A rich interior life
As Home of the Year announces the winner of the 2022 title, we put ten design questions to the show’s interior design judge,
What is the first step to a successful decluttering?
The best way to declutter is to decide on the absolute must have items in a room, so for example, in a bedroom, you have to keep the bed, the bedside table, lamp and wardrobe. Everything else is optional. Sometimes you need to remove the chair or desk or chest to create more space to breathe.
If you were decluttering the kitchen, I would recommend taking absolutely everything off the counter tops or visible shelves and only putting back what you use day to day.
Also, the thing about decluttering is it’s an ongoing process: you don’t just do it once and never have to do it again. A little and often is always best.
What three interior design skills should we all learn?
The three skills everyone should learn when it comes to interior design are:
1. Always measure twice and cut once.
2. Have fun with colour, especially paint, as you can always paint over it if you don’t like it!
3. To refresh or update a room, you don’t have to throw the baby out with the bathwater; sometimes some new cushions and throws or piece of feature art can make all the difference.
Do people stop you on the street with design queries since you’ve been on the show?
No.
Where would you put the Home of the Year red button in your own home?
I would put it on my sofa beside my reading lamp. It’s where I get to cuddle up to my kids at the end of the day, read a good book and switch off from the day job!
How does your design taste differ from that of your fellow HOTY judges, Amanda and Hugh?
I actually have more in common with Hugh than I’d like to admit! I do love colour and pattern, probably in smaller doses than Hugh… whereas I also love Amanda’s love of light. In saying that, I tended to land in between the two throughout the homes. I like a lived-in look that’s not overly cluttered.
In your professional life, what has been your favourite project of the past year?
We recently completed a home in Connemara. It was just an absolute dream getaway, right on the beach. We used pattern, tone and textures plus natural materials to bring the place to life. We worked with some of the client’s existing pieces and then layered in some new and exciting fabrics and furnishings. It’s always wonderful to do something unique and this project was one of them.
Should we shop in second-hand, vintage or antique shops before buying new objects?
I am passionate about using antiques, pre-loved items and vintage pieces in our interiors and always would recommend going searching at the start of a project. We often find that one vintage piece can be the start of a fabulous scheme.
What is your favourite colour this season?
This season I am probably more on trend than I usually am. I am loving lilac as a colour and this is reflected in the Pantone Colour of the Year, Peri Peri.
When you start a project, which gives you inspiration most: the shape of the room, the light or the client?
It’s always about the client. We pride ourselves on listening deeply to the brief and creating homes that, after we leave, feel like they totally belong to the person who is going to live there.
Why are you passionate about interior design?
Interior design is just such a dynamic and varying profession that you never get bored. I started out wanting to be a fashion designer but it was just too fast for me; with interiors your creativity gets to last a much longer time.