In this episode of the OLISE Podcast, Bilen sits down with Rose Murray, founder of These White Walls, for a thoughtful and deeply personal conversation about creativity, identity, and the evolving role of the designer.
Rose’s path into interior design was anything but traditional. With a background in anthropology and early experience in editorial, she began her career working alongside Nigella Lawson before moving into festival spaces, scenography, and hospitality. This organic journey shaped her belief that space is never neutral, it is a powerful tool for storytelling, identity, and human connection.
Since founding These White Walls, Rose has built an award-winning studio known for its highly personalised, narrative-led approach across both hospitality and residential projects. Her work moves fluidly between public and private spaces, often blurring the line between the two.
In this conversation, Rose reflects on the importance of relationships in design, the role of emotional intelligence in working with clients, and why interiors are about far more than aesthetics. She shares how her studio has evolved, from early micromanagement to creating a collaborative environment where creativity can flourish.
Rose also speaks candidly about motherhood and leadership, and how becoming a mother has expanded her capacity, sharpened her vision, and reshaped her understanding of legacy. She challenges the lack of visibility for women in business during pregnancy and advocates for a more open, human conversation around creativity, leadership, and life.
The episode also explores the future of design, from the impact of AI and technology to the increasing importance of human connection, cultural awareness, and meaningful dialogue in shaping spaces.
This is a conversation about intuition, courage, and the belief that design is not just about what we see, but how we live, feel, and connect within a space.
In this episode
• Rose’s unconventional path from anthropology to interior design
• Working with Nigella Lawson and early editorial influences • The connection between food, space, and experience • Founding These White Walls and the meaning behind the name • Creating a collaborative studio culture and evolving leadership • Designing across hospitality and residential spaces • Why relationships and emotional intelligence define great design • The reality of creating highly private, unseen projects • The impact of AI and the importance of human creativity • Motherhood, leadership, and expanding creative capacity • Representation, visibility, and women in business • Designing for legacy and the future of the studio
