The studio is renowned for their level of creativity, design innovation and mastery of scale, developed from years collaborating as senior creatives at NH Design with the celebrated Nicky Haslam and, for the past ten years, in directing their own team in exceptional projects both in the UK and abroad.
SQD pride themselves on their imaginative, intelligent and original design approach which allows them to craft interiors that reflect their client’s individuality and interpret how they wish to live in their most private domain.
Their innovative style represents the fusion of the American scale and tailoring with a joyful English wit and colour palette. Their passion for space planning, mastering of scale and understanding of line and shadow bring an architectural relevance to these interiors. With their understanding of antiquities and design, the pair create an authentic style, chic but comfortable, playful and individual yet intelligent, modern and functioning.
Their creative play of light and dark, softness balanced with tougher materials, texture with reflective, old with new, creates a unique interior with life, energy and personal expression for the owner.
The founders
The founding partners Jena Quinn and Lucy Derbyshire are the driving force behind Studio QD and their international team of talented interior designers and architects. The combination of their extensive experience has enabled them to establish a strong creative workforce which collectively strives towards an innovative and creative sensibility in their design aesthetic.
Jena Quinn
Trained at Parsons School of Design, following a BA in Art History from UCLA, Jena brings an American aesthetic of tailored, polished, and uncontrived interiors. Jena developed an intuitive eye for scale, line, and shadow through studying and creating interiors in both the dynamic interiors of New York City and later in Southern Californian’s unique coastal landscape. Years living in England and Paris further expanded this visual and practical experience.
Lucy Derbyshire
Following the completion of her MA Honours degree in Art History at St Andrew’s University, she secured a permanent design position with the renowned Nicky Haslam after a successful work placement during her studies. Over thirteen years at Nicky Haslam’s design Studio, she honed her extensive knowledge and professional skillset in interior design and architecture under Nicky’s exceptional mentorship.
Since 2014, she now collaborates with her partner, Jena Quinn, to create celebrated interiors both in the UK and internationally. This partnership leverages her strong foundation in design and architecture to deliver outstanding and innovative projects worldwide.
Together with Jena, she is also a celebrated author of two interior design books, with more in the pipeline. This literary avenue allows the duo to broaden their extensive design knowledge and express it through literature, further solidifying their expertise and influence in the field of interior design.