For this episode I chat with Ju Depaula the runner up of the smash hit BBC/Netflix show 'Interior Design Masters'
We talk about her experience on the show and what life has been like since the show aired.
She also shares the process of how she got on the show.
Guest: https://bloominghomesociety.com/
Sponsor: To take advantage of the generous 15% discount from my sponsor Thorndown, please visit http://bit.ly/TVCarpenter. Discount code: TVCarpenter
Contact me: Wayne Perrey on Twitter and Instagram.
Music: "What's the Angle" by Shane Ivers
To learn how to achieve a Safe, practical and beautiful home,
join THE DIY DOERS Facebook group
For this episode I chat with Ju Depaula the runner up of the smash hit BBC/Netflix show 'Interior Design Masters'
We talk about her experience on the show and what life has been like since the show aired.
She also shares the process of how she got on the show.
Guest: https://bloominghomesociety.com/
Sponsor: To take advantage of the generous 15% discount from my sponsor Thorndown, please visit http://bit.ly/TVCarpenter. Discount code: TVCarpenter
Contact me: Wayne Perrey on Twitter and Instagram.
Music: "What's the Angle" by Shane Ivers
To learn how to achieve a Safe, practical and beautiful home,
join THE DIY DOERS Facebook group
On today's show. I'll be talking with you the semi-finalist from interior design masters. Her infectious personality and passion for color has really made a splash in the interior design world.
Speaker 2:Welcome
Speaker 1:the TV carpenter. My name is Wayne Perry. If you enjoy a make-over show and you're going to love this podcast, it's my excuse to interview all my friends from the world of interior design and garden make-over shows and today is a great interview. I'm interviewing you who was the one of the semi-finalists from interior design masters interior design masters was the hit show, which is on BBC and now Netflix worldwide. But before we chat with her, I'm going to share with you a quick two minute interview I did with my sponsors thorn down thorn down paint and they tell me all about how they discovered peelable glass paint and if you like the idea of buying some peelable glass paint, you can go to thorn down dot code at UK and you can get 15% discount on all their online products. I have not just the appealable glass paint, but also there would paint interior and exterior paint and all you have to do is put in the code, the TV carpenter. But here is Ben and Caroline explaining how they came up with the idea for appealable glass paint. I've never heard of peelable pains. Where did the idea come from?
Speaker 2:Well it was basically I'm a resident supplier came to us with this peelable resin and um, just got us thinking about it. So we originally designed it as they agree in how shade in paint because rather than these sort of the old ones where you have to mix up the paint together and then paint it on a little smear in horrible at the end of the season, you don't have spent ages like sponges and scraping and washing it off with this, you literally roller it on and then at the end of the season you pick at a corner and you can just peel whole sheets off. So it's a totally revolutionary paint. And when we started to talk about how it's brilliant as a greenhouse shade in paint, it was then really obvious about the other uses for it. Um, so the fact that it would be great as conservatory shading paint as well. So that meant that we then brought on sort of colors from our wood paint joinery range onto that so people could have the same color skirting board as Shaden in their conservatory. And then of course there was all of these security and the privacy screen and, and then all of the art and design, I asked them cross possibilities. So it did take a while to develop it because we kept on creating more and more things and more uses for it. Um, and it, it was required a long journey from the very first days when sort of Ben experimented and made up some little pots of it and we went on holiday to France and got onto the Euro tunnel and we thought we'll have plenty of time there. We'll get stuck at the kind of, um, at the Euro tunnel port, have to kind of spend time in the shops and we can get an EU GB badge there. Um, and instead we turned up and went straight onto the train. And so we were there and I'm about to, to France and we don't have a GB sticker. So we went to the boot and to count this little pot of bright pink and bright purple peelable glass paint and we and the children painted a GB stick and onto the rear of the car. And um, yeah, people seem to love arrested once it got a lot of attention. There's little things that just made us think this is a good idea. Yeah, you can just have fun with it and maybe it has some slightly practical uses. And actually it turned out that it was a monkey in a Safari park that peeled off on UV sticker. We're going to use that as a slogan. Put a monkey can feel this glass.
Speaker 1:My guest this week is the adorable. Do you now do was a a semifinalists on interior design masters. This smash hit interior design show on BBC and now worldwide Netflix. I interviewed, uh, do, I'm just before the show went out on air. So it was about two, three weeks before the show had gone on it. And we, um, we'd been waiting probably about just over a year I think from it, from filming it to, to going out. So there'd been a long wait and a long anticipation so I most to catch up with her before the show had gone out and her excitement and it was really infectious. And then what I decided to do is do a followup interview after the show or dead. So after the dust had settled a little, I had a chat with her just to find out what, what the reactions were like and also what she's doing now with her new found celebrity in a way that people have contacted all the contestants and I think they've all done really, really well out of it. And she was just on cloud nine about how well it had been received and how well she'd been received. Because I have a little listen to this interview with the zoom. Like I say the beginning Bay is is before the show went out. And the second part is after the shows add. Well thank you for
Speaker 2:uh, talking to me. Uh, the, obviously this is going to go after the show's been air, but we're recording this before the show go out. Are you excited about going out?
