Advertising feature

showhomes of leading housebuilders, boutique hotels, retail, and commercial premises.

John said: “Carol and I both have so much experience in styling for magazines and TV that we know how to create that wow factor.

“Working with a client on a home is different. We work towards an understated, affordable luxury.

“When I ask what preferences are, most say neutral. I don’t think ITV would have allowed me to do 10 years of cream rooms though!”

The images that Amabile Design create are for inspiration, says John. “There are so many ways that clients can communicate what they are looking for.

“We encourage them to rip out pictures that inspire. Maybe reminders of places they been. They can show us colours, fabrics, objects – it helps us build up a picture of what they would like.”

John and Carol can use their experience to work with that vision and make sure that choices will be appropriate to the home and lifestyle of every client.

“For example, some people say ‘I really love colour’, but unless you’re in a huge New York loft with wide open space, an oversized colourful painting might be claustrophobic.

“We drip feed colour in accessories, edges, objects and if we need to go a little step further there can be a splash of colour on a feature wall.

“What’s important is taking the essence and working towards the finished product.

“That’s where we come on board – to realise that dream.”