Nelson + Long is a colourful, collaborative and forward-thinking interior design studio specialising in PBSA, BTR, co-living and HMO.
Co-founded in 2020 by Alicia Nelson and Jessica Long, we are an award-winning independent studio creating thoughtful, inclusive and distinctive environments for the people who use them.
Our approach is rooted in a genuine understanding of people and how they experience the spaces around them. We combine deep sector knowledge with human-centred design, considering everything from resident behaviour, wellbeing and connection to materiality, sustainability, longevity and the wider commercial needs of a project.
We believe great design should work on every level, creating spaces that people want to spend time in, while responding to the needs of the developers, operators and stakeholders behind them.
Our work is shaped by curiosity, collaboration and a belief that good design can have a positive impact on everyday life. We bring colour, personality and a considered approach to every project, working closely with clients, users and our wider network of makers and collaborators to create spaces with purpose.
People. Place. Design.
Designing environments that support people, perform in practice and are built with the future in mind.
Our Team
Alicia Nelson
CO-FOUNDER & CREATIVE DIRECTORAlicia is a designer with a keen cultural eye for colour, composition and the layering of finishes. With a strong background in commercial design and project management, she brings creativity and technical expertise to every project, balancing distinctive design with considered, functional spaces.
With over 10 years experience across PBSA, Build to Rent, co-living and HMO interior design, Alicia is particularly interested in how design can respond to the people who use a space. She sees and seeks the romantic in the mundane, exploring how colour, materiality and composition can influence emotion and shape the sensory experience of an interior.
At the heart of her approach is a commitment to creating spaces that are inclusive, inspiring and purposeful. She brings a people-focused perspective to design, considering not only how a space looks and feels, but how it will be experienced, used and lived in.
With an authentic connection to like-minded creatives and an infectious energy and collaborative spirit, Alicia plays a leading role in developing industry relationships and creative partnerships. Curious by nature, she is always looking for new ideas, materials and perspectives that can make spaces more considered, characterful and relevant to the people who use them.
CO-FOUNDER & DESIGN DIRECTORJessica Long
With a background in ceramics and textiles, Jess’s journey into interior design was a natural evolution, leading to a dynamic career across commercial and residential spaces. As co-founder of Nelson + Long, she brings over 20 years of expertise in the PBSA sector, having witnessed its transformation firsthand and developed a deep understanding of the changing needs of students and the environments they live in.
Jess excels in concept development, product selection and client collaboration, with an intuitive understanding of finishes, furniture and materials. Her approach combines considered design with a strong sense of character, seamlessly bringing together contemporary pieces, vintage finds and repurposed elements to create distinctive interiors with personality.
A passionate collector and vintage enthusiast, Jess brings a natural understanding of how thoughtful material and product choices can add both character and longevity to a space. Responsible design is central to her approach, with a particular focus on sustainable materials, considered specification, reuse and creating spaces that are designed to last.
Always curious and connected to the industry, Jess actively attends exhibitions, conferences and events, continually expanding her knowledge of student living, sustainability, materials and design innovation. Her collaborative approach and deep sector experience bring a thoughtful, practical perspective to every project.
