Interior designer in London

Hana Ichikawa founded Atelier HI in 2016 to further establish her signature approach towards creating beautiful interior spaces. Born in Japan, Hana has lived in the UK since she was a student and her work is heavily influenced by the cultures of both her place of birth and her adopted home. Japanese design is underpinned by a minimalist appreciation of materials and details, with aesthetic philosophies such as Wabi-sabi that accept and explore the imperfection while simultaneously striving for the highest possible standards. Conversely, European architecture and culture is derived from strongly defined historical styles and trends that have radically evolved over the centuries while remaining extremely relevant. Hana understands these varying approaches and embodies them in highly contextual responses to place and purpose.

Hana believes in experimentation, using materials in new ways to uncover moments of joy in the unexpected. Her work carefully balances contrasting textures alongside light and shade, using both hard and soft materials as well as new and old products. Everything is explored and tested rigorously and it’s the meeting point between these different elements that brings a sense of playfulness to all her projects. 

Throughout her career, Hana has worked primarily with architects as opposed to interior design studios. This has imbued her with a greater understanding of the wider context of buildings, as well as the ability to draft plans and details, working with multiple consultants. More recently her work has focused on interior styling and procurement, which is more closely aligned with her passion for beautiful furniture and objects. Hana finds an inherent beauty in details and the power they have to transform the ways we experience spaces.

Hana has worked for a range of different clients and sectors, from private home owners to residential developers, from smaller shops and restaurants to large hotel companies.