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In Profile:
CS Design Studio

In Profile:

CS Design Studio

Shortlisted: Interior Design Scheme - London Award

The International Design & Architecture Awards 2026

CS Design Studio

Name: Cansel
Company Name: CS Design Studio
Position Within Company: Founder/Design Director
Website: https://csdesignstudio.co.uk/

Tell us a little about your background in design:
Cansel Seymen, the founder of CS Design Studio, brings an exceptional wealth of expertise and high-end industry experience to the world of luxury interiors. Her professional journey began with formal training at the prestigious KLC School of Design. Recognizing her talent, KLC launched her career by placing her at the historic luxury textile house, Scalamandré, in Chelsea Harbour. This immersive six-month experience instilled in Cansel a foundational understanding of material integrity, bespoke textiles, and the critical importance of fabric selection.

This tactile expertise paved the way for an impressive career within world-renowned design powerhouses. Cansel spent two years honing her craft at David Collins Studio, where she supported senior teams on the FF&E development for legendary luxury hospitality projects, including the Connaught Bar, Bob Bob Ricard, the Delaire Graff Estate winery, and the Park Hill hotel. This invaluable experience deeply connected her with the industry’s most exceptional global suppliers and artisans from the very start of her career.

Following a focused three-month contract at Harrods Interior Design Studio—where she contributed directly to the design of their own in-house studio—Cansel spent 14 distinguished years at Finchatton. This cornerstone of her career saw her rise to spearhead major master developments alongside elite countryside estates, perfecting her instinctive eye for detail and uncompromising standards of ultra-prime residential luxury.

Today, at the helm of CS Design Studio, Cansel channels this rich, multi-decade background into creating bespoke residences that beautifully bridge the gap between tradition and tomorrow. Informed by a passion for European artisanal excellence and rooted in the unique spirit of London living, her work honors historical architectural integrity while embracing contemporary comfort. Her portfolio reflects a philosophy that a home is more than a refined address—it is a living, timeless canvas where families thrive.

How would you describe your personal design style?:
I would describe my personal design style as Contemporary Classic—a thoughtful, elegant dialogue between historic soul, modern innovation, and uncompromising comfort. I specialize in creating bespoke, ultra-prime residences that bridge the gap between tradition and tomorrow, respecting the architectural integrity of the past while ensuring the spaces are entirely optimized for the ease of modern living. Rather than following fleeting trends, my aesthetic is rooted in a philosophy of timeless, understated luxury where functionality, beauty, and physical comfort coexist in perfect harmony.

Having started my career immersed in the world of luxury textiles at Scalamandré, my signature style relies heavily on the integrity of materials, rich textures, and bespoke FF&E. For me, true luxury cannot exist without comfort. I carefully curate and layer exquisite, tactile fabrics, fine woods, and natural stones to create interiors that feel deeply inviting, warm, and intentional. Every fabric is chosen not just for its visual appeal, but for how it feels to the touch, ensuring that every sofa, chair, and living space delivers a profound sense of physical relaxation and sanctuary.
In a Contemporary Classic interior, the magic lies in unexpected, balanced pairings. I enjoy mixing sleek, clean-lined modern furniture designed for optimal comfort with soulful antiques or historic architectural moldings. This contrast prevents a space from ever feeling static or cold. Furthermore, lighting plays a pivotal role in creating a comfortable atmosphere; I utilize a layered lighting approach—blending soft architectural fixtures with sculptural decorative lamps—to evoke warmth, highlight bespoke joinery, and ease the transition from a bright daytime environment to a cozy evening retreat.

My work is heavily informed by a global perspective and a passion for European artisanal excellence, yet it always remains anchored in the unique spirit of London living. London has a distinct energy where rich heritage meets cutting-edge lifestyle needs, and my designs reflect that balance. Whether working on a sleek urban residence or an expansive countryside estate, my ultimate goal is to design spaces with a sense of dignity, proportion, and tailored beauty.

For me, a Contemporary Classic home should never feel like an impersonal showroom or a museum frozen in time. It must be a sanctuary for the senses. It should be an elegant, living canvas that is both highly refined and deeply welcoming—a space that honours the architectural envelope it sits within while placing the everyday comfort and well-being of the modern family at its very centre.

Where does your design inspiration come from?:
For me, design inspiration is never formulaic; it is an intuitive process of observation, storytelling, and deep research. I believe that every successful interior should feel as though it grew naturally from its surroundings, which is why my primary source of inspiration is always the architecture and history of the building itself.