Speaker 3:Oh my gosh, I didn't know if I'm excited. If I'm scared. I am like, I don't know. I'm excited but at the same time I don't think I'm able to watch it cause it's so scared. I think I was just like a little bit cause everything. And then once it's all out I'm just going to sit in a room like can stay for the whole day and watch the whole thing.
Speaker 2:No, you can't. You can't. You're in like seven episodes. You,
Speaker 3:no, I was just like so freaking scary. You know me, I was crying. I don't think, I think they only had like big crying and complaining.
Speaker 1:I don't think so. I think, I think they'll have you crying with joy if I remember the ones that we worked on. Well you know you're just constantly crying cause you were happy. I turned around. Did you be crying cause you, I was like, why are you okay?
Speaker 3:You guys are just livid. I can't watch it. I can't,
Speaker 1:you make me laugh. One thing I remember, I didn't work on the, the first episode I was filming something else and I joined you guys for the hotel. The chocolate hotel.
Speaker 3:Yeah.
Speaker 1:And I remember you coming up to me and saying D did I, did you find out about the show through me? I can't remember.
Speaker 3:Well it was so funny. It was like I was, I was just launching my own one course and it was just full to my list. And there was like, I know I like, I was selling not selling much and it was like a bit down and it was like I just, I literally, I looked this guy and I said, what can I do to gain front of more people? And then like I stopped, I just said that I turned my phone on Instagram. And it was your post say about the to join the program. Yeah. So yeah, they know, like I was like, Oh God, I don't want to apply cause you know, I'm not really meant to be and stuff. Like I'm, I'm, I'm an introvert so it's hard. And then, uh, but then I, I said to my husband, so he said this happened, I know the university, lots of weird things happened to me. So it was like, I know the universe thing to me, they should do it and they don't want to invest. Just you like, you know, cam give you the pattern of taking it. Should they try and he's like, just try. But I was, I sent it hoping they wouldn't call me.
Speaker 1:And they did. And they[inaudible]
Speaker 3:yeah. And thank God they did because it was the most amazing experience of my life or something.
Speaker 1:Yeah. And so you enjoy, did you enjoy your time on the show?
Speaker 3:I absolutely loved it. Absolutely loved it. I loved every minute of it. It was so nice like getting Mike tarp and meeting all you guys. I remember when they saw di Dickey for the first time and first episode I start crying like crazy. I went to the bathroom and I start crying cause they couldn't believe this articulate.
Speaker 1:Oh. But people that don't know Dick, he's one of their fellow builders on the show with me and he's done all the great interior design challenge as well. So they tend to use the same four or five builders. So when we become a bit of a, a regular face in these shows, but Dick, he's great isn't he? Yeah.
Speaker 3:Yeah. Because you know, like I, I didn't see you but like I recognize Joe Dickey, I think, um, who else was there, Steve? Yeah. So it was so cool. Looking around. They just felt so overwhelmed with gratitude for being there because I've been watching the great interior design challenge forever. You know, I was just a few that grads did when I saw you there. The next door, the hotel room is Frankie's room. I was so excited. I was like I have to[inaudible]
Speaker 1:I love that. I absolutely love that. What, um, if you could, what was your face, cause like you said you did seven episodes, do you, you, you did really well in the show and you did brilliantly well and what what cha cause I keep going through all the episodes cause I, like I said, I did them all apart from the first one. Which was your favorite episode?
Speaker 3:My favorite episodes. Was it sold? Was it five, five? They want to do with Nicki shout. So cool. It was like not just from the projects, there was like very nice facilities. Absolutely love the, you know, the end result. But it was from the whole prep week. Uh, I did notice like, you know, with Nikki we just wouldn't met. We wouldn't met with living and breathing that like 24, seven that week.
Speaker 1:Well it just two of you in that cause there was three in hours with Frank and so there was three in ours and two in yours. Is that right? Okay. So how did they make that fair? Did they just do less rooms? I can't remember.
Speaker 3:Yes, he was like they had three bedrooms and we had two bedrooms. That was the difference. The size was the same rooms and like everything was the same but it's just they had to have an extra bedroom.
Speaker 1:Okay. Um, if you could do anything different now in hindsight, cause I know I've spoken to a lot of the other guys and they've all, you know, your PR, you've thought about it lots or you know, how you went out, how you stayed or all these things or even the rooms themselves. If you could do anything different, good or bad, um, what, what would you do differently?
Speaker 3:The last one, the one they left. I was, I was so I was very last minute they did that project and I didn't really had time to think properly, even though I liked the results. I'm not gonna lie. You did like it. Um, but uh, but I know we could have been so much better if I had gone in another direction. And it's funny because the other day I was just thinking about it and I came up with a whole concept and that looks so cool. It would be the final,
Speaker 1:but I, I is what was interesting as well as look, you know, all the contestants will very different and you're all brought in for different reasons. Like you're known for color, you're known for like if you look on your website, you know, blueberry living.co. It's, it is so bright and vibrant. Is that your natural style? Is that what you naturally enjoy working with?
