Guy Oliver
Multi Story Thinking
Guy Oliver is an interior designer and managing director of Oliver Laws, a design practice specialising in historic or listed buildings and interiors. Guy began his career after leaving the Navy working with Colefax and Fowler and alongside Micheal Inchbald. Guy joined David Laws as Co-Director of his firm and ultimately assumed ownership of the company in 2012 when the name changed to Oliver Laws Ltd. Guy has gained a reputation for a unique creative style backed by a solid understanding of architectural history and artisanal techniques. He was principal designer on the £70m...
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Maggie Swift
Multi Story Thinking
Maggie Swift is the founding partner of Unframed Digital, a bespoke marketing agency based in Denver and Los Angeles, specialising in the built environment and working with architecture and interior design practices, construction, and manufacturing industries. Unframed Digital acts as a partner to marketing teams, specialising in SEO strategies with a data driven approach. Maggie is passionate about optimised foundations, website strategy, customer-first methods, and helping marketers thrive. I spoke to Maggie via Zoom in July 2025. In this episode, we discover how Maggie...
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Justine Fox
Multi Story Thinking
Justine Fox is a colour design expert, writer, and speaker, specialising in creative public engagement and the positive opportunities for purposeful colour use in the built environment. She is Creative Director of Studio Justine Fox and has worked with brands and material manufacturers for the built environment across the globe over the last 20 years, helping them to grow their audience and future-proof their collections. Justine is passionate about the psychological and physical impact of colour. She was shortlisted for The Pineapples 2023 as part of the Holdron’s Green team. I spoke...
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Brian McManus from Supreme Upholstery
Multi Story Thinking
Brian McManus is the Director of Supreme Upholstery, an upholstery manufacturer founded in 2016 and based in Trafford Park in Manchester in the UK. Supreme Upholstery is on a mission to provide high-quality furniture at affordable prices. With an extensive range of sofas and armchairs, designed and manufactured on-site, they supply both the commercial and residential sectors. Brian has 50 years experience in sofa and chair design as Development Manager, and Production Director. He’s worked with renowned companies such as Lyndon Design, which made furniture for Harrods, Heals, and the...
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Nicole Lashae Ben
Multi Story Thinking
Nicole is the CEO and Founder of Thrive In Design, a consultancy dedicated to helping interior designers and product manufacturers embrace human-centered design principles with the aim of helping design-driven brands stand out, sell effectively, and scale strategically. A graduate of Syracuse University and the Savannah College of Art and Design, she founded Thrive In Design to help interior product companies boost brand awareness and revenue. I spoke to Nicole via Zoom in June 2025. In this episode, we discover how a college research project prepared Nicole to help design companies deal with...
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Tom Bourne
Multi Story Thinking
Tom BourneTom Bourne is the Creative Director of Select First, a small and highly flexible, full-service PR and marketing agency that's been helping interior and built environment brands stand out for over 25 years. Based in Tunbridge Wells in the southeast of the UK, they work with flooring and interiors clients from the UK and across Europe. Involved in direct marketing, electronic campaigns and traditional PR daily, Tom works with clients on numerous specialised projects, including brochure materials, website development, and integrated communications campaigns I spoke to Tom via Zoom...
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Shanth Fernando
Multi Story Thinking
Shanth Fernando is a Sri Lankan entrepreneur and chairman of the Paradise Road group of companies, which includes the Paradise Road homeware stores, The Gallery Café, and the TIntagel boutique hotel. The Paradise Road Stores feature homeware, serveware, décor, objets d’art, souvenirs and more. All products are curated and designed by Shanth Fernando. Locally made items are manufactured by independent craftspeople, ensuring a sustainable growth of the Sri Lankan art and craft industries. I met Shanth at the Gallery Cafe in Colombo with my partner Monica in October 2024 during a visit to Sri...
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Alicia Nelson and Jessica Long
Multi Story Thinking
Jessica Long and Alicia Nelson are the co-founders of interior design consultancy Nelson and Long; an award-winning independent design studio specialising in purpose-built student accommodation. With over 25 years of combined experience in the commercial sector, their extensive expertise allows them to craft inclusive, engaging, and unique interiors with a sense of home and well-being at the heart. Nelson and Long are based near Manchester in the UK. I spoke to Jessica and Alicia via Zoom in February 2025. In this episode, we discover how the folding of their employer during the...
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Annika Fernando
Multi Story Thinking
Annika Fernando is a retailer and interior designer based in Sri Lanka. She runs Annika Fernando Design, a multi-disciplinary practice in Colombo, Sri Lanka specialising in interior design and decorating for residential, boutique hotels and unique & select hospitality projects. And is the owner of PR, a boutique selling clothing, jewelry, accessories, natural bath products, and gift and small homeware items. I met Annika in person at her Colombo studio in October 2024. In this episode we discover how a fascination with science has influenced her approach and methods. The importance...
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Ben Rousseau
Multi Story Thinking
Ben Rousseau is the owner and founder of Ben Rousseau Studio, an award-winning British design house based in Brighton, UK. He works across the interior sectors with a particular focus on lighting with projects combining art, technology, and functionality, that reflect his passion for design, light, and time. I interviewed Ben just before Christmas in December 2024. In this episode we discover how a side line in DJing at dingy nightclubs prompted experimentation with lights and light effects. Ben’s journey from creating illuminated furniture to developing unique timepieces that redefine...
info_outlineGuy Oliver is an interior designer and managing director of Oliver Laws, a design practice specialising in historic or listed buildings and interiors.
Guy began his career after leaving the Navy working with Colefax and Fowler and alongside Micheal Inchbald. Guy joined David Laws as Co-Director of his firm and ultimately assumed ownership of the company in 2012 when the name changed to Oliver Laws Ltd.
Guy has gained a reputation for a unique creative style backed by a solid understanding of architectural history and artisanal techniques. He was principal designer on the £70m restoration and refurbishment of The Connaught Hotel
Passionate about the education and training of artisans, Guy was a volunteer Creative Director of The Turquoise Mountain Foundation, which works in post conflict and post-disaster areas.
Guy and his team have raised funds for the following organisations: SAVE Britain’s Heritage, the Sir John Soane’s Museum, The Aid to Zimbabwe Trust, The Victoria and Albert Museum, Kew Palace, and a number of The Prince of Wales’s, now the King’s Charities
I spoke to Guy via Zoom in October 2025.
In this episode, we discover the challenges and rewards of collaborating with artisans. How skills from the Navy transfer to business. The complexities of managing diverse teams to create cohesive and harmonious spaces. Manifestation and the importance of focussing on what you love
And why, when you are trying to make things happen, don’t grab it!, you need to want it,
Links
Guy Oliver on LinkedIn
Oliver Laws
https://www.oliverlaws.com/
Turquoise Mountain Foundation
https://www.turquoisemountain.org/
Thanks to
Ruth Cairns for helping to set up the interview.
Dave Clarke from @iamthehow (http://www.iamthehow.com) for production support and invaluable advice in the setting up of this Podcast.
Kay Hanson (https://www.instagram.com/kay_v_hanson/) for her planning support and co-hosting for these and our educational podcasts for the University of Plymouth
Mark Frith (https://www.markfrith.uk/) for composing the music and all your support and advice along the way.
I’d love like to hear feedback on the podcast. Leave a comment or get in touch via the website or Instagram.
Website
http://www.multistorythinking.com/contact
Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/forster_jonathan/
Thanks for listening. Bye for now.