2025
WELCOME
This year’s Interior Design Degree Show marks the first outcome of a new curriculum, delivered through what is known at De Montfort University as ‘block teaching’. For the Interior Design programme team, this new approach has offered an opportunity to reflect on our rich heritage of what we do well, while also looking forward to the future needs and evolving skill sets required in interior design practice.
As artificial intelligence continues to streamline aspects of spatial planning and visual communication, it is more important than ever for our graduates to be the ‘humans’ in the human-centred design process, bringing creativity, personality and craft from brief to completion.
What you see here today is not merely a collection of completed interior design projects; it is a showcase of each student’s unique journey through research, synthesis, ideation, conceptualisation, and the development of a self-defined brief. As a programme, we value student agency in determining project themes, creative expression, and the development of individual design identities. The work before us exemplifies these values, and we couldn’t be prouder of our students’ achievements. Our graduates leave us not only with creative and conceptual strength, but with the technical knowledge, critical thinking, and adaptability that make them truly industry-ready.
It has been a privilege to be part of this journey, and I wish them all the best as they embark on the next stage of their careers in this exciting and evolving discipline.
Alex Stothard, Programme Leader
CLASS OF 2025
Maria Basa
Kalsuma Begum
Sara Bekas
Sophie Bevan
Katie Mae Cotton
Hatty Daly
Boryana Dimitrova
Dragisa V D’Souza
Leigh Evans
Madison Eyre
Kayleigh Fisher
Victoria Fotso
Miyah Francis
Lenisha Greaves
Soha Hadi
Olivia Hawley
Ahmad Hussain
Jamella Ingers
Nadir Ismail
Stella Jones
Zara Rose
Feza Khan
Shweta Kumar
Natasha Lane
Patrycja Lechwar
Liu
Romana Mahomed
Alexandra I. Manda
Destiny Mazaiwana
Aiden McCrystal
Elsa Morina
Rebecca Oderinde
Cam Overton
Neha Parekh
Rosie Parlby
Fátima Stephanía Pestana De Abreu
Hannah Pringle
Evie Rawson
Kian Rogers
Mramee Shabib
Marie Springthorpe
Laura Tang
Chloe Tubbs
Kasia Twardosz
Amelia Underwood
Lillie Webster
Lydia R Wilson
Victoria Jane Elizabeth Wright
Zuzanna Zgutka
Maria Basa
mariabasa0902@gmail.com
http://linkedin.com/in/mariabasa
Plated Drama
Plated Drama is an immersive dining theatre experience designed to help students engage with literature. Through themed meal, live performances, and character interactions, students explore the emotions, motivations, and contexts of the emotions, motivations, and contexts of the book’s characters, making learning vivid, memorable, and deeply connected to connected to the story’s themes and setting.
Kalsuma Begum
Kalsumabegum2323@outlook.com
http://linkedin.com/in/kalsumabegum-19559b2a0
Body & Balance
Body & Balance is a thoughtfully designed gym dedicated to supporting women, especially mums and children in a nurturing, empowering environment. This space is more than just a fitness centre: it is a sanctuary that promotes physical and emotional wellness which goes hand in hand.
TikTok : kb_interiors
Sara Bekas
sarabekas13@gmail.com LinkedIn: Sara Bekas Instagram:
The Unplugged Oasis
The Unplugged wellness retreat inspired by biomimicry, is designed for Millennials and Gen Z to disconnect from digital stress. Incorporating chromotherapy, sound therapy, cold plunge pools, and a farm-to-table café, the space nurtures reconnection with self and nature through immersive, natural textures, colours, and sensory experiences.
Sophie Bevan
Serenity & Senses
Serenity & Senses in Leicester is a sustainable well-being retreat for neurodiverse children aged 3 to 14 and their parents. The retreat is designed around the five senses and features calming sensory spaces, a therapeutic herb garden, soothing spa treatments, seasonal dining, and nature-based activities. This holistic environment allows families to destress, connect, and thrive together. BySophieBevan@Gmail.com LinkedIn: SophieBevan Instagram: @By_SophieBevan
katie.mae.cotton@gmail.com
https://www.linkedin.com/in/katiemae-cotton-1a78662b3/
TimeQuest Leicester
TimeQuest Leicester immerses visitors into the city’s past, allowing them to appreciate how Leicester has evolved over time, but also inspire and create hope for the future to come. It celebrates the voices of the city and creates a hub for innovation. Time Questers won’t just learn about Leicester’s history – they will live it, connect and leave feeling hopeful for what is yet to come!