Speaker 3:Yes, it definitely is. I, I, I like, I don't design for, looks like I don't follow trends. I don't that I spend it on if they should that did meet it, but I rarely buy a magazine. Really? Wow. Yeah. I, I designed for feeling, I signed, I don't like to be influenced by all the things, you know, I like to design from the insight and for the, you know, for the feelings that I want to revoke. So, uh, so I, I always designed to feel good because I think like your home has such a massive impact on your wellbeing, right? And you like you are opening your front door and walking into a space that makes you feel good, that is just priceless. So I like to define happy spaces. This is the make you feel good and they connect to you. So, so yeah, that's why he's called. He comes calling happiness is life, right?
Speaker 1:Yeah. No, absolutely. But boy, it's religion is the one, the first one that we worked on together was, um, was the student halls and what I loved about you, like I like I've met you obviously at the other episodes and we'd said low and everything, but I'd never got to work with you. And when when I arrived you, you suddenly went, I don't like all the colors I've changed and I've changed. And then you went quite dark in that room, if I remember correctly. And you went totally off piece. Why did you do that? What caused that?
Speaker 3:I don't know. I always wanted use black. There was, it was for sure and I was going to use blue and yellow, but it just like changed the terms of them. Yeah. I just wanted to go a little bit different there. I don't know. I just want to push myself.
Speaker 1:So you chose to do it on the, on the week. That's Sophie Robinson. So for Robinson was the judge on the great interior design challenge, who is known for color. Like if you were going to match, you work with anybody, you'd match her up with Sophie and the week you decide she deceased, your judge, you decided to go black.
Speaker 3:Yeah, I did. I went to push myself. I really wanted, I thought, you know, I, I've just got to push myself because it's no way. My thing is about colored flowers. No way I can do it. I still wouldn't hold flowers. So I thought, you know, I'm just like, pretend I'm designing for my friend. I had a friend, um, do the best of time. Time there was investee Eddie. He was like so cool when you had such a good taste. And I just put it into words is I only have room for him. Yeah. And th like it has, you know, I think I tried to do something that was cool and I'm not really cool and they girly and you know, and so I just tried to sign something that's completely out of my comfort zone. I just want to push myself.
Speaker 1:Yeah. What's lovely. I remember Sophie actually loved your room the most, didn't she?
Speaker 3:Yes. It was so nice that I went, I don't know if she knows she was my mentor.
Speaker 1:Yeah. So the, in towards the latter end you had a mentor. Yeah.
Speaker 3:Yeah. So I went to her house and everything was like the highlights of the whole series for me. I went down on a Friday, on a Friday evening and the Saturday morning I woke up so happy. I can't remember when I felt that I had, before I was done seeing the kitchen like crazy, like PKS and like those thing is thinking and you know, Brazilian music, like I was like, ah. I was like, you know, that's forever. That's absolute loved the women. So it was amazing. It was so nice, you know? And, and she said to me how much she loved my designs and everything and it was, I was so good.
Speaker 1:[inaudible] how amazing. So your, I've been looking through your, your website and you're, you are miss social media queen. We can find you on like Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest. But your website is blueberry living.co. um, what, what do you offer? Like what's your, what's your main selling point for you, for you, for your business?
Speaker 3:I, I am not thinking clients at the moment. Very rarely. I, I'm quite picky now with who I work with. Uh, but at the moment what I'm doing is I'm selling online courses. So I'm teaching women from their home how they can create a home that feels like them. Okay. So how they can bring joy into their lives and you know, creative space, they're really, um, you know, really translates them. So yeah, a lot of fun.
Speaker 1:Um, but on a practical level now this is where the overwhelm comes in and you're so good at this with color. Like I'm like, like, like I've got a daughter and just dressing her in the morning when she was young. My wife would just look at me and going, what, what, what have you done? Like why, why have you put those, that red coat with those pink tights and that don't like, there's so many rules that I broken with color. Like how, is there any thing, any tips that you can give us to, to help us, um, these color phobia, people like myself,
Speaker 3:I think a great way to start is like, well, defense, you know, your style. But for example, I basically just starts to, they call a theory. Yeah. Because it's so easy. It's like, you know, you think about this like three types of colors or color schemes, guys think so you got them completely complimentary scheme that you call it the opposite. The wheel. You've got their miners callers, they call it the next two children a wheel. And then they got them on a chromatic colors day. It's just like one Collin, different tones and shades. So if you just get the color wheel and understand that it's going to be so easy to put any scheme together.
Speaker 1:Ah, okay. So just work work from the color color wheel. So, so at least if you get some basic rules then from that you can, you can.
