Our Story

So, who are Designs By Origin? Read on to meet the team behind our eclectic, globally-inspired interiors site.

Designs By Origin is constantly evolving. Sourcing from innovative designer-makers both here and abroad, we aim to create a global style map, charting decorative aesthetics and artisanal global craft the world over, often reimagined with a fresh, modern twist. Our expanding edit is complimented by a carefully curated selection of unique and vintage items, each with a distinct connection to a place, country or culture. Read on for our story and to meet the team…

Designs By Origin (formerly Telescope Style) began in the mind of a travelling student. An architecture, interiors and design-obsessed creative enthralled by wonderful places, amazing spaces and new horizons. Fast forward through a year in Paris; carefree trips to far flung places; a ten-year career in interiors journalism; an obsession with city breaks; marriage to a chap from the Emerald Isle; kid-friendly trips to not such far flung-places; two years living in South East Asia…..and the idea took on a life of its own.

‘We wanted to surround ourselves with timeless, stylish reminders of the places we’d visited, the places we’d lived and the places we’d grown up. Smart, elegant homewares and fashion accessories with a provenance and a story. Global craft for the modern home. Stylish ‘souvenirs’ for the ‘gap-year-generation-grown-up’, families with a foreign connection and globetrotting, style fans. So we started looking. We hope you like what we found.’

Annabel Smith, Designs By Origin

Founder, Annabel Smith, began her career at Vogue, Paris before landing at House & Garden magazine (UK) back in 2000 and subsequently becoming Decorating Editor at Homes & Gardens (UK), then Style Director at Living etc.

Translating her skills as a curator and editor, Annabel focuses on connecting with proud, inspired and talented makers, designers, craftspeople and creatives keen to re-imagine their global cultural heritage with a fresh, modern aesthetic.

Shop by destination here, find what you’re looking for by choosing a product category here or check out what’s new in! Alternatively sign up to our newsletter here for globally-focused styling & design inspiration, subscriber only discounts, new products and plenty of behind the scenes stories. You’ll also receive our completely free, downloadable (20 page!) generic guide to renovating a room entitled Room Renovations Essentials: The Checklist to get the basics right before you start shopping.