Hold your mouse cursor over each member of our design team for more information

Richard Smithies is the owner and Director of Design Matters, along with his wife Susan, and has been working at the luxury end of the kitchen industry for almost thirty years. Richard formed Design Matters in 1992, after running a franchised kitchen design business in nearby Beaconsfield for over 10 years. His early experience was gained by working for leading manufacturers Poggenpohl and SieMatic; his specialist knowledge increased by running kitchen studios within Heals and Waring & Gillow in London. Richard’s own standards of dedication, enthusiasm and honesty have always been core values of the business. Richard is married with two children and lives locally.

Tracey Lardeau comes to Design Matters from a background in architecture. She has completed a degree and post graduate diploma in architecture, and has worked for architects and builders on a variety of different projects, often specializing in conservation and sustainable design.

Whilst working on the refurbishment of a listed farmhouse, she found she enjoyed working on the interior of the house more than the structure, and decided to concentrate on interiors, and particularly kitchens. Tracey is particularly interested in projects with an interplay between contemporary design elements and an older building.

Lucky enough to live in Montreal for 18 months, Tracey is now happy to be back in the UK and enjoys Buckinghamshire walks and pubs.

Sam Cartwright has been associated with Design Matters since 1998, and comes to the company from various PA roles in large multinational companies. Involved recently in the rebranding of the company, Sam is now office-based and manages all order related documentation and retains an interest in the marketing activities of the company. She lives locally with her husband and three children, and is interested in all things relating to the creative arts.

David Wadsworth comes to Design Matters with a wealth of experience in engineering and furniture design.

Past project management roles have included the design and manufacture of furniture on a volume scale for multiple retail outlets, and the design and manufacture of bespoke furniture in a wide range of materials.

As our senior Installation Manager, David runs each project from start to finish. He enjoys a wealth of hobbies, including Waterskiing ,Surfing ,Skiing ,Rugby ,Reading ,Cycling and gardening. David lives locally with his family.

Adam Thomas has worked with Richard since 1979, and has been designing kitchens for 25 years. He became a wheelchair user in 1981, and found himself Britain’s only wheelchair-using kitchen designer. Over time this led him to suggest to Richard that they develop a business providing accessible kitchen design on a consultancy basis for elderly and disabled people. This original idea has developed into a second strand to the Design Matters business, known as Access Matters. Adam has lectured extensively on kitchen design and is also asked to give his opinion as an expert witness for clients who require specialised kitchen designs. Adam lives in Amersham with his wife. He is a passionate supporter of Arsenal FC and can be found on the terraces most weekends during the season. He is also a keen fly fisherman, and campaigner for civil rights for disabled people.