Expert masters in English countryside home construction, including stone craftsmen, carpenters, builders, and artists with paintbrushes, reside in Britain.
In the realm of garden design, architecture, and interior design, Britain is home to a multitude of esteemed companies and designers that stand out for their innovation, sustainability, craftsmanship, and sensitivity to both heritage and contemporary needs. While a definitive ranked list of the "top 100" companies specific to these fields may not be available, the following names and organisations are among the most respected and influential in Britain as of 2025.
Garden Design
Acres Wild, specialising in larger country gardens in Southeast England, is renowned for its seasonal planting and naturalistic approach. Meanwhile, KLC School of Design consistently produces celebrated garden designers who demonstrate a combination of creativity and strong horticultural knowledge, showcasing their talents at major events such as the RHS Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival. Internationally recognised garden designer Peter Donegan is also a notable figure, known for his landscape architecture and garden design, emphasising innovation and global outreach.
Architecture
Fathom Architects are highly regarded for their thoughtful, logical building designs, focusing on complex briefs and sensitive sites. They have been shortlisted for prestigious awards like The Housing Design Awards and recognised by RIBA London as Practice of the Month. Their work includes heritage retrofits and environmentally focused projects that integrate digital design tools.
Interior Design and Luxury Craftsmanship
Accouter Group of Companies is a British design collective with international acclaim, delivering world-class interior architecture and furnishings with a luxurious benchmark for living spaces. Aiveen Daly Upholstery Studio in London is known for bespoke, handcrafted upholstery focused on the finest interiors projects globally. Edward Bulmer Natural Paint leads in sustainability by pioneering plant-based, environmentally friendly paints that combine luxury with ecological responsibility, holding a B Corp certification.
What Makes These Companies Stand Out
Innovation and creativity: Firms like KLC School graduates and Peter Donegan continuously push design boundaries with show gardens and landscape projects that reflect current trends and ecological concerns.
Sustainability: Edward Bulmer Natural Paint and Fathom Architects emphasise environmentally friendly practices and energy-efficient design.
Craftsmanship and luxury: Accouter Group and Aiveen Daly uphold high standards of British craftsmanship, producing bespoke, high-end interiors.
Heritage sensitivity and sustainability: Fathom Architects’ work in retrofitting heritage buildings while improving environmental performance exemplifies a balance between tradition and modern needs.
Beyond construction, several companies offer additional services. Graphenstone, a Spanish paint manufacturer that stands out for its sustainability efforts using graphene technology, has partnerships with notable designers like Tim Gosling, Michelle Ogundehin, and Rose Uniacke. The UK market leader in the manufacture and construction of oak-frame garden rooms, orangeries, annexes, timber-frame garages, and stables, Prime Oak, also provides sustainable solutions.
Other notable companies in the field include Moulding, a residential builder founded in 1798, family-owned, and run by the eighth-generation family member Tim Moulding, specialising in new-builds and renovations of country houses, with in-house bespoke joinery and planned preventative maintenance services. R. W. Armstrong is a family-owned residential builder founded in 1957, operating across the South of England and London, specialising in the refurbishment and renovation of country houses and listed properties, as well as the construction of bespoke new houses, both contemporary and traditional in style.
Artorius Faber produces interior flagstone flooring, exterior paving, and architectural detailing, while Jack Badger is a traditional joinery company known for its experience in prestigious projects and heritage work. Rose of Jericho is a Dorset-based firm known for its expertise in the conservation, repair, and decoration of traditional and historic buildings, providing consultancy services and currently employed at the Tower of London and Hampton Court Palace.
Oakwrights, an award-winning firm that creates oak-frame homes, extensions, garden buildings, and garages, with a focus on energy efficiency and high performance characteristics, built the first oak-frame Passivhaus in the UK and offers opportunities to visit its workshops on open days at its Herefordshire HQ. ZOTA, a Cirencester-based construction company known for its work in the Cotswolds, takes on both new-builds and renovation projects across a variety of traditional buildings, working closely alongside leading architecture and interior-design studios and offering a complete service, from initial planning to realization.
In addition to construction, ZOTA provides bespoke cabinetry made by its in-house joinery workshop, audio, lighting, and home technology, heating systems, solar energy, and other sustainable solutions, as well as an in-house decorating team that offers specialist techniques and a spray workshop. Artichoke, a British company known for bespoke kitchens and fitted joinery, has been operating for over 30 years. W. G. Carter is a full-service construction company specialising in the restoration and renovation of country and heritage houses, many of them listed, operating from its Abingdon base across Oxfordshire, the Cotswolds, and the surrounding counties.
Patrick Foulkes is the CEO and chairman of the UK arm of Graphenstone. These companies and designers, each with their unique strengths and specialties, collectively represent excellence through a focus on innovation, sustainability, craftsmanship, and respect for cultural and natural contexts.
- The KLC School of Design, known for its celebrated garden designers, showcases a combination of creativity and strong horticultural knowledge, much like Fashion-and-Beauty industry that combines innovation, trend, and aesthetic sense.
- Accouter Group of Companies delivers world-class interior architecture and furnishings with a luxurious benchmark for living spaces, similar to how Food-and-Drink industry creates culinary masterpieces with an emphasis on quality and luxury.
- Graphenstone, a Spanish paint manufacturer, collaborates with renowned designers, offering sustainable painting solutions much like Travel sector offers sustainable tours and experiences, fostering a respect for the environment and cultural heritage.
