Emma Sims-Hilditch: US Spring Book Tour
Earlier this month, Emma and John Sims-Hilditch travelled to the US to mark the recent release of our second book Beautifully British Interiors, hosting a series of talks across the South and East Coast. The spring tour offered an opportunity to share the principles behind the Sims Hilditch aesthetic - from craftsmanship and collaboration to creating interiors that feel both timeless and liveable.
Birmingham
The first stop was Birmingham, Alabama, where Emma was welcomed by the team at Schumacher’s Pepper Place showroom for an afternoon of cocktails, conversation and book signing. Emma spoke of the studio’s balance of country and city influences, as well as the enduring role of fabric and pattern in shaping a distinctly British interior. Schumacher is a supplier we consistently turn to for fabrics across our projects, and with a shared commitment to quality and timeless design, this partnership felt a natural and fitting starting point.
We were delighted to welcome a wonderful mix of designers, creatives and industry figures to the Birmingham event, including Dirk Walker and Debbie Bartoletti of Dirk Walker Fine Art, Katie Kirby of Katie Kirby Interiors, Ellie Christopher of Ellie Christopher Interior Design, and Coty Hall of Design Supply and Odette Furniture. We were also pleased to host Catherine Smith, Rachael Burrow Rummel and Kate Lickart from Veranda magazine, alongside Lauren Edwards, Catherine Pringle of Catherine Pringle Design and Elisabeth Hanes of Sorella Interiors - an inspiring group that made for a truly engaging afternoon.
Charleston
From Birmingham, Emma continued on to Charleston, where she joined renowned architects, Bories & Shearron, at The Charleston Show for an afternoon talk at the Festival Hall, speaking to an audience of collectors, designers and design enthusiasts. The discussion explored the relevance of British design within an American context - from lessons learned working with historic houses to the relationship between interior design and architecture today. Focusing on how tradition can be thoughtfully interpreted for modern living, Emma reflected on the enduring appeal of craftsmanship, proportion and heritage, and how these principles continue to shape contemporary interiors on both sides of the Atlantic. The Cotswold Manor and our WOW!house installation - two projects especially well received by our American audience - sparked lively conversation among attendees..
New York
The tour concluded in New York, where Emma joined the Royal Oak Foundation at the New York School of Interior Design for an evening talk and book signing, held in conversation with John Sims-Hilditch. The discussion offered a deeper insight into Emma’s design ethos - exploring the human stories behind each project and the importance of creating homes that feel both personal and enduring. Showcasing a selection of recent work, the talk reflected on how classic British style can be thoughtfully reimagined for contemporary living, before concluding with a reception and signing of Beautifully British Interiors in the Arthur King Satz Auditorium
