Studio Visit: Eleanor Whitfield on Proportion and Quiet Restraint

We visited Whitfield Studio to discuss how proportion, natural materials and thoughtful restraint shape interiors that feel resolved rather than styled. Our conversation moved from early influences to the small decisions that quietly define successful spaces.

Editor’s Note

Each Design, Considered conversation focuses on process rather than presentation — exploring how thoughtful design moves from idea to lived reality.

Early Influences

What first shaped your understanding of proportion in interiors?

I grew up in an old farmhouse where nothing was perfectly symmetrical, but everything felt balanced. I didn’t understand it at the time, but proportion is emotional before it is mathematical. When a room feels calm, it’s usually because the relationships between elements — ceiling height, window placement, furniture scale — are in quiet dialogue.

When beginning a project, what do you look at first?

Always the bones of the building. Before thinking about finishes, I study how light moves through the space and how people will circulate. If those fundamentals are resolved, the decorative decisions become far simpler.

Material Decisions

How do you decide which materials deserve prominence?

I tend to limit the palette early. Two or three honest materials are usually enough. Oak, lime plaster, linen — materials that age gently. When everything is competing for attention, nothing feels grounded.

Why do some spaces feel styled rather than resolved?

Often it’s layering without editing. A resolved space has restraint. It allows certain surfaces to be quiet so others can speak. There’s also consistency in tone — not necessarily colour, but mood.

The Lived Experience

How do you design for longevity rather than trend?

I ask clients how they want to feel in the space in five years, not what they want it to look like next season. If comfort, ease and familiarity are priorities, the design naturally becomes less trend-driven.

Key Takeaways

  • Proportion creates emotional balance.

  • Limiting material palettes strengthens cohesion.

  • Restraint is an active design decision.

Closing Reflection

It becomes clear that Whitfield Studio’s work is less about visible signature style and more about disciplined editing — allowing proportion and material honesty to carry the space quietly.