Speaker 3:But for example, if you want to work with um, like you feel like, um, qualify for rooms like me for example, what you can start like start picking two colors to work with. So let's say two colors opposite the color wheel. So we get like one warm color, one cold color to get one, get pink, the one color, right? And then get blue. The coat color, they will balance each other out, right? So you pick one of those two colors, they want to use more in the room because if you pick them, boys use them both in the same quantity, they're going to fight for attention. And then it's not going to work. Yeah. So for example, I'm going to pick a room that's and blue. Uh, I'm going to use more pink, less blue, and then I can start, introduce all the colors in the mix and then I can take a little bit of yellow and little bit of gray and put there. That will work,
Speaker 1:which is why you got to episode seven in the show. It's amazing. It's amazing. I love it.
Speaker 3:Yes. Explain without the wheel.
Speaker 1:I think as my listeners can then look at, look that up.
Speaker 3:It's so important because if you know, which college are you using, if you know, like for example, if you know the feeling you want, like for example, we were designing our guest bedroom, right? Yeah. You want your guest if you welcoming, right and restful and peaceful. And so like you should pick being the very, very good color to have because the nurturing color, it makes people feel welcoming and taken care of. And when you should, pink book pick blue. Blue is like arresting color, calming color, relaxing colors. It's a great color combination. So it's good to know these things because it really makes a difference.
Speaker 1:Yeah. And then you can make a choice from that. So like, like I said, this episode, this is going to go after the shows. Um, ed, what, what are you hoping for? Cause by now, you know, the, the publicity have happened, the show have happened, you, your, your Instagram fit followers will have gone through the roof. Um, what, what are you hoping to, to come from, from being on the show?
Speaker 3:Well first I hope that I didn't embarrass myself to Beverly or my family, but that's, they're like, you know, like, uh, but I think I told really once out of the show is be able to reach more people with help more people to design their homes. You know, I think it would be so nice. I would love like, I don't know, I, I'm always in touch like with students and like I just finished a challenge. I, I thought like more than a thousand women, how they would like design their homes online and the pictures for them. You know, you would put pictures on our Facebook group and everything. And uh, and so I, you know, I could see the transformation that caused in them for going, you know, for having that beige and boring home to, you know, to that more cozier and more welcoming, comfortable place, how much healthier they were. And uh, I just wanted to reach more people to be able to help more people to have that. Because just imagine like if everyone gets to wake up every morning feeling fresh in the head, the what order the world be like a better place.
Speaker 1:Oh, it would. Oh, it's so weird. And it's so true. It's that, you know, it's the reason why I started teaching DIY during the DIY doers is giving people that confidence to pick up the tools and have a go. And it kind of, it gives them a, you know, like you can't believe, you let me know. You see, I see people on my courses where they come in and you get, there's petrified and then all of a sudden they're liberated, you know, and they, they certainly can do all of these things. Is, is, is amazing and it's an empowering, you're empowering people to do this. Do you're an absolute dream. And it was, it was amazing to build for you. I think we did too. I think I did the restaurant with you as well.
Speaker 4:Oh yes. We go through the rest of Oh God, that was lovely.
Speaker 1:Um, I think doing a mosaic, you know, upside down and thank God you didn't have to put cork in the ceiling in the end. That's all I'm saying. But uh, it was always a pleasure and again, watching you cry with joy, tears of joy was always lovely.
Speaker 4:Well thank you. You've been brilliant. You helped me so much. I can I just say like how much I appreciate all your help. I know your input too. It's such a great sounding board. You know, when I was like, Oh, should I do this? Should they do that? No way. Like how's the best way to do that? It's like you would just brilliant. Thank you.
Speaker 1:Well I loved, if I can be totally honest, like we were told not to offer up anything cause the problem is we do every day, so, so are we were told that we weren't allowed to offer up anything, but if they asked us, we could answer them. So I remember early on kind of looking at it going, I can't say anything. I can't say anything, but you know, and then you asked me and then I could tell you. So it was kinda nice. It was kinda like that. And I said this to everybody,
Speaker 4:how it works in real life as a new design. You get the experts, you don't know everything. No one is master of everything off everything is myself. Nothing. Right, right.
Speaker 1:And I said that pretty early on. I said, utilize, you know, when you're delegating, utilize the facilities you have around you, whether it be your decorator, your builder, you know, whatever. Make it work for you when you're project managing. But, um, we got through it and the show is, um, we haven't seen it all yet, but from what I hear, it's going to be amazing. Everyone[inaudible]
Speaker 4:I call it, it's going to be a NetSuite.
Speaker 1:So will your family will get to see it in Brazil.
Speaker 4:I know my mom is so excited. I keep telling her to that pony one but she keeps telling.
Speaker 5:So I'm last time we chatted, I asked you at the end what you were most well nervous about or excited about being on the show. And the thing that you said you are most nervous about was that you didn't want to embarrass yourself too badly in front of your friends and family. So how did you think you did?
