New Offer Autumn 2026- A consultation up to 45 mins. on site and design idea notes for clients only £90 per room or garden area. As so many clients need inspiration and creative, practical, feasible solutions.
Diana Arnold Design practice is run by freelance Interior and Garden Designer Diana Arnold, a member of the Chartered Society of Designers, also the the Federation of Small Businesses and pre-reg. member of the Society of Garden and Landscape Designers. Enhancing interiors and gardens with creative style. Situated in Guildford, Surrey we design each unique project, using carefully selected, sustainable materials. Always providing professional advice for your Interior or Garden. With design expertly fulfilling the potential of your home and garden space, to suit the character of the property.
GARDEN DESIGN 2025
The Garden Design was a complete transformation after an extension. My clients and I worked closely together with our clients and landscape contractor to make the most of the sloping, compact site. The design included a new wider Driveway with borders for ease of use. We created a spacious Deck area and also included a small Courtyard with borders and a Deck, as an extension of the new Studio. A functional and beautiful space and very happy clients.
INTERIOR DESIGN
A contemporary Kitchen / Diner refit in Guildford features light finishes to bring in a cohesive, brighter feel. Decorated using light soft green paintwork and matching coloured glass splashbacks, above the pale grey Quartz worktops and upstands. Also incorporating a contemporary spalsh of colour and adding interest with modern large scale floral textiles, with curtains and roller blinds. The white and glass wall cupboards with integral lighting add depth to the space, in a modest sized kitchen.
Also solving the problem of previous limited worktop with the addition of a large modern, slim -line matt curved Quartz breakfast Bar. Joining the areas together, for a beautiful, practical and improved functional space. A back wall of storage cupboards with a central smaller grey Quartz worktop answers the brief for much more storage. New green glass wall lights and art prints illuminate and decorate the Dining Area.
Interior Design for a Surrey Residence
This modern Interior Design Project was for clients with a terraced property. Here showing a typical Living / Dining Room Mood Board, produced for one of the areas we addressed. Always working closely with my clients, providing new overall space planning and giving them options which answer their brief and respect their budget. The new scheme brightens an originally quite dark north-facing living room. New decoration, curtains and roman blind textiles work well together with the new furniture selection, plus light floor finishes and lighting to create a fresh new design. Importantly reflecting their style. Also specifying comfortable, elegant and practical furniture such as the modern corner sofa bed with storage and an ottoman. The Dining Area has stylish new dining furniture with an over-table pendant feature lighting fixture. New furniture is complemented by the new window treatments, fabrics, accessories and finishes for the Living / Dining Room. The project also included 2 Home Offices, the Hallway and Landing. Shown below is a Home Office Design Mood Board. Optimising the limited space with a new layout, decoration, flooring, lighting, furniture, storage ideas and new Roman Blind textiles, which add character to the room.
GARDEN DESIGN
INTERIOR DESIGN
This is a flexible service, where clients choose which aspects of design development they prefer to include. This modern design, for Epsom clients provies simple luxury.
The contemporary Bathroom design featires a wall-hung WC and Vanity Unit. Walls are finished in gloss green plain and textured tiles, with sating brass fittings and modern accessories. A wide shelf, lined with black quartz top, complimented by the Fern print blind.
A Cloakroom Design features a wall-hung Vanity Unit, with satin brass handle and tap, soft blue gloss tiles. Wall paper at higher level, compliments the tiles and transforms the space. New brass and white glass globe lighting matches the other accessories in satin brass.
Background
After qualifying I initially worked for respected Commercial Interior Design and Build companies, based in London. Then after a few years moving into Hotel, Golf Club and Residential design projects. After a maternity break and also qualifying in another passion, Garden Design and studying at the Garden Design School. Also becoming a pre-registered Member of the Society of Garden Designers. So proceeding in both fields of interiors and garden design.http://www.gardendesignschool.co.uk htpps://www.sgd.org.uk
The Childrens Centre Garden
The Full Design Service: Stage 1 Design
At Diana Arnold Design practice we offer a range of flexible services for our clients:
Initial Meeting– Looking at your property together, we carefully listen to your design requirements and needs. We’ll go through my design Portfolio and also discuss your interior design ideas and your preferred style . As we then begin to create your fabulous new design.
The Design Contract- A detailed Design Fee Proposal is drawn-up and sent to you, with our Terms and Conditions. When the Project Acceptance Note is signed and returned to us, with a deposit, we book our time for you. We then commence with your new design project.
The Survey- We arrange for a Survey to be completed, with a Survey Plan, by others (an additional cost), or we provide the Survey, depending on the site’s size and complexity.
Project Brief- We will meet-up and take a detailed Project Brief. The design is based on the Brief and the characteristics of the site / property. It’s an important record of Clients’ needs, favoured styling, the uses and functions of the space.
The Flow Chart- We produce a Flow Chart so you can see how the design process develops in stages, including where design decisions are due and funds are payable.
The Concept Design- Then we start to develop our design scheme, bringing in new ideas and creative inspiration. Enhancing the project and fulfilling the design potential of your space. The design process begins with a sketch Concept Layout, for discussion, plus the illustrated Concept Mood Boards, showing the design style .
Concept Design Meeting- Discussing the concept design together and make adjustments.
