VIDEO: Sean Symington Wraps His Home in Phillip Jeffries

This UK-based interior designer adds colorful details for the holidays that surprise and delight.

Home for the Holidays
In his Victorian-terraced home in the heart of Bath, Sean Symington mixes natural materials with unexpected touches of luxury. His style is all about creating warm, inviting spaces that feel both timeless and modern. His interiors highlight authentic natural materials that create a sense of calm and warmth, but he also loves to add playful, bold details that surprise and delight.  

"I would define my decor style as classic with a fresh whimsy," said Sean. "The inspiration for this year's holiday decor was a sense of nostalgia. I wanted to create an interior that felt traditional, but with a fun edge."

The walls of Sean's living room are wrapped in Juicy Jute, in Tantalizing Teal, a gorgeous Phillip Jeffries grasscloth wallcovering.

Warm & Welcoming
The vibrant teal hue gives the room a fresh twist on a traditional style. Grasscloth has a great way of adding texture and warmth to a space. "The wallcovering was a huge inspiration when planning this year's holiday decor," said Sean. "It is the most beautiful teal color. And jumping off of that and creating a scheme that complemented, that was really important. So you'll see we used a lot of teals and we've used a lot of beautiful deep jewel tones in our decor, which I think really complements the grasscloth."

One of his signature design elements is the use of natural wallcovering—materials like linen, silk, and grasscloth—that brings a layered sophistication to a room. Nestled under the tree, Phillip Jeffries Shades of Silk wallcovering is made with authentic Japanese silk and wraps the presents with rich color and warmth while also making spaces feel chic and festive. Sean's holiday decor style is an elegant mix of natural elements and unexpected touches of luxury. Learn more about moody, traditional style here.

A Hint of Nostalgia
What really sets Symington apart is his ability to make each space feel personal. "The dried fruit feels quite classic, and I wanted to speak to a back-to-basics tradition," said Sean. He tailors his designs to reflect the client’s individual style while creating rooms that are both functional and visually stunning. Whether he’s designing a cozy country retreat or a sleek city apartment, Symington’s work is a perfect blend of natural beauty and sophisticated charm, making it clear that nature and luxury can go hand-in-hand.

Ribbons of Delight
Sean doesn’t just rely on natural textures. He’s also known for incorporating unexpected, playful details into his designs. One of his standout elements is the use of oversized, luxurious bows. These velvet or satin ribbons are used to decorate furniture, mirrors, or even curtains, adding a touch of glamour and whimsy to his interiors. The combination of these decadent bows with the jewel tones of natural wallpapers creates a beautiful contrast, making the room feel both elegant and fun.

Get the Look: Sean Symington's Style
Here are 4 tips to achieving the same warm and whimsical space this holiday season. 

Use Natural Materials: Symington frequently uses natural textures such as linen, hemp, grasscloth, and silk wallcovering. These materials bring a tactile richness to a space, creating a connection to nature and a sense of tranquility. His use of these materials also adds depth and warmth to rooms, making them feel inviting and grounded.

Layer Whimsical Luxury: One of Symington’s signature touches is the playful use of oversized, decadent bows. These luxurious ribbons—often in velvet or satin—add an unexpected dash of glamour and whimsy to his interiors. Whether they're tied around furniture, mirrors, or curtains, they bring a touch of lighthearted luxury to his designs.

Personalize Spaces: Symington’s approach to design is highly tailored to each client’s personality and needs. While his overall aesthetic can be described as sophisticated and nature-inspired, he is adept at creating spaces that reflect the lifestyle and tastes of the people who live in them.

Mix Tradition & Modernity: Symington seamlessly blends traditional craftsmanship with modern design elements. He takes classic, timeless materials and combines them with contemporary forms and accessories, resulting in spaces that feel both fresh and enduring.

"My favorite part of this space is cuddling up in the evening with a good book and a great glass of wine. It's such a cozy atmosphere and with the tinkling lights and candles lit. It feels so warm and welcoming, especially in the evening."

-Sean Symington

Photography by Chris Wakefield