Forget everything you think you know about interior designers.

We have a distinctly different approach…

Close your eyes… Imagine walking into a beautifully designed, comfortable home that inspires enduring pleasure for you and your family.

At The House Ministry, we’re committed to delivering that feeling for you, time after time, in your luxury family home.

Why choose us?

Established in 2011 by Julia Murray and based in Cheltenham, we’re a team of qualified and experienced designers working on luxury family homes, be they stylish period properties or contemporary homes, across the Cotswolds and beyond. We work with clients based in the UK, Europe and the USA.
The House Ministry is an award-winning interior design studio with a reputation for taking the time to truly understand your needs and delivering high-quality client experiences that exceed expectations.

Years in Business

Awards Won

Happy Homeowners (& counting!)

What sets us apart?

We employ our vision, our experience, our execution, our efficiency, our contacts and connections to create an extra special home for you – while giving you complete certainty over cost and quality.

There are 6 aspects of our work that underpin our distinctly different approach:

1. A personal touch from start to finish:

We’re not just about design; we’re about people. We take the time to really understand what you need, creating spaces that tell your story. We work with clients of all ages, from thirty-somethings up to ninety-somethings, all united by an appreciation for designs that blend timeless elegance with practicality. Our clientele often seeks to furnish main or additional residences that are both luxurious and enduring.

Our design philosophy is flexible yet distinct. We favour clean lines, elegant furnishings and tasteful schemes that embrace colour, but avoid the gaudy, yet will incorporate a few quirky touches when called for. We steer clear of fleeting trends, focusing instead on creating spaces that appear to have been thoughtfully acquired over time, rather than sourced in a single shopping spree, so they remain loved and warmly welcoming for decades.

2. A focus on quality and craftsmanship:

Our designs are timeless are built to last, with quality craftsmanship from local suppliers – celebrating the best of British workmanship.

Our business is built on strong, collaborative relationships with skilled tradespeople, contractors and UK-based suppliers – from furniture makers to joiners and upholsterers – ensuring high-quality, locally sourced craftsmanship in every home we design.

3. A desire to seek innovative solutions:

We think outside the box, reconfiguring spaces to fit your life beautifully – it’s not just about looking good, but living well.Our niche lies in creating luxury, family-friendly environments. This includes homes designed to withstand the rigours of children, pets, and the occasional wine spill with ease. We carefully select stain-resistant fabrics and custom-made furniture tailored to each room’s architecture and to your own tastes, to ensure durability, style, and function.

4. A commitment to sustainability:

We strive to adopt a sustainable approach to everything we do, and are proud to source furnishings and products that are made in the UK. We support circular economy recycling and will be happy to arrange to take away any unwanted furniture for you, so that it can be donated to charity.

5. Proud community involvement:

We’re based in the Cotswolds, and love the area in which we live. Our community connections mean we’re supporting local artisans and trades, and giving back through charity work, such as donating our design expertise and time as auction prizes.Our commitment extends to supporting UK craftsmanship, ensuring our designs not only look memorable but also contribute positively to the local economy and artisan community.

6. Design expertise that’s more accessible:

We believe interior design should be elegant, inspiring, and attainable. Our lighter-touch consultancy services open up professional design advice to a broader range of clients, ensuring that living well is available to more people.

What makes us tick?

We aim to inspire and delight you in equal measure.

As a team, we value integrity, approachability and accountability. You’ll find our communications are clear, our processes efficient.

You’ll inevitably have queries about what we do and how we work, and we’re very happy to provide comprehensive answers to all your questions. Simply glossing over them really isn’t our style.

You can find answers to typical questions on our FAQs page and in our THM Design Hub knowledge centre. And please do just ask us if you have a different query.

Read on to meet the members of our team…

Julia Murray

I’m Julia Murray, founder of The House Ministry and creator of stylish, relaxed and personality filled homes.

But I didn’t start off in interiors. I was actually in a project management role for EMI Records for over a decade, daydreaming about designing interiors and fascinated by how people live in their homes.

We moved house frequently. Breathing new life and flow into the dysfunctional and shabby houses we renovated was exciting, but there were two issues that frequently cropped up: firstly, I discovered that tradespeople I engaged to do the work didn’t always work well together, resulting in costly mistakes and delays.

Secondly, the finished rooms didn’t look quite as I expected them to. There was something missing and I didn’t know what. Undeterred and curious, I made it my mission to study interior design to discover why.

Jess Platt

Graduating in 2021 with a degree in Architecture and Design from Bournemouth Arts University, Jess has settled in as a valuable member of the design team and clients love her warmth and gentle approach.

Holding a long standing enthusiasm for interior design as well as an interest in colour psychology, Jess brings a fresh perspective to our design schemes as well as a keen eye for spacial planning. Her ability to bring schemes to life through 3D visuals and digital presentations is legendary.

Jess supplements her existing design training through regular CPD and is excited for the journey she is on, pursuing a career in a field she is passionate about.

Neil Murray

Concerned with fiscal integrity, Neil’s wealth of financial expertise in a number of senior roles within the Financial Services industry enables him to provide robust support to The House Ministry with the disciplined management of our client’s budgets.

With a strong focus on the financial and planning aspects of every project and taking a strategic view, he ensures there is full accountability of any money that is held or spent on the client’s behalf.

Lisa Urban-Smith

Introducing Lisa, our newest asset at ‘The House Ministry’.

With over 15 years of marketing experience, including a pivotal role at Halfords UK, Lisa is dedicated to enhancing our client experience, refining marketing strategies, and providing crucial administrative support.

With her expertise, we ensure smooth customer journeys and elevate our brand loyalty, all while she seamlessly integrates her passion for interior design into her work.