Interview
We are all about supporting our fellow designers here at Wilson & Co. This article is a little insight into the design world of one of our favourite Instagrammers, @barbsathome. Barb Druzdzel is an Interior Design Graduate, living in Leicestershire, who has a wonderful passion and keen eye for design. We bagged ourselves an interview with her to discuss more about her style and some hints and tips she has for you all.
Tell us a little bit about yourself…
Hi! Well as some of you may know, I have lived in Leicestershire for just about a year now with my partner Jake and new puppy Koda! I graduated with my Interior Design Degree at the start of the pandemic in 2020, at the University of Derby (which was a lot closer to my parents home which is where I lived for the majority of my studies). I’m originally from Poland! Me and my family moved to the UK in 2005 when I was just 6 years old, but I still speak fluent Polish and love everything about that place!
What made you want to get into interior design?
I have always been into art and design. From a young age I’d always be at my desk drawing, crafting and painting which then led me to do art in school from junior years all the way up to Sixth Form. I’d be re-painting my room at my parents house way too often! As well as forever changing the layout of my bed and wardrobes. The TV show “Property Brothers” and a lot Polish reality TV where they makeover a whole house were definitely huge inspirations! When it came to University, I knew I wanted to do a specific design course and not just have a generic art degree, so I just thought why not Interior Design!
How would you describe your design style?
I have thought about this question since moving in with Jake. At first I want to say eclectic. I love the aesthetic of this “organised mess” and cluttered shelves which a lot of the areas in the house involve! But then I also love crisp white walls and minimal furniture… sleek lines and bright open spaces! So with everything considered, I don't think I can describe my design style! Which I don't mind. It gives me the freedom to create my own space just the way I want it, without being put into one category of the Interior Design world.
What inspires you?
I think what inspires me the most is all the beautiful homes I see on social media. They’re all so current and on-trend that makes my brain just fill with ideas the minute I look at them.
What would your dream home look like?
Some kind of character-build. Victorian, Edwardian… original floor tiling with beautiful high ceilings and huge windows (@littleedwardian or @thehousethatblackbuilt). Oh and a garage, utility room, walk-in wardrobe and en-suite too! All for about £200K… surely that’s not too much to ask haha!
When designing what is the most important factor?
I’d say it’s laying out everything you want to do first. Sketching, sampling etc. before making any final commitments. I’ve done a couple rooms in the house where I painted them a colour or bought furniture pieces without thinking the whole design through, and they have turned out terrible! Like that one time I thought it would be a great idea to cover the en-suite in dots!! (What the hell) You just end up creating more work for yourself in the long run!
We love your painted dropped ceilings, especially that beautiful warm beige/gold in your guest room. What was your inspiration for this?
Thank you! Me and Jake stayed in a Manchester hotel called “Native” at the end of 2019. It was basically an old brick-built factory that has been renovated into a hotel and the interiors were right up my street. The steel bulk-heads were painted a beautiful mint colour which just made them pop against the burnt-orange walls. One of the rooms we stayed in had this dark beige on white split wall that I just fell in love with. The idea of a painted dropped ceiling stemmed from this, I just brought the split higher up! I only do painted dropped ceilings in the bedrooms though. It really brings the ceiling down, making the whole room feel super cosy and peaceful - no matter what colour you do it in.
Now, your pink kitchen. We love this!!! But did you have to convince your other half? Not all blokes would be up for it.
Ah yes! One of my favourites to be honest. Actually, it was his idea!! I proposed painting the room black or dark grey, however he automatically said no saying he’d rather have pink! Out of sheer luck I had recently saved an inspo pic of a pink kitchen! I showed him, he loved it, the rest is history haha!
You have created a home where all of your rooms flow together, how have you achieved this?
The main way is my split walls. It’s such an easy way to bring character into a boring new-build home. I tend to use the same colour schemes and styles throughout the whole house, which makes it super easy to create a running theme. I love big bold prints and art-pieces (most done by me!) and big rugs and oversized curtains. You’ll find, if not all, then most of these in all the rooms!
We are always excited to see what you will post next, each time we get a different angle of your home or a piece of diy art. What is your favourite space in your home?
This question was so hard to answer but I think I’m going to have to say our hallway! Simply because of the way it helps navigate you to each room of the house. We put a new carpet in when we first moved in and it’s just beautiful! Since repainting the bottom half of the walls a darker grey, it’s become a real eye-catching space.
Do you have any tips for people who are designing on a budget?
Facebook Marketplace and Rustoleum Spray Paint (or Wilko’s Matt Wood & Metal Paint). They’re going to be your new best friends! Trust me, half the time when you're looking for an item, somebody will be selling it on Facebook Marketplace for half the price. It’s my favourite tool to use! Me and Jake got our John Lewis table from there, as well as lots of shelving units and side tables! It’s crazy what a bit of paint can do.
We have all started somewhere, could you share a little insight to some of your first projects?
The first time I worked on a project for somebody was a friend’s mum’s kitchen 4-5 years ago. The mum went away on holiday for a week, and we decided to surprise her with a makeover! We went from orange and yellow walls to a black chalkboard wall (not bad, not bad) and then bright blue walls!! What on earth was I thinking?! Looking back, she definitely didn't like it hence it being quickly re-painted a lighter grey haha! But hey-ho you learn from your mistakes and I have never painted a wall bright blue ever again!
I think we all could have done with a few tips from people when we started out, as design is not all paint colours and fluffy pillows. If someone is looking at entering the world of interior design, what advice would you give them?
The main bit of advice I would give is do your research. And make sure you know your products, brands and current trends. You come across way more credible and reliable if you know what you’re talking about. You also need to understand that not everybody will like your ideas, not everybody will like what you design, and you just need to accept them saying “no I don’t like that” and move onto the next idea. Also, sketch! Show your client what you’re talking about by drawing your ideas. Not everybody is blessed with a visual brain like we are!
Is there anything exciting you are planning or working on currently?
I have recently moved into my own office space working on social media and marketing for Jake’s business! It will eventually become a space where I will be welcoming in clients for my freelancing Interior Design side of things for consultations and any other Interior advice they may need! I think that’s pretty exciting!
If you are anything like us, we are always going straight from one project to the next. What will you do once your home is complete?
I don’t think our home will ever be complete! I’m sure I’ll find 1000 things to change, repaint or replace before I’m truly happy with it (sorry Jake!).
Do you have any plans post covid?
Just to see my friends and family in the sun. Too much sitting at home and decorating isn’t good for you either!
This is just a small insight into a wonderful upcoming designer, who has huge potential for great things. Head over to Instagram and follow her journey through @barbsathome, you definitely don't want to miss out on the latest updates! Thanks to Barb, Jake & Koda for taking the time out of their busy schedule to answer a few questions, we will definitely be keeping in touch, and keeping a close eye on the great ideas that keep on popping up on our feed! Collaberation in the future? who knows...