14 Feb 16

My week 13th February ’16

It’s been another busy week for me- this seriously isn’t usual. I generally like a more of a stroll through life than a flat out sprint! I’ve been pulling some late nights and my Mum has just been totally amazing by stepping in at the last minute to look after my son Arthur. It’s all because I’m so busy with my new blog and taking lovely snaps for Instagram and filming more videos for the YouTube channel. I’ve also been asked to do another interiors slot on ITV’s this morning so I’ve been crazy mental pulling in stuff for this feature, which goes out live on Tuesday the 16^th next week. It’s given me a taste of what it must be like for the contestants of The Great Interior Design Challenge have to go through! One week to design and prop for a room is a serious ask! Especially when you are having to fit it into an already busy working week and looking after a family. I’ve been spinning plates like never before!

So the brief was ‘Bedrooms’ that’s pretty open ended one! I know the key interior design points I want to cover when talking about bedrooms but what about a colour scheme! Last week I did an all grey Scandi living room so I thought RIGHT- now’s my opportunity to do something totally the other end of the design spectrum. Luckily this months copy of Living Etc was on my desk. The current March cover is heart stoppingly Fab-u-lous so I snapped that up as my inspiration. It pulls on so many of the current trends, pale pink, tropical prints, brass and the sort of louche Palm Springs style with pineapples galore. It’s so much easier to pull something together in a hurry if you feel inspired. But am I going mad, a doubted myself, imagining Holly and Philip to look shocked in a sea of pink jungle kitchness. But I asked my Facebook gang and I got a unanimous thumbs up! Lets hope it all goes well on Tuesday and they like it.

So what a terrific week for The Great Interior Design Challenge. I think Lucy and Robs final has to be one of the best I’ve ever seen. So unfair to make us choose as we loved them both. But Lucy had to clinch it. She was a super strong contender from the off the most rounded of this weeks contestants. She proved she could turn her hand to produce any look, from futuristic to 18^th century Swedish folk. I totally take my hat off to her for an incredible effort. I’ll seriously miss Rob as his designs were original and ingenious and its that specialness that we’re always trying to uncover in this programme. And for all the kind people who showed an interest the dress was from Anthropologie last summer, and the label is Plenty by Tracy Reese. The earrings were from Oliver Bonas. I buy lots of jewellery from there as there’s a shop in Victoria station. And when we’re filming I spend a lot of time in train stations!

These little spotty beauties are from Boden and stared in the Bath episode of The Great Interior Design Challenge. I teamed them with navy cullottes from Anthropologie and a neon pink sweater from J.Crew.

The other project I’m really busy on is my YouTube channel. Its totally early days but I think it’s a great way for me to share my knowledge and design ideas with you guys. I’d love to know what topics of design or style or colour you’d like me to cover so do drop me an email or comment on the blog and let me know. One of the outcomes from The Great Interior Design Challenge that’s really surprised me is how interested people are in what I wear and it’s really lovely to think that my bright outfits are inspiring people to go out and get a little more colour in their lives! Even if it’s just a new nail polish. So I’m going to start doing a few more style and fashion posts and Vlogs. But that’s really out of my comfort zone, but it feels great to be trying something new.

And finally I’ve put together a fab Spring calender of design courses. Daniel and I will be running our Interior Design Masterclass, which is essentially everything you need to know about interior design squeezed into about 6 hours. But we keep the groups really small so its a great day to chat ideas and share what we’re all up to in the interior design department. And then I’ve also teamed up with my good friend Beck Blair who is an amazingly successful fine artist and a dream weaver with colour. We’re going to be running colour workshops which will be really hands on approach to sourcing you inner colour maven! It’s a hugely creative day with the aim that you feel inspired and empowered to add more colour to your life! Anyway look at the dates under courses in the menu- I’d love to see you there.