: What Materials or Finishes Are You Most Excited About at the Moment? Are Clients Gravitating Towards Anything Particular?

I’m inspired by materials that are sustainable and natural, like reclaimed wood and natural stone. Warm metallic tones such as gold, bronze, and copper remain popular, and I’ve noticed silver tones coming back into the picture. When it comes to textures, I’d select tactical or matte texture options for their understated luxury appeal.

Clients are gravitating towards eco-friendly materials, along with mixed-metal touches as its both modern yet timeless.

Q7: Name (Any) Three Things That You Think Will Shape the Future of Interior Design.

Sustainability: There’s a growing demand for eco-friendly materials and energy-efficient designs, and I think it’ll continue to drive innovation in the future.

Technology Integration: Spaces will become more personalised as AI and smart home systems advance. They will be intuitive, and responsive as per our individual needs.

Biophilic Design: Natural elements and greenery will be incorporated more and will become essential for improving well-being. We will definitely see more nature indoors.

Q8: What’s To Come for You in the Next Quarter of 2025, Anything You Are Looking Forward to That You Can Share?

I am excited to take on more bespoke projects that’ll push me to be more creative. I am also looking forward to my trip to Bali – I believe it will be a fantastic opportunity to get inspired from the island’s rich cultural heritage and natural beauty, I think the trip will have a positive impact on my work going into 2026. Ultimately, it’s all about growth, and bringing new concepts to life.

Emma’s journey in this industry remains unique, she draws inspiration from her global travel endeavors, the fashion industry and the ever-changing design space itself. She is committed to create beautiful and functional spaces for her clients that feels elevated yet comfortable, while also full of people’s personal style.
Want your property professionally styled by Emma? Get in touch and discover how her distinctive approach can transform your property into something special.

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Associate Director

Author: Max Prychidko

I joined InStyle Direct way back in 2008, starting my career as a Design Assistant. However, in the 17 years since then, I've honed my design skills and gathered the experience to take over as Head of Design Head and finally achieve my current role as an Associate Director. While working here, I have had the opportunity to help numerous clients create stylish and highly functional interiors that appeal to the rental market and homeowners alike. These experiences have helped me add immense value to my design knowledge and understanding of the property market. The design style I usually follow is minimalism and the use of clean lines that lead to uncluttered space and a timeless aesthetic. My objective is to enhance the property's visual experience, indoor comfort, and convenience to its optimum level. This approach helps tap the right tenant audiences and motivates private landlords and BTR developers to create stand-out interiors. The years I've spent in the interior design and furnishing industry have helped me gather valuable insights into what styles work best when putting together appealing interiors for the rental market. If you are a landlord, estate agent or BTR developer, stay tuned for my exciting design-led blogs.

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