Our founder
Emma Sims-Hilditch is a British interior designer known for her distinctly modern interpretation of the English living aesthetic. As Creative Director of Sims Hilditch, the studio she founded in the Cotswolds in 2009, she has shaped a design practice grounded in a clear philosophy: a home must function effortlessly before decoration is considered.
CREATIVE BEGINNINGS
The great-granddaughter of a Royal Academician painter and the daughter of an interior decorator, Emma grew up immersed in a world of art, architecture and design. After completing a business degree, she embarked on a career in film production. Here, working as a production assistant Emma gained first-hand experience of the discipline and pace of high-level production. The environment was demanding but formative, instilling a strong understanding of creativity, organisation and visual impact.
COUNTRY CALLING
In her mid-20s, Emma chose to step away from the film industry and, with her husband John, co-founder of Neptune, relocated to the English countryside. There, they restored a late 18th-century schoolhouse - an experience that sparked a more personal engagement with interiors. Drawing on the skills developed during the renovation, she began a curtain-making business from home, which quickly gained traction and laid the foundations for what would become Sims Hilditch. Following this early success, Emma expanded the business into a full-service design studio, broadening its scope beyond soft furnishings to include interior design, interior architecture and procurement. The studio now comprises a team of over 30 designers.
Design Leadership
Today, Emma’s role centres on mentoring and guiding the design team, fostering a collaborative environment where design and technical expertise are closely aligned. Beyond the studio, she shares her knowledge through talks at leading design festivals and industry events, contributing to global conversations on British interiors. She also extends this through her Create Academy course, offering practical insight into her design process to a worldwide audience.
“We approach every project with thoughtfulness and intent. Our process begins with truly understanding a property - its setting, its heritage and the way it will be lived in - before carefully layering these elements into a cohesive design. We consider how each space connects and flows, shaping layouts that feel both natural and purposeful. The end result is something that feels timeless, quietly confident, and deeply comfortable - imbued with a sense that it has always belonged."
Emma Sims-Hilditch
Beyond the Studio
When Emma is not in the studio with her team, she is often found sourcing art and antiques, a passion that reflects her deep affinity for Europe. This influence is woven into the studio’s creative direction, where Belgian fireplaces sit harmoniously alongside French and Italian decorative antiques.