Speaker 4:What did they say that um, I, I am so proud of myself actually. I was so happy. It's just the, yeah, I'm really proud of myself. I shouldn't say that, but I am just great. So I'm really proud.
Speaker 5:I know. And that's the, what's lovely is I think you did really, really well. But I think everyone, everyone I spoke to on the before, all God, everyone, cause you don't know what the edits like you don't know what things are going to be like going out and you know, you're commenting and saying, Oh my God, I cried constantly. I was crying and I was happy. I was crying. I was sad. I was crying. So you didn't have to hide behind the sofa then?
Speaker 4:No, it didn't. It was, it was actually like quite watching yet. The first one I was quite nervous to watch. I remember like one day before I was like chatting to everyone. No, a group. And it was like, I'm not going to watch it, but um, I think, you know, I just get excited and then I watched it and I loved it and yeah, every week was like exciting time torture. Yeah,
Speaker 5:the party time at every Wednesday, wasn't it? It's been out on Netflix around the world. So it has it been in Brazil?
Speaker 4:Yes. It hurts. Oh, it's so nice. It's like first thing that they could, that my family gets to see you. What tours up to that. You know that like my mom was always like calling me during the whole process. I was chatting there all the time. So, but she did, she actually did get to see what was actually, so that was amazing. And it is so nice because like so many Brazilians like got back to me and said I hope they are. And especially like this lovely things like, Oh I represented Brazil so well went, Oh I got crying a lot. We're really goes messages because we're so nice.
Speaker 5:Yeah. I see. I saw, I saw one of your Instagram posts and I couldn't understand that assumes you were speaking Brazilian and you were crying down on it. So I presume you were thanking them or you know, commenting.
Speaker 4:Yes, yes I was because it was was amazing because you know, it's like, it's different for someone that you know you are in a different country. When I came here, I spoke very little English and then my dream was to learn enough English to then go and work in a French store. And, and there was like a big step for me to go because, you know, it's not easy. And then like see every step they took where I am now and then have a, you know, business pairing other Brazilians to go for their dreams, if not to feel like they are, you know, not good enough tells not the, you know, gaffer, different country. So that it's been amazing. Like the messages they've been receiving about it. It's just, it's heartwarming
Speaker 5:in Brazil. Have they um, they um, dumped it. Have they changed the, the language
Speaker 4:they did? Yeah. Well they had the subtitles, but they have the option with like being debits[inaudible] yes. Yeah. So it's, um, yeah, it did it, it's so funny.
Speaker 5:So, so you, so you could have spoken in your language and yet, and yet they've dubbed you with somebody else's, with somebody else doing,
Speaker 4:yeah. I didn't know what you were funnier because like in Brazil I think it's like they have like just an, it's not like many people who does did the beans and yeah. So, um, you know, the voice who is like, my voice is someone that, you know, I actually recognize your voice for watching Hollywood feels so funny. Yeah.
Speaker 5:You're famous. Your, your, your voice is favorable. That's brilliant. I absolutely love that. I absolutely love that we had so many, so many questions you about just your whole experience of the, so I'm going to dive straight in with, uh, one of the questions. The first one was, um, from my modern doll house, which were of the rooms, where are you most proud of?
Speaker 4:I left all my rooms to be honest. I think like, um, yeah, I, I loved the, you know, the work they did with Nikki because that week we had like him seen Tony and it was like, it was just a lovely week which work and then the results were just so good. I loved that. But I also love the restaurant that I did with Cassie and I have two more really even the first one. So yeah, I think my favorite one, I would say like my favorite week was, you know, the week that I worked with Nicky the chalet, cause it was such a lovely project.
Speaker 5:Yeah, it was a nice location as well. Um, the, the lady who asked the question, my modern dollhouse, she, she said her favorite was a student accommodation, which is the one you did with me.
Speaker 4:Yeah. It's funny because that word, why I was doing it, I was like, this is not lucky right now because it was so out of my comfort zone in that room. It was something that would never be my house. Like, you know, it's so different from my personal style and, and I wasn't very sure. But then after I was looking at the pictures like, you know what actually looks cool, it looks nice. So yeah, I'm probably one to, I liked that one too. That was nice.
Speaker 5:If you, now you've watched it back, if you could give yourself a bit of advice and you're about to start the show again, what would you do differently or not differently, but what advice, even if it's personal or even design wise, what piece of advice would you give yourself?
Speaker 4:Well, piece of advice I'd give myself. I think like just to do what you did. I don't regret anything that he did. I don't regret any of my design choices. I think yes, I think like even like I remember because of the last episode they were, they was out. I had like one finishes like I should have done different, I should have them like, you know, after I had like another project, my head, they would look very nice, have the mother scheme. But you know what? It was great but it was maybe the[inaudible] but the clients loved it. I actually was so cool because this week I received a message from someone, I don't know how am she said to just been to them to instable and I went to all the shops and yours was the only one that was filled with happy people. It's still the same way. They didn't change a thing still the same way you had, it was like everyone's side was is myelin. That just feels my heart. It has. Or like a kid, the great job then you know.
