How Roisin Quinn Triumphed in Interior Design Masters: A Celebration of Maximalism
So we have it! The winner of 2024 Interior Design Masters and a triumph for colour loving maximalists. It was the battle of the beige versus colour fuelled maximalism and colour won out in quite a kaleidoscopic way!
When it comes to interior design, there’s a delicate dance between creativity, skill, and the ability to execute a vision flawlessly. The world watched in awe as Roisin Quinn gracefully navigated the unique challenges of TV makeovers to emerge victorious. Just remember they only have two days to execute their design, all the while having a TV crew interrupt their flow. They are also only given 5 days to prepare and procure everything, and just thinking about that quick turnaround makes me feel clammy. TV is all about the entertainment so this fast and furious process makes for a gripping reveal. Anyone who’s attempted designing and furnishing a room over the space of weeks, even months have no idea the pressure, so I’d like a little high five to all the designers who entered this series- you are all absolute champions and have all of my respect.
But this post is all about our worthy winner, yet my feeling is that Roisin’s triumph was less about winning a reality TV show; more a celebration of her unique style, unapologetic embrace of maximalism, and (wink wink) her ingenious use of wallpapers. More on that later! Let’s delve into why Roisin Quinn stood out as a star from the get-go and explore some decorating techniques inspired by her full fat approach to decor.
Walls in Wonderland Floral wallpaper, Harlequin x Sophie Robinson.
A maverick of maximalism
Maximalism isn’t merely a design style; it’s a way of life—an audacious celebration of abundance, colour, and joy. Roisin Quinn embodied this ethos, fearlessly weaving together layers of feel-good textures, dancing patterns, and bold colour that pulses with positivity. She is my kind of gal. She creates spaces that literally vibrate with positivity, optimism, and joy. Once the practicalities of a space have been addressed; you need to do the big checklist which includes layout, durability, storage, lighting, movement, and usability, then the next level is all about creating the magic. I loved the fact that she had the original thought to move away from making the somewhat awkward merge of the palace grandeur meets humble timber lodge and instead looked to the natural environment; the woodland that surrounds the estate into which these holiday lodges nestle, for her design inspiration.
The world of Interior design is still dominated by the minimalist trend, and credit where credit’s due: Matt, her opponent in the competition, is a class act at serving up this popular look. It’s very commercial and very palatable and had a swell of people championing him across social media. However, Roisin’s maximalist approach offers a breath of fresh air, daring viewers to embrace the magical chaos that we see all around us in nature and to revel in the escapism of eclecticism. She brought some of the awe and wonder that you experience in the palace grounds to her interior spaces. Her designs were a complete riot of colours, patterns, and textures, yet beneath the apparent chaos lay a carefully curated harmony—a testament to her keen eye for balance and proportion. The result was pure escapism. Isn’t that what you want from a holiday? It appeared the judges, Michelle Ogundehin and the indomitable Jonathan Adler thought so and handed Roisin the crown.
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after
Walls in Dappled Leaf wallpaper, Harlequin x Sophie Robinson
The Power of Pattern: Roisin’s secret weapon
Central to Roisin’s design arsenal was her ingenious use of wallpapers, which in Roisin’s hands became powerful tools for storytelling, injecting a form dose of personality and narrative into every space. And I was absolutely blown away and beyond proud that she chose wallpapers from my newly launched collection from Harlequin to star in her winning design. When I worked on the collection, which was hot off the press last summer, coinciding with when the TV series was filmed, I could only imagine how other designers would interpret my designs in their own schemes and I was super thrilled with how they were interpreted by Roisin in this project and her unique colour palettes she teamed them with.
Whether it was bold florals, whimsical motifs, or striking geometrics, Roisin has a keen understanding of the transformative potential of a great wallpaper and used them often in her transformations across the series. But her brilliance didn’t stop at the selection of wallpapers; it was in her strategic application. What I was particularly impressed by was that instead of confining wallpapers to a single accent wall, she fearlessly enveloped entire rooms and the ceilings too! Her idea to take the Dappled Leaf wallpaper up above the walls and across the apex ceiling, enveloped the room and made it feel like tree top canopy! I absolutely loved the immersive effect and was thrilled to see one of my wallpaper designs used in this original way.
But creating a winning room scheme doesn’t stop at picking the perfect wallpaper. She understands the key to successful maximalist design lies in layering—layering different pattern on pattern, sumptuous textures, and a set of harmonious colours to create depth and visual interest. Her last-minute decision to change the kitchen cabinets from cream to pink was a stroke of genius. It bought another colour into the palette but when you go for a maximalist look, you must see it through and go all the way. However another late decision was to ditch the pattern curtains for plain, which again I agreed with, which goes to show the power of listening to your gut instincts.
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After
Walls in Woodland floral, Harlequin x Sophie Robinson
Tips to take away from Roisin’s design approach
- Think outside the box
Whether it’s for your own home, or if you are designing for a client, Roisin has proved that thinking outside the box pays off. By taking inspiration from the situation of the lodge as her starting point for her designs made her take original, refreshing but above all remained appropriate for the brief.
- Layer, layer, layer
The magic of maximalism lies in layering. Experiment with combining different patterns, textures, and materials to create visual depth and interest. Just remember to maintain a sense of balance to prevent overwhelming the space. You can do this with introducing plain painted surfaces, use blocks of plain fabrics or even take a few accessories or artworks out of the room until you find balance.
- Make an impact with wallpaper
Instead of treating the walls as the mere backdrop make them the main act. While they take up a considerable amount of the overall budget you get so much bang for your buck and they can set the tone of the whole room.
- Tell a story
This goes for any interior design but the choice of patterns and colour palette can really weave a magical spell on a space that makes it feel unique and special. Whether it’s a nod to your heritage, a love for nature, or a whimsical fantasy, let your imagination run wild.
- Trust your instincts
Above all, trust your instincts and follow your creative intuition. Design is a deeply personal journey, and ultimately, the most successful spaces are the ones that reflect the unique vision and personality of their creators. In the world of design, there are no wrong answers—only missed opportunities. Trust your instincts, follow your heart, and let your creativity soar.
- Deliver the joy!
At the end of the day, design should be fun! Don’t take yourself too seriously, experiment with new ideas, and remember to laugh along the way.
Maximalism isn’t just a style—it’s a way of life, and Roisin embodied it with gusto. Her designs are like a carnival for the senses, where there are no rules—only endless possibilities waiting to be explored. She’s a fearless pioneer, creating spaces that sing with vitality and charm.
In conclusion, Roisin Quinn’s victory in Interior Design Masters is a testament to the power of originality, self-expression, and the magic of maximalism. And that a life well-lived could do with being a little less predictable.
You can follow Roisin’s colour loving journey over on her instagram here.
If you are looking to embrace the Maximalist interior design style in your home, check out my online course which will teach you everything you need to know about building this complex design style while keeping it chic and stylish and original to you. You can find out more here. Let me know what you thought of the final in the comments below.
