Our story
The studio began when founder Eleanor Marsh, after a decade in set design and prop styling for film, returned to Manchester and noticed a gap between high-end interior designers and off-the-shelf high-street solutions. Smarrracqu was created to occupy that middle ground — professional, bespoke-feeling interiors at accessible price points.
From a single-room commission in a Northern Quarter loft, word spread through estate agents, property developers, and satisfied homeowners. Today we employ six full-time stylists and maintain partnerships with local artisans, upholsterers, and curtain makers across Lancashire and Cheshire.
Our philosophy
We believe good styling respects how people actually live. Coffee tables need clearance for board games; hallway storage must swallow school bags and post. Our work is never purely decorative — every cushion, lamp, and sideboard earns its place through function as well as form.
Industrial heritage influences our aesthetic without dominating it. Exposed brick, aged metals, and warm timber appear alongside softer elements: wool throws, hand-thrown ceramics, and muted botanical tones that suit Manchester light.
The team
Senior stylist Amara Okonkwo leads residential projects and oversees colour development across the studio. James Whitfield manages sourcing and supplier relationships, ensuring lead times and quality remain consistent. Installation coordinator Priya Shah schedules on-site work and handles the logistics of deliveries across Greater Manchester.
All stylists hold qualifications from recognised interior design programmes and receive ongoing training in sustainable sourcing, lighting design, and spatial planning. We rotate studio duties so every team member stays connected to client work rather than administration alone.
Our Manchester roots
Deansgate situates us at the heart of the city, minutes from Piccadilly and Victoria stations. Clients visit us between meetings or after work, reviewing swatches and floor plans in a calm environment away from the noise of their own renovation dust.
We know Manchester housing stock intimately — the narrow Victorian terraces of Levenshulme, the warehouse conversions of Ancoats, the spacious semis of Sale. That local knowledge informs every recommendation, from radiator covers that fit awkward alcoves to window treatments suited to north-facing rooms.
Commitments
We publish clear pricing, provide written briefs before any purchase, and never mark up furniture without disclosure. Where possible we recommend refurbished pieces and UK-made goods to reduce waste. Our privacy policy explains how we handle client data, and we welcome questions at any stage of a project.