I describe my style as rustic decadence’: vintage furniture and a chandelier in his ornate living room. Photograph: Sophia Spring/The Observer For his second collection of rugs, Matthew partnered with Obeetee, the world leader in handwoven rugs, in the spring of 2021. Today, Obeetee has one of the largest and most cutting-edge rug manufacturing facilities in the world. Matthew’s collection sees his joyous designs inspired by the natural world, from starry skies to the dense undergrowth of tropical forests, interpreted by the skilled weavers in India. A simple list,” says Matthew Williamson. “Twenty questions. Like,” counting on his fingers, “What’s your design icon? What’s your favourite restaurant? Do you have a treasured possession? Who’s your favourite artist? That sort of thing.” This is how fashion designer turned interior designer Williamson begins every project, sitting down with his client, creating a moodboard, before going away and thinking quite deeply about, say, the colour pink. Do you have a favourite decade? What’s your favourite scent? What’s your earliest childhood memory? But the list, he points out, isn’t just for wealthy clients – it’s useful for everybody. “If you’re renovating your kitchen and you’re struggling, which people obviously are because there’s so much choice out there online, such a barrage of visuals, it’s quite nice to use these questions to really ask yourself: what do I like?” established Matthew’s reputation in the world of interiors with his appearance as a guest judge on the BBC’s Interior Design Masters, also streaming on Netflix. The series has been hosted by Fearne Cotton and Alan Carr with former Editor-in-Chief of ELLE Decoration magazine, Michelle Ogundehin. Matthew has also made several appearances in the third season, airing in March 2022.

Matthew Williamson Christmas Cards, Pack of 5 - Reindeer Matthew Williamson Christmas Cards, Pack of 5 - Reindeer

He launched his coffee table book, Matthew Williamson, in 2010 at a star-studded event at Somerset House. The book included an introduction by his friend and muse, Sienna Miller, and contributions from Anna Wintour, Alexandra Shulman and Diane Von Furstenberg. I’m also drawn to quite earthy, crafty, humble things’: Matthew Williamson in his kitchen. Photograph: Sophia Spring/The Observer Embrace the colours that resonate most strongly with you’: pictures brighten up the kitchen walls. Photograph: Sophia Spring/The Observer Born in Manchester, as a child Matthew was dazzled by his stylish mother’s choices of clothing and decor. After graduating in fashion and textile design from Central Saint Martins in 1994, he launched his fashion label in 1996 and became hugely successful worldwide. Majestic Trinity rug by Matthew Williamson One of the key considerations for my collection of rugs was an element of craftsmanship,” Matthew says. “I am an admirer of craft in all its forms, celebrating the natural material used in the process. From mesmerising woodwork to the brutal beauty of ironmongery, these quintessentially human skills can have a hugely uplifting presence in the home. Oh So Sisco rug by Matthew WilliamsonIn 2005, he joined Emilio Pucci as creative director - a natural progression with his reputation for kaleidoscopic colour. The same year, he was awarded the Moët & Chandon Fashion Tribute Award. Not long after the 5-year milestone, Matthew received two successive nominations for Designer of the Year at the British Fashion Awards in 1999 and 2000. In 2004, he was also awarded ELLE Magazine’s Designer of the Year Award. The following year, Matthew was awarded the Moët and Chandon Fashion Tribute award. The award ceremony was attended by Sienna Miller, Keira Knightley, Jade Jagger and Helena Christensen and featured a catwalk show of the company’s archive collection.

Matthew Williamson Matthew Williamson

In 2009, he opened stores in New York and Dubai before returning to London Fashion Week for its 25th anniversary. He closed down the fashion business he’d built with his partner of 30 years Joseph Velosa (the two now have a daughter, and live between London and Mallorca) seven years ago, after decades as a household name. He looks exactly the same today as he used to in the tabloids and fashion magazines, suave and feline, nipping for cigarettes out of the window while we chat. In the 90s Williamson’s face was as recognisable as his clothes – “boho-chic” party dresses in dazzling colours, worn by Kate Moss and Sienna Miller and all their fellow it-girls. As he was launching his career, American Vogue editor Anna Wintour, looking at a dress he’d made by patchworking pink sari scraps together, told him, “You should have a pink dress in every collection.” He took her advice. Williamson grew up in Manchester before moving to London to study at Central Saint Martins at the age of 18.Just like his fashion designs, Matthew’s new collection of rugs features colour combinations and original patterns with global influences inspired by nature. He collaborated with Obeetee, the largest handmade rug-maker in India. Iris Ikat Circular rug by Matthew Williamson Everything has to have a little bit of a worn and torn quality’: the mint green bedroom, with floral bedspread. Photograph: Sophia Spring/The Observer Having pivoted in recent years from the world of fashion to interiors, Matthew says: “Putting an outfit or a room together that brings a smile to your face and the faces of others is the objective in any project I undertake.”