Speaker 5:Yeah, you achieved it. You let, you want to keep the soul of that shop. So you did, you achieved it. Amazing. That's a, that's a lovely message to have. Oh well it's
Speaker 4:so nice that also myself, I'm messaging me taking the time to message me as well and let me know even the clients after we, um, when the show was aired that the client's wife, she messaged me and said how much they loved the salon and everything. So you know, in may, I think when we're inside the bubble, it's quite hard to get, we got they hard on ourselves because we are living and breathing that. But once like, you know, we just take the step back and just watch and just like see the results. And these are like new are, it wasn't as bad as I thought was actually, it was quite good. I need to stop being so hard on myself.
Speaker 5:And that's just human nature is that everyone's hard on themselves. It's, it's crazy. But I had a lovely message from a guy called Dan who's got a, an Instagram page. Look, we bought a house and his Instagram page is beautiful. His house is beautiful, has gotten old houses renovating. And he sent a lovely message saying, your personality and passion was infectious on the show and you made, you made some fabulously bold choices. Taking feedback from the judges. What is the most important thing you've learned about editing your style?
Speaker 4:I don't edit myself. I'm going to find, so I think, well, I think from the show, um, you know, it's, it's, it's just like what I learned. I guess I got my style more refined. Yeah. You know, it's more refined. Uh, but I don't know, editing it. I dunno. I don't really think I edited I, I'm a maximalist. Yeah.
Speaker 5:But yeah, you're a maximalist not in a, in a cluttered way. You're a maximalist in a, in a vibrant way, if that
Speaker 4:he is actually, yeah. To me it has to be like the spaces have to be bright and have to be area has a few areas. They are important to me. Yeah. They're, you know, with a design, choose airy. Um, but also I think when is that editing too much, it kind of lose. So, and for me, you know, for me, I space without, so this based, it doesn't get a smile if it doesn't give you a smile, it's not doing its job.
Speaker 5:Yeah. I think every, like every room you went into was, was very smiley, especially, you know, in your rooms or we'd like bright and full of color. And I love how you use color. Um, I'm, I'm rubbish at using color. So, um, I, I admire anybody who can, a lovely lady called TJ Mullins, um, said, what was the process to getting on the show? So what, what is the audition process? How does that work?
Speaker 4:It was quite a long process. So first we sent, um, I think I remember most, we sent, uh, this had a form. So we send a form and send some pictures of our work and ourselves. Then, um, then they called us and we booked I think a point of call, like, you know, a phone interview. Then after that we had a Skype interview. Then after that we had someone know. Then after that we had to send a more cap project. So we had to do a project. My one was a Victorian house.
Speaker 5:Uh huh. So did they, did they send you like a Brett Lake? Like you would've got like a brief, did they send you a brief to work on a budget?
Speaker 4:W we had a brief and then we had the like the floor plan, the pictures of this Victoria has it been on the other guys I had that and then uh, I had to send to them like not just, you know, the, the final idea with the drawings and everything, but also how I would utilize the time and the budget and all the tasks. So you know how long the captain would work on this task, how long the, you know, the, the painter would work in the other one. So we just, yeah, it was like, you know, very detailed. And then after that the came over to our houses and did our interview here if you come to us and I think that was it. I don't remember if I had eaten all this pair.
Speaker 5:And then when did you find out, when did you find between them coming to your house and then how long did you have to wait to find out what you've got on the show or not?
Speaker 4:Oh it was long as well. I think it was about one or two months. Can't remember. Uh, I remember we found out, I think it was in may and then we start filming end of may. Yeah, I think we learned about like two weeks before we started filming something like that. Cause it's such a long time.
Speaker 5:It wasn't a long time, but they really put you through the mill. I think in a good, it's a really good way cause it whittles out people cause you need, you know, when you, when you're in the show, you're doing it for six months is all consuming and it's, you know, it's hard work. I remember actually I remember when we did the, the student hall, um, didn't you ask your son break his arm or something while you were doing it as well? It was just like, like trying, is that correct? Did your son hurt his or something and you're like logistically trying to do a mood board to shop whilst having families and all the different things. It really tests you on your time. Um, so I remember all of all of that kind of stuff going on. So by putting you through the mill in these auditions or you know, the casting process, it really must work out who, you know, who were the strong ones, you know, and who's committed.
Speaker 4:Exactly. Because their whole customers has take so long. And I remember when I first applied, I wasn't even sure if I wanted to because it was like it came as like, it is a weird, so I think I have told you about there was like, you know that I, I just wanted, I was a bit confused, a lot to do with my business. I want to get in front of more people. So I asked for a sign and then I opened my[inaudible] had your posts about, you know, to get designers. So I sent the application, I took like two, three days to send application cause I really didn't want to be on TV and that I sent because I thought the university and I think them and grateful there's a particular King ponder for me when it asks for a sign so I need to go through with it. But I, every time I was like, you know, every step they would go close it. I was like, Oh gosh, I wish they not gonna call me next time. I wish that not going to come. That's the next time. And then you know when, when it is so long you kind of wanting it and it was like okay now I really want texture.
