It’s been a while since our TVs were wall to wall interior makeover programs and now the time seems right to refresh the makeover challenge. The formula was to get a bunch of keen amateur would be interior designers to makeover one room in a house from a comprehensive selection of house styles. All idea smiths, the contestants were an eclectic bunch coming from many different backgrounds with a wide spread of ages. And wasn’t it a simple stimulating formula that works, entertaining and informative.
The Great Interior Design Challenge has shed loads of ideas reflecting contemporary living, lavishly illustrated with before and after shots of the contestants makeovers. The presenters brought gravitas, along with lots of intelligent information to the program, so much so, even a hardened stylist, TV makeover designer like myself couldn’t help but be drawn in. It illustrates how interior designers have to be flexible and able to work with different styles in order not to become a repetitive one trick pony. Case studies illustrate dos and don’ts with simple sensible advice that covers all the bases, making the daunting project of reinventing a room a whole lot more approachable.
Even if you’re not familiar with the TV series The Great Interior Design Challenge book has enough substance to stand on its own right. An informative read it illustrates how it’s possible to design stunning outside the box interiors on a very restricted budget with shed loads of imagination and three days of hard graft.
This is a lavishly illustrated comprehensive how to manual. You choose, read as DIY fantasy interiors porn or as a very comprehensive how to manual to help you create a great makeover. It’s ideal for anyone starting out on the adventure of interior makeovers or someone who wants to pep up their design know how and bring their interiors into the 21st century.
The Great Interior Design Challenge by Katherine Sorrell
Published by Pavilion
Photography by Holly Jolliffe and Heather Hobhouse