Before sketching a single line, we dive into the past details of the project site, searching for original elements, historical archives, or structural narratives that we can honor and re-interpret. A perfect example of this was our work at 60 Curzon. The building’s striking external façade, featuring exquisite green textural tiles, became the direct catalyst for our interior concept. We drew that unique architectural texture and color palette inside, allowing the exterior soul of the building to seamlessly inform the scheme for the apartments.

Beyond the architecture, inspiration often sparks from unexpected, highly tactile details—what I call “the anchor pieces.” It could be the intricate pattern of a vintage scarf, a striking piece of contemporary artwork, or a beautifully weathered antique. We treat these objects as a foundation, pulling out specific thread colors, textures, and moods, and then meticulously building an entire bespoke scheme around them.

My inspiration is also deeply fed by my global perspective and travels throughout Europe. I am constantly inspired by traditional European craftsmanship—the way a master plasterer finishes a wall in Italy, the patina of historic ironwork in Paris, or the timeless proportions of classical architecture. I look at how these centuries-old techniques can be distilled into modern luxury.

Finally, I find immense inspiration in nature, natural light, and the changing seasons. I observe how daylight filters through a room at different times of the day and use that to dictate our material selections, ensuring that our timber, stones, and textiles feel alive and dynamic under changing light.

Ultimately, my inspiration is a blend of the tangible and the emotional. By combining the historical heritage of a building, the tactile beauty of art and textiles, and the unique lifestyle of the client, we are able to create multi-layered, “Contemporary Classic” spaces that tell a completely unique story.

CS Design Studio
CS Design Studio

In what direction do you feel that design is moving towards in a general sense?:
In a general sense, I feel that the design world is moving toward a much bolder, more colorful, and expressive era, while simultaneously being revolutionized by advanced digital technology. It is an incredibly exciting time to be a designer, as the industry is successfully balancing heightened human creativity with technical innovation.

Visually, we are seeing a beautiful shift away from sterile, minimalist neutrals and toward a much braver use of color, rich patterns, and distinct personality. Clients are no longer looking for safe, predictable spaces; they want their homes to evoke emotion and tell a vibrant story. As a designer who loves texture and bespoke layers, I find this movement toward deeply expressive, joyful interiors incredibly liberating. People are embracing the confidence to live with color, and it allows us to create “Contemporary Classic” spaces that feel even more soulful and unique.

Parallel to this aesthetic shift is the massive impact of technology, particularly the integration of AI-driven creative tools. AI is taking the operational and decision-making side of design to the next level. Rather than replacing human creativity, AI serves as an incredible co-pilot and an immense time-saver.

In the luxury market, clients value efficiency just as much as beauty. By utilizing AI tools, we can rapidly explore spatial layouts, test material combinations, and visualize complex concepts at the earliest stages of a project. This drastically accelerates the design process, helping clients visualize the end result clearly and make faster, more confident decisions. It removes the guesswork from luxury procurement, turning the traditional design timeline into a much sleeker, more collaborative experience.

Ultimately, I believe the future of design is high-expression meets high-efficiency. The industry is moving toward spaces that are visually braver and more colorful, delivered through technology that respects the client’s time and elevates the precision of our craft.

If you could offer one piece of advice when it comes to designing, what would it be?:
My singular piece of advice to any designer is this: Be brave, remain endlessly curious, and build an uncompromising foundation of product and art knowledge. True design excellence cannot be achieved by sitting behind a screen or simply following current trends. To create spaces that are genuinely unique and timeless, you must step out into the world, actively search for new materials, and push the boundaries of your own comfort zone.
Excellence lies in the relationships you build with the makers. Make it your mission to constantly meet new artisans—the master stone carvers, the specialized weavers, the boutique furniture makers. When you understand how something is made, you unlock the ability to customize and innovate, which is the very definition of bespoke luxury.
Alongside this bravery, you must cultivate a rigorous, deep knowledge of both products and art. An exceptional designer must understand the technical integrity of materials—how a certain timber expands, how a specific textile drapes, or how natural stone responds to light.
Furthermore, developing a sharp eye for art is vital. Art should never be an afterthought used merely to fill an empty wall; it should be an integral part of the design narrative. By understanding art history and contemporary movements, you gain the confidence to curate spaces where architecture, custom furniture, and fine art exist in a sophisticated, elevated dialogue.
Never stop learning, never stop exploring, and never be afraid to introduce a bold, unexpected element into a scheme. Your designs will only ever be as rich as your knowledge and your network of craftsmen.

Architect: PLP Architecture & The Office of Thierry W. Despont

Interior Designer: Cansel Seymen

Developer: Development Manager Valouran

Photography: Veerle Evens

CS Design Studio has been shortlisted for Interior Design Scheme – London Award in The International Design & Architecture Awards 2026.

CS Design Studio
CS Design Studio

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