welcome

San Stae is a Leamington Spa-based interior design and art studio led by designer, curator and artist Aly Grimes.

We create thoughtful, beautifully resolved interiors across both residential and commercial sectors, working from renovation through to final styling within both period and contemporary properties. 

Our work spans private homes, residential developments, and workplace, leisure, hospitality and cultural projects across the UK.

Art forms a key part of our practice and alongside our design work, we commission, source and make artworks, curate exhibitions and host creative workshops as San Stae Art Class.

If you like what you see feel free to get in touch. We’d love to hear from you.

  • Working with San Stae has been an absolute pleasure. Aly played a pivotal role in bringing our dream family home to life, infusing it with personality, warmth, and a sense of fun.

    Aly and her team have been incredibly approachable, always understanding and attentive to our vision and needs. Their dedication to making our home reflect who we are has made all the difference.


    - R.Mlynski - Clifton Family Home

  • Working with Aly on my loft was an absolute game-changer. She turned a pretty tough space - think exposed brick and concrete floors - into the cosiest spot ever.
    Aly is super creative, nails every detail, and somehow keeps everything on budget without breaking a sweat. Communication was a breeze, and honestly, she made the whole process fun. If you’re looking to transform your place and have a great time doing it, Aly’s your go-to!”


    - J.Smith, Jewellery Quarter Loft Apartment

  • We needed Aly to design an office refit for our financial planning firm. It used to look like a jaded hospital ward with all the colour and personality that you would expect from a financial adviser. But in truth, that isn’t us and Aly latched on to this!

    We needed the space to be more practical and to be used better, as well as just looking great. This involved extending internal offices, making the whole look and feel of the office more relaxed, comfortable and friendly too. It’s been a delight to see the results and we are already noticing increased productivity from being able to use our space better, have more client meetings and deal with people that are infinitely more relaxed due to the surroundings.


    - S.Rowe, The Exchange

  • San Stae brought experience and enthusiasm to the interior design element of the conversion of a Grade II* Listed building in the Jewellery Quarter in Birmingham. Aly advised on the appropriate finish across the whole of the interior ensuring this was not only sympathetic to the heritage of the building but also delivered a quality and design to satisfy the demands of the discerning residential market to which the building was targeted. All this was done in line with the budget, with Aly advising on where best to spend the available finance to achieve the optimum finished product.

    - Hanehouse Developments, Great Hampton Street Works

  • The process to get the design was so smooth and the final design was amazing, meeting entirely all my ideas.
    The way the final design was presented, in a great video, along with the measurements needed, makes the life of the carpenters and metal workers so easy.
    Highly recommended.“


    - J.Costa

  • We worked with San Stae to help design and furnish our office in Worcestershire following a major structural refurbishment. We took things right back to the brickwork and moved a few walls around, so Aly had a totally clean slate from which to provide us with a number of design ideas and then help narrow in to our chosen final plan. San Stae were then with us through the entire journey, visiting site a number of times throughout the project to ensure things were on track and provide additional pointers or ideas where needed. We really valued the input from start to finish and are extremely pleased with the end result. We get many complimentary comments from our clients too.

    - Cutter & Co

how we work

We’re a collaborative and nimble studio - curious, practical and just as comfortable on site as we are with a sketchbook.

We don’t define ourselves by a signature style, but by a considered approach. People, place, history and atmosphere are always our starting point, with each project shaped by client and context resulting in spaces that feel refined, timeless and unique.

We believe the design process should be enjoyable, inspiring and stress-free. Always mindful of budgets, we work within established parameters while aiming to create lasting impact and value.

We work closely with a trusted network of architects, builders and makers, and our grounding in both design and art gives us a distinctive creative edge.

We stand for authenticity, integrity and originality. Always.

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