JANE BEALE
‘I have been told I have a talent for creating a luxurious, polished but homely look.’ Mum and part-time events coordinator Jane from Kent, likes to use colour, texture and accessories to create living spaces that are inviting and stylish as well as functional.
HELEN BOTTRILL
‘If I can’t find what I want, I make it, it’s easy.’ Helen lives in Devon and designs and creates bespoke textiles from her collection of bold fabrics. Her style is a mismatching mix of the old and the new and she believes that everyone’s home should reflect their personality.
DEE CARTWRIGHT
‘Interiors is not what I do anymore … it’s who I am now.’ Dee is a housewife from Kent who believes that interior design should make someone feel that their space is utterly personal to them. Her style is New England meets English country.
ANNA CHAPMAN
‘I’m like David Bowie; I don’t stick to one era or style.’ A retired optician from London, Anna believes she has always had an interest in interiors. Her style is always evolving and she likes to have the flexibility to change a room every few years.
HELEN CHARLTON
‘Your home has to feel relaxed with treasures around you, each with their own story.’ Helen is a parttime teacher from Durham who also runs her own craft business. Her French farmhouse-style home has featured in several publications including Country Homes & Interiors.
JOHNNY CHINA
‘What I love about interior design is creating something that has personality.’ Currently based in Devon, painter and decorator Johnny is interested in all aspects of design and has a retro eclectic style. He is now retraining and hopes to pursue a career in interiors.
JORDAN CLUROE
‘I’d absolutely love to be an interior designer … I think I’d be quite good.’ A coffeeshop owner from London, Jordan has renovated several properties and loves all aspects of interior design. He believes in good design, but thinks functionality is just as important.
ALICE DAVIES
‘I love the transformative feeling of well-being a really beautifully designed space can offer and all the compliments I receive when I have visitors!’ Full-time mum Alice from East Sussex has an adventurous spirit when it comes to design, and likes using strong colours.
JENNY ELESMORE
‘A nice home is one where you sit down and say “ahhh”.’ Jenny owns a lifestyle shop in Cornwall. She believes homes don’t have to be over complicated by style and you can achieve a great look with a little imagination. Her style istraditional with a modern twist.
SUSAN GARRETT
‘I don’t like to follow trends; I like to be unique.’ With five children and four grandchildren, Susan from Kent has dedicated her life to her family, but has always enjoyed designing her home. Her style is colourful and she likes interesting rooms in which people can discover things.
NEIL GAUKWIN
‘I do get an enjoyable feeling from looking at a space that I’ve created.’ Neil from East Sussex loves experimenting with second-hand items: his style is ‘updated granny chic’. A creative by trade, he likes to take ordinary objects and reuse them in new ways.
JAMES GOSTELOW
‘I’m very English and thrive off British designers.’ An asset manager from Surrey, James says he lives and breathes interiors and never fully switches off. His style is ultimately traditional with a modern edge and he believes it is integral to be true to the property’s period.
‘I love taking an unloved, neglected space and making it liveable again.’ Paula is a pub landlady in Herefordshire and has renovated a number of properties including her pub, which has two Bed & Breakfast rooms. Her style is homely and comfortable.
LYNNE LAMBOURNE
‘It started aged seven … when I was re-arranging my bedroom.’ Based in Buckinghamshire, Lynne runs her own children’s fashion business. Her style is ‘Scandi-chic’ and she believes that everyone can make their home feel different with a little time and effort.
JULIA MATTHEWS
‘I have a great eye for detail and can capture the qualities of a room.’ A commercialisation co-ordinator from Nottingham, Julia also runs her own business that creates artwork out of children’s handprints. She describes her style is minimalist but homely.
EMMA MCDONALD
‘I make vintage doll’s houses to stop me changing my own!’ A self-employed vintage homeware and craft dealer from Manchester, Emma has her own blog and has designed 11 homes according to her evolving style, which is currently modern retro chic.
SARAH MOORE
‘I buy second hand and old furniture and give it a new lease of life.’ Sarah from West Sussex trained as a chef and worked in catering before starting an online vintage shop and writing about vintage style. She favours a colourful and eclectic vintage look.
KIMBERLY PLESTED
‘I hate clichés but interior design is my life.’ A mum and student from Oxfordshire, Kimberly is now pursuing her childhood dream of studying interior design. With a simple and natural style she loves bringing unique ideas to life.
LOUISE RUMMERY
‘I am unable to walk into someone’s house and not check out what they have (or usually haven’t) done to the space.’ An executive assistant from Hampshire, Louise describes her style as bold and dramatic, masculine but with a feminine touch.
LORNA SATCHELL
‘Interior design is about not being afraid and saying, “Actually I like this and this is how I want to display it”.’ Lorna from Birmingham is passionate about blending modern and traditional styles and prides herself on being frugal and thrifty.
AMY TOLLAFIELD
‘I don’t want to chase trends; I have my own spin on things.’ Born in Cornwall but now based in Somerset, freelance artist Amy also runs a small business selling items she makes out of driftwood.
Her design style is bohemian and coastal.
NIGEL TOOZE
‘I’ve always been obsessed with interiors – now I’m taking a giant leap and want to make a career out of it.’ Nigel from London is taking time off from his work as a financial lawyer to explore the possibility of working as an interior designer. His style is classical theatrical.
LUKE WATKINS
‘My talent lies in being able to understand someone else’s taste quickly.’ A sales assistant in Oxfordshire, Luke studied interior and spatial design and has worked in the building trade. He describes his style as ‘rustic meets modern’, and likes skip and loft rummage finds.
CHARMAINE WHITE
‘I eat sleep and breathe everything interior design.’ A design student from London, with a background in retail Charmaine believes interior designing is about taking people outside of their comfort zones. Her style is sophisticated, chic and modern.