What. A. Final!

I had the absolute pleasure of returning as guest judge for the grand finale of BBC ONE’s Interior Design Master, and trust me, it did not disappoint! For those new to the series, it’s the ultimate design showdown where budding decorators battle it out across eight jam-packed episodes. Each week brings a fresh challenge—residential, retail, hospitality—the full spectrum of commercial spaces. And by the end, only one designer can be crowned the winner.

This year’s final saw two very different talents go head-to-head: bold, graphic craftsman John versus earthy, soulful Rita. But it was John who completely stole the show. The twist? His design didn’t even nod to his usual signature style. That’s what made his final project so impressive. He didn’t just follow the brie, he embodied the spirit of Portmeirion, the magical Welsh village where the final was set. His design was joyful, transportive, and utterly original.

Read on to find out how he pulled it off, the clever ideas I loved (and would totally steal!), and why this final left me utterly inspired…

About Portmeirion

But before we dive into the design details, let’s take a moment to appreciate the setting. The final took place in the extraordinary village of Portmeirion in North Wales—a truly unique location inspired by Italian coastal towns and lovingly created by architect Sir Clough Williams-Ellis between 1925- 1973. With its pastel-toned buildings, lush subtropical gardens, and sweeping coastal views, it offered a wonderfully rich canvas for the finalists’ creativity.

The brief was to transform a holiday cottage, drawing inspiration from the village itself, its playful architecture, eclectic charm, and sense of escapism. Portmeirion was designed to demonstrate how architecture could work in harmony and enhance the natural setting rather than detract from it, and it’s become a treasured destination for visitors (and fans of The Prisoner, of course).

John’s final scheme stood out for all the right reasons. It captured the colour, warmth and character of the village beautifully.

 

The Winning Space

 

This space is proof that John’s a really confident designer. He’s gone for a bold colour palette, incorporating those rich, sun-drenched tones we associate with the Mediterranean. I think it’s really interesting how he’s used colour and pattern to zone the different areas. The yellow feels invigorating and uplifting in the dining area, whereas keeping the living area white, paired with those lovely pops of red, makes it feel warm and cosy. Whats more, the blue on the bannisters really draws your eye and leads you upstairs – a super clever use of colour!

His whole colour palette and design hinged around this incredible Amalfi wallpaper from Mind the Gap. it’s got chequerboard, his colour palette, and those wonderfully bonkers gargoyle heads. With just one roll he made it work hard, using it as wall panelling and on the coffee table. One thing that I love about Interior Design Masters is because the budget they are given is so challenging, they have to really eek every inch out of it, and this is a clever way to make an expensive paper work hard.

In the dining nook, John added more wooden wall panelling around the table – which I thought was a really smart move. It’s practical and perfect for a family dining space: panelling below for durability, wallpaper above for adding the wow factor. And in an open-plan room, I loved his use of high-backed armchairs; much cosier than low seating. I’d love to see a big blue Murano glass chandelier hung over this table though for a bit of luxurious drama. I have the perfect one in mind from my collection at Dunelm.

 

A Masterclass in the “minimal, maximal makeover”

 

This is an absolute masterclass in a budget kitchen makeover – one pot of paint, a packet of tile stickers and BAM! The biggest transformation – I love it! It just shows how impactful a bold colour can be. If you want to do the same, all you’ll need is an all-surface primer and eggshell paint.

Michelle called it a “minimal, maximal makeover, and it just goes to show that in a small room like this, sticking to a tight colour palette with simple, thoughtful décor really does the trick. The striped blind, the plate on the wall… it’s all so simple, but so pretty, and it ties the whole scheme together beautifully. Maybe less is more, especially in a small space.

 

Earthy Textures & Mediterranean Tones in the Master 

From the Amalfi coast to Mykonos. I loved John’s really intentional use of colour, just on the bed, in the bedside shelves, and through his beautifully elevated carpentry. It’s a real exercise in ‘less is more’, although personally, I’d have loved to see a bold blue and white wallpaper above the headboard to give it a bit more visual punch and be in keeping with the other rooms he’s designed in the house. For me it was too less, and left me wanting more! Maybe even a patterned bed throw would have helped elevate it. If you watched the show, you’ll have noticed that Michelle disagreed with me! She felt like after the business of downstairs this was a lovely room to pause and breath, and take in the amazing view! A large rug would’ve made a big difference too in hiding that unfortunate green carpet, but I did love all the texture he brought in with the bamboo and rattan accessories – it’s so important to soften a bright white scheme like this. And the antique wood chest of drawers and those lovely clay ceramic pots really helped balance out the stark contrasts.

 

Colourful Comfort in the Guest Bedroom

 

Now this is a bit of me! This room is an absolute riot of colour, and I love it. It just feels so joyful the moment you step in. John’s layered up the soft furnishings with a really pretty ditsy floral print, which brings a lovely sense of comfort and nostalgia, like Grannie’s old guest room! And the way he’s styled that wall with a collection of straw hats? So clever. Grouping pieces like that creates real impact without feeling cluttered – it’s confident, considered styling at its best.

 

This is where you really see John’s design thread come into play. That sherberty orange teamed with the repeat hits of cobalt blue that are woven into every room—it’s such a vibrant, energising combination. And the fact that it runs throughout the space so seamlessly is genius. It ties the whole look together, while still allowing the room to feel relaxed and cosy. I never usually go for short curtains, but here, they just work – they suit the playful, easygoing vibe perfectly. The only thing – for me, as a simple tweak, I’d have painted the doors, woodwork and skirting in the orange too, which would’ve really wrapped the room in warmth and made it feel like a big, welcoming hug!

 

 

Thank you to the incredible team behind Interior Design Masters for having me! If you haven’t already, go follow John on Instagram—and definitely catch up on the final over on BBC iPlayer. And for something completely different, take a look at John’s brand new collection with John Lewis (his prize for winning the series). It’s a total triumph—bold, fresh, and full of personality. Well worth a peek!