About SARAH HODGKINS – professional mural artist
Sarah Hodgkins is one of the UK’s most experienced professional mural artists, with over 20 years of practice and more than 750 hand-painted murals completed across the country. Based in Northamptonshire, Sarah works throughout the UK under the name Charlotte Designs, the business she founded in 2005.
Named one of the UK’s Top 100 Most Influential Businesswomen in 2024 and a three-time winner of the Houzz Best Service Award, Sarah brings a rare combination of formal interior design training and two decades of specialist mural painting experience to every project. Her work spans domestic homes, schools, hospitals, care homes, hotels, restaurants and commercial offices.
Charlotte Designs has completed over 280 home murals, 230 commercial murals, 85 school murals and 100 hospital and healthcare murals across the UK. All quotes are fully inclusive of materials and travel, with no hidden extras.
Sarah is supported by Associate Artist Sarah Daniels, a Bath Spa University graduate in Textile Design, who joined Charlotte Designs in 2018.
How it all started
Back in the 80’s (yes, I really am that old!), I was ragging, dragging, stencilling and woodgraining and this is where I first started to design and paint murals. However it wasn’t until I had children of my own that I realised the potential of murals, initially for children and their incredible power in inspiring and delighting audiences.
I still believe passionately that a beautiful space they can call their own, is the most precious gift you can give a child. However, over the years, I have also realised the power of murals and the effect they have on everyone, old and young. I am now proud to be able to offer murals and other paint finishes to a wide range of clients, both commercial and domestic.
Why Charlotte Designs?
I get asked this a lot and it isn’t a very exciting story. I was advised not to call the business after me, so I decided to call it after my children. Sadly, the url for Charlotte James, my original idea wasn’t available, so I went for Charlotte Designs. Yes, I do get called Charlotte all the time, and Muriel! I don’t mind, I answer to almost anything.
Sarah Hodgkins aka Sarah #1
Owner and Lead Artist
I trained initially as an interior designer working extensively in the 1980s and 90s on a wide variety of projects from cottages to hotels. During this time, I commissioned mural artists to work on a variety of projects, so enthralled was I by watching these artists, that I decided to train myself.
Having lived all over, I am now back in Northamptonshire, with my husband. When I am not painting, I am running, playing tennis, piano or bass guitar and walking in the beautiful countryside. I also like a pub quiz, love watching rugby, tennis and athletics, spending time with my friends and family and am a complete history nut! My husband and I are keen travellers and are always planning our next trip. I can also plough a half reasonable field, not very useful in this job, but that’s what being a farmer’s daughter does to you…
Sarah Daniels aka Sarah #2
Associate Artist
I graduated from Bath Spa University with a degree in Textile Design for fashion and interiors, and throughout my degree, I gradually discovered a love for painting. I spent my final year focusing on quirky paintings of animals, which my tutors encouraged me to produce on an increasingly larger scale. I love the results and felt my natural progressions would be to paint murals.
Enter Sarah and Charlotte Designs, who I found on the internet. I approached her and we worked together on a large project. I learnt so much, including new skills and techniques which I took back to my studies.
As well as painting, I also enjoy swimming, travelling – anywhere and everywhere and camping when it’s not too rainy!
20 years in buisness
700+ murals painted
280+ home murals painted
230+ business murals painted
85+ school murals painted
80+ hospital murals painted
Transforming walls since 2005
Your vision, your story, our creativity
Mural artist near me
We cover most of the UK including Northamptonshire, Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Bedfordshire, Warwickshire, London, Birmaingham and the West Midlands, Leicestershire, Nottinghamshire, Cambridgeshire, Berkshire, Herfordhshire, Essex and Middlesex
Fully insured and DBS (CRB) cleared
IPAF qualified