A General Arrangement Plan- Producing the final design plan and the illustrated final Mood Boards. These include photos of new items included in the design, together with samples of the finishes, accessories and specifications of electrical/ technical items. We’ll
Final Stage 1 Meeting- We discuss our final Mood Boards and the General Arrangement Plan, these are then signed-off as approved by you.
Design Development Stage 2:
Construction Drawings- detailed needed, for bespoke new items, are now drawn-up. Lighting and power design is completed and Electrical Layout Plans may be required, at this stage. Rooms such as Kitchens, Utility, Offices and Bathrooms will usually require more detailed drawings. These additional drawings form part of the Design Contract.
Schedules- An Excel Project Spreadsheet is created for the design project. This will have a front page, listing all new items to be bought for the scheme. Also showing the cost of each item and specifications. Plus expected delivery dates and supplier details, plus a final total sum for purchases, for your new Interior or Garden Design.
Tendering- We can send the drawings, with the Contract, plus the Specifications Scope of Works documentation out to Tender. We then obtain estimates for the construction from Builders / or Decorators. We’ll set the timeframe and the start date of the project. Begining by meeting-up with them on site, to go through the drawings, so the understand the design. Clients will choose who to employ for the project build.
Procurement- If required we can order new items for our clients, these will be chosen from the best suppliers. Setting Out- We can produce Setting-out Plans, assisting tradesmen to accurately set-out the design.
Monitoring- We can monitor the project for our clients. Then draw-up snagging lists as needed, during the Building or Decoration Phase. This involves monitoring on site, on a weekly basis or as required. Helping to provide our clients to achieve a seamless build. Maintenance Schedules- Prepared if needed, to keep the design looking fabulous.
Other Services:
The Concept Design Service – A shorter design service for hands-on clients, who would like concept design direction only, with a proposed Sketch Concept Plan plus Mood Board.
The Design Consultation Service- This design service includes meeting you, at your property, with a design Portfolio. We’ll discuss some new design ideas, then we will send you a either a Design Report. Or a Sketch Plan and Mood Board, as required. This is based on a couple of days of design work only, to inspire Clients with some professional direction, the rice on application.
The First Design Meeting with Portfolio– We meet-up on site for up to one hour and listen to your ideas, then go through some of our Portfolio design projects. We’ll discuss your needs and preferences. This is charged (£45), though if you then request a design service, this fee is then deducted from the Interior and Garden Design fee.
Client Reviews for Interior Design and Landscape Design service:-
sarahvlondon, Client 23 Jan 2025 * * * * *
Diana helped us by putting together a garden design plan that would complement our home renovation. We haven’t yet implemented her plans as we are still doing the house , but I can absolutely tell you that she is a great garden designer who listened to my tastes and initial ideas. She produced a plan that was spot on.
As I found it easy to work with Diana, I then asked her to draw-up layouts for our bathrooms to scale so that my builder could not make any mistakes. She also helped me with sourcing the bathroom items – I already had a firm idea of what I wanted things to look like and she helped me find these within budget. This approach worked really well for us and the bathrooms do look lovely. Once they are finished, I will upload images here.
Agata, Client 10th January, 2025 * * * * *
After years of struggling to decide how to convert our garden and drive we got in contact with Diana, who was recommended by a friend. She was very approachable and explained what are the steps to follow in this type of project and the charges for every step. After listening to our needs, she was able to provide a fantastic draft for our garden. Once we agreed the final design, she was extreamly helpful in driving the completion of the project. We can not be more pleased with thye final result.
Amelia, Client 13th January 2025 * * * * *
We had a very unattractive grassed area with limited planted surrounded by an old flint wall. We also had an ugly old well in this area. Diana designed a beautiful Courtyard Area with a large bed for planting along the the flint wall (the well being hidden within this) and some additional beds against the house for herbs. We agreed a wooden finish along the side of the bed and pebbles for the courtyard area. Diana also produced a planting list, purchased all the plants on our behalf and helped to lay them out prior to planting. We are very happy with the choice of plants in our first year and are excited to see how it transforms, as the plants grow and mature.
David June 2023 * * * * *
Diana’s design and the support Diana provided through the design, arranging the landscaping contractor, and during the works was excellent. We are extremely happy with our garden including the planting design and selection by Diana. We fully recommend her services.
Jill H.’s review on Mar 27, 2019 * * * * *
Diana transformed what was a long straight boring garden into one with shape and interest. Particularly along the south long side of the west facing garden which had no planting at all. The brief was to make an interesting planting design, but which would in the long term be low maintenance. The lawn was reshaped to produce interest and lead the eye down the garden, to another planting area which has three silver birch trees as the focal point. There is interest all year round. There are also a number of scented shrubs which are now really helpful in flower arrangements, an added unexpected bonus.
by Jill H. – review on Bidvine http://www.bidvine.com
by Sam Leese – review on Houzz.co.uk
Diana Arnold Design was responsible for the design and planting specifications of our new garden. Diana’s knowledge, expertise and enthusiasm were first class and instrumental in the success of the garden. Diana was able to make sense of a jumble of ideas and work them into a cohesive, interesting and successful plan.
Diana Arnold Design practice contact details:
Telephone 01243 602179
Mobile 07941 327846