This is an interesting idea – a design retreat run by industry experts, tucked away in the East Sussex countryside

Interior designers Matteo Bianchi and Lyndall Fernie along with lighting designer Marcus Steffen have launched Design Maestros a bespoke design retreat at Fair Oak Farm.

Matteo says, “The course is for aspiring and/or practising interior designers who want to learn through an experience. Spending a concentrated amount of time learning about a very specific subject from a leading industry designer and experienced tutor within an intimate, refined, yet approachable environment.

Any students coming to the course will have the privilege to nurture their self-development, through a personal and highly efficient way of learning. Being taught by some of the best and most experienced tutors within the industry and escaping to an environment where everything is organised for them.”

The first retreat will take place in November and Matteo hopes it will fill a training gap for those who want to learn more about lighting design as well as how to start and run an interior design business. He says, “Having taught a small selection of students for many years in the UK and abroad, I’ve witnessed the efficacy of learning in an inspiring but focused environment. As a matter of fact, many of my previous students are now leading designers in their own countries which makes me phenomenally proud as a tutor.

The minute I sat down with two colleagues, who are tutors themselves, and shared some ideas, we all realised the potential and big gap in the market. We all wanted to design small, bespoke, face to face, refined yet approachable courses. Within a fortnight the concept of the Design Maestros was born and within a year we are launching the first courses.”

Details of the courses are here