Discover how South Shields-based business owner Lee Thompson is building on his woodworking expertise with the NDA’s Interior Design Diploma, developing new skills to bring even more to his successful business.
Based in South Shields, Lee Thompson has already built a successful career through his own woodworking company, combining practical craftsmanship with a keen eye for detail and design. Looking to expand on that experience, he decided to take his skills a step further by studying the NDA’s Interior Design Diploma.
For Lee, studying interior design is an opportunity to complement his existing woodworking knowledge with a broader understanding of the design process. From developing creative concepts to considering how furniture, materials and finishes work together within a complete space, the course is helping him add another dimension to the services he can offer his clients.
By combining his established industry experience with new interior design skills, Lee is looking to strengthen his business and open the door to new creative opportunities in the future.
Read on to discover more about Lee’s journey, his experience studying with the NDA, and how he plans to bring his growing interior design skill set into his successful woodworking business.
Can you introduce yourself and tell us a little about where you are from and your background?
My name is Lee Thompson, and I am the owner of Lee’s Custom Woodwork. I am based in South Shields in the North East of England, where I design and create bespoke wooden furniture, home décor, and custom-built pieces for clients. My background has always been hands-on and creative, with a passion for craftsmanship, an eye for detail, problem-solving, and creating unique pieces that combine functionality with great design.
My journey began with hand sketching ideas and concepts for my products, which allowed me to bring my creative ideas to life. As my business has grown, so has my passion for design and visualisation.
I have developed my skills from traditional sketches to creating detailed 3D models and photorealistic renderings, enabling clients to fully visualise a project before it is built. I am always looking for ways to develop my skills further, challenge myself creatively, and combine traditional woodworking craftsmanship with modern design technology.
Where did your interest in interior design and woodworking first begin?
My interest in design started at a young age, and looking back there is one teacher in particular who I believe had a huge influence on me and was a big reason I developed such a passion for creativity and design.
Mr James Boyle joined my school as a new teacher at the time and was an instant hit with the students. Looking back now, I think one of the reasons he connected so well with us was because he was not too far removed from being a student himself. He understood how to inspire us and make design feel exciting and achievable.
What really stood out to me was the way he shared his own experiences and past projects. He would tell us about work he had created, what the design industry was like, and the challenges and rewards that came with it. You could genuinely hear the passion and pride he had for his work through his stories, and that really stayed with me. Mr Boyle was the teacher who encouraged my creativity and firmly planted the seed of design in my mind.
I am also really proud that he is still teaching today and, even more special, he now teaches my own little girl. I can only hope that he inspires her in the same way he inspired me and helps her discover her own passions.
My interest in woodworking came from my father. When I left school, he guided me towards engineering, but he was also someone who would turn his hand to almost anything. I was always fascinated watching him work and seeing how raw materials could be transformed into something both practical and beautiful.
Over time, those two passions naturally came together. My woodworking developed into creating bespoke furniture and interior pieces, and as I worked on larger and more detailed projects, I became increasingly fascinated by the wider principles of interior design — how layouts, materials, colours, textures, lighting, and furniture all work together to create a complete space.
It was during some of these larger projects that I really found myself enjoying the design process. I was often told by clients and people around me, “You should definitely pursue this more,” and those comments helped reinforce that design was something I wanted to develop further. That realisation eventually led me to expand my skills into interior design, 3D modelling, and visualisation, allowing me to bring ideas to life from the initial concept right through to the finished space.
What inspired you to enrol on the Professional Interior Design Diploma with the National Design Academy?
I wanted to expand my knowledge beyond furniture design and gain a deeper understanding of complete interior spaces. The turning point actually came while I was sat around a pool in Thailand of all places, surrounded by some incredible handcrafted interiors and beautiful design details. Being immersed in that environment really made me stop and think about where I wanted to take my own skills and my business.
That was the moment I thought, “It’s time to pursue this properly.” I immediately started researching the best interior design courses for professionals — something that would allow me to continue running my own business, fit around my commitments, and provide an industry-recognised qualification. That search led me to the National Design Academy.
The Professional Interior Design Diploma offered exactly what I was looking for. It allowed me to study flexibly around my business, while developing my understanding of professional design principles and processes. This was particularly important for me as I was balancing running my own business, being a husband, and being a father to three children.
