Hold onto your hats....I'm excited to announce that I'll be appearing on the new series of Interior Design Masters with Alan Carr! So what better reason to launch my long-planned for blog than to share my journey on the show with you?
The show will be airing on Tuesdays at 8pm on BBC One, starting with Episode 1 on March 12th and I'll be posting on here straight after each episode I participate in, sharing my inspiration sources and process for each design. So if things didn't exactly go to plan, you'll see how I originally intended the room to look!
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L-R: Francesca, Roisin, Ben, Anthony, Domnall, Alan Carr (Presenter), Michelle Ogundehin (Series Judge), Sheree, Matt, Ash, Jess and Me! (Image: BBC/Darlow Smithson Productions)
So, first things first. For those of you who haven't seen the show, what exactly is Interior Design Masters?
Essentially it's a reality elimination-style show, where 10 contestants (aspiring Interior Designers or those already working in the field, but with no more than 2 years full-time experience under their belts) "Will be competing to win a collaboration contract with a global homeware brand to produce their own line of home furnishings. Design expert and former editor of Elle Decoration Michelle Ogundehin returns as the series judge.
The designers come from all walks of life and have very different signature styles, from the ‘Victorian Maximalist’ to the ‘Elegant Brutalist’ to the ‘Colourful Traditionalist’. Each week, either working alone or as a team, they are set a new challenge as they are given free rein to redesign a range of commercial spaces across the UK. These include turning former nun’s cells into B&Bs, revamping activity centres at Chester Zoo, transforming Wembley dressing rooms and remodelling holiday lodges at Blenheim Palace.
Each week Michelle decides which designers have created her ‘Stand Out Space’ and which designers will be sent home. She is joined by leading figures from the world of interior design including Abigail Ahern, Kelly Hoppen, Sophie Robinson and Mary Portas". (BBC.com)
And who are my fellow contestants?
Now, I know this sounds super-cheesy, but I feel so unbelievably lucky to have been on this wild adventure with such an amazingly inspiring bunch of humans. Each cast member is so talented in their own unique way and everyone brings something completely different to the table, both in terms of design aesthetic and personality.
(Image: BBC/Darlow Smithson Productions)
We grew so close during filming (there was definitely an element of trauma bonding in that!) And even though we're scattered across the country, we've hung out (and partied pretty hard) a bunch of times since. Honestly, these guys are the absolute best!
You can read about each Designer's background in this BBC article and if you're interested in following along with their individual journeys on the show, here are links to all their Instagram profiles:
Check back here after Episode 1 for the story of my design and in the meantime, I guess I'd better start mentally preparing to watch myself on TV. Eeeeek!!!