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What first got you interested in crafts?
My Mum was specifically interested in craft. We used to live in the USA and Mum really got in to patchwork, stenciling and to be honest I think taught me cross stitch at a young age to keep me busy. I learnt lots of different crafts from her from the age of about 7 which kept me quiet.

Where did you get the idea from to branch into homewares?
I wasn’t inspired by the selection around – I wanted to make home ware fashionable yet affordable and stylish.

Did you set out to be part of the ‘re-use, reduce, recycle’ set?
No, I always wanted to re-use and recycle things and it really upsets me when people chuck things out that could be re-used. My family has always done it so I grew up with home-made creations such as Mum making cushions out of old curtains.

The carpet initiative seems to go hand-in-hand with your love of crafts - do you think homes should be homelier than the ubiquitous, minimalism we have today?
Yes I hate minimalism, my husband is big advocate and I think it’s vile. Our home is part minimalist, partly nutty, eclectic home.

What made you want to take up the cause of carpets?
Carpets are a fantastic traditional craft that has been forgotten about over the years. Just as wallpaper has made a huge comeback, I want to be involved with bringing carpet back. You can’t beat the handcrafted luxurious feel of a carpet. It adds an element of comfort cocooning and style that you just don’t get with other flooring options.

Carpets are often thought of as more expensive than wooden floors is this still the case?
Carpets are incomparable to wooden floor because they fulfill a different purpose because of the comfort they give.

What are the trends for carpets in the coming year?
There is a massive resurgence in textures so shagpile, bobbly pompom and basket weave are back. Stripes are huge and patterns are making a strong reappearance.

Can carpet be eco-friendly?
Carpet is a great insulator and can help save money on heating bills

How do you jazz up carpets?
There are some really great ideas out there such as weaving led lights into your carpet. Or just choose a wild patterned carpet for add a splash of colour to a room.

What is your own home like?
Lots of bright colours, with a slight oriental theme downstairs that includes hand painted silk wallpaper, cushions made out of silk scarves and a 2.4 metre long black lacquer dining room table.

Where do you shop?
Everywhere, I visit a lot of auctions, I like bespoke pieces too so. I will also get bits and pieces and accessories from the high street. I love places like Temptation Alley in Portabello that sells loads of braids and trimmings.

How would you describe your style?
Modern but very feminine with eclectic with crafty touches. I love handmade things so that features in every room I create

What is your favourite creation?
A huge Macrame hanging chair for the Fun on the Floor house – a really decorative creation that will look stunning when completed

What was your first creation?
I used to make little cross stitch messages for friends and family. Oh and a Valentine cross stitch gift saying “Hi Hottie”, I think it might have put him off!

We reviewed your book House Proud recently and had great feedback from our readers - do you have any plans for a second?
Yes I am thinking of doing a hip family interiors book and cool crafts for kids, so aiming to help teenagers to do up their own bedrooms. Children these days don’t seem to realise the value of things so, especially with my own children I want to share the importance of making things and that it is a cool thing to do

What do you love most about your job?
I love everything about my job. I only have to work on projects I really love so I can almost chose what or who I work with. Part of my job is to write for the Sunday Times every week which means I get to see the most brilliant creations. It’s just so inspiring. I also really enjoy supporting new design talent which I can do through designing properties and also through my writing.

My husband and I used to live in a flat in London but have recently moved to the country and we love everything about it, every room is just a pleasure to be in. You don’t realise how much more happy and chilled you are in general until you living in amongst great design and that’s what I want everyone to teach everyone.

You studied fashion - do you think that interiors is a natural progression from there?
Absolutely, if there is a trend in the air, such as oriental it will be seen through fashion, interiors through all walks of life. I don’t think necessarily that trends are influenced by fashion but designers across the different disciplines such as fashion and interiors will pick up on the same current trends.

What inspires you?
Wanting something unique.

Quick fire round... (Very simple, few word answers please).

Favourite building...Blackwell House, Lake District. It’s an Arts and Crafts house

Hero is...my husband. He is very inspiring and has motivated me to do a lot more than I would without him

Favourite material...anything with a texture

Relaxation is...lying down on a really comfortable recliner in the English countryside with a Pimms and lemonade in my hand

Biggest interiors nightmare...buildings where the design hasn’t been thought through with the end inhabitant in mind

My passions are...designing something beautiful and inspiring, my son and family, crafts from around the world - Peruvian rug making is amazing!

I'm getting into...completely revamping the carpet industry

My modern must-have is...Sonos

The next big thing is... WOW VX - holographic photography and people having their own screening/cinema rooms in their home; really cool chillout rooms with roll down cinema screens for watching live soaps, football, movies and computer games

My fashion style is...glam bohemian

I collect...old wooden furniture - I have a shed where my husband makes me keep it

I can't live without...a smile from my son in the morning, my wonderful family