R.T.E.
Showhouse.
Making the programme and a bit about me.
The challenge was 2 identical three-bed terraced houses, with seven weeks to transform them, and that includes the week on site! Trevor Williams and I hit the ground running.
I didn't actually
meet Trevor till the week of filming, but when I gave the painting contractor
my list of paint colours which was cream, cream and-- cream, he confided
in me with a sympathetic expression on his face, that Trevor had chosen
really nice colours, it took all my self confidence to stop my self from
re-examining my choices but I flicked the little devil of doubt off my
shoulder because I knew that my seagrass wallpaper would be the accent
that would define the space, and a very small space at that. I decided
that there was no point in worrying about what Trevor might come up with
and just get on with it.
I have always had a mixture of private and commercial clients, which I
enjoy because it means my jobs vary greatly and I don't get into a pattern
where projects start to resemble one another. It also gives me the opportunity
to have different levels of feedback from my clients. My private clients
usually want to work along side me, so that we get an amalgamation of
both our ideas and we end up creating something that neither of us would
have done alone. On the other hand commercial clients usually want to
be presented with a full scheme for approval and this allows me take full
control of the project. I need this variety as I am very enthusiastic
about my work and want to have a fresh approach to each new project.
I would describe my style as an interior designer as tailored and sophisticated with attention to detail. I always try to create a beautiful interior which is also very warm and comfortable and which will meet the every day needs of my clients, that is after all why most people employ an interior designer! I listen very carefully to my clients in the beguinning,, and as we progress through the project, to make sure that at the end of the day we have an interior that we can both be proud of.
My favourite room in the showhouse is the livingroom, with the kitchen coming in a close second since I think of them as one extended space. I love the seagrass paper which I used on the party wall with the kitchen and on one wall of the staircase, I feel it is very rich and warm, the fact that I have used lots of rich cream has I think set it off well and prevented it from being dark. I designed all the hard furniture in the kitchen and living rooms and am very pleased with the final effect which I hope is sleek, simple and sophisticated. Lighting and light levels are also very important to me and I pay a lot of attention to choosing fittings and levels of light which will enhance the colours and textures in the room and make it comfortable to use.
I am of course influenced
by current trends though they may not always be appropriate to a particular
job. New ideas are always exciting, new colour combinations with the seasons,
beautiful new accessories which come onto the market, all add new dimensions
to my work and inspire me. I love natural materials; wool, silk, cotton,
linen and I am very excited about the new natural wallcoverings which have
come onto the market in the last year. I design my own furniture quite often
as it allows me to get the perfect colour, size and finish for my work.
So often the dream sideboard is in the wrong colour or too wide or narrow
to fit the space.
I found the whole
experience of working on showhouse very exciting, very tiring, as I had
to be up in Balbriggan at 8.30 every morning, hair blow dried and made-up,
thought this may be hard to believe after seeing the programme, as rushing
about in hard hats doesn't do much for your hairstyle! It was a pleasure
working with all the people involved in the project, all of whom were
very professional and endlesly patient while under pressure to keep to
a deadline. There was a great generosity within the whole team, everyone
helping each other to achieve the final goal of two houses finished to
a high standard in time for Sunday. Unlike what you might
have learned to expect from watching other make-over programmes, no corners
were cut and all work was carried out to the highest standard. It was
great fun also, with lots of laughs and plenty of banter between Trevor
and I, who were not allowed to see each others work, apart form the reveal
room half way through. The only sad part about my winning was Trevor losing,,
he was only 5 votes behind so there wasn't much between us. However with
the way these things go there could only be one winner and I am very grateful
it was me! The whole experience was unique and a facinating insight into
how television is made.
R.T.E. Show House.
