Sam Leigh
Sam describes her style as layered and eclectic, more about creating a 'feel' than just a look.
1. Who is your style hero?
My style hero is Helena Bonham Carter. She's amazing. I love that she's not a people pleaser when it comes to her wardrobe. She dresses to please herself and seems to endlessly experiment with her style. I personally love her look; it's fearless and exciting!
2. If you had an unlimited budget to spend on your home what improvements would you make?
If I had an unlimited budget for my home, it would be swapped for a lovely old cottage by the sea. I would build a big Victorian conservatory full of lush plants and butterflies, with little pebble pathways winding through it. I鈥檇 have a little table and chair, so I could sit and drink my morning cup of tea in heaven.
3. Would you have the room you created in your own home?
I'd be very happy to have the room I created in the show. I miss the tree bed immensely! However, I might have to tweak the purple paint a little, to something a little more chocolaty and soft, which was the initial plan. Ah well!
4. What did you learn from taking part in 鈥榊our Home In Their Hands鈥�?
I learned not to let personal agendas get in the way of an opportunity to learn new stuff. Working alongside Shirley was a great experience, I came home and immediately re decorated my living room in a style very inspired by Shirley's amazing taste!
5. What is your golden rule when it comes to interior design?
My golden rule with decorating is have fun, and don't stress out! Its just paint! You can create some great memories whilst making a house a home. Don't ruin it by crying over spilled milk.
6. What is your DIY tool that you just can鈥檛 live without?
My tool of choice is my hammer. I can do literally anything with it. I'm a bit like Thor!
7. What is your biggest DIY achievement?
My biggest DIY achievement is my studio. I've had so much fun developing its look over the years and people still comment on it now. It makes me so proud.
8. What is your biggest DIY disaster?
My biggest DIY disaster is a bedroom I decorated in a house I rented years ago. I hated the carpet and tried to just ignore it, crashing on with my new look. Which was revolting. Lesson learned? If you can't change it, don't argue with carpet, you won't win!
9. If you could design a room in any building in the world, what room would you design and why?
If I were to design a room in any building in the world, it would be in Great Ormond Street hospital. I'd create a big room with thick sand on the floor. It would have pebbles, beautiful landscape murals on the wall, huge plants, a water feature, big open windows letting in the light and large comfortable chairs for people to rest in. It would be for weary doctors and nurses to recharge themselves, for stressed parents to gather their thoughts and for children to reconnect with the outside world.