Katie Mae Cotton
hattydaly11@gmail.com
www.linkedin.com/in/hatty-daly
The Power of Movement
The Power of Movement is a contemporary dance theatre.
The Power of Movement celebrates rhythm through architecture. Grand, repeating forms echo the choreography of dance itself. The modular structures separate the space with layered arches and sweeping curves that mirror the dancers’ bodies. Movement becomes space, and space becomes movement, amplifying energy, performance, and community in seamless harmony.
Hatty Daly
Boryana Dimitrova
The Procrastinator’s Paradise
The Procrastinator’s Paradise is a co-working and café environment, designed to address the behavioural patterns of students, freelancers, and entrepreneurs who frequently navigate the challenges of procrastination and self-directed work. The design aims to create a balanced ecosystem that fosters concentration, creativity, and healthy working habits. LinkedIn: @boryanapdimitrova Instagram: @by_b.dimitrova
Dragisa V D’Souza
dragisavd@gmail.com
www.linkedin.com/in/dragisa-dsouza-a48b17213
The Traditional Indian Experience
An immersive interior experience blending traditional Indian aesthetics with modern design, this retreat educates visitors on Ayurvedic remedies and sustainable wellness. Thematic zones, natural materials, and multi-sensory experiences create a serene environment that bridges Eastern and Western healing practices, promoting holistic health through cruelty-free, vegan, and ecoconscious products.
Craft Werk is a co-working space designed to inspire creativity and connection. Alongside workstations, it offers dedicated craft areas where individuals can unwind, experiment, and explore hands-on creative projects. It blends productivity with creativity, supporting a balanced lifestyle that encourages both focus and artistic self-expression.
LinkedIn: @leighevans
Leigh Evans
Craft Werk
Madison Eyre
MADISONEYRE27@GMAIL.COM
Stoicheia Fine Dining
Stoicheia is a fine dining restaurant that offers a surrealist take on seasonal changes through dining.
At Stoichiea, each season is tied to a natural element -Air, Water, Earth, and Fire. With each season, the interior evolves with lighting transitions, guiding guests through nature’s cycles. Fusing this immersive journey with minimalist and surreal design, Stoicheia creates a sensory-rich environment that redefines modern fine dining and reflects the circularity of nature.
Victoria Fotso
misstoriamelz@gmail.com
www.linkedin.com/in/victoriafotso-3355082b3
L’ eau Emporium Exhibition & Spa celebrates water’s legacy and future. Named after the French word for water, it honours France’s historic impact on water systems, wellness, and hydrotherapy in the Victorian era. Through interactive exhibits and a luxurious spa experience, the space explores water as a source of life, healing, and innovation.
L’eau Emporium Exhibition & Spa
miyaha.francis@gmail.com
Herbal Infusion is a herbal tea café with much more to offer. Dedicated to healing, health, and wellbeing. It is a place where customers are encouraged to prioritise their health and learn alternative ways to manage health conditions like diabetes. The space sells and promotes Pukka Herbs herbal teas, with an interior style inspired by their branding.
www.linkedin.com/in/miyah-francis
Miyah Francis
Herbal Infusion Café and
Yoga Facility
Lenisha Greaves
60
Years Through Time with
The Doctor Exhibition
60 Years Through Time with The Doctor is an immersive exhibition that celebrates the legacy of the Doctor Who. Travel through time and space in this interactive exhibition, encountering legendary monsters and exploring the Tardis’ evolution, bringing six decades of Doctor Who adventures to life for visitors of all ages.
Lenishagreaves40@gmail.com
http://linkedin.com/in/lenishagreaves-517412218
Soha Hadi
The Sand
The Sand is a spa and beauty centre inspired by the desert landscape and offers natural treatments such as sand therapies using sustainable products. The interior was designed to create a relaxing atmosphere for adults. It incorporates desertinspired curves, and eco-friendly furniture. Nature is highlighted, along with sustainability and comfort.
Olivia Hawley
Oliviagh2004@gmail.com
Growing Together Learning Centre
The growing together learning centre serves as a community for students with special educational needs and disabilities. Equipped with personalised teaching methods tailored to support children aged 7 to 11, the centre prioritizes inclusivity, tailored learning, and respect. Creating a supportive community where students feel valued and empowered to develop alongside peers with similar experiences.
Ahmad Hussain
Ahmadhussain29@icloud.com
A hip-hop exhibition at located in Leicester city centre celebrates the culture’s core elements: Music, Art, and Fashion. This unique space showcases the vibrant essence of hip hop through creative displays, engaging visuals, and dynamic sounds, offering an immersive experience for fans and newcomers alike.