The main reason I wanted to complete the course was to give more back to my clients. I have always taken pride in creating high-quality work and delivering something I would personally be proud to have in my own home. By developing my interior design knowledge, I wanted to offer clients more than just a finished piece of furniture — I wanted to help them create complete spaces, provide better guidance, and bring ideas to life from the initial concept through to the final build.
For me, the Diploma was about combining my existing craftsmanship with professional interior design knowledge, allowing me to offer a more complete and valuable service.
How did you find the experience of studying the course, and were there any parts you particularly enjoyed?
The knowledge and skills I have gained through the Diploma will allow me to offer a much more complete design service to my clients. There were so many parts of the course that I enjoyed that it is difficult to choose just one, but one area that particularly stood out to me was going back to the basics of hand-drawing concepts and layout plans.
Having worked digitally for many years, especially with SketchUp and 3D modelling, it was refreshing to be reminded that the initial creative process does not always need to be perfect. One of the video tutorials really changed my approach to concept development — showing that it is completely fine to scribble ideas down, explore different possibilities, and refine those thoughts as the design develops. Not everything created in front of a client needs to be perfectly polished with straight lines from the beginning. In fact, some of my strongest concepts have come from that more relaxed, free-flowing style of drawing.
I also really enjoyed learning more about how colours, textures, materials, and finishes can completely transform a space before furniture and layouts are even considered. These were areas I had not previously explored in as much depth, but once I understood the impact they have on the feeling and atmosphere of a room, it completely changed the way I approach design.
The overall experience of studying the course was fantastic. Since completing the Diploma, I have actually spoken with other professional interior design students through the student WhatsApp group and one piece of advice I always share is to relax and really enjoy the journey. There was never a feeling of pressure or being rushed throughout the course. The lecturers were always on hand to offer support, encourage creativity, and help you get the best out of yourself rather than simply focusing on deadlines.
Looking back, if I could go back to Unit 1 and give myself one piece of advice, it would be to slow down. Take the time to absorb everything, experiment with ideas, and truly enjoy the creative process. The course is not just about completing assignments — it is about developing your own design style, building confidence, and learning to see spaces in a completely different way.
What new skills or knowledge have you developed during the Diploma?
The Diploma has helped me develop a much broader skill set beyond woodworking and furniture design. Alongside learning key interior design principles such as space planning, colour theory, material selection, and client presentation techniques, it has completely changed the way I approach projects.
One of the biggest lessons was learning to think about a space as a whole rather than focusing on individual pieces within it. I now have a much greater understanding of how layouts, materials, lighting, textures, and furnishings work together to influence how a room looks and feels.
These are skills I use every day, whether I am developing concepts, discussing ideas with clients, or helping them explore possibilities they may not have previously considered. Having this wider design knowledge allows me to contribute more throughout the creative process and provide clients with a more considered and informed service.
Ultimately, the Diploma has given me the confidence to move beyond being solely a furniture maker and develop into a designer who can help shape an entire space
Can you tell us more about Lee's Custom Woodwork & Design and the types of projects you create? How has the business developed since you started?
Lee’s Custom Woodwork & Design has evolved significantly since I first started the business. In the early days, I was crafting small bespoke furniture pieces from my own home, building tables, chairs, and custom woodworking projects for clients. Even then, I always had a drive to push the business further and constantly found myself asking, “What if I designed my own range of tables?” or “What if I could offer clients a complete collection rather than individual pieces?”
That ambition led me to take the next step and move into a small workshop at the back of a friend’s shop, where I began developing some of these ideas and expanding the range of work I could produce. As demand grew, so did the business, eventually allowing me to move into a larger workshop and take on more ambitious projects.
It was during this period that I became increasingly interested in the design side of what I was creating. I realised that while quality craftsmanship is essential, great design is often what transforms a project from good to exceptional. Understanding how furniture interacts with a space, how materials, colours, textures, and layouts work together, and how clients experience a finished room became just as important to me as the build itself.
Today, Lee’s Custom Woodwork & Design offers much more than bespoke furniture. I specialise in interior design, project management, advanced visualisation, and handcrafted custom pieces, helping clients bring their ideas to life from concept through to completion. Using SketchUp, 2D and 3D design packages, photorealistic renders, mood boards, and immersive VR visualisations, I can help clients fully understand and experience a space before any work begins.
