IDM 5 Episode Two
And then there were nine! Round two and we took them to the zoo... but what was the challenge? With no spoilers! But my wardrobe notes at the end.
Then there were nine! And we took them to Chester Zoo where in teams of three they set to work on children’s activity rooms — the sort of spaces that groups of children, aged between 5-16, visiting on school trips would hang out in. Thus inspired by the zoo, each trio had a theme to guide their designs: India, Madagascar or Brazil.
I know I always say this, but the brief was quite simple! Design a room that will appeal to, and inspire, this broad demographic of school children reminding them that they’re in the UK’s most popular wildlife attraction. After all, Chester Zoo is home to more than 35,000 animals from over 500 different species, think majestic elephants to tropical birds and sloths. It’s also what’s termed a conservation zoo, dedicated to protecting endangered species around the world.
Key things: what charms a 5 year old is unlikely to thrill a 16 year old, so how do our designers navigate that part of the challenge? How to incorporate their given theme in a way that’s not a cliché. Inevitably the rooms must embrace a level of multi-functionality, as they need to accommodate everything from learning to play and indoor-picnics. Finally, teamwork is what’s going to make the dream work this week (the real test oft this challenge), so how will our designers divide and conquer the tasks in hand? Tip: It’s all about communication.
PS Did you clock the wallpaper used in the studio this year? It’s called ‘Forest Ferns’ and it was re-coloured especially for us to match the colour palette I’d devised for the studio this season by none other than IDM Season 3 finalist, the brilliant Amy Davies!
IDM Alumni…
Back to Season One again, and do you remember Frank Newbold, the runner-up in that hotly contested final. I loved Frank for his honesty and authenticity. He also had a a bit of a way with bedroom styling and a love for an exotic wallpaper. Nonetheless he’s come a long way since then with the launch of his own interior consultancy and online shop, Hestia and Hearth.
Co-founded with his mum, Jane, as he puts it, the “design approach seamlessly blends the vintage with the contemporary, layering earthy tones and textures alongside a palette of natural materials.” I think the products look beautiful, and his completed projects show a sophisticated maturity.
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PS For my fast-track, How to Become an Interior Designer ‘course’ see my notes on Season 4, back a year, right here on Substack (which will be behind the paywall unless you’re already a subscriber). You can find quick links to every S4 episode via my website here.
Behind the Scenes…
Having a jolly with Sophie Robinson at the zoo, I mean, what more could a girl ask
for! I’ll have to go back to the zoo though with the smallish because I drove up on the morning of the shoot rather than do an overnight (I will always prefer a night in my own bed, even if it then involves a heinously early start!), and had to zoom home straight away afterwards, so I barely got a chance to have a proper scoot around. It looked amazing though. Big and spacious and with very natural habitats for all the animals.
Sophie was a lot smarter and hung around longer, so check her feeds for a great BTS reel and even some pictures of the animals (I think)!
Wardrobe Notes…
On set: Yellow suit: The Fold London
Shoes: Black Mary Janes from Rupert Sanderson (old faves, this style no longer in production sadly. I have them in three different colours!)
Earrings: jet and gold vintage hoops from a shop that sadly no loner exists.
On location: denim dress: Jasper Conran (I bought this, I loved it so much, so you’ll probably see it again in Season Six!)
Denim jacket: ancient old fave from way back, Warehouse or French Connection, I think.
Trainers: the old faithfuls, which I wear on location throughout the series, so I won’t keep repeating the credit. I love me my Adidas Stan Smiths! Bought from Yoox.