Jamella Ingers
Solace Wellness Retreat
Solace Wellness Retreat is an inclusive, sustainable health facility that makes wellness accessible across all income levels. Blending holistic therapies, health education, and biophilic design, it uses natural materials and sensory elements to promote long-term wellbeing. Its purpose is to provide lasting tools for managing health in a calming environment.
Ingersjamella@gmail.com
linkedin.com/in/jamella-ingers2b67202a2
Solace Wel l ness Retreat
Nadir Ismail
NADIR52@LIVE.CO.UK
NEX GEN will offer opportunities in sports, creative arts and finance. The centre will focus on artistic freedom, cultural diversity, personal growth and unfulfilled potential. This creative space will allow recognition of uniqueness and identity. It will help individuals connect with their passions and is a space for personal development.
Stella Jones Localis
Localis is a fine-dining restaurant (with other offer on-site available) centred around sustainability. The restaurant focuses on supporting the local farmers/ the local community, reducing waste and encouraging home grown produce. It is designed to encourage the sustainable practice of guests within their own home and be made aware of the realities of farming and the environment.
stellajones1234@hotmail.com Instagram: stellajonesinteriordesign
Zara Rose
zararowe8@gmail.com
Instagram: zararoseinteiors
Marly’s Caribbean Restaurant & Hotel
Within Winstanley House, this Caribbean restaurant reconnects communities with their roots through bold flavours, vibrant interiors, and cultural expression. It’s a space where tradition meets togetherness— offering authentic food, soulful music, and shared experiences like cooking sessions and island-inspired events that celebrate the warmth, rhythm, and identity of the Caribbean.
Feza Khan
Clutch Point- The Future of Gaming
Designed to address Leicester’s gap in providing a dedicated space for gamers. An inclusive, tech-inspired gaming cafe, catering to an age range of 16-35, this gaming café encourages individuals to push their gaming abilities and strive to play competitively as well as just for fun. Creating a fusion of modern design aesthetics with community focused spatial design, this space not only promotes social connection, but also encourages esports engagement and gender inclusivity; a vibrant space that redefines gaming café experience. feza.khan@hotmail.com
LinkedIn: Feza Khan
Instagram: Khaistadrinks
Shweta Kumar
The Maharaja’s Table
The Maharaja’s Table is a fine dining Indian restaurant celebrating royal heritage through modern luxury. Set within one of Leicester’s historic buildings, it fuses cultural storytelling, refined interiors, and immersive service to reimagine Indian hospitality through a Western lens, offering an elevated experience rooted in tradition, sustainability, and contemporary design excellence.
Simmi.k2003@gmail.com
Natasha
Lane
Natasha.L.Lane@hotmail.co.uk www.linkedin.com/in/tash-lane2aab08329
Brain Boost Study Space
Brain Boost is a study space and café designed for neurodivergent needs, transforming Leicester’s Grade II listed Middleton’s Steakhouse into a modern, biophilic, and inclusive interior. The project promotes student focus and wellbeing through healthy eating and calming design, contrasting the building’s historic exterior with a supportive, nature-inspired environment.
Patrycja Lechwar
A place to be real, and maybe fall in love
The space designed for first dates, particularly when people have met online and need validation regarding each other’s authenticity. Through interactive activities, the space will assess compatibility, allowing people to see if they are a good match. The end part - a cosy restaurant space where the future couple can share thoughts, feelings and decide about the next step. patryccja.lechwar@gmail.com
Flirt Factory
@jingliu1179
This project aims to design a Chinese element-themed bar using light and shadow to create a unique visual experience and novel sensation to attract customers. The main content of the project is the integration of traditional culture and interior design, drawing inspiration from traditional Chinese shadow puppetry and folding fans. The goal is to create a cultural theme bar that combines beauty and novelty.
Silhouette
Romana Mahomed
Women’s Wellness Retreat
The Women’s Wellness Retreat is a structured program designed to promote the well-being and health of women. The Retreat offers a variety of activities, including yoga, fitness, meditation and spa treatments all aimed at fostering self-care, emotional release and physical rejuvenation. The retreat also offers medical care for menstruation, post-partum and menopause as these are the main challenges and changes women experience in their bodies which affects their mental and physical romana.mahomed1@gmail.com
Instagram: thedesignvogue_
health. Women would appreciate a space that is more feminine, which allows them to be in their zones with the luxury treatments, special services, low impact workouts, guidance and professional help through doctors and therapists.