Speaker 5:Yeah cause convention, if you'd have been offered it straight away, you'd have kind of gone into the actual show into a multimillion pound production going, yeah I don't really want this. But actually because you've invested so much down the line, you actually really want it then by then don't you? But
Speaker 4:it's like it's terrifying, right? Cause you need to have like you need to fare very strong to get on a show like this. If you are, I don't know if you're like me because I'm, I'm like a, an introvert and quite insecure. So you know it's hard cause you put yourself out there to be judged by your family, by your friends, but people who you don't know. So and then invite the judges. I like big names in this industry. You can like, they can probably break your career. This is something like that about here.
Speaker 5:Yeah. Yeah. And I think as well, because it was an unknown show. No one knew what. So, you know, if the show gets commissioned next year, which we're fingers crossed, it might do, you know? Oh I hope so as well. But um, at least people will know what the beast is. People will know what the show is, whereas you guys were going, going into it totally blind. I had a lovely question four from a lady called Sarah T saying, um, are you pleased you went on the show? And what was the hardest part?
Speaker 4:I am so pleased. I'm like very pleased that wasn't a show. And, uh, I think like if they called me and said we're gonna go everything again, I would, I loved it. I loved every minute effect. And I think the hardest part was that I just mentioned was like putting yourself out there for me is I had like, I'm not someone that takes criticism very well. And then like I put myself out that, and I think it was the best thing because actually helped me to start taking Christian[inaudible]. It was actually, yeah, it was, um, I think that was the hardest part. It's like, you know, you should be brave enough to do something they were completely uncomfortable with.
Speaker 5:Yeah. No, and I think you took it very, very well. You didn't really get that much criticism. I'm trying to think if everyone seemed to just love you. Um, you, you, you had some really good responses from, from a lot of the judges in it and just from noticing on your social media as well. I think you've got some really great comments as well. People will very calm.
Speaker 4:Yeah, I got lucky though because it was a worry. It's like I didn't go into ITTO anything to be honest, because it was like, you know, Twitter can be a bit harsh, so I haven't meant eat. But my husband did a search, he went down and checked and he was like, you are fine. You're gonna be touring.
Speaker 5:I love that. I survived Twitter. If you survive Twitter, you're doing well. Um, one of the final questions, which was going to lead us on nicely to your, uh, to what you're doing next is M Y K she said, what? Um, um, what did you study? Um, and to become an interior designer and, um, and what got you into the field.
Speaker 4:So I, um, I started back in Brazil. I used to do Accenture in Brazil. I dunno now, but at the time there I was there, we didn't have interior design course that was like, um, how can I say like, can you Versiti it was just like a professional course, not really infested course. Uh, so I did education in Brazil, like most of the people who are interior design, they actually accepts. So I stopped doing it and I hated it cause it was so much maths and I'm terrible at math. So I did, I went all the way halfway through and then, but why was there, I was doing it. I got a job in a very high end fun to store and uh, and I started doing home consultations for the clients in the store and then really fell in love in doing design design. So I then I did like a little course in Brazil about do design and when I moved here I did a be honest and do design. Then they worked for like lots of furniture stores here. And then he's taught my own business and they worked for another day or designer in the, I'm just,
Speaker 5:wow. So you really have a really good strong background in interior design. And do you know what, I never knew this. We never, we've never chatted about this. And it's absolutely amazing. And when we chatted before the show went out, you had your website, blueberry living.co but then I went and checked on it today and now you've got a new website called blooming home society.com. Tell me a little bit about that. How comes you swept over? What, what does that, what does that include? Blooming home society.com.
Speaker 4:So Ruby homes is high. It's my design school because I do, I still do like clients one one sometimes actually just finished a project today, but my, but I want to help more people because I think like if you just get a client for just like a science, I can just help the one person. So I have this membership. They, it's like a designer school where people can, um, you know, come and watch all my courses where I teach them exactly all the steps. Only thing that I know about do design. I teach to them inside my course. Yeah. So they learn all the steps they need to take to create a home that feels like them and makes them feel good.
Speaker 5:So is it all online and, and is it an interactive, do they get to speak to you online or is it a video led course or is it all of those things?
Speaker 4:Yeah, it's, it's a video ed course, but then, um, for the Birmingham and society, cause I don't sell the cost of separately as well. They kept doing, growing the blooming policies high as you, they, they actually hold design school. You get to have a meeting with me once a week where you like video meetings. So you take me inside your home and then I see everything and they give you all the design consultation that you need. It's a lot of fun. I love it because it locks in five people this week. I've been to South Africa I think to Florida like I think, I think in the UK I be like, you know everywhere. Just like to know where you from. My, well my office just to my laptop, I've been to lots of different houses helping them.