Alongside my recent project management qualifications and interior design training, these skills allow me to oversee projects from the earliest design discussions right through to final delivery. Whether it’s a bespoke furniture commission, a fitted interior, or a complete room transformation, my goal remains the same as it was when I started from home: to create thoughtful, well-designed spaces and products that clients genuinely love and enjoy for years to come.
How did you find balancing your studies alongside running your own business?
Balancing study with running a business required discipline, organisation, and good time management. There were certainly busy periods where client deadlines, family commitments, and coursework all seemed to arrive at once, but the flexibility of the course made it achievable. Being able to study at my own pace and make use of the flexible extensions when needed allowed me to maintain a healthy balance without compromising the quality of either my work or my studies.
In many ways, the business and the course complemented each other perfectly. I was able to apply new knowledge directly to real client projects almost immediately, which helped reinforce what I was learning and gave me confidence in using my new skills in practical situations.
One aspect I particularly enjoyed was sharing my coursework and design concepts with clients as I progressed through the Diploma. Whether it was mood boards, layouts, visualisations, or rendered concepts, I was always discussing ideas and gathering feedback from people in real-world situations. It was incredibly valuable to hear their thoughts and reactions, as it gave me a different perspective and helped me refine my ideas. Having that real-time feedback alongside the support from the National Design Academy created a learning experience that felt both academic and practical at the same time.
Looking back, studying while running a business was certainly challenging at times, but it was also one of the most rewarding parts of the journey. Seeing my new skills immediately benefit both my clients and my business made all the hard work worthwhile.
How do you plan to apply what you have learned on the course to your business and future client projects?
The biggest impact of the Diploma is that it has strengthened my ability to guide clients through an entire project rather than focusing solely on the finished furniture piece.
I now approach projects with a much broader understanding of how a space functions, how people interact with it, and how design decisions influence the overall result. This allows me to have more meaningful conversations with clients during the early stages of a project and offer advice that goes beyond craftsmanship alone.
Whether I am designing a bespoke piece, planning a fitted interior, or contributing to a larger renovation, I can now help clients make more informed decisions about layouts, materials, finishes, and the overall direction of their space.
For me, the course has reinforced the idea that great projects come from combining thoughtful design, clear communication, and quality craftsmanship. That is something I plan to continue building on as my business grows.
What has been the most rewarding part of your journey so far?
The most rewarding part of my journey has been seeing how far both I and the business have evolved over the years.
What started as building furniture at home has grown into something much bigger than I ever imagined. Every stage of that journey, from working in my first small workshop to studying interior design and gaining project management qualifications, has opened new opportunities and challenged me to keep learning.
Perhaps the most satisfying part has been realising that clients now come to me not only for the quality of the work I produce, but also for the ideas, advice, and creative input I can bring to a project. Knowing that I can help shape a client’s vision from an early concept through to a finished result is incredibly rewarding and is what continues to drive me forward.
What are your plans for the future, and where would you like to see Lee's Custom Woodwork in the next few years?
Over the next few years, I would like to continue growing Lee’s Custom Woodwork & Design into a business recognised not only for quality craftsmanship but also for innovative design solutions and professional project delivery. My goal is to offer clients a complete service, from initial concept development and interior design through to 3D visualisations, photorealistic renders, bespoke furniture manufacturing, and project completion.
Having recently gained qualifications in project and site management, I am now able to offer an even more comprehensive service, overseeing projects from the earliest design discussions right through to installation and final handover. This allows me to provide clients with a single point of contact throughout their project, ensuring a smooth and well-managed experience from start to finish.
My ambition is to work on larger residential and commercial projects where I can combine interior design, visualisation, project management, and custom woodworking to create unique spaces tailored to each client’s needs. Whether it’s a bespoke piece of furniture, a complete interior renovation, or a commercial fit-out, I want to continue pushing the boundaries of what the business can offer.
I believe the skills and knowledge I have gained through the National Design Academy have provided a strong foundation for achieving these goals. Combined with my practical experience and continued professional development, I am excited about the future and the opportunities ahead for both myself and Lee’s Custom Woodwork & Design.
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