Alexandra I. Manda
Isa.logisticss@yahoo.com
www.linkedin.com/in/alexandramanda-b701ab337
Canvas & Coffee is an inclusive art café and gallery where creativity and community come together.
Alongside showcasing local art, it offers open studio spaces where anyone—regardless of skill level—can create their own work. With a focus on accessibility and belonging, it’s a welcoming hub for connection, expression, and shared inspiration.
Canvas & Coffee: Art Cafe
Aiden McCrystal
aidenmccrystal@hotmail.com
Surge Skatepark is the first-ever indoor action sports facility featuring cutting-edge projection mapping technology. Designed and built in close collaboration with ramp builders, professional athletes, skatepark owners, and local riders, this skatepark is truly crafted with the community in mind.
Surge Skatepark
Elsa Morina Adobe Workshop
elsamorina2004@outlook.com
LinkedIn: elsa-morina
Instagram: em.interiordesign_
A bold and imaginative brand experience designed for Adobe, this project blends hospitality, retail, exhibition, and workplace environments to change how users interact with Photoshop. Through a vibrant layout, flexible zones, and playful shapes, the space encourages creativity, collaboration and innovation. It encourages focused work, group collaboration, and spontaneous learning.
Rebecca Oderinde
The Strand
A co-creation space for Black creatives promoting community, collaboration, celebration and support. It’s inspired by contemporary Africa but is open to ethnic/non minorities. It has a coworking space, events/ gallery space, meeting rooms and a restaurant. There is also an outdoor canopy where Black/ethnic businesses sell their products during warmer months.
rebeccaoderi@icloud.com
www.linkedin.com/in/
rebecca-o-887342241
Cam Overton
Camoverton@outlook.com
https://camoverton.wixstudio.com/ my-site
Visions
A
collaborative performance venue
This project transforms a heritage structure into a vibrant performance space by combining historical elements with contemporary design. It features a small theatre, a performance stage with integrated lighting, a concession stand, and waiting spaces, resulting in a unified setting that blends old and new, encouraging interaction and creation among like-minded people.
Neha Parekh
Nehaparekh024@gmail.com
This MDP offers a contemporary Indian restaurant that blends traditional cultural aspects with modern design. Both luxurious dining and a vibrant nightlife scene are supported by the design’s intelligent material use, allowing technologies, and flexible layouts. The space honours Indian heritage In addition to providing an appealing, versatile, and immersive guest experience.
Spice & High Spirits
Parlby STEAM
rosie.parlby@gmail.com
My MDP is focused on helping neurodiverse children learn in a more suitable environment than is often found in a traditional school setting. The educational tasks are based around STEAM, (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Maths), but with an emphasis on risk taking, creativity and exploration of new ideas in a safe and welcoming space.
Rosie
Fátima Stephanía Pestana
De Abreu
Legacy of Leicester
- Informative and Cultural Hub
A Cultural and Informative Hub designed to create an engaging and dynamic space that offers immersive experiences, interactive activities, and a vibrant social atmosphere. The hub will celebrate the rich cultural heritage of Leicester while integrating modern design elements to provide a welcoming and educational environment. With designated areas for exhibitions, social or private events, and a café-bar showcasing artistic decor inspired by the city, this project aims to be a cultural landmark. pestana.fatima11@gmail.com linkedin.com/in/fátima-pestanab9507a348 Instagram: fspestanaa
Hannah Pringle
Hannah.pringle.x4@gmail.com
http://linkedin.com/in/hannahpringle-5051b2337
The Vinted Vault
This project addresses the global issue of fast-fashion, educating people on the social, economic and environmental disasters caused by fast fashion, whilst presenting a solution of recycling/ repurposing clothes using Vinted, a second hand buying and selling platform.
This project focuses on re-use is important, and focuses on the Vinted mission of ‘making second hand the first choice’ and embodies this throughout.
Evie Rawson
evierawson15@gmail.com
https://linkedin.com/in/evierawson
Instagram: accessible.interiors. by.evie
Silhouette is a spa experience inspired by the values and vision of The Body Shop, created to educate people on skincare their skin through the use of sustainably sourced, cruelty-free products. The retreat offers peaceful spaces where guests can relax, recharge, and explore what their skin truly needs. Each treatment room is carefully designed to reflect the look and feel of The Body Shop’s products, while staying true to the brand’s commitment to sustainability.