Speaker 5:This is a really clever idea because in a way that safe, I want him to make over my living room. I could employ an interior designer, which I think is great as well, but also I could maybe go on your course. I could be learn how to be an interior designer by having you holding my hand as we were doing it together. So in a way I'm employing you with your design eye, but also I'm learning how to do it as well. Is that right?
Speaker 4:Exactly. Yeah, exactly. So it's like I'm guiding you and making sure that you're not, you don't make any mistakes and young teaching you are the same time because then you are learning next time you just do another view. You might not even need me.
Speaker 5:Wow. Is is it a subscription based course or is it a one off? How does the, the fees work for this?
Speaker 4:This one is a subscription. Yeah. So once a month, you know, they pay and then they can cancel anytime, anytime. So once they finish their project, you can just consider it.
Speaker 5:[inaudible]. Amazing. And I've also noticed on your website you have a free color online workshop as well. Tell us a little bit, a little bit about that. That's, that's something free for my listeners.
Speaker 4:Yeah. So I have this free color workshop, the Eads, it's actually happened inside my membership. Inside the school. I had a course that's course about color. They, I sell separately, but these workshops you get to watch two of my lessons for free. So it's two lessons where you learn the first one, you learn the basics of color. So you learn how you can create, um, color schemes that are trusted, that are not go wrong. And the second one, we talk about something that's very close to my heart. It's about how can use college to create the mood for your home. So it's about psychology of psychology, of color. And you know, how to Creek woods for your room. Uh, you know, we'd call it helping you.
Speaker 5:Amazing. Oh, I think I was a really clever concept that you've come up with and no one else has. I haven't heard anybody else doing that. And then I've interviewed lots of interior designers, so I think this is a really, really cool one. So they'll find that on the blooming home society.com. Is that right?
Speaker 4:Yes, yes.[inaudible] the column or on my Instagram as well is that,
Speaker 5:is there as well. And so finally I asked all my, uh, interior designers, you have to describe to me your dream room. Now you could already have this or it could be a room that you aspire to. And while you're in this room, I want you to tell everybody what you're drinking while you're in there.
Speaker 4:What's a drinking that tells a lot about people. I have to have only drinking some seventies and freshmen's eight Oh two. You're drinking tea. I forgot. I see your dad. She's drinking. Yeah. I wasn't out drinking for years, like, you know, and then I stopped. I stopped drinking.[inaudible] I'm like on the way back to listen to three. Yeah. But then you'd have like you a whole class. It would have two, two sips of wine and it would be completely drunk and I just stopped. Okay. So
Speaker 5:you're, you're not, you're not drinking, you're drinking a mint tea, but also you'd be having some of those truffles that you made me. She makes these amazing truffles. I bet. I begged Terry. It took her til the end of the series. So after this area is finished for me to get them. But anyway, so you're having tea and truffles and a, and w describe your room while you're having your tea and truffles.
Speaker 4:Okay. My room. Let me think. So I'm my living room and um, help be confused. Uh, uh, probably pink in linen and the walls are white and some of the worlds have a Frolo colorful wallpaper and I have to peacock quite chairs. I'm looking at now and the cartons, I have cottons with different colors who have some catalytic things and cut this in blue and some kinds
Speaker 5:and yeah. And I'm sitting there watching vine Gosling. Yeah, yeah. That makes up for the alcohol. Okay. We'll let you have that then. Okay. Xu, it's been an absolute pleasure. Just remind me again, what's your Instagram handle so people can contact you? Blue bird, blueberry living co. It's been an absolute pleasure to you as always, sending lots of love your ways and thank you for chatting with me. Thank you so much for having me. It was fun.
Speaker 1:What did I say in the intro? I said she was an infectious personality. Uh, she was brilliant on the show and I love building for her and working with her. She was such a giggle and what a really clever business idea that she has the idea that you can learn how to do interior design yourself, but also have her there to help you design your place so you're doing it alive with her. I think. I've never heard anybody doing that when I've spoken to a lot of interior designers on this podcast. So I'm really pleased that it's proving a real success, uh, as always a huge thank you to my sponsors, thorn down, throwing down dot code at UK. And remember, you do get those 15% discount on any of their online products. If you put in the code TV carpenter, we're now going to take a little break. I'm just going to take a two week break over the Christmas period because it's known that podcasts go a little bit quiet. Apparently over Christmas, everyone's a little bit busier when he presents, so we'll be back on the 3rd of January, Friday, the 3rd of January where I'll be sharing my interview with Nikki Bamford Bose, who was also one of the semi-finalists on interior design masters, but also she's a really good friend of mine, so I'm gonna have a drink with her and catch it with her and share that interview with you. If you have any questions for me, don't forget you can contact me, Wayne Perry on Instagram or Twitter. But all that's left for me to say is hope you have a lovely, lovely Christmas and I'll see you in the new year and thank you for listening to the TV carpenter.