Silhouette
kianjackrogers@gmail.com
https://www.linkedin.com/in/ kianjackrogers
Instagram: @interiors_kian.r
Whispers of the Lost
The Whispers of the Lost is a museum and exhibition space focused on ancient languages, immersing visitors through the use of visuals, physical materials, and diverse artefacts. Guests can engage with interactive displays and participate in workshops to demonstrate their understanding of the different exhibits. The space aims to unite people from different backgrounds and cultures.
Kian Rogers
Mramee Shabib
Marami.interior@gmail.com
My Major Design Project (MDP) is a wellness center tailored for pregnant and postpartum women, promoting holistic well-being through sensory design. The space integrates biophilic elements, aromatherapy, sound therapy and movement studios to enhance physical and psychological relaxation, offering a supportive and nurturing environment for women’s health and mindfulness.
marie.springthorpe@gmail.com
LinkedIn: Marie Springthorpe
Hotel Club Tropicana is an immersive boutique accommodation concept that offers guest a distinctive and unforgettable short-stay experience. Inspired by the curiosities, the space is a playful, eclectic, and visually striking environment where design transcends function to become an adventure.
By seamlessly blending design, storytelling, and hospitality, Hotel Club Tropicana ensures guests leave with lasting impressions and a sense of having stepped into something truly extraordinary.
Marie Springthorpe
Hotel Club Tropicana
Laura Tang
lauratang.188@gmail.com
www.linkedin.com/in/lauratang-756385261
Instagram: @laura_t.designs
Aurora Apartment
For my Major Design Project during the final year of my Interior Design studies, I chose to focus on creating an innovative and unconventional student accommodation. The goal was to challenge and transform the typical design approaches currently seen in student accommodation. This was achieved through in-depth research into existing student accommodation models and a critical analysis of their conventional design styles.
Chloe Tubbs
chloeandlewis89@gmail.com
Playful Pages
Playful Pages is a dynamic library that provides interactive lessons crafted for children aged 5 to 9. The classes empower children who need a little extra support in mastering the essentials of maths, science, technology, and engineering, especially when financial barriers stand in the way. Each session comes alive through engaging storylines, complemented by enchanting props and costumes that ignite the imagination.
The Blacksmiths
Pixie Hollow
Amelia Underwood
ameli_a24@icloud.com
http://linkedin.com/in/ameliaunderwood-435797208
The Coffee Nook is a café in Leicester’s city centre that transforms into a bar at night.
Partnered with local coffee supplier St Martin’s, it focuses on coffee. The venue offers drinks and light snacks, with a quiet workspace, dance area, and general seating.
The Coffee Nook
Lillie Webster
Lillieiw@hotmail.com
Net|Space
This design brings LinkedIn into the real world known as Net Space. A physical space that embodies professional connectivity, personal development, and well-being. The aim is to improve social interaction skills and to promote mental health awareness in collaboration with the charity Mind. It encourages a healthier work-life balance by providing environments for relaxation, workshops for skill-building, and resources for mental well-being. It’s a space where professionals can connect authentically, grow personally and professionally.
Lyds.w03@gmail.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin. com/in/lydiawilson
Instagram: _interiordesign_lrw
Grace & Grounds
Grace & Grounds is a Cafe, Bookstore and Exhibition space that incorporates Christianity through story telling. This has been done by designing a cafe bookstore with an immersive exhibition that is themed and centred around Bible stories and history. The space has been created to evoke a sense of tranquillity, inspiration, and spiritual reflection, while also providing a welcoming and comfortable environment for dining.
Lydia R Wilson
Victoria Jane Elizabeth Wright
victoriajane.designs2000@gmail.com
Instagram: @Victoriajane_designsx
Beyond the Bag
This exhibition explores the transformation of bags from functional objects to enduring symbols of style, status, and identity. Showcasing craftsmanship, sustainability, and cultural meaning, it reflects shifting social values. Housed in Leicester’s Great Central Way Building, it links the city’s heritage with global developments in fashion and design.
Zuzanna Zgutka
’Her Haven’’ women-only gym
Her Haven, a women-only gym in Lane 7, Leicester, empowers women aged 18 and above to embrace self-love and confidence. Through a supportive, judgment-free environment, it encourages personal growth, strength, and connection. Her Haven is more than a gym—it’s a community where women feel safe, inspired, and truly seen.
zuza.zgutka@op.pl
Instagram: zuza_zg
THE TUTORS
NICKY HARDING
ALEX STOTHARD
BRIAN WEALTHALL
POOJA SHAH SAM WILLIAMS
GINNY PETRIE HARRIET LAZZERI
NATHAN SMITH
MATHEW BETHANCOURT
STUART WRIGHT
NOTES
NOTES
NOTES
Design by Hatty Daly